I HAVE A QUESTION FOR EVERYONE

[ELAINE BREAULT]

For readers out there what is your favorite genre/genres to read and what would you be willing to try as something different?

For the authors a similar question... what is your favorite genre/genres to write in and if you could or do you actually write in a different genre for fun? Yes I know many use pen names for different genres, so if you want let us know what you prefer or would want to take a chance at if you could?

[ELAINE BREAULT]

For myself I love paranormals but also love historical, suspense, western, contemporary and even a few others, as a reviewer I get to see many books in different genres so my scope has broadened quite a bit this year.

[Newt Love]

Hi,

As a reader, I force myself to try other genres every few years. For instance, I am about due to check for a bestselling Romance to read. It isn;t usually my cup of tea, but I don;t want to get "hardening of the categories," so I force myself to read some of everything. Most times, like the last time I read Romance, I decided to not read any again for two years. Sometimes, a book will get me back into a genre I had stopped reading. I am still hoping for a book to get me back into adult fantasy. Harry Potter was too YA to do it. Maybe this year, I will find one to draw me back in; I do so miss it.

For writing, I am still tying to master the nuances of the Mystery/Thriller. After I have satiated my desires for perfection of that form, I will likely branch out to other genres. I have dabbled in Suspense/Horror, but have not decided to release it, yet.

Nice thread! It made me think.
Thank you,
newt

[ELAINE BREAULT]

Hi Newt well if you want some helpful hints on which kind of romance book to choose from come ask since even under romance there are many genres even romantic suspense *laughs* so that might be more to your taste but still romance. Historical romance might work with some that cover a lot of real history in them at the same time fun to read but also informative with things you never thought of say during one of our wars be it the Civil War or our more modern ones, again a little adventure in there might be included in the romance but for real fun you can try a shapeshifter or paranormal one with anything from were-creatures to vampires to ghosts or hauntings or time travel. I have a feeling you might want to try something with a big of umph in it instead of straight contemporary romance to ease your way into another genre especially romance.

Let me know what you might like or end up choosing and how you like it you might be very surprised, there are some great books out there. You can also check out my reviews on the CTR site too so you can see the variety I have read and what I think when I read them.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Reviewers/Lainey.html

Lainey

[Nikki Duncan]

Newt, If it's adult fantasy you want, and you don't mind some romance, Shayla Black is working on a new book in her new Doomsday Brethren series. It's going to be amazing and from Shayla I can promise you it will not be too YA. Her website for the series is www.doomsdaybrethren.com if you want to learn more about it and keep up with the progress.

Another one you may check out for a best selling romance/fantasy is Sylvia Day (she's a fellow Book Place member). She has an awesome DreamGuardian series.

[Dennis Leppanen]

Thanks Elaine,

I will soon check out your review site, I tend to read---what I write, so I stick to mystery/thriller, a lot set as historical fiction. I do write short stories & flashes in different genres' though. I try to pick up and read a female author to feel that POV.

[ELAINE BREAULT]

that is great Dennis I will have to check out what you do also just give me a clue where your shorts and flashes are though so I can read them.

Lainey

[Barbara M. Hodges]

I'm a fantasy author, but I read out of the genre also. I like suspense and paranormal as well as fantasy.

[ELAINE BREAULT]

I love both genres actually so that is great I have not read any of yours yet I think but I will be looking out for them now for sure ...thanks for the heads up Barbara.

Lainey

[Jude Mason]

Hi Elaine, everyone!

I read this question yesterday and shied away from it. Even now I'm not sure how I'm going to answer it, so let's find out together. I write romance and erotica, in just about every genre there is, except historical. I just don't feel comfortable there and to be honest, it's not something I read much of either. If you just told me to go write something, chances are I'd fall into something with power exchange in it, but even that's not a given. I adore paranormal. Changelings, vampires, were creatures, I'm fairly new to writing, but absolutely love the genre as well. Gay and lesbian are genres I've written and hope to do more.

I would love to know what readers are looking for. As a reader myself, I lean toward science fiction and/or the darker side of people, horror or erotic horror. I don't get nearly as much time to read as I used to, but I think most writers complain of that.

Great thread

Hugs
Jude

[ELAINE BREAULT]

I love flawed heroes that succeed or overcome whatever it is that is the problem, who likes nice and simple since people are complex, it is life and a slice of real life is best I find. I tend to like Gay or M/M books more though only because I am female and hetero so give me my yummy guys haha besides I like to read how they treat each other sort of the flip side of how they treat us at females in a relationship.

I like a bit of everything though especially paranormal and suspense and some erotica if it is not over the top where it is more sex than storyline as a reviewer the story line must come first and the romance or sex scenes must fit it not outdo it at least in my opinion. To strike that balance is a great book because it has a bit of everything in it to satisfy everyone I hope.

You did well on the answer Jude thanks for tackling it as a reviewer I just like to know since many do use pen names if they want to try another genre whether it succeeds or fails at least they gave it a shot.

thanks,
Lainey

[Jude Mason]

Hi Lainey,

When I was first published, I decided on the name Jude Mason. It's partially my name and easy to remember. When I was published in a different genre, I was asked if I wanted another pen name. I thought about it for about five seconds and decided that if I began doing that, I'd be in real trouble. I'd have more pen names than books. Well not quite, but it just seemed a silly idea, for me. Perhaps if I stuck to two genres or even three, I'd fair all right. But, then there's the mixed genre books, and oh man it could be VERY confusing.

Great reply by the way. I think having characters who are flawed but manage to either overcome or overlook those flaws is what a good writer tries to do. Sometimes it even works. LOL

As for the story coming first, I totally agree. I have done one or two where there's tons of sex, but that's because the story was about the sexuality of a couple. No story, then you have porn.

Jude

[ELAINE BREAULT]

Those are great answers too because there are no right or wrong answers on what I asked just what people prefer or read or use when writing. And true porn is where there really is no story but good erotica has it integrated into the story mix and maybe with a few good characters built in too. The norm seems to be heading towards a bit more to the menage now of any combination haha... that is left up to the writer's imagination and discretion and seems to be selling. The funny part is I think the ones that have the least sex are the suspense or intrigue where the story and action adventure overpower any big relationships .. you may get a little something but compared to most romances it has only a small percentage of sex though maybe not romance in there.

That is why I like a variety of genres and depending on the mood I am in or what I feel like reading something intense or light hearted or fun or scary .. I can usually find a book or author to fit the bill here at home. You do NOT want to see my book collection it is probalby enough to start a small bookstore at this rate haha. And now I have all the E-Books so yes I have a lot to read though for my own enjoyment I have not read that many lately, mostly it has been for reviewing with not too much time for me to really read what I have here. But I also have plenty here whenever I do get an hour or two to read what I want so it all works out. Thanks for answering Jude.

Lainey