 | 16 Oct 08 |
A couple years ago, NYT bestseller James Rollins spoke to my local RWA chapter on blending genres. His presentation was fantastic–not only is Jim a great writer, but he’s also a fun and informed speaker.
He suggested that one way to break out, or to write that something “fresh and different” that editors say they want is to take an element from another genre and blend it with the “rules” of an established genre. JD Robb’s books are a perfect example of a blended genre–romantic suspense novels set in the future. They’re truly three genres–mysteries, romance, and light science fiction.
Romantic suspense has become it’s own distinct genre. There are those of us who write romantic suspense that’s heavy on the romance, such as the incomparable Roxanne St. Claire. There are those of us who write romantic suspense that’s heavy on the suspense, such as me. And our own Heather Graham has successfully incorporated paranormal elements such as ghosts into her romantic suspense novels–she helped forge the trail, as Heather has blended paranormal elements into her stories before that genre was so hot.
In fact, genre blending is nothing new–established authors have been doing it for years. In the 60s and 70s, gothic romances led the way to the modern romantic suspense novels. Romance writers who tended to write sexier than their peers became the new erotic romance writers–and there are sexy paranormals, suspense, and historicals, another branch off the tree. With the explosion of urban fantasy–which may or may not have strong paranormal and/or suspense elements; the successful science fiction romances of Linnea Sinclair; the increase in romantic mystery series (or, rather, mysteries with a nice dose of romance), our imagination is truly the limit in what we can create and blend together to make something new, different, and exciting.
When you look at some of the biggest authors of our time, they are not considered “genre” at all, even if they are shelved in an established genre. For example, Stephen King and Dean Koontz may be identified as “horror” or “suspense” but both have gone beyond genre to write stories that appeal to a large cross section of the public, largely because they incorporate ALL genre elements successfully. Stephen King’s books often deal with the supernatural or paranormal, while almost always having a relationship story (that may or may not be a romance.)
I think this is all good–it gives our imaginations more room to roam. But there’s a pitfall for up-and-coming authors, including myself: how do we market our books? Specifically, how do we create covers that appeal to cross-genre readers?
You can put Nora Roberts or Stephen King in white letters on a black cover and sell books. Their name is their genre, in a sense–they are a brand in and of themselves. They tend to have more “generic” covers without a lot of gimmicks. HIGH NOON, for example, is a simple cover that evokes a mood, but it’s Nora Roberts’ name that has you buying the book. While I’m sure bad covers for even the most popular authors can affect sales, bad covers–or the wrong covers–can negatively impact a growing author’s career.
When you write romance, you have parameters for your covers. Harlequin covers have certain guidelines and are designed to meet their reader expectations. Avon Historical Romances have certain guidelines to meet their reader expectations. When you write thrillers, there’s certain elements that tend to recur, but many of the covers either have a strong setting or image that directly relates to the story (such as James Rollins and Steve Berry) while others have a more generic or art look like Lee Child. Then there’s the running man, or other elements of speed and chase incorporated into the cover that gives the reader a sense for the type of story they are getting.
But when you write romantic thrillers, what do you focus on? The romance? The thrill? Both? To what degree?
I’m one who believes that the cover should reflect the tone of the story. More romance in the story, a more “romance focused” cover; more suspense in the story, a more “suspense focused” cover. But finding that balance that’s going to appeal to the readers who would enjoy that type of story is not easy, yet it’s probably one of the most important things for a book’s success–or failure–after the writing itself.
I recently bought a book solely for the cover. David Hewson’s THE GARDEN OF EVIL. (Great title, too!) But I was looking at covers that evoked a mood, specifically for my upcoming supernatural thriller series, and this one jumped out at me. It’s not that this cover would fit my story, but it gave me the right feeling.
Genre blending is no longer new and different, but because of the endless permutations of the genres, it will continue to grow and thrive. Yet for those of us who are trying to establish our careers, who mix it up with the genres primarily because that’s where our voice and interest takes us, finding the right covers is not always easy. And until we get to the point where our name alone puts us at #1 on the NYT list, covers will always be important.
What do you think of genre blending? Do you prefer your mysteries to be mysteries and your romances to be romances and your science fiction to be science fiction . . . or do you like mixing and matching?
© 2008 – 2009, Allison Brennan. All rights reserved.
Allison Brennan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award winning author of seventeen romantic thrillers and several short stories. She lives near Sacramento, California with her husband and five children. Recently, RT Book Reviews called Allison "A master of suspense." And Lee Child said of her Kincaid series launch, "A world-class nail-biter ... Brennan is in the groove with this one." For fun Allison enjoys wine tasting, swimming, kids sports, playing video games, and "of course" reading. Her most recent release is IF I SHOULD DIE, book three in the Lucy Kincaid series. Watch for SILENCED coming on 4.24.12.
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I love genre blending, it can only make a story more interesting. The back drop of a story is what frames it. So when you combine romance, or whatever, like Scifi, it can only flesh it out, taking the reader to another world…
by Lee October 16th, 2008 at 6:37 amSince I write a blend, I like the genre blends. I combine paranormal, mystery with urban fantasy. Throw in a mild romance and I’m good. My new book, “Bloody Murder” has a spooky cover but also has a little bit of romance in with the murder and mayhem. If you want to see the cover, go to http://www.carolshenold.com. I think this cover sets the mood really well.
by carol shenold October 16th, 2008 at 6:54 amAlthough my books are defined by the industry as “romantic suspense”, they’re actually more of a blend of mystery and romance. I don’t mind good stories. I’m not big on pigeonholes — at least not until someone creates a romantic mystery category.
I don’t mind blending, but I do appreciate being forewarned — I don’t care for most paranormal so if an otherwise mystery/suspense book is going to entwine those elements, I’d rather know about it up front. I checked out a Linda Howard from the library without reading the blurb and when the character was raised from the dead, I was totally put off the story, despite the quality writing. Had I read the blurb (lesson to me!), I would have found another book to read.
As for covers, yes, I want them to set the mood. I was delighted with what the art department did for “Finding Sarah” which sounded like a light chick lit based on the title. The cover really made it clear it was anything but.
by Terry Odell October 16th, 2008 at 7:08 amI love your tag line, Carol “The monster under the bed just might be real.”
Hi Terry! Good to see you in Seattle, as always! Romantic mysteries tend to be shelved in romance, but most publishers don’t put it on the spine. I don’t know if it’s because it’s not really an established “genre” or if because mystery readers tend to not be big romance readers, or if because they just throw in everything into romantic suspense. I haven’t read Linda Howard’s latest, but I knew there were paranormal elements. Kay Hooper has done a good job with her psychic FBI series, adding a believable paranormal hook into what would otherwise be a romantic suspense. I’m able to suspend disbelief as long as the author builds their world with rules and doesn’t break them.
by Allison Brennan October 16th, 2008 at 7:33 amHi, Allison (and thanks again for helping me sell out!). I know ‘romantic mystery’ isn’t an established genre, and don’t expect it to be. But it would help with that ‘reader expectation’ thingie. I’m probably in the minority of those who like the mystery and romance to be tightly woven. I tend to read series mysteries and find that I’m paying as much if not more attention to the relationships in them. I’ve followed Faye and Jonathan Kellerman as much to keep up with the way the relationships develop as for the mystery. LIkewise JA Jance, Harlan Coben, and my list goes on. I’ve yet to include the villain’s POV in my books. I figure I never saw Moriarty’s POV, and those stories worked just fine.
by Terry Odell October 16th, 2008 at 7:42 amOops — forgot to mention that the one aspect of paranormal that I seem to be able to ‘buy into’ is the psychic connection, to a degree. IF it’s well done. Seems strange, because I ‘learned’ to write writing Highlander fanfiction, and there’s definitely something “out there” about being Immortal.
by Terry Odell October 16th, 2008 at 7:44 amHey, I know YOU know, Terry! But it’s one of those things I think about all the time — how books are marketed, covered, shelved, pitched. There are a lot of romantic mysteries out there, though they tend to be shelved in mystery. Our own Jennifer Apodaca had a great mystery series with “strong romantic elements.” (I really am beginning to hate that phrase!)
by Allison Brennan October 16th, 2008 at 7:46 amHi Allison, I’m thrown out of a book if a paranormal aspect jumps in that appears out of nowhere. No mention in the blurb or no mention in the first half of the book. I like to be warned so my brain is in the right mindset.
Speaking of Jim Rollins, I just finished Playing Dead and the vet sound suspiciously like him.
by Kendra October 16th, 2008 at 9:27 amHi Allison,
by Mary-Frances Makichen October 16th, 2008 at 10:11 amExcellent post. More and more the books that I love to read are a blend of romance with something scary, either a mystery, thriller, suspense or even occasionally paranormal. So, I have to say I’m a huge fan of genre blending.
I love genre blending–that seems to encompass more of how I view the world, all mixed and interwoven, so it feels more comfortable to me. Plus, I like getting to know more about the characters. If they are just solving the mystery and there’s no relationship, or if they’re just chasing down the terrorists and there’s no hint as to how their wife handles them being gone, (etc., totally made up examples), then I’d feel like I missed something valuable in the story.
The real problem is luring that reader over to the blend and enticing them to try.
Sometimes it feels a bit like being a street hustler, saying, “pssssssssst, over here, wanna give a crime-caper-comedy-romance a try? Just a leeetle hit, it won’t hurt ya none. Not too expensive.”
by toni mcgee causey October 16th, 2008 at 10:23 amHi Kendra! I agree, I want to know what I’m getting in for, then I’m good to go
. . . and in the original draft of PLAYING DEAD–so rough that I deleted it before my editor saw it–Dr. Jim died . . . but then it didn’t work so he got to live.
In SUDDEN DEATH, my villain’s name is Karin. Karin WITH AN “I” since sometimes I mess it up. (I’m not giving away any spoilers, you know her name is Karin in the prologue!)
Hi Mary-Frances! Sorry we couldn’t hook up in Seattle, but Brennan #1 won Friday night! Woo hoo! Another game tonight . . .
Great example, Toni. And you’re right, it’s bringing in the reader that is hard . . . which is why I think most romantic suspense novels do well when shelved in romance because romance readers are the most voracious readers and tend to be willing to try new things, including blended genre.
by Allison Brennan October 16th, 2008 at 10:29 amHey Allison! I agree whole-heartedly. There is far more blending now than “straight” romantic suspense or whatever. As Toni pointed out, I too believe this is because it’s more like real life. Real life is messy and complicated at times. The best stories reflect that “messiness” so well.
by Debra Webb October 16th, 2008 at 11:02 amAllison, I think your covers do a great job of capturing the tone of your books. I think my latest cover shows the tone of BLOOD MAGIC.
I’m pretty easy going, and rarely mind blended genres. I only get annoyed when the cover and copy are blatantly misleading.
As to how to market books and blended genres–NO IDEA !If I knew, I’d be out there doing it. I’m the worst at promotion. So sad…you’d think I’d want to sell my books, LOL!
by Jen Apodaca October 16th, 2008 at 11:32 am[...] are good reading if you’re interested in suspense novels), has written a great article about genre blending that got me to thinking about erotic [...]
by The Erotic Reader » Erotic romance has come a long way October 16th, 2008 at 11:37 amAllison, I love your covers. The new green one is awesome, it is a new color for you, isn’t it? It made the book fresh and new.
I love covers of books. They are an art all on their own. I know everyone picks on the Fabio covers, but hey, you knew what you were getting between the covers. hahahaha
by Amanda October 16th, 2008 at 12:36 pmThanks Allison, Glad you like the tag line. That’s what I like about my blend, taking real people and confronting them with things they always thought were unreal, stretching and bending their reality to see their reactions. Sounds kind of diabolic doesn’t it?
by carol shenold October 16th, 2008 at 2:48 pmAs a reader your comment on Rocki and how she writes, well for me it’s the very best and I can’t wait for her next book. So I guess you would say I like “heavy on romance”.
by Marilyn October 16th, 2008 at 5:27 pmfor me i can read any blend so long as there is a strong passionate romance.
by Karin Tabke October 16th, 2008 at 8:47 pmII used to read straight mystery, and after awhile I could guess what was going to happen. The same thing with romance. It becomes too familiar. Mixing it up with other genres is a great way to add a new element to the old genre.
My wip is a blend: romance with mystery and it’s paranormal. It’s not only fun reading blended books, it’s fun writing them!
by Edie October 17th, 2008 at 3:09 amI think genre blending is vital to the industry staying fresh and interesting. I don’t know that it can be avoided. I mean, there are only SO many plot lines….
by Natalie October 17th, 2008 at 2:11 pmI really enjoy reading blended genres and I love to blend genres in my writing, BUT as a writer trying to break into the publishing biz it’s a double edged sword–publishers don’t know where to shelve the darn thing.
by Margaret A. Golla October 18th, 2008 at 5:32 amI think those of us breaking into the biz the key is to focus on one element and mute the other genres in minor sub-plots until we get a foot in the publishing door.
Sorry to come to this so late.
I love genre mixtures, and I don’t need to be warned ahead of time. Reading a novel is an adventure, and if I already know where it’s going to go, it deprives me of part of the fun.
by Elaine October 20th, 2008 at 7:29 pm