If you write it, I'll read it

I've had several prompts from friends and readers to write a novel on mixed martial arts. Seems logical, since I love training in mixed martial arts and have fun learning about UFC and other MMA organizations.

However, it's not so straightforward as writing a book with an MMA hero, or heroine. I don't write contemporary romance. Not that I won't, but a plot hasn't ever taken root for me in that subgenre.  I write science fiction and paranormal romance, steampunk and urban fantasy. Those are the stories that take form in my head and those are the ones that stay with me through the months it takes to write them. The characters wouldn't just be MMA fighters. They'd be something else, a step outside the normal parameters.

That doesn't mean those MMA elements aren't there.

In Heart's Sentinel, Mackenzie goes to River Gap pride and to an MMA school to enroll. Her purpose was to learn self-defense, win back some of the personal confidence she'd lost after having been brutally attacked, and also gain control of the new physical abilities she has as a result of being Changed into a shapeshifter. It's an MMA school and there's some touches of actual lessons. The MMA definitely comes out in the later fight scenes.

So did I write an MMA novel? No. Is there MMA in the book? Most definitely.

In Hunting Kat, Kaitlyn is a merc. She's a fighter. Trust me, when she has a fight scene, there's all sorts of mixed martial arts techniques incorporated. In the sequel, Fighting Kat, Kaitlyn will be doing a lot more fighting. In fact, she will step into a cage for at least one scene. MMA will provide a strong influence on those scenes.

But some friends and acquaintances still say, "Write an MMA novel and I'll read that."

Here's my thought. My stories are what they are because I love what I write. If they're not you're genre, that's okay with me. If you decide to give my stories a try and enjoy the elements I've incorporated, I'd be incredibly happy you liked my story! If you decide not to read my stories because they aren't specifically on the topic of interest to you, that's okay too.

I'm still going to write my stories because someone out there loves a sci-fi romance with mixed martial arts elements or mmorpg influence. And I'm sure there's a writer out there who writes contemporary about MMA fighters. In fact, I 've got a couple of those on my Kindle app.