The only one I can write with any consistency is plain old Mystery—which I adore. The rest? Well, it turns out loving a genre and being able to write it are two very different things.
Take Action/Adventure. I love the heart-pounding pace and the thrill of the chase… until the story pauses to wax poetic about the specs of a Glock or the tactical maneuvering of a Navy SEAL. That’s when I realize I’m completely out of my depth. I don’t know my Berettas from my bazookas—and frankly, I don’t want to. If I tried to write a scene like that, I’d either bore myself or send knowledgeable readers into fits of laughter (or worse, outrage).
And can we talk about character survival in these genres? There are only so many helicopters you can dangle from before it gets ridiculous. Eventually, my brain checks out and mutters, “Come on. Joe should be dead by now.” But of course, Joe lives on… because there’s a book six.
Now, let’s look at Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Mystery. These are some of my favorite books to read. Give me an arrogant dragon sidekick or a snarky witch with a grudge, and I’m hooked. Magic, after all, is the ultimate storytelling loophole. No need to research weapon specs—I can make up the rules! Magic can be funny, fearsome, noble, or corrupt, and it’s endlessly flexible.
So I’m challenging myself.
Right now, I’m deep into writing WITCH’S QUEST, book two in my paranormal mystery series featuring Dr. Stephanie Jones, an emergency physician who stumbles across a grimoire buried in her old med school books. (Yes, I know that’s not how real doctors do research. But hey, it’s a plot device, and the book needed planting somewhere!) Soon, Stephanie’s dealing with rogue fae prisoners on the loose near Lake Tahoe—and they aren’t just mischievous, they’re dangerous.
I’m about halfway through the manuscript, and I’ll admit—it’s been a struggle. This book has already been set aside twice while I wrote some trusty mystery novels just to get my writing mojo back. But now it’s up for preorder, which means: no turning back.
So what’s the lesson here?
Maybe it’s not “Write what you love to read.”
Maybe it’s “Write what won’t leave you alone.”
Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s hard. Even if you’ve set it aside more times than you want to admit.
I’ll let you know in a few weeks how it turns out. Magic and all.
Alec Peche,
Jill Quint, MD, series (15 Books)
Damian Green series (6 books)
Michelle Watson Thriller series (3 Books)
Eat, Play, Poop (dog humor)
Witch’s Medicine, book 1 of Stephanie Jones’ series
several short stories
www.AlecPecheBooks.com
Hey, Alec, good luck in chasing that magic. Write what won’t leave you alone. Love it. Carry on.
Thanks Michael, I guess there is magic in every story. It’s just creating the framework of your magical word that takes time.
What s great piece, Alec! Good advice—I’m currently revising (yet again) a novel that wouldn’t leave me alone—I get it! Congratulations on your prolific body of work!!!
Thanks for your comment. I find it frustrating that I can love reading certain types of stories, yet I can seem to write them with ease. I did a May sprint with a group of about 100 people and a few were writing over 12,000 words a day. I think my best day writing was about 6,000 words. Of course, my biggest work stoppage is because I’m a pantser and I have to stop and wait for my brain to conjure a new path forward with the story.
What a great piece, Alec! Good advice—I’m currently revising (yet again) a novel that wouldn’t leave me alone—I get it! Congratulations on your prolific body of work!!!
Liked your thoughts and your thoughts on what genre to write. It can be a dilemma. I’ve written in 3 genres and find switching back and forth keeps my writing mojo going. Good luck with your newest book.
Thanks John for your support. Do you find that all 3 genres are equally easy/hard to write?
“Write what you won’t leave alone” is awesome advice!
Hi Alec,
Congratulations! Sounds like a lot of fun, which theoretically, is what writing is supposed to be, right? Deadlines sometimes get in the way of some of that enjoyment, but you’ve certainly got the pedigree to fight through that. I’m looking forward to reading your novels, they sound exhilarating. Good luck!
Best,
Dave
“Write what won’t leave you alone.” Now that’s perfect ( ;
Thanks for this post, George and Alec. It landed in my heart.
You are a brave, adventurous woman/writer. Miss seeing you at our 1:00 write-ins.
George Cramer’s blog offers captivating short stories and insightful reflections, making it a delightful read for anyone seeking engaging narratives and thoughtful musings.