This post was inspired from my own blog, and turned into something bigger and longer as a part of a contest. It also goes along with what Suzanne already wrote in To Genre or Not to Genre?
Here ya go::

My one, true aspiration is to be a serious, mainstream writer. I want the masses to read my work. But, I have no desire to sell out in order to make that dream come true. I fear I might have quite the opposite problem.

The first novel I am writing and will soon be querying has become an adult, dark urban fantasy. One of my readers described it as ‘twisted, adult fiction.’ And that was when I was still marketing it as a somewhat tame, young adult book. I have since changed it drastically and even added a ‘thriller’ tag. I’ve never been quite sure what to make of that early comment, but I took it as a compliment of sorts.

So getting to the point, here’s my potential problem. Is it a risk to send this work out into the ether as my initial foray? My reason for asking is simple. I have quite a few projects in the works, one being a memoir. It’s not exactly all puppies and unicorns, but it’s not death and destruction, either. Another baby of mine is an adult sci-fi / fantasy based on quantum physics’ take on parallel universes. So you see, I’m not necessarily a ‘dark fiction writer.’ Although I do rather enjoy that genre.

I’ve read many articles and blogs, along with The New York Times reviews, that describe most types of horror as not being true literature. Is this, in fact, how the world sees dark writing? And, if that is the case, will I automatically be typecast as a ‘so-so writer’ who might not get the deserved attention for a second book that is completely different?

Hence the title of this blog. Am I shooting myself in the foot, making it bloody impossible to step forward on said foot into the fascinating world of the writing business? I’m considering a small torch, but am not quite sure what would work as such.

Part of the aforementioned NYT book review states, “Why would a serious writer like Patrick McGrath want to play by the rules of an outdated genre and borrow the trappings of the Gothic novel?” This is just one of the things said about Dr. Haggard’s Disease.

Does writing horror or thriller novels automatically make the work rubbish, pulp, or junk? I don’t believe so, but (some) reviewers seem to disagree. And who am I to argue with them? Furthermore, if readers pay attention to these reviews, will I only be read by those who enjoy the genre? What happens when my next book is released? (I’m ever the optimist–I’ve not even finished my first manuscript.) Will mainstream readers want to read that novel, or will I be brushed aside as inane and egregious?

Again, my optimism tells me there has to be such a thing as mainstream, literary horror. Does it all have to go the way of fantasy and horror that’s considered dross? (Not that there’s anything wrong with those works–I’m quite the fan.) If this genre I’m hoping for does exist, can I be a part of it?

Do you know any of these answers, dear reader? As it’s quite obvious I’ve no clue, the point of writing this is to seek help. I’m sure I’m not the only one in this position. Even the darkest of dark needs a little light shed on it every now and again or else it might escape into oblivion. If only we writers could convince others of the existence of well-written horror, the topic of this essay would be a non-issue. And wouldn’t that be grand?

But for now, I’m stuck. I need a little shove out of the mud as my tires are spinning entirely too fast and my thoughts are getting nowhere as a result. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

Do I risk the dark waters of the horror realm and hope not to drown on my way to the stream that we call ‘main?’ Can I? Yes–can I? That is the question. This is like Jeopardy in reverse. Go on. Push your buzzer. The fun in this game is no answer can be wrong. Maybe I can walk away with some money (twisted and backwards, I know. But hey, the game is antithetical, as I just said). Your incentive is that when I get that huge advance, I’ll then toss some cash your way for playing along with me.

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Since winning her first writing competition at a young age, Eden Tyler, has only fallen more in love with the written word. She uses her English, Psychology, and Sociology backgrounds to create depth to her own stories and novels while contributing to and running websites about writing. This is what fulfills her, along with working as Co-Editor for Fuel Your Writing, but she also enjoys the freelance work that puts food on the table (and that ever-essential roof overhead) for her family.

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