Kerry Adrienne | Multi-Genred Writing

Maybe I am a bit scattered, or maybe I just like too many genres. I’ve written (or have book plans to write) in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, science fiction romance, fantasy romance, male/male romance (historical, contemporary), post-apocalyptic fiction, gothic, and now even horror.

Do you care if an author you likes writes in multiple genres? Some studies say an author should focus on building a brand in one, maybe two genres. Or use different pen names for each. Me? I’m lucky if I can keep up with one name!

When the opportunity came up for me to be in the Duran Duran inspired anthology (COME UNDONE: Music Inspired by the Music of Duran Duran), I jumped on the chance. The anthology is multi-genred—there are vampires and wolf shifters, male/male plots, aliens and assassins, contemporary fashion designers…so many different stories tied together by one band’s music.

My story, BEFORE THE RAIN, is based on the song of the same name. It’s from a newer Duran Duran album, but when I saw the video, I was entranced. The haunting melody of the song, coupled with the video (look it up on YouTube!) really got my creativity flowing. Whereas the video shows a world where rain is scarce, my story takes place in a world where the rain never stops. Humans made rainmakers and now they malfunction and don’t shut off. Trapped in the city in a never-ending rain is so desolate. Can you imagine not ever feeling the sun on your face? How is love different, and how do you find your mate in such a dark world?

I really enjoyed writing from a song (especially by one of my favorite 1980s bands). I think it’s a good exercise for writers—pick a song and allow the music and lyrics to create the world the musician imagined, with your own take, of course.

Back to multi-genre writing. I decided a long time ago that I would write whatever I wanted. I think writing to market is very risky. If an author’s heart isn’t in the book, it shows! (We’ve all read books that come across as the author only going through the motions).

A couple of times in the last few years, I’ve found myself not liking what I was writing. I’m not talking just being bored with the story. I mean finding out that the theme, story, characters are not authentic. I don’t love them. I could murder the characters and not even remember their names next week. That’s a bad, bad thing. Putting those manuscripts down is essential. But I will continue to write whatever story comes to mind—whether it’s science fiction or historical. I have to be true to my muse, regardless of what “they” say. To me, the more genres, the merrier!

About Kerry Adrienne

Kerry loves history and spends large amounts of time wondering about people who lived and walked on Earth in the past. She’s a mom to three daughters, six cats, and various small animals, including a panther chameleon. Her shoe horde will attest to her fine shopping skills.

In addition to writing, she’s a college instructor, artist, costumer, and editor. Her new love is her Mini Cooper Convertible, Sheldon, and they have already gone on many adventures.

Kerry is represented by Marisa Corvisiero.

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About COME UNDONE

Once upon a time in the 80s there was a band, whose members stole the hearts of many a young girl. With their guyliner, unique fashion and music that struck through the heart, Duran Duran changed how we hear and see music.

Today nine hot romance authors bring you stories inspired by their music.

NEW MOON ON MONDAY by Kim Carmichael
Though she tries to experience the world through her poetry, Luna Morrow caves to conformity rather than allowing her creativity to soar. Pampered and passionate, fashion designer Owen “Blake” Blakeney knows he found his muse when he spots a gorgeous, alternative waitress at the Club New Moon. After a wanton tryst, Luna disappears, leaving Blake following a trail of clues to find her. With his sights set, he sets out on a quest to locate his mystery girl and convince her to walk in his fashion show. He never expected her to walk into his heart.

ORDINARY WORLD by Solera Winters
After a chance encounter at a coffee shop, an accident leaves employment agent Tessa Toussaint in a coma, while techie Yancy Howard finds his dreams filled with this fascinating woman. As the clock ticks on Tessa’s condition, Yancy falls deeper for the woman in his dreams.

HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF by Louisa Bacio
Janie never imagined her deepest fantasies coming true. She’d been flirting with the hot DJ at an ’80s club, but taking the interaction to another level seemed impossible. Until she runs into Tyler, her high school boyfriend, on the dance floor, and he makes all the right moves.

BEFORE THE RAIN by Kerry Adrienne
The war is over, but the rain continues, day and night. The rebel faction, Verity, enlists Maddox to safely guide Allana, an assassin, out of the city. No problem. He’ll escort her, get paid, and return to his life. But the more he learns about the mysterious and beautiful assassin, the more something about her intrigues him and compels him to learn more. With the world falling apart around them, they’ll have to decide if they can trust each other despite the deceptions and lies they face. If they can’t, they’ll die.

WILD BOYS by C. Margery Kempe
It’s the end of the world and Digger’s trapped in a prison with some very wild boys. He loves the charismatic Joey, but he’s too busy fighting to be leader to notice. What are the odds they’ll all kill one another before they can escape?

LOVE VOODOO by Alyssa Breck
After a chance tarot card reading in a New Orleans voodoo shop, vampire Luca is intrigued by Collette, an alluring woman with an uncanny intuition. Getting intimately involved with a human is the last thing Luca has in mind, but Collette wins his trust and their friendship grows into something deeper. When Luca’s clan learns that he has asked Collette to perform a spell to bind his psychotic sire, a deadly chain of events unravels that will change their lives.

UNION OF THE SNAKE by KC Burn
After his fellow human colonists were virtually enslaved by the Hilruda, Zerek, smuggler extraordinaire, made pissing off the alien oppressors both a career and a calling. When Essian, a sexy clan leader of the planet’s third species, needs Zerek’s help to fulfill a prophecy, the temptation of taking down the Hilruda is too good to pass up. Falling for Essian is not part of the plan.

GIRLS ON FILM by Linnea Alexis
After years of trying to break into mainstream movies, adult film actress Sophie Greene lands a role in a major motion picture. But not everyone is celebrating her good fortune. Her lover, Greg Vega, wants her to quit films entirely. And when a stalker emerges and begins sabotaging her career move, things get downright dangerous.

RIO by Sabrina Sol
When workaholic CFO Chase Simon is forced into taking a tropical island vacation, he sure as hell doesn’t expect to enjoy it. But when he finds out that he’ll be spending the next seven days with Rio, a sexy celebrity dancer from his past, his doubts begin to fade. Will life in the real world ever be the same for Chase again after discovering paradise in Rio’s arms?