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?

[Byron Leon McAllister]

As a writer, my first (and so far only) prose-writing interest is mystery, and fairly soft-boiled ones at that. I've written some poems, but sort of lost interest for several years, and it may or may not be regainable interest. I don't like romance, although a friend of mine writes it and I can stand hers--but that's because although she's using the usual romance formula (boy meets girl, they hate each other, they fall in love just before the end; nowadays they may have sex, but they still hate each other), it turns out to be a mystery, and if the formula were discarded, it might even be interesting. Other genres? Well, one never knows how one's tastes will change. We'll see.

[ELAINE BREAULT]

I have never quite heard a romance described that way and have it a mystery basically but if it works I guess it is ok... though it would be interesting to read her books just to see how they really are for those that do read romances for fun or for work.. thanks for posting and letting us know how you feel though.
Lainey

[ELAINE BREAULT]

Actually many have them as suspense or mystery too there are so many genres and subgenres .. so yes romantic suspense is one and sounds perfect for your friend. I would love to see what she writes.

Most romances have a bit of something else in them to keep them fresh and interesting is why they have the different genres and subgenres.

Lainey

[Byron Leon McAllister]

No doubt there are differences. For example, not all romance authors include the sex. I'm not sure whether that difference affects sales or not. All the ones I've read fit the formula I described, but since I didn't like the formula, I quit reading them, and the style may have changed.

[Schuyler Thorpe]

My favorite generes are science-fiction and fantasy.

The same for my writing preferences. (But I cross-breed my books anyways.)

But not what I write in. I don't copy what I read. I prefer to write outside the mainstream--seeing how everything has been taken by commercialism at any rate.

[ELAINE BREAULT]

Most books I think are crossbreeds anyway to keep everyone interested. Some want just more than one thing in their books and is why we have all the subgenres now too. I know I like a little bit of everything not always in one book but I do like to read different genres so if a book can include a couple different things at once that is great and it keeps the reading coming back for more.

I know your work is great Schyuler so you are on a roll... *grins* and keep it up you are good at what you do.

Lainey

[Jamie Marriott]

Hi there, my favorite genres to write in are science fiction and fantasy, although I have dabbled in a little erotica occasionally. Of late I have taken to writing short ghost stories, and am currently involved in writing a detective/thriller type sci-fi based novel.

As for my reading side, well I tend to stick to sci-fi/action adventure.

[ELAINE BREAULT]

I like a bit of sci fi and fantasy and erotica mixed in never hurts that is what makes it romantic sci fi or romantic fantasy instead ... those subgenres help bring in other readers that may not have thought of your work as something they would recognize. I like a bit of different stuff in books though straight sci fi or fantasy is fine too ... but crossing over into other genres helps bring it to more readers. So go for whatever you feel like writing at the time I am sure they are all good. I will have to check out your work.

Lainey

[DeadlyDeb]

Elaine,

I read all mystery subgenres from cozies to thrillers. I occassionally also read romance, especially crossover romance/mystery.

I tend to write amatuer sleuth, though I'd like to try my hand at a thriller.

Debby

[ELAINE BREAULT]

I grew up with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to read as a kid so I have always always loved all those things growing up and still do. But I also love a lot of other genres or cross breeds as they are that combine a few genres or subgenres in one book. It also will get you listed in more than one section in a book listing and bring in more readers also.

Good luck and being a sleuth never hurt haha..

Lainey

[Dee Savoy]

I started writing romance in 1999, in 2001 I moved on to romantic suspense. Now I'm working on a straight mystery series, a fantasy trilogy and a mainstream time travel book. Okay, so I'm kind of fragmented there. Still love romance though. I can't seem to get through a plot without at least a love interest of some sort. I read mostly non-fiction however. All that damn research. My novels are my comfort reads. Calgon, take me away . . .

[Lynda Fitzgerald]

Seems like a natural progression. I started writing mainstream. Then novel #3 was romantic suspense. That's the one that's being released next month. After that, I wrote a couple of other mainstream novels, and then I discovered mystery. I'm on my third mystery novel in a series now. And I agree: why write a novel without a romantic interest in it? Romance is fun, and it forces you to develop your characters more deeply. Roger on the comfort reads and Calgon.