Wednesday, October 5, 2016

IWSG: Journey From YA to Adult Cozy


So--I missed my monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group post last month. I remembered, but then I got busy and forgot. Please forgive me if you stopped by and I wasn't here!

If you're a writer and want to join us on the first Wednesday of every month, go HERE.

Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh and his co-hosts:

This month's question: When do you know your story is ready?

Do you ever know? I've let stories out into the world knowing I've done the best I could. But as time goes by and my writing improves, my opinion on whether it was ready to be released changes. If it's been self-edited numerous times, and critiqued, and an editor declares it ready--and if you've done the best you can--then it must be ready!

What is my current insecurity?

I'm taking characters from my YA series and making them grow up. This series will be more main stream paranormal cozy mystery for adults. So--it will still have ghosties, but no demons or soul suckers or baddies like that. It will just be your regular run of the mill cozy murder (which means no blatant violence, gore or sex). I'm gearing a new website towards this series and even having a blog header made which will feature the town where the series takes place. 

The Problem? The YA series never took off due to a myriad of reasons, but mostly my inexperience. So I know writing this adult series with the same characters is a risk.

Also, "cozy" is a special genre of mystery. It's not for everyone because it's very tame when compared to other novels out there on tap. Most indie authors don't write cozy mysteries. I'd love to touch base with some so if you know any, please leave their blog or website in the comments.


Do you know any cozy mystery authors?

Am I wasting my time?


Also, there's this:



The Ghosts of Fire anthology by the authors at Untethered Realms is out now! If you'd like a free review copy, let me know!

Have you ever taken a series from Young Adult to Adult?

How is your writing going?

35 comments:

  1. No, I've never taken a series from YA to A, Gwen! I'm still working on my first book which is a memoir! So I am in awe of what you accomplished as a writer! Right now, I've taken a bit of a break by writing a fantasy short story, my first fantasy ever. And actually, it feels pretty refreshing to try something different, and I'll go back to my book with a new energy. I've never heard the term Cozy Mysteries before, but it certainly made me think of Agatha Christie. I don't think you are wasting your time. You know these characters, and perhaps adulthood is a better fit for them, now that you've got some experience as a writer. Good luck with your endeavor!

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    1. Fundy, writing something different can only improve your skillz as a writer. And check out the cozy mystery section at B&N. If you want a mystery that's not in-your-face stressful, you should try one. It's a nice change.

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    2. Thanks for the tip, Gwen! I'm going to check out my favorite B&N as soon as I get home!

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  2. I haven't done this either, but I'm sure it's possible. Good luck with the change. There are lots of people who love mysteries, so hopefully you can connect with authors and readers. Sounds like you have a lot planned out.

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    1. Mysteries are very popular, Natalie, but "cozy" mysteries are a subgenre of mystery. I really only know of one hybrid author that writes them, but not really any straight indie authors. I hope to connect with some so we can share notes.

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  3. Very cool!
    I think it's a fun idea to write the characters as adults. People do grow up. And I liked your young adult books.

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    1. Thank you, Alex. I'm hoping something more mainstream (as far as paranormal can be mainstream) will help with popularity and sales.

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  4. I loved your characters so I'm excited that you are bringing them into a new series as adults! It will be interesting to see how they've changed and grown. Great idea!

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    1. Thank you, Julie! I love the characters and just had to keep them alive. LOL.

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  5. I can't wait for your new story! I do wonder what the characters will be like all grown up. :)

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    1. I'm glad you like them, Christine. I hope you'll critique or beta read when it's ready?

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  6. I once took characters from a YA series and made them adults. (I was rewriting the series.) It was a lot of fun, so I hope you enjoy it. :)

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    1. I am enjoying it, Chrys. Not as many character restrictions. LOL.

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  7. Wishing you all the best Gwen. Maybe you need to take part in some Facebook book online events to help broaden exposure. There are many kinds including promotional ones which offers prizes for joining newsletters, following social media or pre-ordering.

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    1. I know I should participate more, Sheena-kay, but it is such a time suck! I work full time and try to get in as much writing as I can and there's little time for playing.

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  8. As a reader, if I read and loved the new books- finding the YA version of those characters would be like finding a gold mine. I'd just market them on their own merit and let readers find the gems later.

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    1. That's what I think, Elizabeth. I'm going to move forward like it's new--because it really sort of is.

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  9. This is my first time here. I like your blog! I've joined your blog. There is so much to learn about writing. And we are always learning. Just like our characters, who eventually grow up. And Yes, I'm always wondering how they will turn out, too. All the best!

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    1. Hi Victoria, I'll look you up. Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  10. I've been daydreaming of a story for a while (a just for me fun daydream story), and I was just thinking today about how it'd make a cool YA book from when she first appears on the planet as well as the adult book where her people find her. I'd never be able to write it because unfortunately I don't own Stargate. LOL!

    I grew up reading cozy mysteries, so I'm sure I'll enjoy yours. They sound like a lot of fun.

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    1. That sounds like a cool book, Cherie. You should do it.

      Even cozy mysteries are changing from what they were originally, a little more risqué, but still pretty tame compared to other works. I read everything myself and sometimes I want something easy without all the violence and angst.

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  11. I think I know two published cozy mystery writers, but they're trade published.

    Interesting decision to change the genre your characters live in. Looking forward to seeing the result. :-)

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    1. I know one hybrid cozy mystery writer, but that's about it. Are we such a rare breed? LOL.

      But technically I'm writing the same genre, just more main stream.

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  12. I don't personally write them, but I love to read Cozy Mystery type stories. I even bought a couple of used Cat Who books (for really cheap) for a friend recently because I thought she had to read them at least once. That got me thinking we need to have more stories like that. I think it takes a certain kind of Jane Austen like skill to keep it interesting. Personally, I know I lack the skill and patience. Paranormal cozy mystery sounds super-fun. That would be even more up my alley. Color me intrigued!
    Anne from annehiga.com

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    1. It is difficult to write toward keeping the reader's interest because they are tame books and not very action filled. But hey, add a ghost or two and it could get interesting. LOL.

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  13. I prefer my novels without blatant violence, gore or sex. They are difficult to find these days.

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    1. They are difficult to find, Lynda! Are we a dying breed or what?

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  14. What a fun transition! My Maiden of Time series is upper YA that branches into an NA age range, but keeps most YA elements. I don't know if I'd be brave enough to jump up in age using the same characters. I watch with interest to see how this goes!

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    1. Haha, I'm pretty brave, Crystal! ***bites nails***

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    2. LOL. Hey, have some cheese to nibble instead, eh?

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  15. As long as you know the cozy rules I'm sure you'll be fine. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  16. I love cozy mysteries!!! I'm not into the gory kind, so I love the cozies. I just don't read them often because I haven't taken the time to find out who the cozy mystery authors are versus the non-cozy mystery authors. I love your books! However, I don't write cozies so I don't think I'm the right kind of help you are looking for at the moment.

    Please let me know how I can help as a non-cozy author. Just e-mail me at tyreantigger (at) gmail (dot) com - I use my fancier, more proper named e-mail for teaching so the Winnie the Pooh reference is for writing. Sigh. That's one of my "not knowing what I'm doing" things. Would you like to stop by for a 5 Reasons to Write post in December or January? Please let me know.

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  17. Oddly, I'd be a perfect reader for this particular series but maybe not all cozy mysteries. Because I loved your YA series, I would love to see what you've got them doing nowadays. But you would be the only cozy mystery writer I know since I'm not big on mysteries. Maybe there's a way you can make "cozy mystery with a paranormal twist" your niche thing?

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    1. I think that's why we make great CPs, Angela. Because we write such different things. But you are the perfect CP for this series. You know my characters as well as I do, LOL. And you have such great insight.

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