As you may or may not have gathered from my blog, I’ve been working on two new manuscripts this month. One is a paranormal story and the other is a humorous contemporary. I personally think they’re good stories, both enjoyable to read.
Yesterday I gave the paranormal to my dh to read. (He has excellent suggestions and is a wonderful storyteller.) He informed me that my paranormal isn’t really a romance. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I think the shock came from him revealing what I had been thinking, but was too afraid to admit.
This is why ‘boxes’ came to mind. We all tend to place ourselves in certain boxes. One of the boxes I put myself in is the ‘romance writer’ box. That’s what I like to read and that’s what I like to write. But this latest story has me wondering if I’ve been limiting myself. Is the reason I’m fighting this non-romance book because of my preconceived notions about myself? My abilities? Sadly, I think the answer is yes. My knee jerk reaction is to say it HAS to be a romance. If it’s not a romance, then where does that leave me as a romance writer?
Perhaps it’s time to not only think outside the box, but to step outside of it too. It’s a scary world out there. Gulp. But here it goes.
November 26th, 2004
Go for it!! The box isn;t goign anywhere soyou can always revisit it! Look at Nora Roberts~J.D. Robb. And Mary Janice Davidson with Her Undead, and her bravas… It’s great that you have the ability to be multi genre!!
by Sasha White November 26th, 2004 at 3:11 pmHere’s hoping my agent agrees. LOL!
by Jordan November 26th, 2004 at 4:14 pmMake your own box. Or hexagon…or whatever.
by Jaq November 27th, 2004 at 8:11 pmBelieve me, Sugar I UNDERSTAND…It’s not so bad out here, I swear =)
by cece November 29th, 2004 at 11:38 am