by Linda O. Johnston
I’ve been talking a lot lately about writing in multiple genres and thought I’d do so here, too. I had a blog posted about it at another site, plus I talked about it at the Santa Clarita Romance Authors meeting last weekend.
Why talk about it? Because I do it! I’ve been writing both mysteries and romances for a long time. I’ve always said that all my mysteries contain some element of romance, and all my romances contain some mystery or suspense.
My first published fiction was a mystery short story in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, and it won the Robert L. Fish Award for best first mystery short story of the year. My first published novels were time travel romances. I soon began writing for Harlequin Intrigue, which is romantic suspense, as well as cozy mysteries.
Right now, I’m writing the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery Series for Midnight Ink. The most recent was published in May, the third in the series: BAD TO THE BONE. The fourth will be published next May, and its title will be PICK AND CHEWS.
I’m also still writing for Harlequin–two of its romance lines. One, Nocturne, which is paranormal romance, will have its final year in 2018. My last Nocturne will be a November release. It’ll be the ninth of my Alpha Force stories about a covert military unit of shapeshifters.
I additionally write for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and SECOND CHANCE SOLDIER, the first in my new K-9 Ranch Rescue miniseries, will be published in March.
So, yes, I’ve written and still write in multiple genres. There are pros and cons about it that I could tell you about–and may do so in the future.
But at least I have a common theme these days that’s in all of them. Each of my current stories and series involve… dogs!
You are an inspiration to writers who might have an idea for a second series different from their first venture. You show that it can be done, though I do think I would start confusing my characters if I wrote two different series at the same time. Good for you, Linda.
Thanks, Gayle. It’s sometimes confusing but always fun!
I would love to hear your thoughts about the pros and cons of writing in multiple genres. Do you think it makes you a better writer?
I don’t know that it makes you a better writer, but it certainly helps a writer remain creative–and, hopefully, published. I’ll try to address more pros and cons in a future post here.