A rule of writing I had to learn is to never worry about pleasing people who neither like nor read your genre, but every time we learn a new genre, the temptation is there. I thought I would be a writer of crime fiction, and I studied all the problems people had with the genre so I could do it better. It was a foolish idea doomed to failure. I often say there’s a contract between the writer and her reader, but that contract only applies to people who are likely to read your work and have a fighting chance of appreciating it.
I’m not suggesting that critics don’t have a point; they often do. In fact, I was inspired to write this down after reading an article by a folklore specialist listing everything she hated about Romantasy, the genre I am currently learning to write. Her points were sound. She articulated well where the genre fails and what it flattens, but none of that should concern me right now.
My first responsibility isn’t to please the critic but the fan.
I began an attempt to understand Romance a couple of years ago, but one of my biggest breakthroughs came the other day when I saw America’s Got Talent as an analogy for the genre. I watch the better auditions on Youtube, and you can tell me how it’s artificial and insincere. I might even agree with you at times. The show is manipulative and artificial. I know it, and I don't care. I click videos that announce the Golden Buzzer in the title, stripping away all surprise. It doesn't matter. I watch because I want the emotional payoff. When the artist bathes in the judges' praise, I cry. I watch because I know it will make me cry.
I want that moment, and it’s the same for the Romance reader. Throw all the pejoratives you want at their subgenre of choice. It won’t mean anything because they know this is what brings the emotional release that feels so good.
You’ll never write a better Romance novel by correcting a list of faults cataloged by people who don’t read and don’t enjoy the genre. That applies to whatever genre you write.
If you can please the fans, then you can consider the shortcomings. It’ll still be tricky. What an outsider sees as faults can be strengths to a fan. Correct one, and you can weaken the experience.
Michael Connelly talks about how details can ruin your writing. Momentum is key. Don’t bog us down with five details when one will do.
Combined, Connelly’s books have sold 92 million copies and been turned into television series. He clearly knows what he’s talking about, but he writes crime novels. One of the biggest complaints listed against the genre is a lack of detail. Some people want to see every leaf on every tree and want that detailed on the page. When crime fiction doesn’t do that, it comes across as something lacking in the genre.
For the fan, that “fault” results in a fast-paced book that doesn’t bog the reader down on the hunt for the next clue. Other readers won’t want fast-paced books, but Connelly isn’t writing for those other readers. Their name isn’t on the contract.
— Thaddeus Thomas
P.S. — Speaking of AGT, have you watched the journey of Nene Royal? What a season. What a performer.
100% agree. My forte for reading: history and reference. My forte for writing: noir, historical fiction, flash, quirky crap. I wouldn't even attempt romance, fantasy, horror or sci-fi. I leave those genres alone. There are conventions. tropes, expectations that I couldn't possibly deliver to the reader. However, as incidentals to other genres, I think it's great to include quick scenes of genuine stuff like non-sentimental love, hearts & flowers, etc.
I know not of what you speak, but I like how you speak it.