Author Insight: Written Off

What genre of fiction do you read and respect but would never write?

"Any kind of story set in an alternate world. My brain doesn’t function in a way that would allow me to organize a universe or keep track of rules. I wish I could write a book like the Divergent Trilogy (which I absolutely love), but I’m pretty sure smoke would start pouring out of my ears by chapter 2." - Lauren Morrill, author of Meant to Be.

"I’m pretty sure I’d never write crime, although I’ve just read 2 Peter Temple books and been very impressed. Also, hilarious family memoir of the David Sedaris or Benjamin Law kind probably won’t ever pour out of my pen." - Margo Lanagan, author of The Brides of Rollrock Island. 

"Nothing. I like to write everything I read, because I never want to get stuck doing one thing. If I read a genre, I’ve tried to write something in it. It keeps me flexible and helps me grow as a writer." - Dan Krokos, author of False Memory. 

"Government budgets." - Martha Brockenbrough, author of Devine Intervention. 

"I read science fiction and like it a lot, but I doubt that I would ever write straight sci-fi." - Joy Peble, author of Anastasia Forever. 

"I would probably never write straight-up contemporary realism." - Greg Leitich Smith, author of Chronal Engine. 

"Probably high/epic fantasy. And by that, I mean George R. R. Martin, Melina Marchetta's Finnikin of the Rock, seriously epic stuff. I don't think my brain is complex enough. Maybe in a few decades?" - Kirsten Hubbard, author of Wanderlove.

"Mysteries and Historicals. I have a huge respect for anyone who writes them because I can't for the life of me figure out how to. And a historical mystery? I worship at the author's feet." - Cyn Balog, author of Touched. 

"Adult literary short fiction. I think every story has a comfortable page-length and voice in which it wants to be told. Right now, my imagination is full of large stories spanning hundreds of pages told from the point of view of teenagers." - Dayna Lorentz, author of No Safety in Numbers. 

"Fiction? I would not rule out anything, though I’m not a big fantasy guy. In terms of nonfiction, however, I enjoy reading biographies. Never say never, but writing a biography requires great organization and skill and sustained effort. It currently seems beyond my abilities, frankly." - James Preller, author of Before You Go. 

"I love to read Historical Fiction, but could never imagine writing one. I don’t believe I have the voice for it." - Katie McGarry, author of Pushing the Limits. 

"Graphic novels. I’m a designer (and occasionally an illustrator) so I appreciate graphic novels—but it would take me twenty years to complete one." - Sarah Tregay, author of Love and Leftovers. 

"Valerie reads a lot of non-fiction, particularly science related books like Henrietta Lacks, and she would never attempt to write one, she just doesn’t know the stuff and never will. Stacy reads a lot of literary fiction (Jennifer Egan, Jonathon Franzen, Junot Diaz et al) but has a far more commercial sensibility when it comes to her own writing." - Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas, co-authors of From What I Remember. 

Find out Thursday what genres the rest of the authors would never write. 
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