Publishing trends may come and go, but honesty always prevails. Here’s why. (In my opinion.)
Every writer published, or unpublished fears the dreaded T word. TREND. Just mentioning t-who-should-not-be-named makes my stomach twist in a knot. Advice is dispensed by everyone and their mother on the subject, but what happens when the story that’s itching to be told happens to be in a hot genre du-jour?
Write it anyway. (Waits for tomatoes to be thrown at screen.)
Write it, and make it the best freaking [insert genre here] novel it can be. Will it be harder to get an agent, or a publishing contract? Probably. But isn’t that already super difficult? Put your original spin on it and don’t hold back. Maybe it won’t sell now, but fear not–publishing is a cyclical industry. Your time will eventually come. In the meantime, keep writing! (And revising;))
Personally, I write YA light science fiction, speculative fiction, and dark fantasy. I’m not writing to a trend. Actually — if I’m being honest — I’ve been trying to write a contemporary young adult novel, but it never works out. Something always goes all fantastical in my brain. I. Can’t. Help. It.
Believe me, if I could write about lofty romances set in Europe, I so would. I think those stories are amaze balls, and I adore reading them. Deep down I’m a closet romantic. I’m also totally jealous of writers who can capture true-to-life contemporary novels. Holy crap, I WISH I could do that.
But I’ve never been that girl, fictional or not.
Don’t get me wrong, I seriously respect people who can write epic love stories historical, contemporary, or what-have-you. My early attempts at writing things like that were often met with furrowed brows. And comments like, “This is your happy story? But you’re talking about things that are…writhing around on top of burning embers…”
Sigh.
The hardest part about being an author, is finding your authentic voice and honoring it. No matter what.
That being said, I have to believe that what I’m writing passionately about will find its way into others hearts, as well (eventually). Trend, or not.
If I am a science fiction/fantasy writer by nature, wouldn’t I be doing everyone a disservice by trying to genre jump — just because the next [not-yet-hot-genre] might be an easier sale?
I’m not sure what the right answer is. But I am sure of one thing: the best things I’ve ever written have come from that unabashedly honest writing place within me. Blood, guts, and all. It’s where my voice truly comes alive.
With my latest project, agents are noticing that honesty. I credit not holding back (for fear of how it may, or may not be received) for my current request rate. (Just thinking about it is sending my heart into crazy palpitations. Inhale. Exhale.)
I think the best writing and publishing advice is this: be one-hundred percent honest with your writing. Write from your heart, people will notice. I think no matter the trend, if you stay true to yourself, eventually your time will come.
Never be afraid to keep improving your craft, though. Know that you’re an amazing writer, but there’s ALWAYS room to grow. (Myself, very much included!! :)) When all else fails, start your next project. Every new book is a stepping stone. Trust me all those stones will lead to good things. Each new project will teach you precious writing techniques. Also, don’t forget to READ!! Devour everything you can, you’ll be amazed by how much you’ll gain from reading in your genre (and beyond).
No matter what subject you choose to write about, be brave. Be bold. And revise the hell out of your manuscripts. Have a fantastic day loves. XO
What are your thoughts on writing trends? Are you finding that (even writing in your authentic genre) it’s harder to break into the publishing industry, now more than ever?
Or… has the only thing that’s really changed is our ability to openly commiserate communicate (via social networking) about the whole publishing process?
Funny you should blog about this. I’ve taken a step back from Twitter for the very reason of all the advice and such about the publishing industry. I’m nowhere near publishing a novel so why worry about that now? I have found worrying about that dreaded T word has hindered my writing and that’s really NOT what I need.
I, too, write science fiction, fantasy, etc but that’s me. I’d be lying to everyone and myself otherwise. 🙂
The other great advice I’ve picked up (in life outside of writing) is simply to listen with an open mind to everything, and pick what resonates for you. Hope you’re having a great day! <3
Exactly. I think that’s where people confuse the “write for your readers” advice. You have to write for you, but keep in mind your audience.
I’m off to read your friend’s post! 🙂
YAY! Her story is seriously such a pick-me-up. And, I agree 100% with your last comment. First and foremost, you need to write the story only you can write and pour your soul into it. With that, readers will respond because of that authenticity factor. (Of course though, once I send my mss out to crit partners I revise, revise, revise, because I want it to be sparkling for readers.) I think Stephen King said it best, “write with the door closed, re-write with it open.” Or something like that 🙂