Writing Trends

[Brayon]

Based on my unscientific reading of GA, and other sites for writers, I've seen patterns in what readers like to see from writers. From my perspective, most readers like Modern Contemporary Dramas and Romance. Followed by Mystery, Horror, and Fantasy... my favorite, SciFi seems to be near the bottom of the list. Now in these genres there is a wide variety of character archetypes that Readers like as well, though as it was pointed out in another thread, Teenage characters, or College Age characters abound in the digital spectrum.

 

As writers, do we "go with the flow" and write to what is popular, or "follow our passion" and write what we want?

 

I personally, follow my passion, and write what I feel needs to be told. I have my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to genres, and I try to play to them. I fancy myself a SciFi and Fantasy writer mainly, and Modern Contemporary second.

 

So, what about you guys?

[CassieQ]

I also tend to write what I like.  I can't imagine writing something that I am not interested in, although I am open to trying new genres every once and a while.  I started out writing paranormal/fantasy stories, but as time goes on, I find myself shifting more into romance.  As much as I loved writing stories like Statuary and NTS, I also like writing people falling in love.  I'm a sap!    

[William King]

I wouldn't change what I write in order to appeal to the masses. What would be the point in that, other than popularity, I am not making money out of writing. It is difficult to reach a conclusion on the most popular genres of fiction, different polls, data studies, draw different conclusions. Some put romance top, followed by action/adventure, SciFi and fantasy. One study of 2.6 billion books sold gives half the market share to modern, classic, fantasy and mystery in roughly equal portions, 16%, 13%, 13%, 11%, with 39% being children's books. There are no easily found stats for LGBT readership preferences in genres. It's an interesting subject, perhaps GA should do a readers poll open to everyone, not just members. One person did remark quite astutely when analysing the results of genre preferences, that it is difficult to know if for example the person buying/reading a book by a popular author does so because they like the genre or because of the author.

 

[FormerMember4]

Unless you’re writing to make money and career, doesn’t matter. You have to write for yourself. There will always be someone to read. If specifically looking for readers, pay attention. Statistics can be skewed to a degree too. You could run a poll 3x following same criteria, get 3 separate set of results.

[Graeme]

I think the reason for that breakup is because of the nature of the target audience here at GA.

 

This is a site where most of the stories involve gay characters. What genres offers the most opportunity for introducing gay charcters? Obviously romance, with drama being a close second. Fantasy is also strongly represented as there is a lot of scope for having a story set around gay characters in fantasy (especially in areas with a strong homoerotic flavour, such as werewolve packs -- that's also probably why sporting stories are popular).

 

Consequently, we have a lot of stories in those genres with gay characters, where the plot revolves around those characters being gay.

 

Now look at Mystery and Science Fiction. In these genres, you can certainly have gay characters, but being gay is unlikely to be the focus. It's the setting that's the focus, with some characters who just happen to be gay. So, what's needed is someone who is good at writing Mystery or Science Fiction, who can then introduce gay characters in that setting.

 

Writing good mystery and science fiction stories is tough, which is why I've tried to avoid both genres as much as possible, even though I love reading science fiction. My skillset with writing is with contemporary drama, so that's what I mainly write. My imagination is just not good enough to do a good fantasy or science fiction novel (though I'd like to try a some stage).

 

In summary, romance and drama are two of the most popular genres here because readers come here looking for some feel-good escapism about being gay. Fantasy is also popular for the same reason. Other genres are less common not only because writing them can be more challenging, but also because giving stories in those genres a gay focus makes that challenge even greater.

[Comicality]

 

I definitely follow my muse wherever it guides me. And sometimes it leads me into sci fi and horror. I did that for YEARS before the Shack even existed, and it's always been my 'home' in terms of writing stuff. But the themes that I write about...love, conflict, doubt, flaws, redemption, self discovery...they remain the same. My sci fi/horror stuff may seem different because of the details, but the theme is still the same. It can be like pulling teeth to get them to read it for the first time! Hahaha! But if I can get them to read those first two or three pages...I've GOT 'em! And that's all that matters.

 

That being said, I do write my sci fi stuff when I'm all excited about it...but won't release any of those stories until I have some modern gay teen stories ready to be posted alongside them. Not everybody wants to give the sci fi stuff a try, and if I post too many in a row, they get REALLY agitated with me, and just want more regular teen stuff.

 

Sorry. But it's true. "WHY CAN'T I HAVE MORE OF...(Add title here)"

 

So I try to balance entertainment with passion. The two don't always add up, but I try. Hehehe, and then I have to back away from this keyboard before it drives me crazy. But I LOVE sci fi/horror stuff! I want to see more! Even if it's not erotic in nature! We're writers, right? Let's do it all!  

[Solus Magus]

On the thing about interest: Fiction and Sci-Fi will always be on my top of the list. That's why it's the genre I would always write in. Followed by Mystery and Horror. Those genres will always grab my attention like a little boy seeing the latest and most amazing action figure.

 

Sadly, my last is Drama/Romance. I don't find it entertaining that much. However, I am finally trying to appreciate it little by little that's why I am trying to read more of those. I guess the reason why it is trending because we, as human beings, are designed and programmed to be intricately and intimately close with one another. That's why we are always trying to 'relate' to people as close as we could. Hence, the Romance Genre!!

 

As a writer, I go with my passion and wherever it takes me. Writing has always been and will always be an outlet.

[William King]

Main stream (not LGBT) writing often features gay characters, so what exactly does LGBT writing offer that is not available elsewhere? To begin with, it offers main characters who are gay; and what else? To look at the what else you have to look at LGBT romance and why it is the number one genre for gay literature. What is LGBT romance? It encompasses writing which portrays same sex relationships, and sex. This probably accounts for its popularity, both aspects, relationships and sex.

Then we have the novel which is the exception that proves the rule, that is not an LGBT romance, but hugely popular. I am thinking of Drummer Boy by Arthur, it was in the historic genre of action and adventure, it did not feature gay relationships and definitely not sex, it only featured boys, and yet it had a huge following.

When it comes to writing trends, or more specifically LGBT writing trends, then what are they? The capacity for gay romance is ever present at the number one spot, and is focused on the teenage, young adult age group. There maybe though what we could call a maturing audience, those whom at some point decide they would like to read something that is LGBT writing, but something other than romance. There we have a small window for all those other genres from Sci-fi to horror.

What's the best way to take advantage of knowing gay romance is number one, and use that in the genre you want to write. It has to be a crossover, the Sci-fi novel with gay relationships and sex, for example. But isn't that what is already being written, but still less popular with readers? I'm not so sure. I rather think it is first and foremost Sci-fi by gay authors featuring gay characters rather than gay romance in a Sci-fi setting. 

Don't see the difference? Well you take the gay Sci-fi geek who writes a Sci-fi novel and compare it to the gay romancer who puts his characters in a Sci-fi setting. The only book I have read which for me has the emphasis on the latter is Spaceboys by Erik Ritler (unfortunately it is unfinished, although chapters 1 to 15 stand alone).

Sex in LGBT books has been debated at length, should there be graphic scenes, should the reader be allowed to use their imagination. When is it too much? When is it just porno? There is no definitive answer, different people have different tastes and those tastes change. Personally, I tend to the point of view that graphic sex in every chapter is writing a la Niffty, not quite porn, but the hook to keep the readership. Therein lies another trend, which is a movement away from graphic sex, one might almost say a maturing of LGBT online fiction. I say online fiction, because the argument is not relevant to LGBT fiction as a whole, published authors.

I tend to the point of view that graphic sex is like the icing on the cake, too much makes you feel rather sick and wondering why you ate the cake in the first place. I have no magic formula and struggle with this in my own writing, include it, don't include it, how much is too much? I suppose that rather like published gay fiction, maturing online gay fiction will trend towards less and less graphic sex, with a few exceptions.
 

[MrM]

I write what I like to read because I know I'm going to have to read it over and over anyways to get things 'right'.

[Myr]

I write Sci-Fi and Fantasy.  I may or may not move within that spectrum to target specific groups.  If I do so, it is as a personal challenge.  (My Three-Edged Sword Harry Potter story was specifically to target a different ship than Harry/Draco.  FAR less audience potential in the FanFiction world)

If you are trying to sell something (like an ebook), it makes sense to appeal to the largest range as possible OR the most dedicated group possible.  (preferably both).  That's simple business...  the higher potential field of customers, the higher chance of sales. 

This applies as well if "reader" is your customer.  Sci-fi has more dedicated readers, but far fewer.  A few people in here have read some of my stuff and commented it was the first time they ventured into sci-fi or fantasy and it wasn't what they expected.  We do have to live down Comic Book Conventions after all. 

Directors do this too...  Chris Nolan of Batman Begins fame... did that big blockbuster and then followed it with an intellectual piece, The Prestige (which is really good, btw).  Then The Dark Knight followed by Inception (which really messes with your head).  Though he signaled his destruction of that pattern with that pile of crap called Dark Knight Rises.

 

[Comicality]

 

There may be some intimidation when it comes to sci fi gay stories. I think there's a stigma that is constantly bringing about thoughts of little green aliens and some sort of fetish porn that people want to avoid. It's really hard to convince them that you're writing something different. (Or if, you are writing the green alien fetish thing, that it'll be ok for them to read it) I 'still' have a huge problem trying to get people to read my sci fi stuff on the site. And I've actually been doing sci fi/horror/comic book stuff since I was 9 years old. But they see the title or category, and they cringe for some reason. Maybe there's a bad stigma that precedes us. Who knows?

 

But don't let it discourage you. Just keep writing and promoting your work. Hehehe, you'll convert a bunch of readers and make believers out of them eventually! Stick with it.

[Brayon]

8 hours ago, Myr said:

We do have to live down Comic Book Conventions after all. 

I think this is a heavy influence. "Normal" people look at ComicCon, MegaCon, NecronomiCon*, and the like, and see a bunch of people dressed up as Japanese Anime characters, and the stigma is born. Not everyone wants to be associated with Trekkies/Trekkers, or even the 501st Legion, either.

 

 

*A Tampa, FL SciFi-Horror convention.

[Comicality]

 

Hahaha, there's a Necronomicon? LOL! How awesome would that be?

 

I'll have to admit that it was me writing a bunch of NON-sci fi stuff that got people to take a chance on my supernatural stories. And once they gave it a chance, they really got into it. But there is no WAY that I could have gotten them to read it without having a BUNCH of other non-sci fi stories to read first. Which...sucks.  But it really does work.

 

I would advise sci fi/horror writers to do a few short stories to grab the attention of readers first. 'Readers' only check out certain stories. 'FANS' will read everything you've done to date. Those fans will give your other stuff a chance. And of course, it'll be worth it, because you're all awesome.

[MrM]

I'm thinking of re-releasing Adagio for this Halloweird again. It got a great response from readers last year and I've cleaned it up a bit more so that the rough spots are sanded down. I won't have time to do another creepy short story again this year, but I looke forward to doing it again! Adagio was a real experience to write. I pumped it out in two weeks and it's 20K+ words! 

 

In any case, it was a chance to take writing it and it panned out so I'd give writing a spooky story or Sci-Fi story a try if you haven't as a writer. It's quite the experience.

 

I think my next spooky will be called Intermezzo which will be the second story in the Albert Cummings Mysteries anthology I'm concocting in my beady little brain.

[northie]

I still regard myself as a rookie writer - having only been writing for a year. I go where my imagination and my pencil take me. I enjoy experimenting with form as well as genre, which is probably one of the reasons why I write a lot of shorts. I'm never going to be a great pull whatever I write, partly because I'm English and my writing reflects that in attitudes, language, humour, whatever. That in a way allows me to get on with what I'm doing - I don't think I'm ever going to have a posse of readers demanding I continue something, or write to their agenda.

 

I think it's entirely unsurprising that romance and drama are the top genres. People want wish fulfillment, escapism, happiness, and then there's the age-old fascination with other people's lives, their relationships. Nothing the matter with that. I, or any other author is free to write in that vein or not. As it's already been said, we're not getting paid, So if I want to write something that makes me proud of my writing, but it gets few readers, well, that's the way it goes. 

[Myr]

15 hours ago, Comicality said:

I would advise sci fi/horror writers to do a few short stories

Gay Authors Anthologies are a great place to do this...

[Brayon]

15 hours ago, Comicality said:

Hahaha, there's a Necronomicon? LOL! How awesome would that be?

 

Yuppers. Every year here in Tampa, and I've been going since the 90's. Met several good authors like R.A. Salvator, and Timothy Zhan. Loads of fun, especially the LARP Vampire the Masquerade.

[Krista]

I write modern romance, but I'm finding it a bit stale right now for me. I'm having a very difficult time finishing this story I'm working on. I admit that it is far too similar to other stories that I have written, even within the genre of Romance. So that is likely the root cause of my lacking motivation for it. I also just don't have anything else on the table fleshed out and ready to go as far as writing goes - that is particularly different and within my skill set.

 

So I think my 'muse,' of sorts is pushing me into different things, but I know I have to finish what I start before I do that, otherwise, I'll never go back to it. I think after a time of posting a certain story that I now owe my readers the ending of it... even if that isn't where my head/heart/words want to go. Twenty-eight chapters and 'on hold,' isn't digesting well with me. 

Edited November 1, 2017 by Krista

[MrM]

On October 31, 2017 at 8:02 PM, Krista said:

I write modern romance, but I'm finding it a bit stale right now for me. I'm having a very difficult time finishing this story I'm working on. I admit that it is far too similar to other stories that I have written, even within the genre of Romance. So that is likely the root cause of my lacking motivation for it. I also just don't have anything else on the table fleshed out and ready to go as far as writing goes - that is particularly different and within my skill set.

 

So I think my 'muse,' of sorts is pushing me into different things, but I know I have to finish what I start before I do that, otherwise, I'll never go back to it. I think after a time of posting a certain story that I now owe my readers the ending of it... even if that isn't where my head/heart/words want to go. Twenty-eight chapters and 'on hold,' isn't digesting well with me. 

 

Maybe a historical romance? I'm writing one of those right now and although challenging I find it a bit invigorating and is 'cleansing my palate' so I can add new energy into the two other projects I'm tabling at the moment.

 

It helps that I am writing about the ancestor of one of the characters I'm writing in my modern romance. 

[Myr]

I live for speculative fiction.  (fantasy and sci-fi)  I tend to avoid stories that don't have at least a toe in the water of "other". lol.

We are working on a method of tracking the types of things people reading on the site prefer.  I know @Cia has specifically written for popular genres to great success.  I'm pretty sure others have too.  I started that way too.  FanFiction is a great place write and develop skills because there is always a hungry audience there.  (Depending on what you're writing)

 

[Cia]

In the MM romance market, contemporary standalone novellas or short novels tend to be the biggest overall sellers, and that has stood the test of time. There are a lot of different elements within that market that play off better than others, and it can vary too. For a while, military fiction was huge. Then there was a surge of manny/single dad fiction. Sometimes executive/blue collar romances have a run. The trick is anticipating what is going to be popular at the time of sale because when you write for publication, you have to anticipate what will be popular on release at least 4 to 8 months AFTER you're done writing.

 

That's where considering your market comes into play as well. I write adult fiction in different genres to publish, usually, but my teen/young adult fiction goes over better here on GA than it does in the eBook market. So usually I just post that here. I know I can publish my science fiction or paranormal themed eBooks myself with a good amount of success, but I find that my contemporary novellas do better when they're published by Dreamspinner press. The market they have gives me an edge with contemporary I don't have with my regular fans. 

 

The trick to writing for an audience isn't to "sell out" but to figure out what people want to read and come up with a creative idea (that you WANT to write) and original (as possible) way of giving that to them. I still write the sort of fiction that interests me, but since I like having popular stories (or making sales) then I will spend some time figuring out where and when it's best to write and share the stories as well. 

[LJCC]

I tried writing a sci-fi story once. I was trying to pay homage to the zombie trope ala 'The Last Of Us' vibes that is very dark and gritty...Halfway at nearly 80k+ words...I scrapped it. It was turning out to be Pride and Prejudice meets No Country for Old Men with a hint of Tron.

 

Not a good way to write something especially if my kind of writing is very Victorian-esque english:

 

He clung to his hand while the fiendish beast snarled with utmost ferocity. The flutterings of Jacob's heart was besting the imminent danger he is now facing. For he saw Ryan tackling the deranged beast. His lover is bleeding, and the perforation on his arm had enervated him. Thus, he bellowed,  "Ryan, run!"

 

So I'll stick to romance/drama novels thank you.