Okay, so this topic might seem a little off note for Mama Writers. But I recently began watching a show on BBC America called Mistresses. It’s steamy, provocative, and really asks the important questions about marriage—what constitutes a good marriage and what constitutes cheating.
This began to make me wonder about my mistress—my writing. I’ve started to write in an entirely new genre, and it…well…feels like cheating. This genre is so very different from what I have been writing that even though it is a “sweet” genre, it feels rather naughty to me. It feels so different and yet so right.
Sometimes in writing, as in life, we need to step out of our comfort zones and experience something new. Putting a fresh spin on things can offer new challenges and help us out of a rut. Staleness and complacency can eat at you until you don’t have any passion left and your writing becomes a pale memory of what it once was.
I’ve found that you don’t even have to publish in the new genre or style you’re writing in to find it will give you a fresh twist and voice to your writing. Being a Gemini (the sign of the twin and one who always needs new challenges), I have often used this trick to keep myself from getting bored with my own work. To keep me entertained, so to speak. For if you aren’t entertained, how will a reader be? If you don’t get up with the drive to pour those words out on a page and see what is going to happen to your characters that day, how can you expect someone who picks up your book to care about those same characters?
So, is it cheating? Does it mean I’m less focused? I don’t know. But it is the only way I know to get me through some difficult writing patches.
How many of you have cheated on your own writing? Have you ever gone off in an entirely new direction and found it helped your creativity shine?
Tell me about it! I want to know.
Now, back to my mistress…
COURTING TROUBLE–Nominated for Best Novella of 2008 by LASR!
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Renee,
I write in numerous genres…sci-fi, fantasy, young adult, erotic, historicals, etc. I go wherever my interests are at the moment. It’s better to be all over the place than get bored with your own work. At least that’s my opinion!
Renee,
Intriguing post! I haven’t really found my “niche” genre with writing. So, in a way, I’m still a swinging single (man, after eleven years of marriage in “real” life, that comment feels a little odd). :0) Creativity and inspiration are such ethereal things…I think new challenges and stepping outside of our comfort zone are the most effective ways to hang onto the gossamer threads of creativity and inspiration…so I say, Go for it! :0)
Good luck!
Tiffany
Hi Emma,
You sound busy! I can completely understand moving around. It does make life interesting. Thanks for stopping by!
Renee
Tiffany,
LOL. Swinging single. I remember those days–albeit it was a long, long time ago!! I think in some ways I am still looking for my niche as well. Or course, I might just realize that I have more than one! (grin)
Thanks for commenting!
Renee
Twitter: violaestrella
says:
I know exactly what you mean, Renee. I stepped out of my “romance” comfort zone to write an urban fantasy (Angel Vindicated). A FIRST person urban fantasy. In a way, it was freeing. I didn’t have to stick to certain rules. I could just let my imagination run with wherever the story led. And it was a challenge in many ways too. Sometimes different is good. Much success with your writing!
Hi Vi! I have Angel Vindicated on top of my TBR list. Urban Fantasy does sound freeing! I don’t think it’s a genre I can write well in, so kudos to you, my friend
Thanks for the comment!
Renee
I write in several different genres for the same reason! It keeps my writing fresh and helps me get over dry patches in one genre. I find I”m more creative when my mind is working on several different things at once.
I don’t think its cheating, but it does feel exciting doesn’t it? Think of it as having split personalites. I have my erotic writer, my historical writer, my steamy romance writer, my suspense writer and my non-fic writer. They are all different.
But I will say this! I do feel naughty and like I’m cheating when I myself, me, I, sneak up to my computer when I tell hubby I’m going to do a chore
lol
LOLOL! Eliza you crack me up. My computer is definitely my other lover–I likely spend much more time with it than I do my hubby!
Thanks for stopping by!
Renee
Hi Renee! I write across several genres as well — contemporary, historical, paranormal, and erotic. I also write in several lengths. My first erotic short was the result of writers’ block. I gave up on the longer story for a few days, wrote the short, and the fog cleared and the longer piece was back on track. That short story became my first sale. As Eliza said, I think it keeps our writing fresh to do different things. At least it does for me. Great post!
Hi Helen! Thanks for your comment. You do write in many genres. It’s sort of satisfying, isn’t it? Sort of like being a brunette to start the day, dashing into the salon and coming out a blonde
Hugs,
Renee
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
I think it is totally a personal thing. Some people can keep drawing form the well writing in the same or a similiar genre, and others need to re-energize by writing in different ones.
Just like the people who need the go out dancing to feel fulfilled, and the homebodies who get ‘fed’ by having a quiet night at home with friends or family. Country Mouse & City Mouse.
And there’s a world of variation between, isn’t there?
I think that I will indeed try writing in a different sub-genre sometime in the next couple years, in part for the reasons you described–re-energized.
Ah, Country Mouse vs. City Mouse. Great analogy, Kris! Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
Hugs,
Renee
Sure have! I’ve already been lacing some of my historicals with paranormal elements and have recently started on my very first science fiction romance! This is an entirely new genre for me, but since I’ve been reading sci-fi all my life, I wanted to give it a try.
Hi Susan,
Good luck with the sci-fi! Sounds like a fun genre to write in.
Thanks for stopping by MW!
Renee
Very timely topic for me – I have been been fantasizing about cheating for a couple of months now, and even gone so far as to create an outline. I normally write M/M romance/mystery….but my mistress is a Paranormal M/F horror/thriller kind of thing I’m looking forward to it!
Elle Parker
http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com/
Ooo, Elle, if you’ve created an outline you are beyond fantasizing lol. Wishing you the best with your new venture!
Renee
Hi Renee!
Great post! I definitely have a lot of mistresses…I write contemporary with a comedic tone, erotic, and now UF. It’s fun switching back and forth and trying new things. Also helps to keep the creativity flowing, I’ve found. You never get stagnant that way.
Looking forward to your “sweet” romance!
Hi Cari,
Always good to *see* you! You like to experiment a lot with genres like I do. It does keep life interesting, doesn’t it?
Hugs,
Renee
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Renee,
You are asking a very important question that we have talked about before.Not just as a writer, but as one who is writing as a business. When doing a COMPLETE genre hop — you need to consider your readers. Will they feel like you’re cheating?
To broaden your analogy, is it a mistress, that you will leave sobbing in your absence? or is it a second family? Will you continue growing it, feeding it, or are you just stepping your toe in the water to see if you can do it. Is it a fling? or a total do over?
This might seem odd coming from one of our “inspy mamas” – but, remember that when you go this route, you need to protect your audience with a carefully laid pseudonym…
You can do it. I think your writing is brilliant, and if your heart tells you to go down this path, then keep marching. Keep writing. If it’s thrilling to you, I would imagine you’re on the write… i mean the RIGHT path.
Right now, get the story out!
You can decide how committed you are later.
Well done. Let us know what you decide!
Oh, Ash, thanks so much for all the support and the compliment! I am having so much fun with this new book. It’s been a while since I could say that.
Thanks for commenting, hon!
Hugs,
Renee