After
writing and self-publishing three novels in my planned Pepper Bibeau mystery
series, I allowed “second thoughts” to erode my confidence in writing a fourth.
My marketing for the third novel never really got off the ground. I lost faith
in my writing, in the worth of the stories, and in myself as a writer. It was
easier to promote authors more imaginative than me and novels containing more
important characters than mine.
A lot of soul-searching followed the
publication of my third novel.
*
Why had I chosen to set my stories in the near past (beginning with the late
60s and early 70s) after reading that such novels didn’t sell? Maybe it would
be better to write stories occurring in the present.
*
Why was my protagonist a female with a backstory of service as a nurse in the
Vietnam War? I had never been in the military, and current bestselling novels
focused on action in Afghanistan or other parts of the Middle East.
*
Why did I think the life of an insurance investigator would play well in the
Mystery genre? Such a career could never carry a series.
Once
I formed concrete questions to get a handle on my concerns, I considered answers
to possible solutions. In November 2013, I used NaNoWriMo to test the theory of
boosting my confidence by setting stories in present time. I wrote 50K words of
a novel set in 2012. My main character’s backstory and career differed from my
original protagonist. The surge of excitement I felt while writing the story
compared to eating a new flavor of ice cream or wearing a new red silk dress. The
macadamia nut chocolate swirl ice cream delighted my taste buds. The color and
feel of the new dress affected most of my other senses.
What
the ice cream and dress didn’t do, and what the new protagonist didn’t do, was
to satisfy my core wants and needs. My first love is vanilla ice cream: French
vanilla, Country vanilla, Simply vanilla. Ready-to-wear clothes in tranquil colors
suit me best. I relish the research required in developing a character whose
story spans the years missed while I was “too busy living.”
This insight resolved my concerns about why
to write something “they” say won’t sell.
For
me, appreciation of a good mystery set in a familiar location generates motivation.
My goal is to write mysteries that evolve in personally meaningful settings,
for the enjoyment and entertainment of readers with similar interests. Book
Four is now underway and I am more eager than ever to write the next Pepper
Bibeau mystery.
I don't know if I'll be any help with this one. I think it's important to write what you love, no matter the market for that type of book. But, I also like trying to writer other types It helps improve my writing. And, I might discover I like writing that stuff, too. Go with you guy.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'll be any help with this one. I think it's important to write what you love, no matter the market for that type of book. But, I also like trying to writer other types It helps improve my writing. And, I might discover I like writing that stuff, too. Go with you guy.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. An author doesn't have to write about what they know, but they should write about what interests them. Mystery is my genre but there are so many ways to go with any genre now.
ReplyDeleteGail,
ReplyDeleteYour protagonist and time frame sound great for a mystery series. I think people would like to read about that time period. Nanowrimo is a fun way to jumpstart a project, but it is like taking a fast paced adventure vacation from your usual writing routine - exciting but unsustainable over time. I am a fan of vanilla ice cream and comfy clothes too.
Elizabeth Hein - Scribbling in the Storage Room
Write about what interests you, not what sells. Your heart won't be in it otherwise. Besides, what you're writing will find a niche and might even become the 'in' thing. You just don't know.
ReplyDeleteI never go by what sells; if I do I'd probably never write anything. I write what I love. and it sounds like you do, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the supporting comments, Elizabeth, Alex, and Melanie. I am learning, slowly, not to take to heart critiques that don't advance my goals.
ReplyDeleteYep, sometimes it does take some exploring and deliberate thought behind the whys. So glad to hear you got your enthusiasm back.
ReplyDeleteGail, I agree with your other commentators - write what you love. Your characters and setting piqued my interest precisely because it’s not what ‘sells’ or what’s already out there and they sounded… interesting.
ReplyDeleteChanging things up is good and healthy, but I'm glad it helped you focus on writing what you do enjoy. It sounds like you have something unique to offer - who are these mysterious powers that be that decide what elements should go in a book? You have to write what's true to you. Good to hear you're inspired again!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouraging words Lynda, HJ, and Nick. Receiving support for my outlook means I'm moving in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteHi Gail - I admire you writing in the first place .. but working out what is right for the story must be quite difficult .. as Nick says you seem to be on the right track .. and writing what you know makes sense .. also having that extra passion is the icing on the top .. Good Luck -cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete