The Start of Something New

[image error] A Light at Winter's End, the follow-up to Summer of Two Wishes, will be out in February, and that concludes my current contract.  That means I am thinking of what to write next.

Some of the whine sisters know I have been toying with ideas. Part of me wants to strike out in a new direction and write in ways I've never written–multiple view points, multiple conflicts.  Perhaps more grounded in reality than I have previously written.  Another part of me wants to stick with the tried and true–I am building a reputation in this new blend of contemporary romance and women's fiction, and there is a prudent voice in my head that says to give that a chance to grow.

Frankly, I'm stymied. I was complaining to my agent, the incomparable Jenny Bent, about how I wanted to try something diffrent, but I don't know, I don't know…and she gave me great advice. She said, "Write ten pages and see what you've got."  Brilliant!  Why didn't I think of that?  She pointed out that for once in my life, I have the time, I have no deadline, and I don't even have to have an outline.  I can write what I want and see where it takes me.

I remember doing this once before.  I wasn't published, I had never written a book, and I decided to write a few pages and see what I had.  At the time, those pages were my first and last attempt at a book.  I had to write like I knew what I was doing or never write again.  Voila, it turned out I had some talent and a good story idea, and shortly thereafter, I was published and embarking on a career.

So I have decided to take my agent's advice and just write for the sake of writing.  But I have to write like I am writing my last book.  I have to pretend this is my legacy, that this is what I want to be remembered for, because if I don't approach it like that, I won't know if I have the skill and talent to step outside my assigned box. If it turns out I do, I'll decide then what to do with it.  I'll decided it that's what I want to do, or if I want to go back to doing the kind of book I have a blossoming reputation for doing. It's kind of scary but it's also so freeing!  The canvas is bare! The possibilities are endless! Wish me luck in writing my last book!

How do you embark on a new project?  How do you get your engine revved and imbue yourself with the confidence you need to pull off something new?  If you could write something entirely different than what you are writing now, what would it be? What would you like to read more of? What do you want to talk about today?