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Cleansing The Genre Palate
I write paranormal romance and contemporary romance, which means that typically my life is deeply embedded in those two genres. I live it, breathe it, and often dream it. I spend a lot of time plotting, writing and editing my books, deeply immersed in the worlds I create.
I also do a lot of reading in my chosen genre. I like to stay abreast of what my peers are doing in the genres I write in, so I also read a lot of paranormal romance and contemporary romance. And frankly, I love these two genres. I wouldn’t be writing them if I didn’t.
But on occasion, I need a break. I need to cleanse my brain of anything and everything having to do with what I write. And what I really like to read during these times is romantic comedy. I think the reason I choose romantic comedy is because there’s no way on earth I could ever write it. I don’t have a comedic bone in my body. I like to think my books are fun, they have their amusing moments, but full on comedic? No way. And I admire the hell out of authors who pull off romantic comedy. I can sink into a romantic comedy so easily, because there’s no comparison to anything I write, there’s no ‘oh, why didn’t I have this idea’, no lightbulb goes on with the germ of a plotline, because it isn’t my genre. I can simply enjoy the read. Ahhhhhhh.
Some genres can just capture us and take us away like the proverbial Calgon bathtime, make us forget where we are and who we are and transport us to another world. We can become that character and live her life and dreams for those moments in time that we’re fully immersed in the book. When a story does that for me, I’m in heaven.
What kind of book does that for you?
Traditional Regencies do this for me! Of course they’re harder to find now, but I manage. Sometimes I read lit fic by Southern authors, if I can verify up front it won’t be too depressing.
Oh, and TV Guide :)
Oooh good topic. My stress-relief genre is ‘Sweet’ romances.
There’s nothing quite like that emotional, non-threatening escape, imo.
And yeah, I have the deepest envy for those who can write them. I’ve tried, but I usually can’t make it past page 20 without a villain rearing their ugly head. /sigh
For me, I’ll jump completely out of the genre and pick up some John Sandford, Jeffrey Deaver, Stephen King. J.A. Konrath.
And have you read the Sweet Potato Queens, Jody? LOVE that.
I love to read the “old” historical romances. A nice two inch think paperback with tiny print and yellowing pages :) A perfect escape!
Great comments! I’ll also jump back into old favorites, like those yellowing old historicals you mentioned, Margo. I definitely have quite a few of those on my keeper shelf. Or like Shannon said, I’ll jump outside the romance genre entirely and hop on a good mystery. Those are always fun reads.
I write romantic comedy and paranormal novels with varying heat levels. So when not writing I love to read the forensic mysteries where the evidence of the bones get the criminal. I know that it usually isn’t the case, and I am sure that the doctor is never out there in the thick of things, but it’s always fun to imagine him or her figuring things out before or in spite of the cops. But, yeah, I will pick up mysteries quicker than any other book, one day maybe I’ll grow up and write one. Til then, I’ll just do the funny.
If we’re talking really jump out of the genre I guess those yellowing historical romances would top the list. I write romantic suspense and paranormal romance because those are what I love to read. I will read the non-romance versions of these. For eg. last night I finished the first novel in Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series. Totally paranormal, not romance. I love cozy mysteries too. And a definite yes to anything with humor.
Patrizia
writing as Gabriella Hewitt
I read crime novels – anything from Ellis Peters to Barbara Nadel. And sometimes I have the mood for total airport trash thrillers or those sprawling family sagas – usually these aren’t my kind of thing at all, but once a year or so I really have to ‘cleanse the palate’ as you described it so well, and I’ll go for anything meaty-looking or with cops chasing baddies across the world.
I’m also one to jump totally out of the genre. My books are paranormal romantic suspense, or erotic paranormal romance, so when I need to rest the brain I head for Terry Pratchett—that man is hilarious! Or I’ll go for a fantasy saga. I’m currently finishing the last book of the Belgariad by David Eddings. I also enjoy all the Incarnations of Immortality books by Piers Anthony.
I’ve got an idea for an epic series like that of my own, but finding time to write it… that’s another matter!
Ooooh forensic mysteries sound awesome, Jenna. I’m hooked on all the real life forensic shows on television right now. Court TV is becoming one of my favorite reality based TV shows for that reason.
Olivia – lol airport trash thrillers. I so love those!
On a non fiction note, I also love cookbooks and reading those are a great way to get completely out of genre. I’m a big fan of Rachael Ray and glom her cookbooks for a fun, non genre read. Of course then all I want to do is cook, which means I don’t get much writing done. Heh.
I am hooked on paranormals and romantic suspense. I read and write it.
But for escape, I like to pick up fantasy novels or SuperRomances (if you tell anyone I read them I will deny it!)
I do love romance pure and simple. Fantasy is amazing and I get carried away, almost to the point the house could be on fire and I will still be turning pages.
I love to escape into those richly written paranormal romances. I write contemporary romances, so those paranormals is like living in another world.
Thank goodness we all write and read so many different genres.
I’ll pick up Stephen King, too. Totally out of my genre, but he’s a terrific storyteller. That man knows how to keep the pages turning!!
The old Nero Wolfe mysteries do it for me. I love the interaction between Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe. Rex Stout always claimed he was inspired by Jane Austen but I never could see the connection. Also, I like to go back and read early Linda Howard. She has a deft touch with romance.
When I need a change of pace from what I write, I reach for historical romances, especially Medieval and Regency era books. I love being swept away on an adventure in another time.
I like anything magical. Even though I write fantasy and paranormal, nothing can take me away like a heroine that can walk through walls or has some other amazing super-talent!
i go through phases if that makes sense.
when im taking a break from romance i will read a spat of crime etc for eg a few months ago i devoured every kathy reichs book i could find
then went back to romance
the time before that it was Harliquin Luna books that were fantasy with a smidgin of romance… i read a heap of these
then back to romance
i even go through phases within the romance genre and its many sub genres at the moment im going through a m/m and werewolf phase (or the combination of both HOT DAMN, try Kate Steele)
im coming out of my menage phase- but im still on the look out :)
same with vampires…..
oh and heres an odd one, i have this bazaar compulsion to read anything about atlantis or anything with merepeople – well anything about under the sea…
dont ask me why but if i see it – i have to have it :) latest book i got was nymph king – it was 2nd in series but i had to have it first, was awesome to