So I’ve had this discussion a few times with Jennifer Bianco, and then it was weirdly echoed in a phone call I had the other day with Jennifer Leeland. Huh. Two Jennifers. I just realized that. Ah, well. Back to the topic!
With Jenn Bianco, it’s a lot about wanting to write dark and having dark ideas versus having a naturally chick lit voice. With Jen Leeland, it was writing erotic versus writing romantic suspense, because we were discussing this author we both know who thinks she writes dark and has claimed as she goes along she gets darker and grittier when Jen and I read her stuff and go, “Oh, honey. No, you really don’t. Stop trying so hard to be what you’re not because it ain’t working.”
Now, I believe that every writer has a range of tones they can write. Some people can write dark and comedy and pull both off with equal aplomb *cough* Gena Showalter *cough*. Some have a narrower “voice” range and stick to one genre or voice level (i.e. multiple genres but always dark or always light).
For me? I wish I wrote suspense better. I mean, I love it, and I think I can write suspensefully (i.e. the tone/voice/tension is there), but I can’t plot to save my life. I wish I could naturally plot, but it’s something I constantly struggle with. Sigh.
I guess the answer is we all have things we’re naturally good at, and the rest of the stuff we just get to struggle through and learn. Sometimes we learn it well enough no one can tell it’s not a natural skill, and sometimes not-so-much.
Too true. And I don’t always know what I’m better at. That’s why I love crit partners. They can see a lot of that.
by Jennifer McKenzie May 20th, 2008 at 6:46 amCritique partners and beta readers can be made of awesome, it’s true.
by Crystal Jordan May 20th, 2008 at 6:48 amI don’t have a yen for any particular genre that doesn’t fit my voice, which is a good thing.
But I wish I wrote better.
by gwen hayes May 20th, 2008 at 7:00 amI think writing is always a learning process. If it wasn’t, we’d all eventually stagnate. So, it’s good to keep growing our writing skills. You master one aspect, and then move on to add something else to your arsenal. Critiques can help us with that, workshops, etc.
I know I’d be bored to tears in a week if I ever looked around and said, “Wow, my writing is perfect now, I’ve made it!”
by Crystal Jordan May 20th, 2008 at 7:02 amI identified with you comment about wanting to write suspense, but not being sure it worked for you. I’ve always thought that I wanted to write romantic suspense, but now that I’m revising my first RS manuscript (first ever finished ms of any kind), I’m not sure anymore. I guess it will take me a while to find the sub-genre that matches my voice.
by Estelle Harte May 20th, 2008 at 8:13 amSometimes it is a journey to find your niche in the market–one that sells, but also suits your voice. Good luck, Estelle!
by Crystal Jordan May 20th, 2008 at 8:18 amCall me paranoid, but I think you were talking about me–the writer who says she’s writing darker and darker but isn’t. :)
As artists, we writers will never be content with our work, will never stop striving to learn more, to develop and to try new things. I applaud every writer who fights her way out of a pigeonhole, or evolves in an unexpected way. Like Gena Showalter. OMG, I am loving her “Darkest” books! I couldn’t imagine liking a dark Gena Showalter book but she pulled it off and it works wonderfully!
If you want to write something you aren’t writing now, then I suggest you read what you want to write and give it a try. Your first effort might suck. Your tenth effort might suck. But your second, or eleventh or twentieth might be magic.
by Tawny May 20th, 2008 at 11:56 amLMAO–no way, Tawny! I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t picked up your new book, yet. *blushes* It’s on the to-buy list though!
And, you’re so right, it is a learning process. I think we have things we’re always going to struggle with, but I think I’m sick enough to keep trying to conquer that mountain. Yeah, watch me plot. Here I go…
by Crystal Jordan May 20th, 2008 at 11:59 amThis is very interesting! I wish I could write thriller/suspense like I used to, but my writing turned towards historical western romance. I’ve had a couple comments that people liked my thriller/suspense more, but enjoyed the westerns. Makes me wonder if I should try and go back to the darker side.
Cia
by Cia Leah May 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pmWe’ve talked before and as you know, I have a fondness for mysteries and thrillers, but when I try to write dark and mysterious, humor seeps through the cracks and all of a sudden, I have a romantic comedy on my hands.
::shakes head::
Maybe its something to do with all the bran in my diet, ya think?
by Cassandra Curtis May 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pmHmm…I hadn’t even thought of that. Switching genres mid-stream and then switching back (or back and forth). It’s an interesting conundrum. I wonder if anyone in NY has managed it? Maybe La Nora would be about as close as one could get. Good luck, Cia!
by Crystal Jordan May 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pmYou know me…I try to write cute and fluffy bunnies…and they wind up having sharp, pointy FANGS!
I can’t write light. I can’t write short. And I can’t write ‘normal’.
I’m…learning to be okay with what I write instead of trying to write what I can’t. It’s not always easy, though.
by dayna May 20th, 2008 at 12:08 pmCrystal, I have the same problem with plotting! And my weakness shows when I try to write a plot-heavy book, like one with a lot of suspense/action or mystery. Good luck! I’m right beside you, dragging myself up that mountain, one step at a time.
PS Glad to hear it wasn’t me, LOL. ‘Cause I do think my stories are getting darker, but it’s not because I’m trying to become something I’m not.
by Tawny May 20th, 2008 at 12:09 pmI wish I could write a really clever mystery cliffhanger type novel, like a wicked who dun it? The type that everyone is talking about how they never saw it coming…
Or write with good funny dialog.
I actually haven’t tried, but nothing is jumping around in my head to be written either.
by December May 20th, 2008 at 12:15 pmCC and Dayna, two sides of the same shiny coin. I love both your work though, no matter how it turns out! Though the scary image of fluffy bunnies with FANGS is going to stick with me for a while, THANKS Dayna!
Tawny, glad it’s not just me. And I really haven’t read any of your darker works. Sorry to freak you out! :(
December, I don’t think I could ever write a mystery. I read the backs of books first, so mysteries are so wasted on me. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t pull one off, then! Good luck if anything comes to you. :)
by Crystal Jordan May 20th, 2008 at 12:18 pmI love to read darker but it just aint happenin’ when I write lol
by R.G. Alexander May 20th, 2008 at 12:23 pmWhich is okay. I guess I’m just not as angsty as I thought I was LOL
BTW-I’ve seen you write several different levels of comedy and darkness, sci-fi and paranormal…I think they all rock. I doubt there is anything you couldn’t do.
Awww…me love you long time, RG!
by Crystal Jordan May 20th, 2008 at 12:27 pmThis has definitely been the weirdest struggle. I had ALWAYS known what I would write. Anything other than dark suspense and mysteries never entered my mind. So, discovering my voice is conversational has almost been a slap in the face. Blech! I’d give anything (almost :P ) to be able to write dark and gritty well.
Maybe one day I can learn it, develop it, but I’m still such a new writer that I feel I should first just learn to write better. Hopefully one day I’ll truly appreciate my voice, but right now I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
Letting go of a lifetime dream is difficult. I hate comedy and crave horror and being scared. I get giddy at dark suspense. LOL, I’m a mess. ;)
by Jennifer Bianco May 20th, 2008 at 12:36 pmLike I said, I think we all have a range of what we can do, Jenn. Your natural voice can be developed !
by Crystal Jordan May 20th, 2008 at 12:44 pmI’ve been wondering about this exact issue lately. There’s nothing I’d love to write more than the stuff I read. But, after a good solid year of struggling, I really have to wonder if I’m barking up the wrong tree. Of course, I realize that writing isn’t easy, but I seem to be going nowhere.
So, I’m sorry you’re having a difficult time, Jennifer, but I’m glad I’m not alone. :(
by Ally Kendall May 20th, 2008 at 1:20 pmmm, I wish I could write thrillers but I don’t think I can pull that off. I write across the board, but love my action-adventures, so I’m lucky in the sense that I can write that, but i wish I could infuse subtle humor every now and again.
by Jodie May 20th, 2008 at 2:39 pmCrystal,
I can totally relate. I have this fantasy of writing romances with a strong element of mystery, but I think I kind of suck at creating a real sense of “whodunit”.
I also have this fantasy of writing vampire romance, but even though I LOVE reading it, I can’t exactly write it yet (other than one story I started in high school). I think I just don’t have a knack at this time for urban fantasy. My genre is and always will be historical. I can do witty dialogue in a drawing room or a castle.
I hope to one day manage a decent urban fantasy novella, but for now, I acknowledge my strength in historical romance.
by Vivienne Westlake May 21st, 2008 at 7:07 amI wish I could write more consistently like SOME people I know. I wish I could compartmentalize all the drama in my life and focus more on writing.
That would be better then cheesecake. And I LOVE cheesecake.
by Dana May 21st, 2008 at 8:40 amMan oh man. I have NO idea what my voice is (like). But I think when I’m serious, a little bit of chick lit comes out. When I’m being as dark as I possibly can, it gets a little quirky.
Gwen is a comedy writer. That much I know. Works for YA, romance, etc.
Someone said your voice is really your personality. I think that may be true. It comes out in your dialog mostly, my thought. And if it’s not dark, it’s not going to be. You’ll sound silly.
by Ciar Cullen May 21st, 2008 at 10:23 amI don’t know, I think our personalities swing with our mood, so it’s possible to write more than one genre (light or dark). No one I know, no matter how sweet or perky, ALWAYS blows sunshine out their butt, so on those life-sucks days, maybe they could write something dark and angsty?
by Crystal Jordan May 21st, 2008 at 10:26 am