1. Yeah, I about fell out of my chair when I discovered this other person. I have the book and will be reading it!

  2. notleia says:

    “Amish paradise” <— I see what you did there.

    I just hope that you manage to avoid the major pitfalls of romance novels. Or the major pitfalls of dudes writing lady characters.

    Did you watch the docu "Buck" on Netflix about Buck Whatshisface who helped Robert Redford with "The Horse Whisperer"? Buck is a total cinnamon roll and we need more people like him in the world.

  3. Joanna says:

    If you’re watching feel-good horse movies on Netflix, you absolutely need to watch “Albion: The Enchanted Stallion.” I’m not going to say more than it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

    I’m serious. Please, sit down and watch it. Then come back here and tell me what you thought…. ?

  4. Autumn Grayson says:

    I honestly think it’s often better for authors to write their platform in a way that lets them write in any genre. I’ve actually seen a lot of people notice advantages to being in multiple genres. If someone writes fantasy, and they have fans that are getting bored of fantasy, they might look for a different author after a while. But if that fantasy author also has things like scifi, romance, etc., then the readers bored of fantasy might have a reason to stick around longer. I write mostly fantasy and scifi, but early on I plan on making it clear to my audience that I will be writing whatever I am inspired to write, and therefore I will be in many genres eventually.

    When it comes to a situation like yours, a guy used to writing darker fiction, male protagonists, etc., there is actually an opportunity to use that unique perspective to write a more unique amish romance(or whatever). There’s no reason why an amish romance with a male protagonist can’t exist, for instance.

    Same goes for an amish romance that isn’t sweet and fluffy but maybe instead details a realistic romance with two people that are serious yet, deep down, capable of caring. There’s a niche audience for just about every type of book, and when authors let themselves put their own spin on a book or genre they might appeal to readers that would have otherwise ignored something like amish romance.

    • Mark Carver says:

      When I was writing my Western book (and I’m in the middle of writing the second one now), I made it a point to have cute and sweet moments but not be overwhelming so that readers would roll their eyes, and i used myself as the standard. I have a low sappiness tolerance so I did my best to balance the fluff with some serious stuff, and even some twists in there to keep it interesting. And I can honestly say that I am proud of how it turned out and I wouldn’t feel embarrassed if my edgy writer friends read it.

  5. Peggi Tustan says:

    Go, Mark! I love it when people successfully explore other genres. I’m new to this site. Trying to break out of my own little world and explore other’s expressions of their faith.

  6. Love seeing you do this, Mark! Refreshing, and it gives me hope for my own genre-hopping. Who knows what kind of success our efforts may bring, but at least I’m not alone in being a dabbler.

    Also, I’ve been experiencing that lemonade feeling you described as I work on a lighter, sweeter fantasy than my usual gritty fare, and I hadn’t really thought about how I was feeling. Hearing you share was like shining a spotlight on it, and I like what I see.

    Hoping you’ll see good success, on top of the satisfying personal experience you’re getting while writing it!

  7. notleia says:

    Coming back to this after awhile, I’m struck by the notion that maybe I should give this genre a shot myself. Having been a certified Horse Crazy(TM) girl at a younger age, I probably have enough to turn into street cred. I might email you with the results, Carver, if I ever work up more than a paragraph or so.

What do you think?