I’ve learned a few new things in the last year. To break some rules.
One of them being “You should pick a genre and stick with it.” I always thought this one was right, that the poor dear reader would get confused.
Not a bit of it. When I started writing paranormal romance, I used a pseudonym for the historical romance and had two websites, one for each genre. Angie James, then at Samhain, wondered why I’d changed the name, since I’d worked hard to establish a “Lynne Connolly” brand. Thanks, Angie, she was perfectly right. I dropped the pseudonym and then redesigned my website, putting all the genres in one place. People like a change of reading matter. I was still careful to mark the books that were erotic, because not all readers want to go there, but it worked. People liked the simpler website and the way they could get all my books in the same place.
So I was known in both the paranormal romance genre and the historical romance genre.
I’m about to add another. Contemporary romance. And guess what – I’m doing it as Lynne Connolly.
Recently I’ve been working with some ladies at Ellora’s Cave, namely Ciana Stone, Samantha Kane, Desiree Holt, Mari Carr, Mari Freeman and Dalton Diaz. It’s been sheer pleasure, an absolute joy. Some of us met at last year’s Romantic Times Convention and we got on like a house on fire. So when Ciana contacted us with her idea, we were ready to go with it.
Cougars. Oh yeah. Older women, younger men. I’ve never done anything like it before but the concept has interested me for a while. When I write my paranormals, I’m working with beings that can be centuries old, but that’s different. Different rules apply, different experiences. This was completely new to me. How do you put an alpha male with a confident older woman, who might have more experience than he does? What an interesting situation!
We started with the same concept and then did our own thing. Six women meet at a romance convention and realise they are all at a crossroads in their lives. One of their number, Monica, challenges them all to find themselves a younger man, get a bit of experience. They come from all walks of life. After they get home they’re joined by another character, Edie. I got to do Edie.
I loved doing this, and the words flew off the page. I’m really delighted that Ellora’s Cave decided they wanted it. Our stories are very different, but working with these ladies was a sheer delight.
So was the new genre. Apart from one failed attempt at a Harlequin Modern romance, I hadn’t done a straight contemporary before. I used to worry that there wasn’t enough going on, that I’d have to introduce another element, like the paranormal, to make it work. You know what? I didn’t. Edie and John handled it all on their own. I had to cut a character out of the story, to make room for their interactions.
So what do you think? Should an author try something new, or should she stick to what she knows? And how about pseudonyms for different genres?
I dunno. I’m just doing what feels right these days.
Check out the Tempt the Cougar blog here: http://temptthecougar.blogspot.com/
And for my contribution, “Beauty of Sunset,” here’s a sneak peek for you: http://lynneconnolly.com/BeautyofSunset
Can’t wait for those cougars to start growling. This has been one of the greatest projects I’ve ever worked on and Lynne? Your contemporary voice is just as strong as your others. Your story rocks. So here’s to all the cougars in the world and to the ladies of Cougar Challenge.
I love it when an author tries a lot of different genres. It doesn’t bother me a bit and certainly doesn’t confuse me. Good on you, Lynne, for trying contemps again.
I think it is great for a writer to try different genre’s and as long as the books are clearly marked so that the historical romance fiend doesn’t accidentally pick up the paranormal, one name is fine. That said, I do like the idea of the pseudonym because it makes it really easy for me as a reader to decipher which genre you are writing. Unless there is a reason you would want to hide what you are writing (maybe you have a day job, heh) I love knowing that such and such author is writing as XYZ. It makes it easy to distinguish the different genres, but allows me to recognize that I will most likely enjoy their writing. In the end it should be about what you as the author want/need/can mentally handle.
Yes I do–and I’m discovering that I have a knack for contemporary romance and my world-building (for urban fantasy romance) isn’t so shabby either, and all after I was so certain that historical romance was IT for me. But I also feel it’s easier for e-published authors to play with not only different genres, but regarding historical romance, with different settings. So many NY published authors who formerly wrote in a variety of settings now stick to one, and while I would kill to have, say Jane Feather, write another Civil War/Restoration set romance, or for someone like Meredith Duran try her hand at a Western, it just isn’t feasible within the present market. And when authors do switch, it’s usually to revive a sagging career. It’s rare for an NY-published author to write in a variety of sub-genres, and when they do, the fans they gained with a particular romance sub-genre are apt to grumble. :/
Hi Desiree! One of my fellow Cougar writers, and her book is awesome, but then, I always did have a weak spot for cowboys!
Gwen – you reviewing it, then? (lol)
Danielle – I think the covers and the blurb give a clue! And I have to thank Angie for encouraging me not to change names.
Evangeline – I think it was the approved method for many years, but as you say, the epublished author is a little freer, it seems. People are talking about a new publishing model, so perhaps this is part of it, too.
This is a great question, Lynn! I think Danielle hit the nail on the head. As a voraciious reader, it drives me insane when I get something different than I expect. While I’ll probably buy the book anyway if a fave author tries a genre I don’t usually read, I’ll feel duped if I’m not expecting the change. In short, my answer is go for it – just let me know!
As a writer who is thrilled to be part of the Cougar series, I’m so glad you decided to take the contemporary plunge. Sunset rocks, and she is the perfect advisor for my character, Elizabeth. Thank you.