Stuck between two genres -- feeling like a foooooool

[wyntermoon]

I'm at the point in my first novel where I need to poop or get off the pot in its direction. I'm writing a ghost story but it could go two ways: romance or straight oogy-boogy. The characters are leading me down the path of hot and heavy but I really want more horror aspects in it than would probably be acceptable to most romance publishers (though nothing over-the-top gory).

What would be your call? Romance? Stick with the ghost story? Shaddap and see where it takes me then figure out a market? :D

[Simon Woodhouse]

I'd go with the ghost story, but still let the romance flourish. And you're right not to worry about the market until the book's finished.

[chartreuse]

I've heard that paranormal romance is a big market these days. I've never read one myself, but it sounds like your book would fit right in with both the ghost story and the love story present.

[wyntermoon]

Thank you both! I think I'll make the romance secondary though important to keep the "human" aspect strong but concentrate on the ghost story since that's what I know best (writing-wise ;)). I wonder if there's a way to tell if it's flopped over into too much romance?

[aadams73]

As a reader I'm dying for a good ghost story that isn't too heavy on romance. But that's just me!

Write that sucker and see where it takes you. :)

[Azraelsbane]

I also wonder about the flopping over into the romance category. There are three moderately in depth sex scenes in my 500k+ word fantasy series, and the plot does not revolve around the relationships, but they are key to the story's progression. I'm hoping this doesn't throw me into romance. I think there's often a fine line with these sort of things, and it likely comes down to what audience your story has the ability to catch and hold.

If you find an easy way to judge by, let me know. :)

[Summonere]

... The characters are leading me down the path of hot and heavy but I really want more horror aspects in it than would probably be acceptable to most romance publishers (though nothing over-the-top gory).

What would be your call? ...Shaddap and see where it takes me then figure out a market? :D

First part, characters leading you down the path of hot and heavy, sounds as if the story already has a direction.

Second part, you want more horror than seems to be coming out at present, sounds like you're trying to impose something on the story it may not need (or may not yet need).

Third part, "see where it takes me," sounds like what I'd do, which would probably put me back to those characters and where they want to go. That said, another pass over the draft may well end up bringing out the horror stuff. Sometimes not everything arrives all at once. Maybe right now the romance stuff is first down the conveyer belt. That done, maybe it'll be easier to see what kind of horror stuff to put in, and where.

[cyberwraith]

Yes, I've also read that paranormal/romance is a big genre; Harlequin's writer's guidelines has info on that (Silhouette Nocturne?) as I'm sure do other pubs. And they don't insist your character be in love with a ghost!

[Shwebb]

Nothing to add, except for thanks for getting that song stuck in my head. Where is my icepick, so's I can dig it out? Help!

I say go for wherever they take you, and then tweak it on the back end, if you must. But a good story is a good story, period.

[nevada]

A novel is a Romance if the romance is the primary focus of the book and if it has a happy ending. You can have a book with sex on every other page and many declarations of love but that doesnt make it a romance.

A "Romance" defined as a genre must have a happy ending. Also, the romance itself is the primary plot of the book. Anything else is a subplot and while the characters must have a conflict and plot line besides the romance, the romance is the uppermost important thing in the book.

I'm thinking you should write it, not worry about what to make it, and see what you want to do with it when you finish it.

[Carmy]

I'm with aadams 73. Nothing beats a darned good spooky story with a touch of romance to add to the suspense - as when one of them is in danger.

Go for it.

[wyntermoon]

Very interesting opinions, thank you for your responses. :D

Call it a control thing but I like to know where I'm headed and this bad boy is already way off my outline. Perhaps it's best to be a Type B for the moment and let it unfold. I'm used to writing tight 800 word or less articles, not 70k novels -- there's too much freedom, lol!

No wonder some writers drink. *hic*

[John61480]

Romance and Horror sounds like Ketchup and Soy Sauce.

Romance and a Ghost Story? Sounds like it could work since it's been done before. All I can think of is the movie Ghost, but I'm sure there were others.

If it gets too horrifying, I think you may be stretching things. There are only so many things that can occupy ones mind as you're reading or viewing. In fact, I will go as far as saying it could get annoying. Maybe there is an angle you have worked out not fully explained in your post? I'm going to try and add a romance sub-plot in my WIP outline. I guess the key to make it stick out of the whole sci-fi/fantasy thing is to actually end the story with a happy conclusion to the romance. That way it's the last thing on the reader's mind and it isn't washed up in all the gory details.

Good luck with your thingy.

[farfromfearless]

You can have the best of both worlds if you do it right.

[Zoombie]

What could draw two people together better than soul rending horrors beyond the normal ken of human experience? Sure, they'd both have horrific psychological scars that would give them nightmares their entire life, so even if they fell asleep in one another's arms, they'd wake up in the middle of the night, screaming. And then, once the night terrors have passed, all the two of them have to look forward to would be more of the same as they live out their lives in constant fear that whatever stalked them before would come back to finish the job...

but at least they would be in love.

I think you should go for it. Horror and romance is a good combination, in my twisted mind.

[wyntermoon]

You have the soul of a true romantic, Zoombie. :D

[John61480]

Well, when I do think of romance, I think of how I care about the characters in love. An example would be the movie, The Notebook. Having action and suspense that takes me away from the pleasant happy feeling would only give me something else. I'm sure it has worked in a few published novels. But I suppose if the tone of the horror was different, not the crazy monster movies or slashers, then it might work.

I'd also like to know if you could submit that to a romance agent.

If so, would it work with other mix-ups of genre?

Of course, my perception of "horror" may be vastly different to others on this board.

[Zoombie]

You have the soul of a true romantic, Zoombie. :D

Thanks. Now, write the story about these mentally scarring for life powers toying with two lovers for fun.

[Varthikes]

There are many stories out there that can fit into multiple genres--especially science fiction stories.

[wyntermoon]

I'd also like to know if you could submit that to a romance agent.

If so, would it work with other mix-ups of genre?

Of course, my perception of "horror" may be vastly different to others on this board.

That was the pickle. I'm doing horror "lite" with a dash of sex but I wouldn't categorize it as flat-out horror.


There are many stories out there that can fit into multiple genres--especially science fiction stories.

Hmmmmmmm, very good point. :)