What determines the sub-genre of a book? I used to think it was the content of the story. Does the plot have a strictly romantic conflict, or are there bad guys to contend with? I always maintained I couldn't write straight contemporary (except novella length) because I needed the suspense to fill out a full-length book. But, I'm starting to think content isn't the deciding factor in determining sub-genre.
I'm using our own Margo, my beleaguered CP, as my case in point. I'm approaching the end of her latest WIP in a frenzy of editing. This is book two of her Brothers-in-Blue series about cops who protect the women they love from creepy villains. Now, I've also had my grubby little mitts all over book one. My constant comments were that she needed more suspense elements to make these books true romantic suspense because something just felt off. Reading book two, I realized the number of bad-guy encounters wasn't the actual problem.
Why didn't these books feel like suspense? I finally came to the conclusion it's not plot but voice, tone, style--or maybe all of the above. It's the same reason I can't write straight contemporary, I don't have the right style. Margo delves into the romance and the deep emotions of her characters. She takes her time telling their story. Me, I make people tired when they read my books because my pace is fast and furious. I don't delve. Neither style is wrong. They're just different. However, a quick pace lends itself to romantic suspense because it keeps the reader on edge. On the other hand, deeper emotions feels more contemporary.
So, despite the fact Margo is writing about cops and bad guys, my suggestion was she shop her series as contemporary with suspense elements. The only downside, she needs to add more S-E-X to make them really appealing as contemporaries. Always a downside... LOL
What do you all think? Does the content or the tone determine the sub-genre of a book? Is my theory out to lunch, or am I on to something? Please chime in.
And while we're on the subject of the second book in a series...Every Step She Takes, book two in my Who's Watching Now series is on sale for 99 cents. Get your copy on Amazon now. Or check out all my books on my Website.
15 comments:
IMHO, it's voice, tone, style first and content will follow. That's how I tend to write which, I know sometimes drives you bonkers. We're always told to write from the heart and go with our strengths. The differences in romance genres, subtle or not, are what make the broad genre of romance so successful (over fifty percent of all books sold) in the marketplace. BTW love your grubby little mitts and sledgehammer references. In a strange sort of way, both gave me comfort. ;-) Also, so nice to hear you admit I'm beleaguered - and then some, I might add! Just kidding.
Great post, Jannine. I always figured it's plot that decided the genre--I've never thought much beyond that--but you're so right that all the "fixins" that make up a story shape the genre as well. The one thing I wouldn't have considered as a genre-defining element is the amount of S-E-X. :-) I've read romantic suspense that ranged from everything behind the door, to every minute, graphic detail in print. I've read contemporary, paranormal, historical even sci-fi in ranges as well. Maybe I need to pay more attention! :-)
Great post, Jannine. I like the way you described your differences.
Now that the writing field has busted open, our most difficult task seemed to be identifying the nuances of our stories so we attract the 'right' readers. I thought. But I met a hybrid, prolific, multi-genere writer at the RWA conference who says fugettaboutit...her readers read everything she writes-paranormal to contemporary. She's not doin' 'brand.' Heavy sigh goes here. In the end, I think it's all about how to make the reader WANT to turn the pages, whether the mystery is in the relationships or the plot. The pleasure center of the reader's brain must be tweaked by the text to make her want to see how the story ends. A daunting task for us all...but the one we aim to fulfill with every book we write.
Margo, you're definitely beleaguered since I have strong opinions about everything... You'll probably swear at me A LOT when you get this one back...just saying.
Leah, their are many different levels of sex in all genres, I agree. BUT, if you're submitting contemporary to the e-book divisions of big pubs, it behooves (love that word!) you to have more sex in said manuscripts. Margo writes on the sweeter end of open door sex. IMO, she can stay at that level or a little bit hotter but needs more than two scenes in a full-length book to fly with the big pubs. And some (like Loveswept) won't even look at it unless it's HOT!
Thanks, Barb!
Rolynn, I think readers are way less picky about subtle differences in sub-genres than publishers are. If you're self-publishing, you can do what you want. But if you're submitting to publishers, I feel there's more distinction and nit-pickiness in what they'll take for each category of book. I don't know that their perception of what sells is accurate, but they definitely have one!
It's a good thing I'm self-publishing, or I probably wouldn't be publishing at all. When I discussed my first female bodyguard book with editors and agents at the RWA conference a few years ago, the consensus was that it was contemporary romance with suspense elements rather than romantic suspense, but not for the reasons you mentioned. They felt romantic suspense had to be darker and scarier. Since I don't write serial killers hiding behind every door, it had to be contemporary romance. As you know, my books are much lighter, with a healthy dash of humor. I write fast-paced stories and have to remind myself to go back and add in the characters' emotions. As for the S-E-X, I don't put much in now, and I wouldn't care if I never wrote another sex scene, ever. Since I'm my own publisher, I have the freedom to write what I want, the way I want. Thank goodness. I don't do well (and never have) when other people try to tell me what to do.
No idea, I have to admit, but I'm reading the discussion with great interest! To me, it has to be a combination of the two. Surely, you can't call it suspense if there's no trail that keeps the reader hanging on. And if you write boring and slow-paced, it sure as heck isn't going to be suspenseful no matter what 'secrets' or whatever are held back.
I agree your books aren't in a specific niche, Alison. I think they're more like my new series, which I like to call romantic adventure. But I had an "in" with my pub with a more traditional series first. The key was getting my foot in the door. There's a lot to be said for self-pubbing and doing what you want!
Andrea, it is a combination. But I think the tone can make or break the sub-genre. I think a lot of contemporary is slower paced simply because the focus is on the emotional development of the characters while suspense is more focused on the plot development. Melding the two can be a challenge.
Very interesting analysis. I think you might be onto something, although obviously, content would have a great deal to do with the sub genre. However, I am a suspense writer (I'm starting to lean toward less and less romance), and I don't write a lot of emotion either. I have a critique partner who slams me for not writing enough emotion, but like you, I'm more of a fast-paced writer and I don't need all the melo-drama. :) I do think books should have a high level of suspense to be considered romantic suspense. You are spot on about self-publishing allowing you to do more of what you want, however, readers have a certain expectation as well and if your RS book doesn't have enough S, they will pummel you! :) Your series sounds great, Margo. Excellent deal on your Who's Watching Now book, Jannine...I'm off to grab a copy.
Ha, oops! Who's Watching Now is the series name. I already have this book!
Really interesting, Jannine, about the amount of S-E-X expected from the big pubs' point of view. Thanks for sharing that!
Ally, I'm trying to get better at writing emotion between my characters. I still tend to skim over it, but I'm improving. Recognizing our problems is the first step toward fixing them, right? LOL But I'll always be a plot-centric author. BTW, book one in my new series will be out in September. Lots of action in that baby, too!
You're welcome, Leah. Learning what these pubs expect is the first step toward submitting to the places where we stand a shot at getting published!
In self-publishing, you get to categorize your book the way you want. I, too, write more adventure than suspense (although that's there, too). I disagree about RS being dark. It can be lighter, still with the element of suspense. Editors have to be able to categorize stories in order to "sell" them to the bean counters (who rule the world). As you say, Jannine, there is no right way to write RS. We should capitalize on what we do right.
Lots of different types of RS, Diane, I agree. But unless you're established with a publisher, straying off the beaten path is a risk when submitting.
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