Help me decide on a second book - does genre matter?

[sleepsheep]

I finished my first book very quickly - it was easy to write, and only took a few months. Of course, the editing process was painful, but certainly worth it, and I learned a lot. It is now with a great agent, and she is getting ready to pitch it to publishers, probably starting next week (eek!).

The book is technically literary fiction, only because it is not genre fiction - it is a very light, dead-pan humor type of story about office politics at a University. While there are some "important" bits, it is NOT a SERIOUS book. It's meant to be a quick and amusing read. Nothing grandiose.

Now, I am ready to start working on the second project. I have a long list of ideas, and I just can't decide. I can think about multiple projects, but I can only commit myself entirely to one, so I have to choose.

1 - A light and humorous story about geek culture and a girl who tries to escape from it, unsuccessfully.

2 - A light and humorous book about a happily married couple from New York City, who move to a small town in Upstate NY after they both lose their jobs - there they open a sex-toy-shop, much to the dismay of the conservative small-town-type of folk who live there.

3 - A close adaptation of Gogol's "Inspector General" - a University Dean gets word that an Auditor is coming to campus. You know the story, and if you don't, you've seen the Danny Kaye movie.

4 - A science fiction story about a hive mind that doesn't have a clue. (More Adams than Asimov, but still, a completely uncharted genre for me).

5 - A serious novel about the Russian-Jewish community in Brooklyn in the early 1990s; a loose adaptation of Isaac Babel's Benya Krik stories, with a different period and settings, obviously.

The first three seem to be natural genre successors (especially #3 - but I am sort of tired of writing about University politics), and 4 and 5 are completely different. I think I'd hold off on #5 until I have more skill as a writer anyway.

So, what do you all think?

(Sorry for the long rant).

[showtimecircus]

I would do the science fiction story. It will be more fun to write than the others and you won't lose interest in it. You will be able to create your own world which will be a challenge but also fun too. Your coice but that's my two cents.
Good luck!

Don't worry,
Be happy,

Alex C
Author of 'The devils place'

[ClaudiaGray]

You almost certainly want to be in the same genre -- but more importantly, this is a talk to have with your agent. How is she going to position you? What publishers does she think are likely, and what are they looking for? At the beginning, at least, you want to build readers in one genre, but a lot depends on what you and your agent feel your genre is.

[Danthia]

Agents typically recommend staying within the same genre for several books in order to brand your name as an author. Jumping genres makes every book a "first book" since you have no fans in that genre. Two mainstream books are probably fine though.

On the flip side, writing a story you're tired of isn't a good idea, as the story will likely reflect that. Writing a so-so book just to stay in the genre won't be good for your career either.

I'll echo discussing it with your agent, since they're there to help guide your career. Also, what do you feel the most compelled to write next?

[sleepsheep]

I think that #1 and #2 will still keep me in the quirky-urban-humor category, but give me the freedom to divert from the "aren't University politics a drag" theme, which I'm frankly a bit tired of.

I'm an avid reader of sci-fi, and all kinds of genre fiction, and being able to write a sci-fi story would be the ultimate feat. But I agree that it's probably not the best move, career-wise.

[timewaster]

I think that #1 and #2 will still keep me in the quirky-urban-humor category, but give me the freedom to divert from the "aren't University politics a drag" theme, which I'm frankly a bit tired of.

I'm an avid reader of sci-fi, and all kinds of genre fiction, and being able to write a sci-fi story would be the ultimate feat. But I agree that it's probably not the best move, career-wise.

Talk to your agent. It is generally easier to build a career by writing books which fall within the same broad genre category.

OTOH if you can write a couple of books a year you may be able to keep two different writing streams going - though you may want to write them under different names.

If you have no over riding preference write the one that your agent believes she/he is able to sell.

[jannawrites]

I parrot those above who've said to stay along the lines of your first novel. It's hard to jump genres and grow a following, for all the reasons posted.

That said, since your first hasn't been sold yet - or found a following - you probably have a little more wiggle room. Definitely talk to your agent about it; get his/her take.

From what I've seen, so many writers experiment during and learn from their first manucripts, in such I'm-new-and-finding-my-way ways, that their subsequent books evolve into different stuff entirely. Just go with your gut and write what feels right for you and your voice. You'll find your place.

Good luck! :)

[Telstar]

I like #2 :)

[Birol]

So, what do you all think?

(Sorry for the long rant).

I don't think this is a rant.

I think this is a decision that only you can make and you're copping out by asking us.

[Prawn]

I agree with Birol! Don't ask anyone. I also think you should write no 1 next.

[Irysangel]

You almost certainly want to be in the same genre -- but more importantly, this is a talk to have with your agent. How is she going to position you? What publishers does she think are likely, and what are they looking for? At the beginning, at least, you want to build readers in one genre, but a lot depends on what you and your agent feel your genre is.

What she said. If your first book sells, they are going to say "What else do you have?" and if you have something that is completely different, it won't be bought by that publisher.

[sleepsheep]

I think (hope) that if my novel sells, whatever following I'll have will be due to the "voice" and not necessarily the story. Every agent who was ever interested in the manuscript said "I like your voice," not "I like this story." The voice is definitely in the urban-quirky-geek-chick category, and anything else I write will be like that too. I'm not skilled enough to break out of it yet, and on my list of ideas, #5 is the only one that would be written with a different "voice." That being said, you are all right and thanks for the advice. I am not trying to avoid the decision, just trying to get some words of encouragement!

[ellisnation]

I had several ideas before sitting down to write my novel. In the end, I didn't choose my "favorite" idea. I chose the one who's characters became real people right away. I could picture them, hear their voices( no im not nuts)... So I'd pick your favorite MC over your favorite story... but that's just me :)

[BarbaraKE]

Personally, I like number 2. Not so much because of the advice regarding building up an audience before jumping genres (though that's certainly a valid point) but because I grew up in a small town in Upstate NY and I can just imagine the townfolk's reactions.

Now make the small town have about 1,200 people, one bank, one grocery story, six churches and seven bars and you'll have my town. Don't forget the two part-time policemen, both named Fred.