I’ve spent the bulk of my career writing Contemporary Romance, which I love. It’s treated me well, here on Main Street, and in my other ventures. I’ve been told a time or two that I should try a different genre, that my voice and my phrasing lends itself to historicals.
So, I have decided to leap into a historical storyline that has captivated me. It’s been so refreshing to my little soul, taking me to new places in my writing that are exciting and rejuvenating.
Many authors write in more than one genre, some using a different name for each. I haven’t gotten far enough into that side of things yet, although I don’t think I’ll use a different name. My historical still has romance as the overall theme, so I don’t think I’ll need a new name. (Plus, pen names can be a real pain the butt to keep up w/ – extra social media accounts, email accounts, websites, etc.)
I’ve always read historicals, but never given them much thought, as a potential option for me as a writer. Now, I feel like I’ve really found a niche that is going to serve me well and make me happy. And hopefully, people will respond, buy, and enjoy this new adventure when I’m done.
For now, I’m working on two other books, one in edits with my publisher and one which is in first draft for a series that will start next year, also with my publisher, Forever Red Publishers. It looks to be a very busy summer and for now my little historical than could, and will, is making all the rest of my writing easier; it’s making it fun and exciting again.
I think I see why there are so many authors who play the musical genre game – it sure gets your blood flowing for the art of writing again. At least it has for me!
Some of my favorite historicals are written by Eloisa James, Johanna Lindsey and Amanda Quick. What are some of your favorite books and authors that aren’t sweet, contemporary romances?!
These works are inspiring and make me long for a time long gone. I only hope my future endeavor into this world does the same for a reader someday!
If your of the mind, look up these ladies and play a little game of musical genres, along with me! 😀 Be sure to comment and share your thoughts on authors who write more than one genre; historicals in particular or if you do read one of these ladies – you must share your love for them with us here! ❤️
Wishing you well, in fiction and real life.
Kindly,
Kelly
Authors of Main Street 
I have read Johanna Lindsey before, but I’m not sure if I’ve read the others. One of my favorite authors who has written more than one genre is Julie Garwood. She actually started out with historical and then moved on to contemporary romances. I’ve never read any of her contemporary, but I love her historical works.
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I don’t believe I’ve read Julie Garwood, but I will look up her work. I am sure I’ll have some down time this holiday weekend to enjoy a new (to me) author. Thanks for the recommendation.
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Julie Garwood’s Scottish historicals are awesomely wonderful. I’ve read each one a bunch of times. She’s really great and I wish she’d do more historical romance. Best of luck, Kelly! I’ll read everything you write. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Kelly Rae & Jocelyn Bell Books and commented:
Musical Genres & my newfound zest for writing this summer!
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I would love to hear more about your planned historical. I have written a series of 20th century historicals, but I haven’t gone any further back in time because the research involved is so daunting!
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Susan, you’ve got that right. The research does take a lot of time. Style of dress, phrasing, even names vary pretty drastically throughout different periods. I’m only about 10,000 words in and I am constantly making notes/comments as I go to verify words I’ve used to make sure they would be used at the time.
The plot, as I have it laid out, is going to span the late 1700’s in England and then cross over the Atlantic in the early 1800’s, to the colonies. With that said, it could totally change by the time I am done – because I have become so excited about this particular piece that ideas are whizzing through my head all the time.
I am trying to read historical novels from writers I admire and also going online (not just googling, but digging a little) to research the time period as best I can. Eventually, I’ll have to make sure that I either have an editor familiar w/ the genre OR get a publishing deal and let them worry about fact checking me 😝 lol
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Congrats on making the leap to trying a new genre. I did that recently and am so excited about it. I write primarily inspiration and paranormal romance but wanted to try my hand at contemporary romance. So, for the past three weeks, I have been writing this contemporary romance novella. The characters and their stories poured out of me. Don’t tell anyone but I might be hooked. 😉
I think, as writers, it’s a good thing to try something new. We don’t want to get stuck in a rut. I love that phrase, Musical Genres. Sounds like a cool online game. 😉
As for historical romance authors, I adore Jude Deveraux. Her Montgomery/Taggert Family series is one of my favorites as is her Twin of Ice/Twin of Fire books.
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WTG: MRS.N!
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Thank you so much, Leigh. I’m very excited! My novella is in the hands of my editor at the moment.
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Roberta Gellis! I found her books and fell in love with historical novels. They weren’t silly romps. She packed in all those details of life. The stuff that was never taught in school. The things that you wondered about but didn’t know. How did the peasants play their taxes especially when they couldn’t read or write? They certainly were filling 1099’s each March! I later learned that she had a degree in History and taught History in college. She raised the bar just by her accuracy, which forced other authors to do their homework! She was amazing!
Many years ago, I was lucky enough to find her and wrote to her. One of of those I-love-your-books note. She wrote back! OMG! She wrote to me!!! She thanked me for reading her books. That was before the internet was common and long before I started to publish novels.
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I read historical. Actually, I read just about every genre. When historical romance first began to be published in the 1970s, I read everything I could get my hands on: Kathleen Woodiwiss, Jude Deveraux, Roberta Gellis, Johanna Lindsey, Bertrice Small, Jennifer Wilde (who was really Tom Huff)–just about everyone who published in historical romance from then until the 1990’s. I never wrote historical though. Reading it is pure escapism, but to write it, I overthink the hygiene issues, among other things, and just go, “Ew.” *LOL*
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I haven’t read a historical book in a long time. Those books are the ones that hooked me on reading though. I liked Kathleen Woodiwiss an Jennifer Wilde. There’s another wonderful author, but her name escapes me right now. Good luck with your new genre! Fun, fun, fun!
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Wonderful news, Kelly! I love historical romance, maybe because my first introduction into romance was a Johanna Lindsey historical that reeled me in. I’ve been hooked ever since. ❤
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