No - I don't wish I were bright, red jello today. (Even though my new-years resolution is to lose some of the jiggly things... TMI?) BUT - I wanted to throw something out there..
When I started writing The Soul Keeper, I wrote it for me. When I finished it, I realized that I wanted to share it. That being said - if you know from the beginning, or figure out along the way, that you want to be a published author - maybe its okay to fit into a mold - to some degree.
Meaning - I love creating new characters, throwing in my sarcasm and humor. Characters are my favorite part of writing. Am I limited by NEEDING to write just YA paranormal? Well, no - some of you might be limited to what your interest are. Me? Not so much - I will read or write just about anything..
That being said, I started researching what's hot right now - what's the public looking to consume, because I need to get my foot in the door - THAT's all... just get my foot in - and then I can work with an agent on some projects that are more in line with my interests. BUT - in creating what someone else (the public) is looking for - it is still my story... my characters... my love for life bleeding through the pages...
So what's hot, you ask? Besides me? (Seriously JK)
1. Middle Grade (especially for boys)
2. Steam punk* is crazy hot right now. (A sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction. Specifically, steam punk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy.)
3. Horror (Mr. King must be getting ready to lay down the pen... they're looking for the next great horror writer...)
4. Dystopia Novels * (Its Greek for bad or ill place... an often futuristic society that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being Utopian. Dystopian literature has underlying cautionary tones, warning society that if we continue to live how we do, this will be the consequence.
So - you want to get published? Sure its important to stay true to who you are and write what ignites a fire in your soul - but like any business - supply and demand will always dictate what sells and what doesn't. So the real question is:
"Did you write your book for you? Or for me??"
** These definitions are from Wikipedia!
This subject comes up often among writers. For me the answers is to write to entertain others, but not necessarily fit into a popular mold. The reason I say this is because whenever there is a trend it eventually gets flooded. Then I see publishers asking "please no more zombies".
ReplyDeleteAnd always the person who is the trend setter is the most noticeable and successful. While the others are jumping aboard. However, they can be successful too.
So for me personally, I write to entertain and don't worry about the rest.
Great comment Cindy - I love that... The trend setter... Fantastical - like hitting the lotto.... Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteIt often takes over a year for a novel to be released so what is HOT today may not be the trend when you're book comes out.
ReplyDeleteSo write what you love, tell the stories that you want to tell--the ones that live inside your soul. Good writing never goes out of style!