I have something to admit. (Looks both ways.) Sometimes I HATE writing love scenes. :-O Uh oh, I’ve said it aloud. Looks around to see if dark clouds are forming over my head.
Jaid Black made an interesting comment on my last blog entry about sometimes being sick of writing love scenes too. I don’t know why this surprised me, but it did. I guess because she makes it ‘look’ so effortless. 
I’ve had this conversation with a critique partner on several occasions. I think it’s easy to burn out if you write the same type of thing over and over again. I don’t mean the same love scenes repeatedly, because we all try to shake them up based on the characters and the storyline. I’m talking about writing ’sexy books’ one right after the other. Repetition builds skill, but it also creates boredom.
Jaid also mentioned not wanting to disappoint fans. I totally understand this and it’s a very big concern to me. The thing I wonder, since I’ve skipped around in genres, is what my fans actually expect from my writing. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought since my Bravas were released earlier this year. I honestly have no idea what ‘category’ the readers of my books put me in. Do they consider me a writer of sexy books? Adventure books? Funny books? I’ve had multiple reviews combining all the above. Do they consider me a contemporary writer or a paranormal author?
Why am I getting off subject? Because I can. *ggg* No really, the reason I bring up the above questions is because according to ‘publishing experts’ it’s important for authors to create a brand. This is done in many different ways, but one of them is knowing where the readers categorize you. I honestly have no clue. Therefore, I’m brandless. Sniffle.
For the authors out there, do you know how you’re categorized? For the readers out there, is it important to mentally place authors into certain categories? Also, if an author writes outside of the category you placed them in would you automatically stop buying their work? I’d really like to know.
August 12th, 2005
I caught Jaid’s comment too and I nearly said something! I’m so glad you blogged about this!!!! yes, I know I’m !!! happy. If an author changes genres, for instance, I at least give them a chance.
Frankly I can’t WAIT to get back to my nearly sexless chick lit ms.!! When you’re not writing a romance (or erotic romance) it’s just DIFFERENT, you don’t have to worry about sexual tension or romantic tension. Sure there’s a romance in the chick lit but it’s not the focus of the book so I don’t have to give it as much attention as I do when I write other stuff.
by Cece August 12th, 2005 at 4:26 pmP. S. I think if you’re taking a step sideways (IE going from adventure erotic romances to adventure w/strong romantic elements) it’s not such a stretch. A good book is a good book is a good book =)
by Cece August 12th, 2005 at 4:28 pmPart 1–Im an EC author, tooin fact, I think we have the same editor.
Im multi-published in different genres (different pen names), and also an editor and former publisher, so I understand much of your angst. We creative people are delicate creatures. Dealing with so much rejection and apathy is damned difficult for the ego. Its important to keep ourselves feeling positive, which isnt always easy. Write what you love, because nothing else will ever be as good. Your spirit and passion will make your work shinejust as writing something only to please others will make it flat and dull. Yes, its important to develop a brand because readers like to know what to expect from a certain author and dont necessarily like being surprised, but thats not something you can force. It will come naturally with time. Be as kind and patient with yourself as you would be for a dear friend or loved whos struggling with uncertainties. Give yourself the precious gift of time and allow yourself to blossom.
by Daisy Dexter Dobbs August 12th, 2005 at 4:49 pmPart 2–Ive read Tears of Amun and know how very talented you are. You have the necessary skills, now you just need to decide how youll be happiest applying them. Dont rush itjust let it happen. It will, trust me. If youre feeling burned out writing sex, then take a break from it for a while and delve into something else. Try writing and submitting different types of material using a couple of pseudonyms and then see how your work is received. Anne Rice, Stephen King and dozens of others did this early in their careers. Its good for validation and to test the waters. Once youve established your particular brand and you have a strong following, you can admit to the pen names and your fans will follow.
by Daisy Dexter Dobbs August 12th, 2005 at 4:50 pmI didn’t mean to throw you for a loop there, kiddo lol
But, yeah, I get tired of writing sexy books the same as the next person. I find it difficult to believe that anyone who specializes in a certain genre doesn’t get sick of it now and again. If SEP were to release a serious book, I doubt it would be so well-received. If Ann Rice decided to write a warm, fuzzy, feel-good story we’d wonder if she’d inhaled something unmentionable. That said, I’m willing to bet that SEP doesn’t always feel like being funny…and Ann Rice no doubt gets sick of the undead from time to time. (Garlic, anyone?) So, to make a short story long, I’m all for taking breathers, if you will. However, you have a salient point re: branding. As a reader, I don’t like it AT ALL when my fav authors move out of their box. OTOH, as a writer, I want my own readers to be more forgiving lol 
by Jaid Black August 12th, 2005 at 7:05 pmI’m sitting here laughing because I KNEW that comment would generate a blog entry, lol!!
I’ve had this discussion with a couple of friends who’re trying to become pubbed romance authors (not erotica). I remember saying, “geez, there are only so many positions, so many sexual preferences, only so many words for a penis, etc…”
I don’t care if my favorite authors step out of the box. If you can write S&M today & fairy tales tomorrow–fine with me, as long as you write them WELL.
I remember when Colleen McCullough of ‘Thornbirds’ fame took that step, & wrote a series of novels on ancient Rome. Completely different. She said she’d wanted to do them for years.
Did they sell? Yes. Was it the same audience? I don’t know. Did they sell as well as her romances? Probably not. Did she worry about it? No. They were the books of her heart.
by raine August 12th, 2005 at 11:38 pmI dunno about this “branding” movement; it seems a little inflexible to me. I have several authors I love who write different books; I buy them all, because it’s the author I like. I’m not married to any genre.
And I’ll tell you my dark secret; I alternate romance with “refresher” projects. Morry the Monster Under the Bed, Maggie and the Mystery of the Missing Socks…the stuff may well never see the light of day, but creatively I need to do it!
It’s probably the Gemini in me but the thought of only writing one kind of book forever feels very claustrophobic.
by Charlene August 13th, 2005 at 2:50 amI swear sometimes, Jordan, that we’re link psychicly. lol. I’ve seem to be having the same concerns/worries you do, and you always seem to blog about them, while I continue…. worrying. *g* for the most part.
I have no problem following an author outside her particular writing box, as long as it’s into an area that I find appealing. And since I read across the board on all genres, there wouldn’t be a promblem, unless his/her writing/voice changed so much that I couldn’t get into the new venture. Go with your heart, kiddo.
by Jaq August 13th, 2005 at 6:39 amI think it’s important to brand yourself, but without putting yourself too tightly into a box. I use “Romance with an Edge of Danger” on my website because I like to write suspense, but it can still be either paranormal or regular contemporary romantic suspense. I don’t want to put myself in a box one way or the other, but all my stories are romantic and dangerous.
by Suzanne August 13th, 2005 at 7:11 amGood blog entry, Jordan. I know exactly where I’m branded and my readers would probably flip if I wrote anything not erotic. Do I get tired of it? Sometimes. If I’m writing a book that I’m just not into, then the whole thing becomes a chore, and that’s not why I’m an author. I’m an author because I love to write. I love telling stories. I love getting lost in them. And I love writing sex scenes when they’re a natural development of the story and the growth of the characters. But the books I haven’t enjoyed writing, even the sex is a chore. The one thing I worry about is my sex scenes being the same, but my crit partner wouldn’t let that happen. LOL. She’d be on my butt. Seriously, though, the dynamics between every couple is so different, that the sex scenes have to be different. If you had John and Sally as a couple, their sexual relationship would be different than if John had met Susan instead. It’s the characters who make all the difference to me.
by Cheyenne McCray August 13th, 2005 at 7:55 amCece, That’s a good point. I guess I would be stepping sideways and not out. Hmm… Such a smart woman you are. Just about everything I write has some kind of adventure in it.
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 11:16 amDaisy, Thanks for the thoughtful post. I’m still working on the ‘be kind to yourself part’. I appreciate the compliment about Tears of Amun.:-) The projects I’m working on currently are ALL for me. I’m not worrying about anyone else while writing them. I just want them to be good. I’ll certainly consider the suggestion about taking other names to try different things. Good idea!
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 11:24 amJaid, LOL! I hear you on the forgiving readers. (wg) You definitely surprised me with your comment in the last blog entry, while at the same time bringing me a sense of relief that there’s not something wrong with me. Beyond the obvious.
It was nice to know that someone, who is so very good at writing the spicy stuff, gets tired of it on occasion too.
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 11:31 amRaine, Good point. If you do change direction, do it well.
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 11:32 amCharlene, It sounds like you’re doing the right things to keep your imagination entertained. Good for you!
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 11:33 amJaq, We’re twins separated by different mothers. (wg)
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 11:35 amSuzanne, Very good point. I think you and Cece are right. You can write in any genre that way because you’re sticking to your suspense/danger theme. You’re stepping sideways as Cece said.
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 11:36 amCheyenne, I think you are branded well by your readers. It’s great that Anne stays on you to ‘keep it real’.
I just don’t think I am branded, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I do need to keep that in mind.
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 11:39 amHaving read all your Atlantean books so far, I can honestly say that I haven’t actually ever placed you in any type of box in my head. There are certain authors whom I’ve automatically labelled, but I can’t say you’re one of them I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not:)
by Karen Scott August 13th, 2005 at 1:48 pmKaren, That’s EXACTLY what I’m talking about. When I think about Cheyenne, I automatically think hot fantasy novels (even though I know she writes other things). When I think of Jaid Black, I automatically think hot futuristics (even though again, she writes other things). When I think of Ann Rice, I think vamps. When I think of Angela Knight, I think vamp-like creatures. Same thing with Christine Feehan. When I think of Stephanie Laurens, I think of the Cynsters.
I think the fact that you don’t picture me in a particular box is both good and bad. It’s good because it means I can write whatever I want and it won’t throw the readers off. It’s bad because people don’t think of me as a specific type of writer (ie brand).
Now that could be because my books don’t stand out in any way. Or it might be because I have a habit of combining genres so much that my books aren’t easily categorized. (ie Atlantis myth meets alien Tarzan by a ‘Stargate’) LOL! Honestly not sure which is the case.
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 5:24 pmI think readers like their “comfort zone.” They know what to expect from their favorite writers, so it’s best when they can put them into categories. Also publishers like to categorize their writers. It’s their way to easily sell the “product” (novels). However, with more and more writers “crossing over” genres, I wonder if readers are open-minded about their favorite writers spreading their wings and trying new things.
by Silma August 13th, 2005 at 6:49 pmSilma, I don’t know. I do think the current trend of cross-pollination will broaden the reader base.
by Jordan August 13th, 2005 at 7:21 pmHmmm, I don’t know if I’m branded or not. LOL! Half my readers think ‘vamps’ and the other half think ‘cowboys’. And then I’ve written other paranormals and some straight contemporary with suspense mixed in, too. Great thought provoking post, Jordan! :o)
by Patrice Michelle August 13th, 2005 at 10:00 pmPatrice, I associate you with vamps the most, but that’s just me.
(One of your many readers.)
by Jordan August 14th, 2005 at 11:40 amYes, I do sometimes place authors in different categories, usually, by publishers. If you have a book by Brava, I know what to expect, and if by la la else, I may expect something different. And, no, I don’t automatically stop buying their works if this is the case, but I admit I do draw a line at following them to Avon.
by Maili August 14th, 2005 at 1:10 pmI agree with what Maili said about expecting certain things according to publisher. Since I’m currently only writing for one category line, I feel like I kind of have a brand, but I can definitely see the problem once a person expands.
by Amy August 14th, 2005 at 7:35 pmMaili, I understand what you mean. I expect a certain kind of story when I pick up a Brava, but I don’t necessarily expect something from a specific author. (If you know what I mean.)
by Jordan August 14th, 2005 at 8:12 pmAmy, You’re lucky. I approached writing much like firing a shotgun, scattered and without aim. (wg)
by Jordan August 14th, 2005 at 8:13 pm