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I'm a historical romance writer. That was my belief for years. It was all I wanted to be. I researched, joined historical writing groups and knew what I was doing. While I was working on a historical book, another idea popped in my head. I started working on a contemporary paranormal, completely on the other end of the spectrum from my historical. It took off and I finished it before I finished my historical. In fact, I abandoned my historical (it had a fatal flaw) and focused on my paranormal. But I still considered it my side project. When I started submitting it, I got a lot of positive response on it. So maybe my first sale wouldn't be a historical, but still, I would get there with a historical romance.
Well, my paranormal never went anywhere after many requests and such. So I went back to historicals. I had a couple that I really liked, one in particular really caught my spark and I was diligently writing away. And then a fantasy story popped in my head. And it was in first person. So I went ahead and worked on it, alternating with the historical for time, maybe I was a historical romance writer who also wrote fantasy romance.
I'll cut to the chase, I finished it, submitted and landed an agent. Not only is this book not a historical, it really isn't a romance. Sure, the romantic element is strong, but it isn't the primary story line.
So not only am I not a historical romance writer, I'm not even a romance writer. It is a little freaky in my view. I've lived with one label for so long, it is hard to adjust.
Do you see yourself as a "such-and-such" writer? Can you wear more than one hat and be good in all of them?
Well, my paranormal never went anywhere after many requests and such. So I went back to historicals. I had a couple that I really liked, one in particular really caught my spark and I was diligently writing away. And then a fantasy story popped in my head. And it was in first person. So I went ahead and worked on it, alternating with the historical for time, maybe I was a historical romance writer who also wrote fantasy romance.
I'll cut to the chase, I finished it, submitted and landed an agent. Not only is this book not a historical, it really isn't a romance. Sure, the romantic element is strong, but it isn't the primary story line.
So not only am I not a historical romance writer, I'm not even a romance writer. It is a little freaky in my view. I've lived with one label for so long, it is hard to adjust.
Do you see yourself as a "such-and-such" writer? Can you wear more than one hat and be good in all of them?
posted by Rene | 9:47 AM
4 Comments:
I try not to put a specific label on my writing. I'm a little afraid that trying to be a certain type of writer will make me try to hard to write in a certain way, rather than letting the story unfold on its own.
Congrats on your success and in being able to work on projects simultaneously! I have learned that no matter how many ideas I have, I cannot successfully work on more than one story at a time!
I guess I just consider myself a genre fiction writer. It's easier that way. :-)
Labels are for marketing people. Not for us. Smile.
As a journalist, I ofen feel like I change my stripes every time I pick up a pen. I adapt my style depending on the assignment and the project.
But then I look back to my favorite work: my columns that focus on my family. And I realize where my true calling lies.
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