Clockwork Heart Reviewed at FantasyLiterature.Net
However, he wasn’t certain how to classify CH — that’s been a problem for us all along, I’m afraid! When I started writing it, my intention was to write a romance. However, it didn’t take long for my usual habits to assert themselves, and I found myself getting caught up in worldbuilding and fretting if any chapter went too long without some kind of action or conflict.
As a result, the question of “what other novels is this novel like?” has been a difficult one for me and my editor to answer. Alas, copywriters and bookstores get uncomfortable if they can’t easily compare your novel to something else. Look at that “If you love THIS, then you’ll love THESE” display at your local Borders. That’s the kind of comparison marketers like!
I guess the takeaway for new writers is that it’s going to be much easier to market novels that fit into clear genre categories. But, hey, look on the bright side. Now if you write an urban fantasy steampunk romance, you can compare it to Clockwork Heart…!
drupagliassotti @ March 26, 2008
The best part of Clockwork Heart was how well you built the world. That took some serious thought, Kudos!!