Comments on: The dangers of breaking genre convention http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/11/dangers-breaking-genre-convention/ mysteries to fall in love with, romance to keep you in suspense Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:11:49 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jordan http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/11/dangers-breaking-genre-convention/#comment-1080 Jordan Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:49:54 +0000 http://jordanmccollum.com/?p=1597#comment-1080 There's a difference between doing something unexpected (a basic requirement of any new book) and breaking genre conventions. In paranormal, for example, the genre conventions <em>are</em> to go beyond normal human capacities. To break paranormal conventions, you'd have to have no paranormal elements. And I don't think that would go over well with paranormal fans in a book labeled "paranormal fiction." It'd be like a romance where the couple has a terrible fight for the black moment and never gets back together (hence why unhappy romances aren't labeled "romance" but "women's fiction") or, as above, a mystery that is unsolved. People read those genres to be reassured that true love can conquer all and good will prevail over evil. If it doesn't, they are unsatisfied. There’s a difference between doing something unexpected (a basic requirement of any new book) and breaking genre conventions. In paranormal, for example, the genre conventions are to go beyond normal human capacities. To break paranormal conventions, you’d have to have no paranormal elements. And I don’t think that would go over well with paranormal fans in a book labeled “paranormal fiction.”

It’d be like a romance where the couple has a terrible fight for the black moment and never gets back together (hence why unhappy romances aren’t labeled “romance” but “women’s fiction”) or, as above, a mystery that is unsolved. People read those genres to be reassured that true love can conquer all and good will prevail over evil. If it doesn’t, they are unsatisfied.

]]> By: michelle http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/11/dangers-breaking-genre-convention/#comment-1079 michelle Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:21:01 +0000 http://jordanmccollum.com/?p=1597#comment-1079 I guess I am the odd one out. I actually like books that are not what you expect. I love books that forge ahead into new avenues of literacy. My favorite books seem to be those ones others look at and raise an eyebrow at. I think the genre that can "break" the rules the easiest is Paranormal. You see alot of avenues taken in it. Paranormal also touches the suspense, fantasy, romance, mystery etc. sub genres as well. I'm sorry I don't have examples but that is my take on it. I guess I am the odd one out. I actually like books that are not what you expect. I love books that forge ahead into new avenues of literacy. My favorite books seem to be those ones others look at and raise an eyebrow at.

I think the genre that can “break” the rules the easiest is Paranormal. You see alot of avenues taken in it. Paranormal also touches the suspense, fantasy, romance, mystery etc. sub genres as well. I’m sorry I don’t have examples but that is my take on it.

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