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Many genres...

From Chuck Wendig's interview with Elizabeth Bear:

Q: You write across many genres. Any advice for genre writers?

A. Stick to one, if you can. ;-)

At least to start with: it’s easier to build a career that way. I think I’ve confused a lot of people, and if I’d kept writing near-future cyberpunk adventures indefinitely, my sales numbers would probably be a hell of a lot better now.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t have the critical recognition I’ve garnered, so…

And that's the tradeoff, isn't it? Once again, the do it/don't do it, this hand/the other hand leaves the decision up to you.

===== Feel free to comment on this or any other post.

3 comments:

  1. I don't think I could stick to one Tony. I love trying my hand at different genres - hopefully with some success.

    I guess I'm doomed to not have a career as a writer, but as I'm retired I guess that's okay. ^__^

    helen-scribbles.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. So... Since you write in all the genres, you're a genre-allist?

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  3. Oh but I love her books. I am glad she doesn't stick to one genre.

    Helen - I don't think I could either. Though all of my novel ideas have been fantasy/urban fantasy . . . maybe I am sticking to one genre?

    ReplyDelete

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