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#IWSG Favorite Genres


Happy June to all writers! Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting this support group.



Ack, I'm a little late getting my post up. My work has slowed down for the summer, and apparently my memory has slowed as well.


IWSG Day Question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

I write sports romance and romantic suspense--the same genres I tend to read. A newer genre to me is psychological thrillers. For book club this month, I chose The Silent Patient, a 5-star read for me that featured some great insight into therapy. 

A friend loaned me The Breakdown, another psychological thriller I enjoyed (here's my review.) I rarely figure out mysteries when I read. Do you?

I wanted to read that same author's debut, Behind Closed Doors, so I was lucky to find an e-audiobook at the library right away. I had so much fun listening to the audiobook that I promptly downloaded a romantic suspense favorite by Pamela Clare, Breaking Point. It's 12 hours long and about 2 of those hours seem to be sex scenes--too much for me. But I love the plot and characterization.

After an 18-month hiatus, I finally started writing my next novel, a sport romance. I'm going to take it slowly and only write when I feel like it. 

Hope your writing is going well!

Comments

Chrys Fey said…
My go-to genre is romantic-suspense, but I do have one sports romance in the works. :) It has been in the works for many, MANY years. lol
My genre is speculative fiction which covers a multitude of sins. :-) I like trying to figure out the mysteries I read -- if I can, it is a let-down. Go figure.

But the character interaction in my favorite mysteries like the Longmire and Spenser series is what truly interests me. The why of the crime fascinates me.

The worldwide blood shortage this summer has made my job ... more interesting ... like the Chinese curse!

Enjoy your slower summer.
Maybe reading those other genres helped fuel your will to write. Good luck with the new project.
Sarah Foster said…
I feel like listening to two hours of sex scenes would feel way more awkward than reading them on the page. LOL!
Good luck with your new project!
Jennifer Lane said…
Chrys, we have a lot in common! What sport(s) are you tackling for your WIP?

Alex, it does seem like reading a is a good way to inspire the muse.

Roland, there are so many possibilities with speculative fiction, for sure. Character interaction really makes a story, and I find it fun to write dialogue for that reason. How does the blood shortage affect your job? Are you slower, too?

Sarah, that must be it! I worry my neighbors can overhear the naughty bits. Plus, it's harder to skim through the plentiful sex scenes on audio.
Natalie Aguirre said…
I really like thrillers and mysteries as well as fantasy now. Glad you are back to writing. So am I, but like you, do it when I can.
Jennifer Lane said…
Natalie, it seems to help creativity when we expand our genres. That's great you're back to writing, too!
Diane Burton said…
Isn't it funny how the more time we have, the less we get done? And the reverse. Because I like trying all kinds of stories, I enjoy sports romance. Cut my teeth on Susan Elizabeth Phillips' football romances. She proved that women *will* read sports romances if they're well-written. Best wishes for a great month.
I like it when I can't figure out the mystery because the clues are hidden well, not when the solution comes out of left field with no hints or explanations. There are not many writers who can pull that off consistently.

Barring the expert twist, I would rather the mystery just unfold in a logical pattern, and we learn the truth step by step at the same time as the lead character. It's much more fulfilling that way.
Yay for your new project! I like your approach of taking it slow and writing when you feel like. Looking forward to reading your new book when it's published :)
Liza said…
I'm mostly a women's fiction person, but I love a little psychological suspense sometimes. Best wishes with your new story.
Nicki Elson said…
Hooray that your writing something new! Good for you not putting any pressure on yourself.

I haven't done audio books. I know I need to give them a try but my mind wanders enough when I'm looking right at the words, I'm afraid it'd be a bigger problem with audio. I'm not a strong listener.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
My YA/NA series was all about sports, so I can relate to your passion.
Jennifer Lane said…
Diane, exactly! The busier I am, the more productive I am. But it has been nice to come home without feeling exhausted after work. I'm not familiar with that author but I looked her up on Amazon--looks interesting. I grew up with female athletes so women enjoying sports romances doesn't feel strange to me at all!

C.D., good thoughts about what makes a quality mystery. I guess I like to get absorbed in the story and not try to figure it out as it goes.

Ellen, thank you! And congratulations on your new release.
Jennifer Lane said…
Liza, I enjoy women's fiction, too. Thank you.

Nicki, I'm much more of a visual than audial learner, but if the book is well-written and the narrator is good, audiobooks can be easy to follow (at least the two I've listened to recently). Behind Closed Doors' narrator has a lovely English accent that made the book much better since it's set in England.

L. Diane, great to connect with another sports romance fan.
I gave THE SILENT PATIENT 5 stars also! And I loved both of those books by BA Paris. :)
Jennifer Lane said…
Thanks for friending me on Goodreads, Madeline! Good to know we enjoy the same books.
Nice Post said…
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