Pondering
Today I'm wondering whats the better career move-write tons and hope to hook enough readers that I'll someday be a "name"…or focus on one track to success, and rock that track like no one else.
What's brought this on? I'm surfing author websites and seeing how so many of them are writing for multiple publishers in multiple genres. I'm not just talk ing about 2 here either. I'm talking about three or four publishers and four or five genres. It seems like everyone (almost) I know is writing in a minimum of three genres. Erotic romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, cowboys, historicals and contemporaries.
Because I'm finally back to writing, and I've surprised myself by what I am writing, I'm thinking the time off I took was a great thing. I have a much better handle on what I want to write, and what suits me. The question in my mind now is, is it going to hurt me to not write every thing that pops into my head? Or are all these authors who are doing that going to soon burn out the way I did? And if they aren't going to, why did I?
Yes, intellectually I know we all do things differently, and we all have our paths to take, but part of me can't help but be a little…worried that by limiting myself to one (or perhaps two at the most) thing I might be limiting my chances at success.
What do you think? Is it better to write everything that pops into your head (and these are authors who are not only writing them, but selling them) or can focussing on one thing yield the same, or more, success career wise?
newest »
I'd say write what you want to write, but if it's a "Series" keep the theme along the same lines. I read a series, won't mention the author, it was FANTASTIC until the last book when she flipped the script and went marching the opposite direction. It killed it for me, I had to force myself to get through that last book and because I disliked it so much I don't want to re-read any of that one series. I LOVE your books, I can't think of one I've read that I didn't just want to read over and over. So, I say write what you want to write. You'll know if it is right. :)
Thanks, Jaimie. I'm thinking of a three book sort of thing, all BDSM themed (different levels) and trying to decide if I should set them in Vancouver and continue with The Dungeon club (and perhaps the owner, Mason, who has intrigued me since he showed up briefly in WICKED) ...or start with a new city, new club, new characters....
I think I'll stick with the Dungeon though, mostly because Mason really intrigues me, and I love Vancouver, and want to revisit my previous characters a bit.
What do you think? Does that excite you? *grin* I'm getting excited.
I LOVE your Vancouver settings and I LOVE the BDSM scene. I totally dig the Dungeon. I'm not unbiased. I started with your books when I went in search of BDSM/Erotica. Now I'm excited.
LOLWell, Jaimie, you just helped me decide to go through with it. Thank you!
Hey you! The best advice I ever got was to not follow trends but set them (of course, that's a lot easier said than done!). So I vote for write what you want and be the best at it! *grin*. I'm STILL not writing--mostly because I'm still at that "i'm not sure what I want to write" phase!A
Amie, I was in that I don't know what I want to write phase fro almost 2 years. I was burnt out, and needed a break, but no I actually WANT to write. ANd There's more than one thing I want to write. LOL Sometimes you just need time.
