Write About What You Know And Not What's Trendy

Since starting this journey, I joined a handful of author groups, discussion groups, writing groups, blogger groups etc. Last week, one of the members mentioned considering writing based on what's popular in hopes that his/her book finds an audience right away. This person knew nothing about the perceived popular genre and didn't even enjoy it. The desire stemmed simply from achieving immediate readership and popularity -- potentially. The exchange has been bothering me all week so I decided to address it here, among fellow authors and devoted readers.

Every author has his / her own process for getting from concept to words to actual chapters, etc. And what may work wonders for some, will prove horrible for others.

No matter your process, successful authors are bonded by a common thread, they write about what they know & what they're passionate about.

It's so much harder to write based on a trendy genre or a storyline that needs so much research that it loses its authenticity.

I write about topics that resonate with me; cities that have long disappeared into history ie time travel, romance because I'm a sap for a love story that beats all the odds (my husband and I), deep strong friendships between women (I've been blessed a million times over by the incredible female friends in my life) and strong leading female characters.

The real magic comes through when the author's vision of a story comes alive on paper and that happens with deep knowledge about the said subject.

For aspiring authors, write about what you love and the rest will come.