So, my next book that I'm planning at the moment is fantasy. However, I don't want to give up my hopes of writing an Historical Fiction book one day, as I love to write in that genre. But they are so different; I wondered if anyone knows of authors who have not just stayed with one genre? Not that I mind being unusual.

I just wondered, once you have written fantasy, if people would take your Historical Fiction seriously, if that makes sense?

Thanks!

C.S. Lewis wrote fantasy and sci-fi (among other things). I don't know a lot about this, but it seems like his fantasy is more widely-known, but I don't know why that'd be exactly. My point is though, that both seem to have made it all right and both are recognized as good literature.

Yes, C. S. Lewis is a good example of someone who was successful in multiple genres. Stephen R. Lawhead writes fantasy and historical novels. Bill Myers writes all kind of novels, from children's comedy to teen horror to adult thrillers, though all modern, I think.

Neat! I forgot about C.S Lewis!



I have heard of Stephen Lawhead, but not Bill Myers.


Would it be best to use different pen names, do you think? Or does it not matter at all?

Well, it seems to me like you might wanna keep it at one--personally if I read a historical fiction and then saw that the same person also wrote a fantasy I'd be more likely to read it than if it were by a completely unfamiliar author. But maybe that's just me.

*Nods* Yes, that makes sense.

I just discovered that Rudyard Kipling wrote a sci-fi book, and I am raring to read it. In my opinion, I think that if you like someone in one genre, reading something he wrote in another genre would be like reading a favorite author with the addition of the freshness of a new one because of the entirely different idea that the genre shift entails. So I love reading authors who shift genres.

Another popular example I know of is Dean R. Koontz. In his early years someone told him that he would lose readers if he wrote in different genres. So he used several pen names for different genres so he did that, and he wrote all across the board in genres. Later, after he was reasonably popular, all of his books were republished under his real name - all of them in every different genre. And he's one of the bestselling authors of our time.

Some readers like it when an author will branch out of their comfort zone and venture into other genres. It shows the author's ability to grow and their flexibility as a writer. I think that's a good thing.

I know myself. I write in different genres, though mainly sci-fi. I'd have no qualms at all about reading an author with multiple genres, in fact, I respect an author who is willing to branch out. Not that all authors have to, but it's fun when they do.

Elanor, dear, you've inspired a blog post.

http://jgracepennington.com/branching-out/

And quite a good post it is.

*Chuckles* Very good blog post, Grace.

Thank you!

C. S. Lewis is the best example I can think of. Besides writing fantasy and science fiction, he also wrote numerous non-fictional works.

If the regular mold for authors is to write in one genre, then I'm going to shatter that practice. Besides writing fantasy (which I'm doing right now) and science fiction (some already written but in great need of revision), I also would like to explore espionage, mysteries, modern-day thrillers of some sort, futuristic or time travel, and perhaps historical Scottish fiction.

In terms of using a pen name for each different genre, I've read that it's the best choice if you want to be a serious author. However, my problem with that approach is that if you're purposefully masking your identity to reach a different base of fans, what will people who liked your other work do when the flow suddenly runs dry. And if you want them to know that you're working in a different genre, why use a pseudonym at all?

I agree with Lycanis that it's more about the author than what type of story they write. Just my personal taste.

Interesting thoughts there, Tarin! Thanks for sharing.

Yes, I think if you're an established author, your fans would be willing to read a book written by you in another genre.