Comments | fabulousfrock: The stories we love, the stories we sell

fabulousfrock

The stories we love, the stories we sell

Aug 17, 2009 12:13

I'm having an antsy sort of week. I would say that a problem with being a soon-to-be published writer is that it turns me into an attention whore, but I was really already like that. It's just that the itch didn't get scratched very often, so it was even worse ( Read more... )

writing

Comments 12

megancrewe August 17 2009, 16:56:25 UTC

Interesting post--I struggle with this too. I've seen a few authors in the last few months talking about how they just knew that this particular novel they were writing was exactly what they needed to be writing, exactly what they loved to write most, so they weren't surprised when it went on to be successful. But I've also seen that it's possible to be totally in love with a novel idea and characters and the way you're writing it... and still have it not really work for anyone other than yourself.

Which has led me to conclude that it's impossible to tell which kind of love it is (the kind others will join in, or a more specific-to-you kind) until you put the book out there. Which is how most things work when it comes to writing, isn't it? The practical side of me longs for clearer guidelines. ;)

fabulousfrock August 17 2009, 20:19:14 UTC

That is very true. I guess I tend to assume a book I love won't do very well to protect myself. But if it was successful, then my perspective might flip and I might think I wrote it because it was just the thing to write. But until this success has come, it's hard to dream too big because it hurts a lot when a book you love isn't loved by others. On the other hand, magic under glass with a book I didn't love quite as much as some others, but I dreamed big for it and put a lot of work into it and it panned out. So maybe if I did dream big for the books I love, it would happen for them too. Hmm...

seaheidi August 17 2009, 18:31:44 UTC

Cool post. I'm so glad you love your mermaid characters--I can't wait to read it. I think loving your characters is a blessing and a curse for the reasons you mentioned--we can talk more at the next GG retreat. ;)

fabulousfrock August 17 2009, 20:19:43 UTC

The next retreat? That's forever from now! Ha ha. Man, I can't wait.

fabulousfrock August 17 2009, 20:20:08 UTC

Except we do need a better name for ourselves. Sheesh, I don't want to be Gothic girls forever. ;)

patesden August 17 2009, 18:32:32 UTC

Non-commercially viable manuscipts seems to be my problem--at least that what my agent rejection are indicating: great premise, solid writing, don't know the right market. It's enough to make a girl sick and it makes it hard not to worry about my WIP.

It's good to hear this is a common worry. I too long for clearer guidelines, but I guess this is a life long fear not one that ends when you sign with an agent:)

fabulousfrock August 17 2009, 20:23:50 UTC

Yes, it's absolutely a lifelong fear I think! I do think some of your problem, too, might just be hitting the right agent with the right book at the right time. It certainly took me a long time to find an agent. I queried a few different books and some of them were quirkier than others. Magic under glass was definitely the most salable.

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fabulousfrock August 17 2009, 20:21:59 UTC

Yes, it is a conundrum, isn't it? I do think the best books often come from a place of a lot of passion on the author's part. But there is greater risk to the soul in doing that. So I wonder how many great books don't get written because of the fear of rejection? I don't think all books that people write passionately are good, but I think many great books are written passionately, so... it's scary to consider whether or not you're managing it.

authortarakelly August 17 2009, 20:59:26 UTC

Interesting post! Truth? I don't know that I'm capable of writing commercial books--at least it hasn't happened yet. But my quiet little HF still sold, so those of you who don't write what's 'hot', it's possible!

That being said, I don't have the pressure to fit into a certain mold that others do, if they are going the more commercial/hot market route. I can pretty much write what I want. On the other hand, I have to deal with not getting much attention and not knowing if my next book will sell. So there's always that notion/pressure to make my life easier by writing something 'bigger'. But I can't really force it out either.

fabulousfrock August 18 2009, 04:10:34 UTC

That's true, I know we've talked before about how there is no "perfect" position to be in. Well, maybe if you are comfortably established in a certain type of book and you're content there, especially not for authors early in their career. And I suppose it's human nature to always want to write something that will be more successful than the last thing. But we also can't always predict it... sigh.