Wednesday, March 3, 2021

IWSG & Favourite Genres

 The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.



IWSG badge


Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!  

March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?

Great question!

I'm a romantic suspense author and I read a lot of romantic suspense. But I've always been a wide reader and still am. My current favourite genres are:

My reading choices are driven by a few things, mostly interest. But friendship is also important to me. Including the authors above, I've read books from over 100 authors I've met online - books I would never have known about or read if I hadn't become friends with the author or met them somehow online.

I love an entertaining story with intriguing characters and I want a happy ending - or at least one that isn't going to rip my heart to shreds. 

So, if the book fits within that rather loose definition, I'm probably in!

How about you? Are you a wide reader?
Apologies if I missed you on the list but my hands/brain got tired!


If you're looking to try romantic suspense, the first Bloo Moose romance (Reaching For Normal) is free!



75 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm glad we are friends and you took a chance on my books! I've read a lot of blogger buddies' books although it's been a challenge to keep up...

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I'm trying to read more widely than I do! I usually read mysteries and non-fiction, but have broadened the base in the last couple of years. You do a great job reading in a bunch of different genres!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

And you've read several of our authors - thank you.

Rachna Chhabria said...

I've never tried romantic suspense! Could you please suggest some books?

Cathrina Constantine said...

I love romantic suspense. And it's great to support indie authors. I highly dislike unhappy endings, either in books and movies.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
To have an entertaining story that pleases you is so important. That's what reading is all about.
Take care and have a lovely month of March.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Jemi Fraser said...

It is REALLY a challenge to keep up - I'm always behind.
And I'm so glad we're friends as well! Looking forward to CassaDark!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks! I've always had an eclectic brain. I've got so many stories waiting to be written!

Jemi Fraser said...

I have! DLP has some fabulous books!!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's a great genre. JD Robb's In Death series is my all-time favourite. Lynn Raye Harris writes a great series HOT - 1st one is free to try. Just read one by Leslie North that was well done. Cynthia Eden, Kait Nolan are great as well!

Jemi Fraser said...

Agreed! I don't need to be a sobbing mess :)

Jemi Fraser said...

It really is, Pat. Entertainment is what it's all about.

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too! So many fun stories!

Carrie Ann said...

I'm with you on avoiding books with tragic endings. Those I will steer clear of no matter who the authors are. :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Yes, I've begun to read in many different genres too. I love it, but I often have a teetering TBR pile.

Ellen Jacobson said...

Aww...thanks for the shout-out! I've been trying to read more widely over the past several years. Funnily enough, I used to think I didn't like romance all that much. Then I started reading it and discovered how much I enjoy it.

Patsy said...

I've bought books by writing friends to support them and then been surprised at how much I enjoy stories in genres I didn't think would appeal.

nashvillecats2 said...

I reconised my blogging buddies in your collection. I bought Alex's Cassa Star books some years ago and a few other followers in my early days of blogging.
Enjoyed the post Jemi.
Take care.
Yvonne.

Lynn J Simpson said...

I too, love supporting my writing friends by reading and sometimes being on their launch teams. They have introduced me to genres and subjects I have learned to appreciate lots!

M.J. Fifield said...

Thank you for including me among such awesome authors. I'm not worthy!

I do like happy endings, but I kind of love the ones that rip my heart to shreds. (But of COURSE I do...)

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too! I don't need that kind of stress! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too! It's crazy how many books I want to read!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're very welcome!
I'm glad you gave romance a chance - it's a great genre with so many fun subgenres too :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too - I don't generally read some of the darker stories, but I have some talented friends!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Yvonne - it's fun to find blog buddies who write in genres I enjoy!

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly! It's fun reading something new!

Jemi Fraser said...

Of course you do!!! And you totally belong!

Elephant's Child said...

I am so very grateful to writers. And of course my greedy self refuses to be confined by genres.

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you so much for the shout-out! <3 I am with great company in all the genres you listed.

I am a wide reader. And I'm far behind on my TBR list. I have many books by authors you listed (and your books!) waiting for me to read. I feel bad that my schedule doesn't allow me to read for pleasure as much as I'd like.

Jemi Fraser said...

That doesn't surprise me even a little bit! The more genres, the merrier!

Jemi Fraser said...

I hear ya! It's tough fitting in the reading time along with everything else on our plates!

Chemist Ken said...

Wow, that's definitely a wide list. How do you have time to read so many books? If I read that many, I'd still be working on the first chapter of my debut novel. :)

emaginette said...

You are such a sweet woman. No wonder everyone loves you. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Carol Kilgore said...

I read far and wide, too. It's such fun exploring. Like mind candy.

Jemi Fraser said...

I can't do regular screen for at least an hour before bed but I can read real books or on my kindle because of the lighting fixture. I also read on my treadmill (I'm a walker not a runner!)

Jemi Fraser said...

Wow - thanks so much, Anna! That made me a little teary eyed!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Mind candy - that's exactly it!!!

cleemckenzie said...

Isn't it great to love to read a lot of different books and then to meet the authors? I find that part the best.

So glad Bloo Moose is headed to the moon!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Wow! Thank you for the shout-out, and I love the list. I love meeting other authors and reading their books, too. I read across genres and I think there's a strength in that, although I admit my main faves are fantasy and sci-fi, I mainly love a good story.
BTW - not sure how I got off on the wrong prompt this month, but there it is.

Jemi Fraser said...

I love that part too - love meeting all these kind, creative minds!
Me too!!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're very welcome!
I've gone through cycles of what my favourites are. There is definitely a strength there!
LOL - I'm surprised that doesn't happen more often ... especially to me!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous list of authors!! I've always been open to reading most any genre, and I've found some wonderful reads from our own indie authors.

In fiction, I just want to be entertained. Take me to a new place, with interesting people and tell me a story.

Adrienne Reiter said...

I'll read just about anything. The good. The bad. The nightmarish. I love how you linked the authors to your favorite genres. Happy IWSG Day!

Anne Higa said...

That is a really great, affirming list. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great March.

Anne from annehiga.com

Sarah Foster said...

Lots of great authors listed! :)
I read a lot more genres than I write, too.

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too - I love reading what my friends have written.
I agree with your list too - interesting people in an interesting story!

Jemi Fraser said...

I wish I could do the nightmarish still - but haven't since I was a teen :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Anne - same to you!

Jemi Fraser said...

We do have lots of talented friends, don't we? :)

Emma L Gill said...

Thank you for linking to the authors you listed — and what a great list! I, too, like to read widely, though I have not touched on all genres. This seems like a great way to explore a few new ones! :)

Mason Canyon said...

I love reading all type of genres, but I tend to stay away from bad endings too. Love your list, great books and awesome authors (like you). :)

Olga Godim said...

Your reading list is pretty wide. And what an amazing collection of writers and friends.

Jemi Fraser said...

I have a lot of talented friends!!! Hope you find a new favourite!

Jemi Fraser said...

Awww, thanks Mason! Your review of Trust still has me smiling!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I do know a lot of talented people - and there are many more I didn't link!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I love how wide you read. I think it shows in your awesome writing. And thank you for including me in your list.
Many hugs

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Lynda - that means a lot!!

J Lenni Dorner said...

That's a great list of authors! It's certainly exciting to read a book by an author you've gotten to know online.

I love reading a wide variety of genres. I posted for IWSG day today. My post includes a new book by a friend, a note about a free book next week, a tweet about a query contest (LGBTQ romance this round), and a quick message about April Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author

Deniz Bevan said...

Squee! Thank you for the callout! <3

Shannon Lawrence said...

Aw, thank you! What an amazing list! Dancing with Dementia is next on my digital TBR "pile."

Jemi Fraser said...

The snippet you posted from Kate's book is powerful!
It really is great to read books from people we know!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're very welcome! Looking forward to your new story in Dark Matter!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're very welcome!
We do know a lot of amazing writers!

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

You do read in a wide range of genres! That's a great list, and I realize I need to get to work reading the books of my fellow IWSG authors!

Jemi Fraser said...

There are so many terrific authors in the IWSG!

Nick Wilford said...

I love that you named so many great bloggers in your list. I recognized many and have enjoyed their books too. It's nice because their creative work makes it feel as if you know them in a deeper "dimension," if you know what I mean!

Jemi Fraser said...

I know exactly what you mean and completely agree!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Aw, you are so sweet! I love how you structured this post. I think I'm like you at heart. I just loved to read, so I'll pretty much give any new read (genre) a try. :)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I love your list, Jemi. I love that I know most of those writers. You are so kind to mention them. What a nice thing to do.

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly - it's about the characters and the story!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Joylene - I know there are some I missed but my brain was tired!! :)

Diane Burton said...

Great list of genres and authors. We are so fortunate to have such great writers in this group. Thanks for the free book.

Jemi Fraser said...

We really are - so many talented friends!!
You're welcome -enjoy!

Damyanti Biswas said...

I find myself leaning towards with books with lighter and happier themes and ending ever since the beginning of the pandemic.

Jemi Fraser said...

This is 100% true for me as well