Mary asked me that question at our latest CWC meeting.
Jenny mentioned that she had visited the library and checked out three cozies. She took to heart my comment that there are certain genre conventions, just as there are in fantasy or romance or sci/fi, and it would be helpful to be critiqued by people who are familiar with those conventions. Her initial response was "Good writing is good writing." Well, yeah. But there are still certain things one expects when picking up a particular genre.
Anyway, Jenny was talking about some of the things that bugged her in the first book she picked up. I countered with my own pet peeves from a couple well-known cozy authors.
After listening to us banter back and forth for a few minutes, Mary asked her question.
My answer was immediate. I grew up on these kinds of books. When they're done well, they are a great escapist read. These are the books you take on vacation with you--to read on the plane, or the beach, or before turning out the light at the hotel. They're fast and light. And the best ones can still stay with you long after "The End."
Agatha Christie did them so well. And so do many of the modern cozy writers. I hope to profile some of them in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Jenny is blogging about her experience as a cozy newbie--and doing a great job of deconstructing what makes a cozy cozy. Check it out.
So, why do you want to write what you write?
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