Chasing Trends – guest post by Michelle Cary
I’ve been writing for a long time. Ten years to be exact. And in those ten years I’ve seen a lot change within the book industry. The big six publishers shunning e-books and their authors, then eventually, with no other choice, begrudgingly embrace the e-book boom. I’ve seen the RWA snub their noses at e-book authors and indies alike, only to finally giving validation to those same authors. I’ve witnessed the fall of Borders books and the current demise of Barnes and Noble.
Through all the changes there is one element that’s stayed constant. Trends! When Harry Potter first shattered the market, readers saw a flood of new books follow as authors tried to chase what they perceived to be the next trend. Some books were good, some weren’t, but as readers voraciously consumed Harry Potter, they were willing to try other authors and titles in an attempt to feed the Harry Potter need.
Most recently the craze was billionaire stories with brooding damaged heroes and innocent, naive and sometimes clumsy heroines. You can thank Fifty Shades of Grey for this trend. Again, as these books opened new readers up to a genre they hadn’t ever experienced the demand for similar stories rose and some lucky authors rode the trend and came out winners. Just look at Sarah Fawkes’ ‘All He Wants’ series.
Even in some of the author groups to which I belong, there is speculation and discussions among authors about whether one should chase the trend and what the next big thing is going to be.
Personally, I’ve never been one to follow trends. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with chasing trends. I just don’t do it and honestly, it’s probably to my detriment. Still, as much as I try to see my writing as a business, the sad reality for me is that my writing is very personal. I can’t just on command tell a story about werewolves, or bigfoot (think Virginia Wade), or vampires or anything else, unless I want to write about it. I tried once with one of my Ginny Michael’s titles, to write a vampire story. It fell flat on its face. Personally I think it’s a horrible story, because my heart wasn’t in it.
When I first started writing, a fairly well established author game me some advice that I still live by when it comes to my writing. Write what interests you. Write what you love. If it happens to fall into the current trend then great, but if not…don’t sweat it. So I write about what I know and what I love. As my tastes change, so do my stories, but I write for the love of the story with the hope that maybe…just maybe one day I’ll be the one to start the next big trend.
One last thing… I want to give a big thank you to Polly for having me on her blog today!
Check out my latest story entitled ‘Leap of Faith’ available September 10th at Loose-id.
Content with her life as Ultimate Extreme Wrestling Vixen. Lexi Blackwell isn’t looking for love. Considered a legacy in the business because of her legendary father, she’d well respected and liked by many. She has only one focus and that’s her career. Years ago she fell in love with a fellow UEW supers star only to suffer a lot more than just a broken heart. Unable to completely cover from the hurt, Lexi swore never to travel down that path again.
Professional wrestler Logan Lanier is a rising star in the company. He’s spent years working to reach the top and excels at everything he does. Once in the big leagues Logan quickly realizes just how lonely the existence can be. Feeling a connection with Lexi, he sets his sights and his heart on the pretty little vixen. He knows she’s been burned before and is determined to do whatever it takes to prove that not all men (or wrestlers) are created equal.
Can Logan win her trust and ultimately her love, or will the cruel hand of fate strike again?
AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 10TH @ Loose-id
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