Research Your Genre

I have heard a lot of authors tell me that they try to avoid reading their genre. Their argument is that they do not want to steal someone else's ideas and they really want to make their story unique and stand out. While this is a noble cause, it is truly a big mistake.

Authors MUST read their genre. They MUST research their genre.

The purpose is not to read to get new story ideas to use in your own books. The purpose is to keep an eye on the trends. Doing this allows you the chance to see what your fellow authors are doing and what directions the various publishers are taking with their storylines.

Now, here is the twist. Do not just read the established authors. The thing is that those authors are pretty much allowed to do what ever they want to do because they have a following. Sure, they might start trends, but this is going to give you a sense of false research data. Where you want to look are the new releases, and especially the new authors your publisher and other signed. These are authors that the publishers see as bringing a new voice to the line.

As you research, don't just look at the plots. While this will give you some insight, the reality is that you need to spend the time looking at the voice. Consider looking at the following:

• How sensual are the books getting? Hotter? Cooler?
• How much depth is going into the story in terms of secondary plots?
• How are they using secondary characters?
• How are they balancing narration and dialogue.

You have to understand that publishers are constantly evolving. They get new editors all of the time with new ideas and new directions. They are also doing their research seeing what other publishers are putting out and trying to make predictions. 

Will the guarantee success? I cannot promise that. What I can promise is that you will be closer than if you just sit there, write a story without seeing what is out there, and then keeping your fingers crossed.

NOTE: If you are interested in more of this, I do run a seminar on doing this level of research. Please have your chapter presidents and/or your conference coordinators reach out to me and I am more than happy to come and do this workshop and any other that your writing group would be interested in.