Exploring the Creative Journey of a Multi-Genre Writer

Confessions of a Literary Shape-Shifter

Let's get one thing straight from the start: being a multi-genre author is like being a literary octopus with ADHD. Just when you think you've got a handle on crafting the perfect meet-cute for your contemporary romance, your brain decides it's time to figure out how to murder someone creatively in a cozy little coastal town called Red Cape Bay. And don't even get me started on switching from writing dialogue for a sassy seven-year-old to penning steamy scenes between consenting adults. Talk about mental whiplash.

The Genre Buffet: Why Choose Only 1 When You Can Have Them All?

My writing journey didn't start with grand plans to become a literary chameleon. Like many romance writers, I began with historical romance because, let's be honest, that's what I was reading by the stack. There's something deliciously escapist about corsets, carriages, and complicated courtship rituals that doesn't require you to understand modern technology or why anyone thinks skinny jeans are comfortable.

But here's the thing about being a writer—and a human being with decades of Earth experience under my belt—you evolve. You get curious. You start wondering, "What if my heroine didn't have to worry about catching consumption, but instead had to deal with dating apps and student loans?"

Which is why the caravan now has Becca Knightly ... so I can focus on my venture into romance.

From there, it was like opening Pandora's box, if Pandora's box contained genre possibilities instead of ancient evils.

Contemporary romance led to rom-coms (because who doesn't love a good laugh with their happily-ever-after?), which threatened to evolve into Young Adult and New Adult territories where supernatural elements and magical realism could flourish. (Because apparently, regular teenage angst isn't complicated enough—let's add some vampires and spell-casting to the mix.) Thank the good Lord I now enjoy the company of Crystal Lauren, who takes care of all. of. that.

The real plot twist in my writing evolution came with me thinking I'd try my hand at cozy mysteries. Now, here's where I'll admit something that got me kicked out of the cozy mystery writers' club: I get way too involved in my plots. Which is why I was SO happy I met Beth Blessing, who takes murder, mayhem, and pie-baking off my hands!

While other cozy writers are content with a simple poison-in-the-tea scenario, She's in her wagon creating elaborate murder schemes that would make Agatha Christie proud and probably concern the cops. (If the FBI is listening in, it's all research for a book - she swears!)

And then there are the gritty thrillers — stories so different they marched into the caravan wearing their own name, their own voice, their own swagger. And HE. IS. HOT. The author, Jaxon Wilde, I mean. But some secrets are best left smoldering in the shadows, don’t you think?

Why This Caravan Has More Personalities Than the CIA

Wandering across genres creates one big challenge: reader expectations. Cozy fans don’t want their tea-time sleuthing spiced up with unexpected steam, and romance readers don’t want red herrings in the bedroom. That’s why the caravan has so many pen personalities — each voice is a literary lantern that guides readers to the exact campfire where their story is waiting.

Each one's name serves as a literary GPS, guiding readers to exactly the type of story they're craving. Multiple personalities, and none of them require therapy. Well, not yet anyway.

Managing this caravan is like running a one-woman publishing house where you’re the CEO, janitor, and muse-wrangler all at once. Some days the hats blur together — but that’s part of the fun of life in the caravan.

The Art of Structural Un-structure

Let me share something that might horrify the productivity gurus and structure-obsessed writers out there: I don't chase daily word counts. I know, I know—cue the gasps and laptops thrown across the room. Instead, I practice what I call "structural un-structure," which is a fancy way of saying I'm organized in my chaos.

Between a full-time job, running what amounts to an unofficial feline rescue sanctuary (because apparently cats find me irresistible, or maybe they just know a sucker when they see one), being an official 'caregiver' to my one daughter, and being the go-to problem solver for various things that is called 'my life,' my writing time is precious and unpredictable.

So I've learned to be flexible—every single day.

When I have time to write, I don't force myself to work on whatever project is supposedly "next in line." Instead, I listen to what my brain wants to tackle. Some days it's updating my website, other days it's crafting a blog post, and sometimes the muse demands I dive into a novel, novella, or novelette. This approach keeps writing feeling fresh and prevents that dreaded feeling of creative obligation that can suck the joy out of storytelling faster than you can say "deadline stress."

The Challenge: Multi-Genre Authoring

Writing across multiple genres isn't just about keeping different story elements straight—though I'll admit I've had to create elaborate piles of sticky notes and 3X5 cards (not to mention the stacks of printed-out copy) to remember which characters live in which worlds until I met these wonderful folks I caravan with!

The real challenge is the mental shape-shifting required.

One moment I'd be crafting dialogue for a picture book where the biggest conflict is whether the bunny will share his carrots, and the next I'm deep in research about poisoning methods that won't show up on an autopsy for a cozy mystery (yes, my browser history used to raise some red flags). The emotional and creative gear-shifting required is like being a literary stunt driver who has to seamlessly transition from family-friendly comedy to edge-of-your-seat drama without getting whiplash or flying glass fragments in the eyes.

Then there's the business side of things. Each genre has different marketing strategies, different reader expectations, and different industry standards - not to mention their own Pinterest boards!

Romance readers want to know about heat levels and tropes, while cozy mystery fans want to discuss red herrings and amateur sleuths. Meanwhile, parents looking for children's books are concerned with age-appropriate content and educational value. Keeping all these different audience needs straight requires organizational skills that would impress a military strategist. And I've never been very organized - you can ask my mother (but you can't, God rest her soul).

Again, it's why I've enlisted other voices to travel with me.

Tips for Aspiring Genre-Hoppers

For those brave souls considering the multi-genre path, here's some hard-earned wisdom from the trenches:

First, embrace the learning curve. Each genre has its own rules, expectations, and reader communities. What works in contemporary romance might - and does - fall flat in a cozy mystery, and what's perfectly acceptable in a gritty thriller could - and definitely WILL - traumatize readers of children's books. Do your homework, read extensively in each genre (yes, extensively - writers are readers), and don't be afraid to ask questions in genre-specific communities.

Second, consider pen names early in the game. It's much easier to establish separate identities from the beginning than to try to reorganize your brand later. Otherwise, you'll end up explaining to confused readers why their favorite cozy mystery writer suddenly published a steamy romance! It'd be like trying to explain quantum physics to a toad.

Third, develop systems for organization. Whether it's sticky notes, writing software, or color-coded calendars, find a method that helps you keep track of different worlds, characters, and deadlines. Your future self will thank you when you're not frantically trying to remember if Detective Sarah works in the cozy mystery series or for the Pinkertons in the historical romance.

Finally, give yourself permission to be imperfect. Some genres will come more naturally than others, and that's okay. I'm still questioning whether I should try my hand - again - at writing cozy mysteries, given my tendency toward complex plotting, but you know what? Those books are getting written (thank you, Beth Blessing!) and finding their readers, so maybe perfection isn't the point.

Why My Literary Chaos Might Inspire You

Here's the thing about writing across multiple genres while juggling a full life: it's messy, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming, but it's also incredibly fulfilling. My books and blog posts reflect the reality that life isn't contained inside white picket fences. We're all living complex, multi-faceted lives where romance, mystery, humor, and drama can all happen in the same week—and sometimes in the same day.

My writing philosophy (and approach) demonstrates that you don't have to choose just one creative outlet or follow someone else's prescribed path. You can be structurally un-structured, professionally flexible, and creatively ambitious, or hang your laptop upside down and type on it like you're a vampire. You can write steamy romance in the morning and children's books in the afternoon if that's what you'd like... and you'll not have an identity crisis - I promise.

Fellow writers, my journey proves that there's no single "right" way to become an author. You don't have to chase daily word counts if that doesn't work for your life. You don't have to stick to one genre if your imagination wants to wander. You can adapt your creative process to fit your real-world circumstances rather than the other way around.

For readers, my genre-hopping adventures with the voices in this caravan offer something for almost every mood and preference. Whether you want to escape into historical romance, laugh along with a contemporary rom-com, solve mysteries in a cozy village that hugs the Connecticut River like a mother's embrace, or get your heart racing with books written by JAXON WILDE (the thrillers, of course), there's something here that will hit the spot.

The Bottom Line

Being a multi-genre author isn't for the faint of heart, but it's perfect for those who refuse to be caged by convention. It's for writers who see life as a riotous rollercoaster of experiences worth exploring through different storytelling lenses.

It's for those who understand that creativity doesn't always follow a straight line, and that's precisely what makes the journey interesting.

So whether you're an aspiring writer wondering if you have to pick just one genre, or a reader curious about what goes on behind the scenes of literary shape-shifters, remember this: the best creative journeys are rarely the most predictable ones. Sometimes the most rewarding path is the one that zigs and zags through different worlds, different voices, and different challenges, collecting stories and insights along the way.

After all, why settle for writing one type of story when the world is full of so many different kinds of magic worth capturing?

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✨ Lantern’s out, kettle’s cooling, and the caravan sleeps. Every story waits in the next campfire glow. Walk with me when you’re ready. ✨ ~The Genre Gypsy