Monday, July 07, 2008

A CHALLENGE: So, why do you write this crazy genre?

Romance novels are one of the top two best sellling genres out there, coming in at about forty-five to fifty-five per cent of all books sold. Science fiction, it's often noted, accounts for about seven to ten per cent of sales. So here we are, combining the best and--well, okay, not the worst but certainly not a front-runner.

So why do we do it? What drives reasonably-minded authors to spend the time penning novels that have such a funky and often precarious market? The old adage is that writers write because they can't NOT write. But certainly, we could (and some of us do) write other genres.

What is the appeal of the unknown, the odd, the inexplicable? What's the appeal of writing a novel where a reader asks, "What's is about?" and when you answer, their eyes start to glaze over (starships? wormholes? vampires? shape shifters? interstellar military? aliens?)?

So here's my challenge to published authors:

Your name:
Your website:

Post your answer in ONE sentence:

I write [fill in your genre] because [fill in one short reason why--your best reason, your strongest reason].

Then answer this:

If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be: [title] because [one short reason why.]

I'll start.

Name: Linnea Sinclair
website: http://www.linneasinclair.com/

I write science fiction romance because I love the vast possiblities, conflicts and love stories that can be explored in cultures and worlds that may not be like our own.

If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be FINDERS KEEPERS because it's an accurate melding of SF and romance in a light, fast-paced and fun way.

(Wow, that last one was tough and I invented the dang question!)

So authors--post your answers! And readers, feel free to comment and tell the authors if you feel they're on-point.

~Linnea
SHADES OF DARK, the sequel to Gabriel’s Ghost, coming July 2008 from RITA award-winning author, Linnea Sinclair, and Bantam Books: http://www.linneasinclair.com/

"Four and 1/2 Stars! Chaz and Sully are back, and their lives haven't gotten any easier! Picking up after Gabriel's Ghost, the singularly impressive Sinclair thrusts her dynamic lovers into a maelstrom of trouble. The first-person, high-octane action is exhilarating. When it comes to futuristic romance, it doesn't get better than Sinclair! " --Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine

20 comments:

  1. I'm logged in as TarotByArwen but I am half of the writing team of Marilu Mann.

    I write paranormal romance because I love the want to explore the idea that shapeshifters represent and because they give me a way to build worlds that allow my readers to escape. :)

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be: _Changing Times_ because it is a sensual and sweet tale of one human's coming to realize that her world is not as normal as she thought it was (not to mention it's the only one currently out-HA!)

    Marilu Mann
    http://www.greatmta.com

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  2. I write romance because I absolutely adore when two people find love.

    And if readers choose only one of my titles I think they should read "The Healer's Garden" because it's a mix of a futuristic with world building, reverse discrimination and a whole lot of hot loving!

    http://www.ninapierce.com

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  3. I write vampires because they are, to me, human beings writ large.

    If I recommend something it would be my vampire anthology In The Dark from Aspen Mountain Press because it covers the whole gamut of emotions from coldest terror to warmest love.

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  4. Anonymous1:36 PM EDT

    Your name: Elaine Corvidae
    Your website: onecrow.net

    I write romantic sf/f because the infinite possibilities and wonder found in the genre.

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be: Exile's Burn because it's free. ;-)

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  5. Lisa Logan
    http://lisalogan.net

    I write romance because I love the satisfying challenge of putting a unique spin on the typical boy-meets-girl arc we all know so well.

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be: VISIONS because a movie star becomes a real-life hero, and his love interest embraces destiny as they embrace the power of their love.

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  6. Hi, I'll bite!

    Your name: Savanna Kougar
    Your website: savannakougar.com

    I write romantic sf/f because then I get to live the adventure and the love story in the worlds/dimensions I create, as I write them.

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be ~ Red Lioness Tamed ~ because it's just darn fun.

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  7. I write paranormal, particularly vampires because the supernatural has fascinated me as far back as I can remember.

    Then answer this:

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be: The Lore Keepers (Book One of the Annals of Eventide series, whenever it gets finished and released) because the main character is based the one that has been my alter-ego for the past 13 years.

    Carpe Noctem,
    Des

    Desirée Lee
    Putting the Romance Back in Necromancy
    http://www.desireelee.com
    des@desireelee.com

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  8. Tianna Xander
    www.tiannaxander.com

    I write science fiction\paranormal and time travel romances because I've always loved the strange and ususual and I love that my readers can escape their real lives and live vicariously through my heroes and heroines. :-)

    If readers could only read one book of mine it would be Sex Me The Triad series available at amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com because it's a six novella anthology. What better way to get to know my writing than a 278 page print book?

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  9. I write science fiction\paranormal and time travel romances because I've always loved the strange and ususual and I love that my readers can escape their real lives and live vicariously through my characters. :-)

    If readers could only read one book of mine it would be Sex Me The Triad series available at amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com because it's a six novella fantasy\sci-fi anthology about vampires, dragons, were-beings and witches.

    Tianna Xander
    www.tiannaxander.com

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  10. Anonymous3:56 PM EDT

    Your name: Karen McCullough
    Your website: http://www.kmccullough.com

    I write fantasy and paranormal because like Hamlet, I believe there are "more things in heaven and on earth..." and I want to explore those "more things" to see what they can tell us about ourselves and our lives.

    Then answer this:

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be: WIZARD'S BRIDGE because I love the story and I tried to delve deep into the human heart (almost literally) to explore the effects of power and love on it.

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  11. I write science ficton romance because I love mixing high adventure with romance and what's more adventurous than heading into space?

    If readers could only read one book of mine, I'd recommend THE KEY for its adventure, romance and humor.

    http://www.perilouspauline.com

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  12. Name: Margaret L. Carter
    Website: www.margaretlcarter.com

    I write paranormal romance because I started (in my early teens) as a fan and aspiring writer of horror, especially vampire stories, and eventually discovered that what interested me most about horror fiction were the relationships between human beings and "monsters."

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be DARK CHANGELING, because it is the original "book of my heart," my first vampire novel, it features my favorite of my characters, and it's the one that gives the most comprehensive perspective on my vampire species.

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  13. I write paranormal romances because I honestly believe there are things beyond what we currently understand--and I'm facinated by that concept.

    If readers could only read one of my books, it would have to be Shadows of Evil, since that's the only one currently out. :)

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  14. Anonymous10:22 PM EDT

    *lizzie starr
    www.lizziestarr.com

    I write fantasy/sci fi romance because love is boundless and flows from world to world to world.

    If readers could read only one book of mine it should be Dancing the Stars because of the adventure and triumph of love.

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  15. This is such a swell gathering! (Heather barges forward with a loopy grin as she crashes the party).

    Linnea, though you dub it "the crazy genre", I think it's visionary and it's the subject of my most recent post at The Galaxy Express, "5 Ways Sex & Romance Will Save Science Fiction"

    http://thegalaxyexpress.blogspot.com/2008/07/5-ways-sex-romance-will-save-science.html

    Thanks for this post because I'm always looking to build my author list at TGE plus I discover lots more to blog about.

    I can't *not* read about the unknown, the strange, the bizarre. It's all I've ever...known. Whether SF or fantasy or paranormal, it's all magical to me. I get a high from reading it.

    I think the fans of this genre (readers and writers) embrace strange phenomenon despite survival instincts that tell us we should fear it. That's what I call brave.

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  16. Great topic, Linnea !

    Name: Melissa Alvarez writing as Ariana Dupre.
    Website: http://melissaa.com

    I write paranormal romantic suspense/psychic fiction because I'm a clairovyant advisor and I try to teach what it really feels like to be psychic and have paranormal experiences through my work.

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be: Talgorian Prophecy because it's an emotional quest of a psychic who has to use all her abilities to save her kidnapped son from a serial killer and accept that she's part of a prophecy that, if fulfilled, could save a ancient race.

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  17. Just saw my FF&P digest, Linnea, so here's my response:

    Name: Jody Wallace
    Site: http://www.jodywallace.com

    I write speculative romance because that's what I like to read and watch on TV--that's where my imagination takes flight.

    If readers could only read one book of mine, it would be SURVIVAL OF THE FAIREST (due out July 15!) to see what all this fuss is about the gnomes.

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  18. Post your answer in ONE sentence:

    I write Intimate Adventure because Action/Adventure portrays the universe in a twisted and inaccurate way -- without Romance, without Relationship leading to Intimacy.

    Then answer this:

    If readers could read only one book of mine, I think it should be: DUSHAU because then they'd be hooked and go read everything else.


    Jacqueline Lichtenberg
    http://www.simegen.com/jl/

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  19. While massaging her Tendinitis-stricken hands, Kimber An jots down 'DUSHAU by Jacqueline Lichtenberg' in her notebook, then shakes her head at Linnea's recommendation. "No, no, no! GAMES OF COMMAND!"

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  20. I loved Lichtenberg's DUSHAU and highly recommend it, but DREAM SPY blew me away. Jot that down too, dear heart. ~Linnea

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