What's wrong with writing multi-genres? by Leanne Dyck

"Down that road, I go." by Leanne Dyck

My muse dances and I follow. I write picture books for children and short story collections for adults. I just gave my novel for young adults to my first reader. (Hurray!) To me, writing across genres is like trying all the flavours in a ice cream shop and not gaining weight. 

But...

Oh, so now your writing in (new genre), Leanne

-literary agent

The emotion behind her words wasn't lost in her email. She was clearly frustrated. How could she package me when I didn't fit in any box? I wasn't surprised when she refused to represent me.

Or...

Everyone is mixing and mingling, the host steers someone in my direction. "This is Leanne. She writes."

"Oh, what genre do you write?" The someone asks.

"Fiction for adults and..." as I continue the list, "someone" has a weird look on her face. And I wonder am I boring, confusing or frustrating her. If I could simply say, "I write mysteries," she'd be able to walk away with a name and a genre. What can she do with the armful of information I've just unloaded on her? I fear the answer is nothing.

But I have to continue to dance with my muse.

I wonder, how do established multi-genre authors handle these situations?


Next post: Sunday, August 21 (around 5 PM PST) 
You've read about my experiences (and fears). What does an established multi-genre author think?
Please visit this blog next week when my special guest will be award winning multi-genre author Maggie de Vries.

Update:  Thanks to author such as Maggie de Vries, I've learned that it's okay to follow your heart. That it's okay to be a multi-genre author. And I've learned to say, "I write fiction for adults and children."

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Picture Books in Canada

Children's literature courses at the University of Winnipeg

Field of Children's Literature

Picture Books for Children

Canadian Children's Literature

A few years ago, I took a children's literature course at the University of Winnipeg and learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Sharing my author journey...

Last Tuesday, a Facebook post invited Mayne Island writers to

participate in an open mic night. 

Hey, that's cool, I thought. And I emailed a friend (because these things are fun to share). Plans were made and I choose a story to share.

It's now Thursday afternoon and...and... What have I done? What if no one likes my story? What if they boo me? What if I trip over my tongue? What if they vote me off the island?

All together now, "Get over yourself, Leanne!"

Thanks, I needed that.

I'll add to this and tell you how I did. 

Sometimes it's good to leave your comfortable nest. Right? Right?

Today, Sunday, I can tell you the whole story.

I read a sweet short story. I love this story and received compliments. But everyone else's readings were much darker. I felt like I'd brought a piccolo to a heavy metal stage.

But if things work out, I could get a second chance.