Well, I’m up and running…sort of. I had another mostly sleepless night again, but strangely I feel a little better today. At this point, I don’t need logic. I’ll take what I can get.
I’ve been giving the career and writing more thought, since my attention span is shorter than a fly connecting to a bug zapper when I’m ill. That said, I’ve been grappling once again with what I should be writing. I’m convinced that is probably the hardest question ever for a writer to answer. I know some people are fortunate and know exactly what they want to write about. If that’s your situation, then bugger off you lucky bastard this post isn’t for you. LOL!
What got my mental ball rolling this morning was Cindi Myers industry newsletter. For those of you unfamiliar with this particular Yahoo group, Cindi Myers, a Blaze author, puts out a semi-monthly newsletter that outlines all the industry news. (Which editors are looking for specific types of books, word count requirements, publisher spotlights, etc.) This morning I received her latest installment and it highlighted Avon and Berkley. One of the Avon editors, Erika Tsang is looking for werewolf, vampire, and witch books. Yeah!!! They also accept email query letters. (no attachments) Avon has been doing this for a while, but I still think it’s cool. They want a one paragraph description about your story and maybe a paragraph about yourself. It takes three to four weeks to hear back from them. Oh, and the manuscript has to be finished. Berkley was pretty much the same thing minus the email query, but I digress.
All these openings are what has me re-evaluating my work. I think there are a lot of opportunities right now for darker paranormal stories. My plans originally included working on a different manuscript than my dark paranormal after I finish with AQ4. I’m trying to decide if I should continue on that path or rearrange things.
I also have to consider what spicy story to submit to Harlequin. My gut is telling me to stick with something that I can write without much of a struggle. (Contemporaries beyond novella length are a MAJOR struggle for me to write.) I have no idea why, but that’s always been the case. I think it’s because I like magical worlds. I want something beyond the ordinary.
I know I’m rambling and I apologize. It just helps to get these thoughts down. I am curious have any of you changed course since reading the industry updates here? If you’ve struggled with picking a genre, how did you eventually decide what to go with?
May 11th, 2005
hmm, that’s hard to say. I gave up paying attention to the industry a couple of months ago. I needed to learn more about ‘how’ I write; but all the news lately–with darker heroes, more genre blending, ect– has made me feel more confident that there are/will be several options open for what I write.
Why not just write your story then worry about where to target it, and if you can spin it into more sales? Glad you’re feeling better, but don’t start stressing again, ‘K?
by Jaq May 11th, 2005 at 2:00 pmThanks, Jaq. I’m actually not stressing or trying to target my work to the market. What I’m debating is whether to work on something (that I’ve already started) that is more in line with what everyone seems to be looking for at the moment.
by Jordan May 11th, 2005 at 2:17 pmJordan, I think every person has to find their own way. I struggled. I wrote traditionals, romantic comedies, family stories, romantic suspense, historicals, contemporaries, sexy stories, etc. Everything! I finally found that romantic suspense was where I felt most at home, and have married that with paranormals, which allow me to stretch in any way I want. It’s not a crime to write a lot of books in different subgenres and it won’t ruin your career. If you need to explore, explore!
by Suzanne May 11th, 2005 at 3:47 pmIt hasn’t made me change course as much as verify what I already thought - I’m going to spice up my paranormal shapeshifter novel. It’s also historical, so I don’t seem to need to worry about that now either, if I do it well enough, that is…;-)
by Ruth Perkins May 11th, 2005 at 4:10 pmSuzanne, Thanks! It’s always nice to hear others have gone through the same misgivings and have come out on top. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said I should explore. I thought I had, considering all the genre hopping I’ve done, but apparently it’s not enough. I’m glad you’ve found a place you’re comfortable. I hope I can do the same and soon.
by Jordan May 11th, 2005 at 4:23 pmRuth, I have no doubt you can do anything you put your mind to.
by Jordan May 11th, 2005 at 4:24 pmI know historicals are down right now, but I think if time travel chick lit can make it (an idea I LURVE) then paranormal historicals can to. I”m not saying it well, but I really do think there’s a huge untapped market there. I love Susan Krinard’s werewolves (historical) so if you write me a historical paranormal, I”m there, Sug!
glad you’re feeling a bit better
no the market news really doesn’t make me rethink what I write (okay the YA news does because it’s so close to what I write) because as much as I love paranormal and suspense, I don’t think I’m meant to write them–just read them =)
by Cece May 11th, 2005 at 4:25 pmI’m afraid I don’t try to write for the market, though I try to follow what’s hot now. Somehow, all my mss ended up to be RS, but I’m trying to get away from it, at least for one WIP. I simply follow where the story and my characters take me.
by Olga May 11th, 2005 at 7:06 pmI got nothign to say but Good Luck! I’m right next to you with amy first sci-fi short story done, my first paranormal calling to me, and an erotic chic lit ytpe of sotry that won;t leave me alone. LOL
I think, for me, anyway, I just try to write each story….and worry abtou finding it a home later.
You’re a good writer Jordan, no matter what you write, you’ll find it a home.
by Sasha May 11th, 2005 at 8:52 pmCece, That’s pretty much what I’m talking about. I don’t plan to change what I’m writing. I do have some material already started that may be ripe for this market. Now to decide if it should be explored next or stick with the original plan.
by Jordan May 11th, 2005 at 9:05 pmOlga, It sounds like you’ve found your niche…or maybe it’s found you.
by Jordan May 11th, 2005 at 9:06 pmThanks, Sasha. I’d just like writing to be fun again. It doesn’t have to be fun all the time (like Stephen King implies), but it needs to be fun MOST of the time. (wg) I like the pieces that I’m thinking about working on next. They’re both near and dear to my heart, so it’s a win-win no matter what I decide. Good luck with your decisions.
by Jordan May 11th, 2005 at 9:08 pmArgh. I feel your frustration, because I’m dealing with the same thing right now. I have so many interests, and I’m afraid that when/if I get published I’ll feel pinned down…and then what if I run out of ideas or I can’t get into a certain story, or whatever. It’s scary!
Good luck–I hope you figure it out soon, because this uncertainty sucks!
by Larissa May 12th, 2005 at 6:39 amI’m just trying to write what I enjoy and not follow the market. It changes too much and it makes my head hurt.*g*
by Steph T. May 12th, 2005 at 7:28 amYou’re so good at paranormals, Jordan. I have loved what I’ve read of yours. I think I’ve only read one of your contemps, and enjoyed it, too.
I haven’t changed course since reading any industry updates. I’ve changed course when my gut told me that was what to do. I also changed course to erotic romance thanks to you introducing me to EC.
But as far as the industry, no. Unless you count that I tried my hand at BDSM at EC because it’s the best selling genre. Found I could have a lot of fun with it. I tried just about all the genres there except for contemp and time-travel (well, you could count my cowboys as contemp 
It was interesting doing that, and I found what I love and what is an absolute chore for me to write, so it was a good experience. But that was me experimenting and stretching my wings.
I’m also mostly clueless about the industry. I hear things, but I go my way. Just what works for me!
by Cheyenne McCray May 12th, 2005 at 7:49 amLarissa, The uncertainty does suck. As for being pinned down, been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.
by Jordan May 12th, 2005 at 12:25 pmSteph, We don’t want your head hurting. (((rub))) I follow the market because I like to know what they’re looking for. I don’t do it so I can change what I’m working on. I track it in the outside chance I have something that will fit.
by Jordan May 12th, 2005 at 12:30 pmThanks, Chey! I have tried a few different things at EC. I’ve managed to write a time-travel and a Regency historical vampire. (Both of which I enjoyed immensely.) The AQ series is a bit of a fantasy and a bit of sci-fi mixed with a contemporary setting. I’d like to try another vampire at some point, but you know me and my wolves. (wg) The only things I haven’t tried are straight historicals and RS. I’ve started a BDSM story that may go to EC when I’m done. I’m not sure yet, since the focus really isn’t the BDSM. Oh, decisions, decisions, decisions.
by Jordan May 12th, 2005 at 12:38 pmPhew, what a whirl of comment on this one! Thanks, Jordan, for the supportive complement…I’m so glad to know you, you’re a wonderful person.
by Ruth Perkins May 15th, 2005 at 1:52 pm(((Hugs))) Thanks, Ruthie.
by Jordan May 15th, 2005 at 9:37 pm