To be honest, I never thought about genres when I began writing. To me, at first, it was all about the story that captured me enough to begin writing. I didn't sit down and think out which genre I should aim for. I let the story go where it wanted to and didn't fight against it.
When the first novel in The Magical Sword Series, The Willow, was completed I was left in a bit of a pickle. I realized the story sat somewhere right in the middle of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. I couldn't exactly claim it as a paranormal romance since the plot wasn't centered on the romance, yet I couldn't say it was an Urban Fantasy because the romance held a very strong role within the story too.
So, where did that leave me? Frustrated. But then, another author gave me wind of the sub-genre, Urban Fantasy Romance, which my work fit into neatly. Was I saved? Not likely. There are many epublishers out there who have commented on my work suggesting I should choose either do Urban Fantasy and focus on the adventure or do Paranormal Romance and stick to the romantic elements. Will I listen? Nope. Liquid Silver Books and Cobblestone Press, have both welcomed my stories in with open arms and embraced my somewhat in the middle of genres stories.
Now, I know this will come up, because it always does, the disagreement of what Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance is. The line between these genres has become somewhat blurred and whoever you ask will say something different. Some will tell you it has nothing to do with the romance and it's all about if the series continues with the same characters throughout the novels. While I personally have no idea who is right, I'm sticking with what I've read from published author, Keri Arthur, who says, “Paranormal romance is a romance first and foremost. In urban fantasy the romance is generally a secondary plot (if it exists at all)”
On that note, I'll keep doing what I'm doing, writing the stories how they want to be told and letting the characters lead the way. Alright then, let me hear it, do any of you have this issue too, where you seem to fall not quite into a genre and wonder just where you fit in?
Oh--can't forget this part―if you like this type of story where adventure, danger meets hot romance, come check out Nexi's journeys. She's a kick-ass heroine with a heart and a bit of sass.
Stacey Kennedy is an avid lover of the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres. If she isn't plugging away at her next novel, tending to her two little ones, she's got her nose deep in a good book. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband. Website - www.staceykennedy.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100000956942180
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3473046.Stacey_Kennedy
Twitter - http://twitter.com/Stacey_KennedyTHE WILLOW
The Magical Sword Series ~ Book One (Liquid Silver Books)
A past of secrets, a life broken by death―awakens to a world of promise and love, but lurking danger threatens to destroy it all.
In Carson City, Nevada a tragic car accident has claimed the lives of Nexi Jones' adoptive parents. Now, without them, her reason to live has vanished and she is determined to end her pain.
The problem with that, it's not heaven she wakes up to, it's the Otherworld. Nexi must reconcile the truth about her past, and her heritage as part guardian/part witch, while she begins to train to join the Council's guard. But it's not the combat training that has her worried, its attempting to keep her cool around the luscious guardian, Kyden that's her biggest concern.
Before long, Nexi's skills are put to the test as she begins to fight against the supernatural who have taken a human life. But nothing can prepare her for the journey ahead. Soon, she will find herself lost in a mystery and fighting to keep all she's gained, as Lazarus, a vampire, threatens to take it all away.
Read an excerpt - http://www.staceykennedy.com/the-willow-excerpt/
Praise for The Willow - RT Book Reviews
“…Witches, shapeshifters and vampires take center stage in this fast-paced tale, but even these paranormal creatures cannot distract from the beautiful love story between the hero and heroine. Kennedy has created a world that readers will want to visit again and again!” Dawn Crowne
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8 comments:
I, too, hadn't given genre a thought when I first started writing. I was eventually told my story was a paranormal romance--so once I figured out what that meant, I agreed. It's such a fun genre to write!
Glad you found homes for your stories!! Have a great day.
Hi, Stacey...
There are a lot of epubbed books out there that cross genres, and that's great because you get the best of both worlds. This is why I buy a lot of ebooks from the smaller publishers, because of this very fact.
It's a relief to hear that some pubs are willing to take a chance on books that don't fit neatly into the norm. As a reader, I tend to like those sort of slipstream (to borrow, and alter, a term from the sci-fi genre) books.
(Edit for the parenthetical to explain what I was thinking when I called genre-muddling slipstream.)
*Raises hand*
I also write across genres and am glad to hear that there are publishers who are willing to acquire those books that don't fit into a clear cut category.
Thanks for the excellent post.
I hear you on this. I love my romance novels, but at the same time I am a big plot person. So often, I can get caught in this same loop you talk about here.
And I agree with Keri on the line between Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy.
I'm really happy to know I'm not the only one who runs into this little issue!! :)
Stacey,
I think your writing is just great as is, so I'm glad you didn't allow yourself to be smashed into a one size fits all box. And I love the fact that there are e-pubs out there willing to look outside the box. I know that Carina Press has really taken a sort of oddball of mine as well, because they love the story. And at the end of the day, that's what I want as a reader; a great, entertaining story. It doesn't matter to me what *shelf* it sits on in the virtual or brick and mortar books store.
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