by Linda O. Johnston
Or does the genre choose us?
I’ve written here before about choosing a theme in the fiction we’re writing, but now I’m going to discuss selecting a genre.
Me? I’ve written in many genres, starting with mystery short stories way back when, then moving into time travel romances, mysteries, paranormal romances and romantic suspense. And often writing in more than one of those genres at the same time.
How did I choose the genre each time?
Well, it was partly what popped into my head and hung on there. And that was most often because whatever genre I decided to write in was also one I was currently reading a lot in.
Therefore, in that respect, the genre I’m reading most at the moment does often choose me, insisting that I write my own story or several in that genre.
So… mysteries? For me, always. Well, almost always. Though I’m still reading mysteries, my own mystery writing has slowed down. Not that I don’t include mysteries in what I’m writing, though, since my current focus is romantic suspense.
Yes, you might have noticed that a common tie between many of those genres I’ve written in is romance. I love love stories! Even when I’ve written a strictly mystery story, my protagonist almost always has a romantic relationship.
For example, in my first published mystery series, the Kendra Ballantyne Pet-Sitter mysteries, Kendra is a lawyer on hiatus because of some nasty things that happened in her life, so she’s making a living now as a pet-sitter. Her wonderful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lexie is often with her. One way or another, she keeps tripping over murdered bodies. And, of course, sexy PI Jeff Hubbard comes into her life to help her solve all those mysteries.
Oh, yes, that other sort of genre—well, theme—that is almost always include in my stories, especially these days, is animals, mostly dogs, whether or not it’s a romance or mystery or something else. And Kendra’s stories were in some ways about me since I was a practicing lawyer at the time and one of my Cavaliers then was Lexie. But I’ve said all that here before.
Now? Well, I always have dogs around me, and so do the protagonists in my current Harlequin Romantic Suspense stories. The last in my current series, the Shelter of Secrets, is finishing up next year, and I’m already working on the first in the next series.
And you? What’s your favorite genre to read? And if you’re writing, what genre(s) are you writing in?
The Writers in Residence 
Linda, thanks for your revelations on choosing a genre and how you as an author has handled them. Reading in the genre we love evolves, I imagine, from our earliest years. I just bought a version of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows for my toddler grandson, The book is illustrated throughout and printed on strong cardboard for little fingers. My childhood version was the original. Your book output is phenomenal and shows the passion you have for putting on the page the remarkable breadth of your fertile mind. Terrific!
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That version of The Wind in the Willows sounds delightful! And thanks for the nice comments about my writing.
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What is your next series, Linda? Will you ever do any more cozy mysteries, I wonder.?
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My next series is for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and it’s tentatively called K9s and PIs. I’m always puzzling over mystery ideas but am not currently working on any…yet!
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I mostly read, and write, mysteries. And I always enjoy a good romance!
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Sounds good to me, Maggie!
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Like Jill, I am always impressed by your prolific output, Linda. And by your different genres.
I inevitably write mysteries about Old Hollywood, but I have more contemporary mysteries in the works, too. I’ve not delved into the romantic genre yet. But who knows? I think it’s interesting to read different genres- just sure not about the writing part…
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Thanks so much, Rosemary! I love the Old Hollywood setting of your mysteries. And I’m intrigued that you’re working on contemporary mysteries too. It doesn’t hurt to add in a romantic relationship. 🙂
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There are a few ways writers end up writing what they write. My first book was a thriller, but it wasn’t published right away. Then I took ten years writing three spy novels. Again, it took a while to get them published. Frustrated, I didn’t know what direction to go. Then my husband said: “You used to be a private detective. Why don’t you write a detective story.” And the rest is history. Write what you know and what grabs you. Works every time.
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