I loved reading this Wendy. Thank you. And thank you for attending to my curiosity! I love the way you have walked us through the dilemma including Caro's expert take. I really resonate with the idea that I follow the work of voices I admire so while I found your work through your book, I would now read any genre you write in. I imagine I have readers who would do the same. I've always been more interested in people and their voices than genres and labels. This seems obvious, but as you point out there is so much advice against lane switching. But then, so much of the world we knew is changing. I was reading a thing this morning about the death of tv due to youtube and I just think that increasingly none of the old rules will apply. And so following one's informed writing intuition feels like the best option. This guarantees the prized authenticity that everyone is after, and ensures writer/author satisfaction along the way. Thank you again for this reassuring piece xx
An interesting post, Wendy, and one that resonates with me as I’ve switched my path from writing creative non-fiction to trying my hand at fiction. This switch is all off-line, off-Substack, simply because it’s a personal exploration of my own creativity. If it gets to the point where I’ve produced a draft that I’m happy with then I’ll be out there crossing genres publicly with all my might!!!
I love this post Wendy. You’ve brilliantly articulated something I’ve been pondering for years. I find your comments and Caro’s very affirming. I’ve been working on a novel for years where nature has a strong presence, but I also want to write narrative non-fiction. But of course have worried about the old saying of focussing on one thing and working to be good at that. I uploaded my final work for my MA last Friday and was contemplating the range of work I submitted. I’ve always had advice about simplifying and narrowing things down which makes me feel restricted. The common thread through everything fiction and non-fiction is my love and fascination with the magic of the natural world in all its forms. And it made me realise that is the ‘genre’ however it’s expressed. So this was a great post to read this morning. I’m going on my first holiday in 4 years tomorrow and I have your book in my travel bag to finally read.
This issue can become even more convoluted when different genres are braided into the same book. Consider,for example, Elizabeth-Jane Burnett’s The Grassling (memoir and poetry), Rob Cowen’s Common Ground (memoir and fiction), Helen Rebanks’ The Farmer’s Wife (memoir and recipes) or Chloe Dalton’s Raising Hare (memoir and non-fiction). I am attempting something similar with my second book which is challenging but, I think, the only problem it might cause is which shelf it should be on.
I definitely think there is room to stretch legs within genres, and play with where the lines are, but it's always a worry how it will be promoted, isn't it. How it will be pitched to booksellers etc.
As a reader I have followed a writer across non-fiction, short fiction, novels because I like their way of seeing the world, or their way of phrasing things, and I'm reasonably sure of enjoying whatever it is they've written next.
As a writer I've wandered all over the place (short fiction, creative non-fiction, graphic novels, radio drama, podcast sitcom, novels) and I've brought some readers/listeners with me from project to project, though naturally there will be some projects that some of them aren't keen on. It's undoubtedly harder on the marketing side than if you, say, build up a reputation purely as a writer of crime novels or walking guides and stick with it, but for peace of mind you have to stay true to your writer self (as you say, 'What is success as a writer if you can’t be free to write in new and interesting ways'). Wishing you well with the novel.
Sadly no - a friend who I’ve since lost touch with had started illustrating for Interzone and the like in his spare time and he suggested turning one of my stories into a graphic novel (at least I think that’s how it happened. We blogged about it but I haven’t read it in years, https://ostragoth.wordpress.com/ - there’s electronic copies there too I believe). Then I wrote an actual script for the next one, plus another couple of scripts he never found the time to draw. It was fun though, and because DIY is more accepted in comics, we had copies for sale in Forbidden Planet, Travelling Man etc.
I am a reader not a writer - and I came to your memoir from your poetry (which was a newish reading genre for me - I've only been reading poetry for a couple of years, other than at school 40 odd years before) and from that to find you on Substack. I enjoy reading very good writers and will follow a novelist or poet to memoir or essays or poetry or whatever form they choose to write in. I am awaiting your novel with much anticipation. Not all readers want to read the same ish book over and over again.
Tina, this is such a satisfying response. Thank you so much. I agree, I tend to follow writers into other types of books because I like how they think!
A really interesting article, Wendy (and Caro) as I leave book two in my YA series in the hands of my agent and move onto adult fiction (spicy and edgy).
My Substack is also a big mix of themes: slow travel, post trauma and midlife ramblings, gardening and sustainable living & neurodiversity. It is the latter which means I do flirt around multiple ideas and projects, and maybe I'm searching for my niche, but I feel this will always be me.
I once upcycled knitwear as The Woolly Pedlar and built up a large following doing so. Many, many of my writing followers are the same, dear people. My point being, readers, followers, subscribers will follow you for being you. They love the sound of your voice and what you have to say regardless of what label is attached to your writing.
I loved reading this Wendy. Thank you. And thank you for attending to my curiosity! I love the way you have walked us through the dilemma including Caro's expert take. I really resonate with the idea that I follow the work of voices I admire so while I found your work through your book, I would now read any genre you write in. I imagine I have readers who would do the same. I've always been more interested in people and their voices than genres and labels. This seems obvious, but as you point out there is so much advice against lane switching. But then, so much of the world we knew is changing. I was reading a thing this morning about the death of tv due to youtube and I just think that increasingly none of the old rules will apply. And so following one's informed writing intuition feels like the best option. This guarantees the prized authenticity that everyone is after, and ensures writer/author satisfaction along the way. Thank you again for this reassuring piece xx
Thanks Ruth, I'd follow your writing anywhere. I'm always interested in your thoughtful take on things. x
The feeling is entirely mutual xx
An interesting post, Wendy, and one that resonates with me as I’ve switched my path from writing creative non-fiction to trying my hand at fiction. This switch is all off-line, off-Substack, simply because it’s a personal exploration of my own creativity. If it gets to the point where I’ve produced a draft that I’m happy with then I’ll be out there crossing genres publicly with all my might!!!
Good luck with the fiction project!
I love this post Wendy. You’ve brilliantly articulated something I’ve been pondering for years. I find your comments and Caro’s very affirming. I’ve been working on a novel for years where nature has a strong presence, but I also want to write narrative non-fiction. But of course have worried about the old saying of focussing on one thing and working to be good at that. I uploaded my final work for my MA last Friday and was contemplating the range of work I submitted. I’ve always had advice about simplifying and narrowing things down which makes me feel restricted. The common thread through everything fiction and non-fiction is my love and fascination with the magic of the natural world in all its forms. And it made me realise that is the ‘genre’ however it’s expressed. So this was a great post to read this morning. I’m going on my first holiday in 4 years tomorrow and I have your book in my travel bag to finally read.
Thanks for this feedback Michelle. And thanks for taking the book on your travels!
This issue can become even more convoluted when different genres are braided into the same book. Consider,for example, Elizabeth-Jane Burnett’s The Grassling (memoir and poetry), Rob Cowen’s Common Ground (memoir and fiction), Helen Rebanks’ The Farmer’s Wife (memoir and recipes) or Chloe Dalton’s Raising Hare (memoir and non-fiction). I am attempting something similar with my second book which is challenging but, I think, the only problem it might cause is which shelf it should be on.
I definitely think there is room to stretch legs within genres, and play with where the lines are, but it's always a worry how it will be promoted, isn't it. How it will be pitched to booksellers etc.
That’s right. I think we sometimes have to choose between a commercially focused writing project and pure creativity.
As a reader I have followed a writer across non-fiction, short fiction, novels because I like their way of seeing the world, or their way of phrasing things, and I'm reasonably sure of enjoying whatever it is they've written next.
As a writer I've wandered all over the place (short fiction, creative non-fiction, graphic novels, radio drama, podcast sitcom, novels) and I've brought some readers/listeners with me from project to project, though naturally there will be some projects that some of them aren't keen on. It's undoubtedly harder on the marketing side than if you, say, build up a reputation purely as a writer of crime novels or walking guides and stick with it, but for peace of mind you have to stay true to your writer self (as you say, 'What is success as a writer if you can’t be free to write in new and interesting ways'). Wishing you well with the novel.
Thank you! I'm fascinated by your graphic novel, was this illustrated by you?
Sadly no - a friend who I’ve since lost touch with had started illustrating for Interzone and the like in his spare time and he suggested turning one of my stories into a graphic novel (at least I think that’s how it happened. We blogged about it but I haven’t read it in years, https://ostragoth.wordpress.com/ - there’s electronic copies there too I believe). Then I wrote an actual script for the next one, plus another couple of scripts he never found the time to draw. It was fun though, and because DIY is more accepted in comics, we had copies for sale in Forbidden Planet, Travelling Man etc.
Oh gosh this is wonderful Wendy. And just what I needed to read right now.
I am a reader not a writer - and I came to your memoir from your poetry (which was a newish reading genre for me - I've only been reading poetry for a couple of years, other than at school 40 odd years before) and from that to find you on Substack. I enjoy reading very good writers and will follow a novelist or poet to memoir or essays or poetry or whatever form they choose to write in. I am awaiting your novel with much anticipation. Not all readers want to read the same ish book over and over again.
Tina, this is such a satisfying response. Thank you so much. I agree, I tend to follow writers into other types of books because I like how they think!
A really interesting article, Wendy (and Caro) as I leave book two in my YA series in the hands of my agent and move onto adult fiction (spicy and edgy).
My Substack is also a big mix of themes: slow travel, post trauma and midlife ramblings, gardening and sustainable living & neurodiversity. It is the latter which means I do flirt around multiple ideas and projects, and maybe I'm searching for my niche, but I feel this will always be me.
I once upcycled knitwear as The Woolly Pedlar and built up a large following doing so. Many, many of my writing followers are the same, dear people. My point being, readers, followers, subscribers will follow you for being you. They love the sound of your voice and what you have to say regardless of what label is attached to your writing.
Thank you Sue, this is such good advice. xxx