Fiction and non-fiction...can you do both? I say yes, my agent said "NO!" - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T17:58:22Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:10990?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A11051&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThat's crazy! Sure, you can d…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-24:537324:Comment:116162007-03-24T03:53:10.390ZNaomi Hiraharahttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/gasagasagirl
That's crazy! Sure, you can do both. And it would seem that a good agent could<br />
sell any kind of genre. It's not that they have to be personally acquainted with<br />
the editors they are approaching.<br />
<br />
Do you use your medical knowhow in your fiction? Sometimes when I do my<br />
talks, I discuss how I use my nonfiction research in my mysteries. It's of great<br />
interest.<br />
<br />
I think that you have to be constantly evolving. Even if you stay in the same area,<br />
you have change things up because they are…
That's crazy! Sure, you can do both. And it would seem that a good agent could <br />
sell any kind of genre. It's not that they have to be personally acquainted with <br />
the editors they are approaching. <br />
<br />
Do you use your medical knowhow in your fiction? Sometimes when I do my <br />
talks, I discuss how I use my nonfiction research in my mysteries. It's of great <br />
interest. <br />
<br />
I think that you have to be constantly evolving. Even if you stay in the same area, <br />
you have change things up because they are always new trends and new <br />
authors joining the genre. Best of luck to you. Since I am also a speaker, I…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-23:537324:Comment:111372007-03-23T19:17:41.432ZCyndy Salzmannhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cyndysalzmann
Since I am also a speaker, I need to write both -- and my agent agrees. Unfortunately, I have found out that my fiction sells much less than my nonfiction at my speaking gigs UNLESS I tie the novel into my talk by reading a humorous section on the topic I am addressing.
Since I am also a speaker, I need to write both -- and my agent agrees. Unfortunately, I have found out that my fiction sells much less than my nonfiction at my speaking gigs UNLESS I tie the novel into my talk by reading a humorous section on the topic I am addressing. Jim, that's a reasonable way…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-23:537324:Comment:110542007-03-23T17:35:32.337Zp. b. smithhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/IveyHunter
Jim, that's a reasonable way to look at it. We all have to stay focused on paying those bills, and agents are no different from the rest of us in that respect. Thanks for a different perspective. I am still glad I followed my heart into fiction. I am really enjoying my work even though there's no guarantee any of it will ever see the light of day. The non-fiction work had grown a bit too predictable for me. Perhaps this respite of time without having to interview any doctors or dig through any…
Jim, that's a reasonable way to look at it. We all have to stay focused on paying those bills, and agents are no different from the rest of us in that respect. Thanks for a different perspective. I am still glad I followed my heart into fiction. I am really enjoying my work even though there's no guarantee any of it will ever see the light of day. The non-fiction work had grown a bit too predictable for me. Perhaps this respite of time without having to interview any doctors or dig through any dusty archives will renew my enthusiasm for non-fiction as well. As a reader, I'm always thril…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-23:537324:Comment:110512007-03-23T17:34:39.695Znorbyhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/norby871
As a reader, I'm always thrilled to see a writer I like take a chance and do something new. One of my favorite fiction books, one that just stunned the hell out of me, was written by Ann Rule. True, it's a novelization of a case she's covered in one of her nonfiction books, but still, not everyone could take it and turn it into fiction-she changed it just enough so that it wasn't exactly like the original case. If you really want to try it, go for it, sometimes you just don't know if…
As a reader, I'm always thrilled to see a writer I like take a chance and do something new. One of my favorite fiction books, one that just stunned the hell out of me, was written by Ann Rule. True, it's a novelization of a case she's covered in one of her nonfiction books, but still, not everyone could take it and turn it into fiction-she changed it just enough so that it wasn't exactly like the original case. If you really want to try it, go for it, sometimes you just don't know if something's going to work for you until you do it. <br />
<br />
Having said that, I was really disappointed with Grisham's attempt at nonfiction. I like his fiction, but something about the nonfic book seemed really scattershot. I was halfway through it and I really couldn't have cared less if the guy got out of jail or not. In fact, I didn't even care about the victim. It really was disappointing, it sounded like an intriguing case, and, ya know, Grisham. <br />
<br />
Anyway, write what you want, if it's good, someone will buy it. I know authors who do both. I…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-23:537324:Comment:110172007-03-23T16:35:49.556ZJude Hardinhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
I know authors who do both. I don't understand why it would be a problem.
I know authors who do both. I don't understand why it would be a problem. That's unfortunate. It's hard…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-23:537324:Comment:110052007-03-23T15:40:40.399ZChrista M. Millerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/christammiller
That's unfortunate. It's hard enough to make money writing, especially these days; why should an agent inhibit your ability to do it however you need to? If you're good at writing something and passionate about the subject, I'd like to think that even if your agent couldn't handle it, they could refer you to another agent who could. Two "personas," two agents. And you are totally right about growing. <br />
<br />
Good luck finding a new agent!
That's unfortunate. It's hard enough to make money writing, especially these days; why should an agent inhibit your ability to do it however you need to? If you're good at writing something and passionate about the subject, I'd like to think that even if your agent couldn't handle it, they could refer you to another agent who could. Two "personas," two agents. And you are totally right about growing. <br />
<br />
Good luck finding a new agent!