Wow! How do I follow up a post like Alice's? Totally poetic! So I figure I'll go to bed and inspiration for a fantastic blog topic will come to me in the morning.
Ah, blog day arrives with not one clever, witty, writerly idea in my head to blog about that hasn't been done to death. So I put in a load of laundry, contemplate feeding my dogs, make a list of things to do today. Waiting for inspiration to strike.
Hmm. No strike yet.
So I take to the Internet, type "blog topics" into Google and come up with -- not inspiration exactly, but things I could steal, I mean adapt (!) to a blog. OK, I found one listing twenty types of blogs. Good suggestions, but no inspiration.
Twenty minutes later, I've started breakfast for the dogs, grabbed a cup of water -- too bad I don't drink coffee or I could write about coffee stains on my manuscript -- and sit at the keyboard.
OK, forget inspiration, I'll let all of you write the blog today!
Why do you write what you do?
Contemporary or historical? I'd have to do a lot of research to write a historical novel, yet some writers say those are easier to write than contemporary. How about you? Did you choose the time period of your stories or did it choose you?
Suspense, inspirational, comedy, young adult or another subgenre? Do you see parallels to beliefs or issues in your own life? My stories usually end up being dramatic, with emotional issues at their core such as child abuse or betrayal and abandonment. Not surprising considering my background. Yet there are funny scenes and characters who persevere in spite of great odds.
Another question: if you initially choose to write stories from your heart, what happens when there's no market or a limited market for that type of story? I know several of you have been faced with this situation. How do you make the decision to write another type of story or stick with what you're writing until the market changes? Is it financial survival? A desire to see your stories in print or to share them with others?
So thanks to all of you for writing this blog with your (anticipated) comments!
(Oh yeah, the dogs did get fed before I finished the blog!)
9 comments:
Why do you write what you do?
Because I have always been fascinated by the fact people traveled under the harsh conditions they did to get to this side of the continent. And once they arrived- the hardships and joys they must have faced carving a place to live and building a future for the next generations. There were no rules in so many places and the people were on their own to survive. I like that about the era I write about. They couldn't get out of a mess by calling AAA or a cop. They had to take care of business themselves. And that's why I write historical westerns.
Do you see parallels to beliefs or issues in your own life?
Yes. I don't see how any writer can not in some form insert a little of their beliefs or issues into their stories. If they don't they aren't digging deep within themselves to create characters.
if you initially choose to write stories from your heart, what happens when there's no market or a limited market for that type of story?
You find a market for that story of the heart. It may not be the big publisher I had anticipated, but it will get out there and it will be read. That's my main motivator- to have people read and enjoy what I write. I don't plan to be the next Nora Roberts, Clive Cussler, or any of the big money makers. I just want people to enjoy my stories and when they see my name smile, and think of one of my characters or stories.
How do you make the decision to write another type of story or stick with what you're writing until the market changes?
LOL I bounce around! Actually, I've pretty much stayed with the western historical although I added a paranormal factor to the trilogy and I only went into the one contemporary story. We'll see how it does to determine if I do more. It was actually easier and faster to write than my westerns, but I didn't feel as fulfilled when it was done. ~shrug~
Thanks for an interactive blog to keep me from writing! ;)
Shame, shame Genene! Making us write your blog! None of us have ever done that before--oh, er, well a couple of us have. Okay, okay, everyone of us probably has.
HI to the well fed dogs.
I've had people ask me if I write historicals because of the way I talk. What's that mean? I like to think it means I have a good vocabulary, but that may be delusional. I like my delusions, back off, leave me in la la land.
I write what I do with no conscious thought. It's just what I write and how I sound. I don't worry too much about available market, probably because I'm lucky (or boring, take your pick) enough to write commercial books, with, again, no real twisting and turning on my part, it's just what I write. This all gets complicated if you think about it because every book is a mixture of voice and content, right? I don't know how a pewrson could write books they didn't enjoy writing...that sounds like hell to me.
But with me, there's no glorious mystery.
So far your plan for me to help you write your blog isn't turning out so good, is it? Maybe the next sucker--er, gal--along will be of more help!
Thanks for the chuckle, this a.m. I enjoyed being in your kitchen and watching your mental process.
Alice
Woof, woof.
Well, while I was goofing off, Paty came in and wrote an intelligent and thoughtful response, so Genene, you wily blogger you, your evil plot worked!
Hee, hee
Alice
Geez, Alice, I'm blushing!
Genene, can I still this format when it's my turn??
Genene, you sly bugger. Paty did a great job answering your questions. I won't be quite as astute.
I write what I like to read. Most of the stories I write definitely parallel my beliefs, but not the issues in my life. Those are too close to write about. Because I write adventure and suspense, there's nothing in my regular life interesting enough to include anyway.8^)
All my stories are from my heart, and as for the market, it wasn't right at first for what I wrote, but the market has finally come around recently. I hope it stays this way for a few more years. My tastes are the same as they've always been, so now I'm just finding more and more wonderful books to read in my favorite genre. As for there not being a market for something, I think that's always a temporary thing. The market always comes around eventually. But what's exciting is imagining what the big new thing is going to be.
I think I'll always write adventure and suspense because it's what I enjoy the most, especially when I can include paranormal elements (sans werewolves and vampires, which just aren't my style). I can't write anything that doesn't have at least something spooky going on, and that includes deluded, psychotic cult leaders.
Sheesh! In the previous e-mail I meant "steal" not "still" See Alice got me so flustered I couldn't type.
I'm kind of the same Karen. I came in to this thing when Westerns were slowly getting colder and I'm hoping with time, they will get hot again and by then I'll have made enough of a name for my self, bigger fishes will be interested.
It's just kind of creepy you like creepy! LOL
I'm posting late at night. I've been using every spare moment to finish up my book. Ten pages and a timeline to go, then a once-over read for errors, then query, query, query.
I write what I do (suspense/thrillers) because I read what I do, enjoy books sililar to what I write and because I was a crime reporter, and on some level, miss writing about the cop/bad guy world.
Very thoughtful answer, Paty! And, yes, anyone can "steal" or "still" (I understood what you meant!) this format, as I'm sure I'm not the first person to do this.
Interesting reasons for writing what you do. It's really cool that you all like what you write.
Thanks to everyone for writing my blog! (I consider even a few words helping!)
Way to go Danita!!! You've been on fire recently!
And great posts, Genene and Alice--I've had house guests and not been near the computer.
As to why I write what I do, I just finished reading a Christie Ridgeway book this morning, and I can't imagine a world where I could read a book like that and NOT go, "This is what I want to write." See I can READ other genres and I don't have that same viseral reaction that I get from Contemporary comedies or YA.
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