Writing Across Multiple Genres

My current novel is of the satire/humour genre. Another novel that is currently in the works is still humorous, but is more of a fantasy novel. A third novel that I am currently working on - I like to keep busy - is of the thriller/"morbid" genre and I have very good ideas for a further horror novel, also.

I have received highly positive feedback from numerous sources for each novel so far, which implies that I am able to successfully write across these genres, but I am enquiring as to whether it is considered good practice to write across multiple genres or to just stick to one?

I should also make it clear that I do not assume that I can write anything and that I am generally amazing - not at all. For example, I wouldn't know where to begin with a romance novel. However, I personally find that I am just as comfortable writing about horror as I am humour and would like to know if others have any experience of such a phenomenon (for lack of a better word)?

For example, how would we all feel if Stephen King were to bash out a few satire novels? Or if Terry Pratchett were to pen a couple of crime thrillers? Would it "tarnish" your view of their work in any ways? Personally, it would slightly tarnish my view as one of my favourite authors - Tom Holt - is popular in the humorous fantasy genre, yet he has also written some historical novels as well as poetry. In my mind, he will always be a humorous fantasy writer and, for some reason that I myself can't explain, this makes me a little uneasy.

Have others experienced the dilemma of not being able to pin down "your" genre, or is it possible that people may still view your work with just as much respect across multiple genres as opposed to just one?

This question addresses an element of the problem and a possible solution, but it doesn't quite cover what I'm looking for as it focuses mainly on pseudonyms.

Many thanks.

posted almost 11 years ago

CC BY-SA 3.0

M.Y. David‭

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