Juggling Genres & Age Groups
Charles Suddeth
The story is all important!
I
write anything from picture books and middle grade historical to young adult
thrillers and adult mysteries. Many people can’t understand why I write in so
many genres and age groups. I worry about writing a good story, and then I
worry about genres and age groups.
Genres can be tricky, since they have so many
subgenres. But genres aren’t meant to make a writer’s life complicated, they
help a reader know where to find your book in a bookstore. Online markets and
publishers prefer books that fit into multiple genres so they can list your
novel in two or more categories. I recently spoke with an agent about my
fantasy manuscript. We discussed: urban fantasy, soft fantasy, magical realism,
and heroic fantasy. But these are not important when writing your story. Make
the plot one that agents, editors, and readers can’t put down, and then find
the closest fit. However, a few genres tend to have rules about their
plotlines. For example, in Cozy Mysteries the murder should be introduced in
chapter one.
Age Groups can be more complex to deal with.
Children prefer a main character their age or a year or two older, but the
topic needs to deal with issues appropriate for their age level:
Picture Books: Ages 3 to 7 (Board
Books for younger readers and Easy Readers for older readers). Children this
age are Searching for Security. Even while playing and having fun, they
need to know their parents are there for them with love, protection, and life’s
necessities.
Middle Grade: Ages 8 to 13 (Chapter
Books with a limited number of illustrations for younger readers and Tween fiction involving dating for older readers). Children
in this age are Searching for Identity.
They are not certain who they are or what their abilities are. They often do
things in groups to obtain peer approval, because they lack self-confidence and
self-identity.
Young Adult: Ages 14 to 18
(New Adult for college-age readers). Teenagers are Searching for Independence. They are famous for their rebellion
against their parents, sometimes called “attitude.” Psychologists have
described this as subconscious psychological efforts to separate themselves
from their families, so they can become adults. New Adult is about college-age
students dealing with new-found independence.
Adults: Adults are
easier to write for; they read in a wide range of ages and topics. Anything
that doesn’t fit in the above categories. I once sold a short story about a
little boy dealing with his father’s death to a dark fantasy anthology. I
didn’t consider marketing it as a children’s book, because it dealt with issues
of life and death.
My
favorite rule for writing is: Take your
reader where they are not expecting to go. This applies to all genres and
age groups. I write the story I want to write, and then I consider the above
age guidelines as I write the rough draft. I often hear people discussing a
writer’s voice. Each genre and age group should have a unique voice or all your
works will sound the same. You should find a unique voice for each book, even
if you write in the same genre/age group. Since I tend to write books that
cross genres, I only consider genres when I’m ready to approach an agent or
editor.
Experiment 38 is about Emily
who has just graduated from high school. I chose this time in her life because
graduation precipitates some drastic changes that lead to kidnapping and her
life being in danger. No other time period in her life would have worked for
this plot. Since the plot involves Emily dealing with Independence, it is not
an Adult topic. Emily graduated before the story began, so my publisher lists
it in their New Adult catalog, but bookstores place it in Young Adult.
Experiment 38: YA thriller,
paperback, 4RV Publishing. Eighteen-year-old Emily,
small for her age, lives alone with her scientist-father and learns too late
that he holds a terrible secret, one that might destroy her life. As she and
her boyfriend, Nate, try to unravel the mystery behind her father’s secret,
they face danger and uncertainty.
ISBN:
978-1-940310-02-2
Buy
Links:
4
RV Publishing: http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/charles-suddeth.php
Indiebound:
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781940310022
Books
A Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Experiment/Charles-Suddeth/9781940310022?id=6239457417777
Barnes
& Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/experiment-38-charles-suddeth/1121211605?ean=9781940310022
About Charles Suddeth
Charles Suddeth was born in Indiana,
grew up Michigan, and has spent his adult life in Kentucky. He lives in
Louisville with his two cats. He is a graduate of Michigan State University. He
belongs to the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, International
Thriller Writers, and Green River Writers. He likes to spend his days hiking
and writing in nearby Tom Sawyer State Park.
Books: Halloween Kentucky Style, middle readers adventure, 2010. Neanderthal Protocol, adult thriller,
2012. Experiment 38, New Adult
thriller, 2015. Eighth Mask, adult
mystery, 2015. 4RV Publishing will release Spearfinger,
a picture book, in 2015.
Links:
Website:
http://ctsuddeth.com/
Author Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/7whistlepig7
Author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard Twitter: @CharlesSuddeth
8 comments:
Thanks for your 'favorite rule' takeaway, Charles. Writing in a state park after hiking sounds heavenly.
Heather, yes that is my favorite rule. Surprise the reader, but make it seem like the plot had to turn that way. Hiking the state park gets the blood to the brain so I end up thinking about that next page or how I want to edit.
We live close to the new Silver Springs State Park (it used to be privately owned). I love kayaking the river.
Kayaking? Sounds fun. Tom Sawyer State Park has small lakes & a creek, but I keep my feet on the ground, especially if I'm thinking about a story.
Thanks for this blog post, Charles! These are great reminders to keep in the back of the brain as we're writing!
Hi Genetta. Good to hear from you. I had to explain why I write so many genres/age groups!
Great post. Helpful reminders. Thanks;)
Sandra, you are very welcome. It's good to hear from you!
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