Answer one: I have a story idea that doesn't fit the romances I've been writing.
Susanna's take: You have just one story idea? Does it really intrigue you? Enough to take time away from what you've been working on until now? Do you have a lot of ideas in this subgenre that are clamoring for your attention? Will the additional subgenre help achieve the career you want, or will it sidetrack you? For example, if you want to be known as an inspirational romance author, will this new subgenre help you achieve that goal?

Answer two: My goal is to be multi-published. My strategy is targeting more than one publisher and one subgenre of romance.
Susanna's take: There are authors who successfully write more than one subgenre for different houses, such as Katie MacAlister (www.katiemacalister.com), but oftentimes the tone or style remains the same. Katie tells me that while her books range from historical, vampire, chick-lit and contemporary, each story is a romantic comedy. You'll also notice that writers like Katie can produce many books in one year. This is important because frequency is necessary in establishing a career. And just because you write for both subgenera doesn't mean you'll use the same names. For example, MacAlister writes as Katie Maxwell for Smooch, Dorchester's young adult line. Can you write enough books in a year to sustain a career and create a following for each pen name? If so, go for it!

Answer three: I like the stories I'm writing, but the feedback I'm receiving suggests I'm writing for the wrong subgenre.
Susanna's take: A lot of new authors try to write more than one subgenre because they like them all or because they don't know what fits their writing style. If you're receiving consistent feedback from people you respect and trust, then try a different subgenre. But follow your instincts and clarify what's being said before you give up on your first subgenre.

Overall, if you want to write everything from paranormal, military romance and everything in between, ask yourself these questions: What are willing to spend time on? Why are you writing it? Most importantly, will the subgenre take you to where you want to be in 5 years, 10 years and to your ultimate career goal?

Susanna's take:

Answer two: It’s the best way to break into single-title
Susanna's take: While it is true that many authors have written category romances before they wrote single-title, there are many single-title authors who have not written category. The stories they write won’t fit the guidelines and would be unmarketable to the category romance reader. If you know that the stories you really want to write would not fit the category romances lines, your time may be better spent writing single-title manuscripts.

Answer three: It is shorter and therefore easier.
Susanna's take: I hear this answer a lot, particularly from someone new to writing. A category romance, which is generally 40,000 to 70,000 words, is less intimidating than the 100,000 to 120,000 words single title. However, just because a category romance is shorter, it is not necessarily easier to write. Can you create, develop and satisfactorily resolve your characters’ relationship in less than 70,000 words? Are you able to design a character’s emotional journey for a category romance without eliminating important steps? Do you know if you can fully explore themes that interest you without rushing the story? Yes, you can? Then move on to question #2.

Answer four: I enjoy reading category romances, and I read them more than other types of romance fiction.
Susanna's take:If you read category because you like certain story elements, you will probably find enjoyment writing one. There is no guarantee that you can write what you read, but it’s a good starting place. Move on to question #2.

Answer one: It’s the most popular/successful line.
Susanna's take:Many writers submit to the most talked-about or publicized line, regardless if their story and writing style fits. If the line has a strong international flavor, do you send your characters to the tried-and-true locales, or do you push the boundaries and drop them off in the middle of nowhere? Or do you keep sending your characters on a plane to somewhere exotic only to bring them back to your little-known hometown? Finding a line right for you is a lot like matchmaking. If you hide your true writing voice while selling your first book, it will be very exasperating experience when you have to continue hiding your style. If you go with a line whose approach matches your own, your career has a better chance of flourishing while you hone your writing voice.

Answer two: I hear this line is buying, so I’m submitting to them.
Susanna's take:All the lines are buying. Don’t think you’re going to miss your one-and-only opportunity because you have a finished manuscript with nothing in common with the line other than the word count. The only opportunity there is a speedy rejection. True, there are times when a line is looking more actively than others, but this should not be the basis of the kind of book you write.

Answer three: Line? Why should I be targeting a line?
Susanna's take:If you are writing a category romance with the intent of getting it published, you should have a line in mind as you write the book. A book written for Silhouette Desire has a different approach to a sensual romance than that of a Harlequin Presents. If you are writing a story with the belief that it’s suited for both lines, than there is a strong possibility it is not suited for either.

Answer four: I read the current books of all the lines. The books I read in this line appeal to me more than the others.
Susanna's take: If you read a line extensively and hated most of the books, don’t bother trying to write for the line, even if you have the perfect story for them. If you enjoyed a lot of books in the same line, not only should you target that line, but you should also find out if the editor is the same for your favorite books. This information can sometimes be found in the dedication page or on the author’s website. When you are ready to submit your work, send it to the editor whose reading preference matches yours.