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 an ice cream shop and not gaining weight. 

But...

Oh, so now you're 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?" 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

Fun For Writers (contests and events)

Contests:
Glimmer Train various times throughout the year

Canada Writes (CBC)
The CBC Literary Prizes recognize the best in original, unpublished writing by Canadians
Short story prize
Deadline:  November 1, 2012

Creative nonfiction prize
This competition is not yet open
Deadline:  February 1, 2012

Poetry prize
This competition is not yet open
Deadline:  May 1, 2013

Writers' Digest 
Deadline:  November 15, 2012

Mother Tongue Publishing
Second Search for the Great BC Novel Contest
Open to all writers living in British Columbia
Deadline:  November 1, 2012


Events:
Word on the Street
The Word on The Street is a national celebration of literacy and the written word
Vancouver:  Friday, September 28 to Sunday, September 30, 2012

ScareFest
Lexington Convention Center
Lexington, Kentucky
September 28, 29, 30, 2012
(There is a ScareFest in Canada. We're too late this year. When I searched 'ScareFest Canada 2013' this is what I found. Link)


Victoria Writers Festival 
October 12 to 13

***
Work in progress
Word count: 55,589 words
I know that looks impressive...until you learn my secret.
The Sweater Curse:  novel
consists of...

The Sweater Curse ebook (22,627) available here
The Sweater Curse ebook is Gwen Bjarnson's story

Aspiring knitwear designer Gwen Bjarnson is stuck in Purgatory. To escape, she must re-examine her life, journey through her past and right a wrong. But which wrong?

Young and in love, she works to establish her career, except fate has different plans. One rash act and she loses everything. Never resting, always seeking, and yearning for what she can no longer have, Gwen faces the truth:  if she remains, others are destined to die.

How will she solve the mystery before it is too late?

and Aster Walburn's story (32,962 and growing)
***
Next post:  Please welcome Author Christine Locke