Hello fellow word weavers! Ava Silvers here, ready to delve into a topic that's both exciting and challenging: blending genres. My Creatures of the Midwest series, starting with the first book where a witch hunts her sister's killer in a town teeming with supernatural beings, is a prime example of how much fun genre mashups can be. It's a blend of urban fantasy, mystery, and a touch of cozy small-town charm. But how do you create a harmonious blend without ending up with a literary Frankenstein's monster? Let's explore.
One of the biggest pitfalls of genre blending is creating a story that feels disjointed. Imagine mixing a gritty noir detective story with a light-hearted romantic comedy. Unless handled with finesse, the tonal shifts can jar the reader out of the story. The key is to find the common ground between your chosen genres. What thematic elements overlap? What character archetypes can bridge the gap?
In Creatures of the Midwest, the mystery element provides the narrative drive. Both Hazel, the witch, and Corwin, the vampire, are driven by a need to uncover the truth. This shared goal creates a natural connection between the urban fantasy and mystery aspects. The cozy small-town setting, while seemingly disparate, adds a layer of intimacy and community, grounding the supernatural elements in a relatable environment.
Think of genres as ingredients in a recipe. You wouldn't just dump everything into a bowl and hope for the best (even though I am known to cook like that!). You need to consider how the flavours will interact.
Will they complement each other or clash? A dash of spice can enhance a dish, but too much can overwhelm the palate. Similarly, a touch of horror can add depth to a fantasy novel, but an overabundance can turn it into something entirely different.
Start by identifying the primary genre of your story. This will be the foundation upon which you build. Then, carefully select secondary genres that enhance and expand your core narrative. Ask yourself: what elements of these genres can I incorporate to enrich my story? Perhaps the suspenseful pacing of a thriller, the social commentary of dystopian fiction, or the emotional resonance of a romance.
Character development is crucial in genre mashups. Your characters need to feel authentic within the blended world you've created. Hazel, for example, isn't just a witch; she's a grieving sister seeking justice. Corwin isn't just a vampire; he's a creature grappling with his identity in a world that believes he's extinct. These layered characters bridge the gap between the different genre elements, making the blend feel seamless.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment. Genre blending is all about pushing boundaries and creating something new. Read widely in the genres you want to combine, paying attention to how other authors have successfully (or unsuccessfully) blended elements. Take inspiration from their successes and learn from their mistakes. And most importantly, have fun with it! The joy you find in creating your unique blend will shine through in your writing, captivating readers and drawing them into your wonderfully woven world.
So, go forth and blend! Create stories that defy categorisation and captivate readers with their unexpected twists and turns. Happy writing!
Book 1, Creatures of the Midwest
A witch’s mission to find her sister’s killer leads to otherworldly dangers.
When Hazel Goode’s search for a murderer lands her in Shadow Hollow, she thinks the strangest thing there is herself. But this little midwestern town has been collecting supernatural creatures for centuries, and the arrival of one more could shatter the paranormal veil.
Corwin doesn’t plan to disclose he’s a vampire. After all, vampires are supposed to be extinct. But when he enlists Hazel’s help to solve a mystery – the same mystery she is trying to solve…but for a very different reason – his secret will put them both in danger.
Helping Corwin could crack Hazel’s case wide open, or could make them the next target. Now, with the Last Vampire on Earth and Hazel both digging around in the Midwest’s magical underbelly, it won’t be long before an uncontrollable darkness is released. And this time, there will be no escape.
Fans of True Blood and Midnight, Texas will find their next fix in Creatures of the Midwest series, a thrilling, additive paranormal drama.
Start reading this cozy small town fantasy today!
Ava Silvers
Ava Silvers is an author who specialises in the genre of Urban Fantasy. Ava's storytelling merges from her own lived experiences and imagination. When not writing she finds joy in exploring forgotten towns and haunted hotels and seeking inspiration from eerie buildings from the past. A collector of rare books and artefacts, her home reflects the magical and mysterious world like her books. A Vampire in Disguise is the first book in the Creatures of the Midwest series.
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