Fans of Interracial Romance discussion
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Do Writers Really Just Write for Themselves?
I don't write for myself. I write what I want to write, writing is too damned hard to do otherwise, but I don't do it for myself. My first book came sbout strictly by happenstance, and never would have grown past that first scene had I not had people demanding that I do otherwise. I like writing, but I've never done it as a hobby. My hobbies are quilting and gardening. Those things i do exclusively for me. I don't sell my quilts. I will occasionally give one away, but even that is rare.No, I can't put a product out there for sale that I only do for myself. If that were the case I wouldn't sell my stories. I listen to my readers. Study the market (even if I do the exact opposite! -lol-). I evaluate my own book sales with spread sheets snd such. I study what doesvand does not sell and I try to replicate it without boring the hell out of myself. Writing is an art, but publishing is a business, and I never forget that.
Roslyn, I've always assumed that the sane writers think like you do. I don't see a problem with writing to sell.
Mod
"Mercedes, write your stories. As a writer, I never write for anyone but myself. At the end of the day, you are t..."
Karen, I'm the one that wrote the above statement and I stand on what I have said. I'm not an author - I'm only a writer. I don't desire to be published and if I did desire to be published, I would still write for myself and no one else. A lot of people feel they should tell a writer what they should write and not write and they are in the wrong. I don't and will never let people move me. I write the stories that I want to tell and I'm fine with people hating my work, but yet, I haven't written the story for them.
If people really pay attention, they can tell when stories have been written by readers and not the writers.
My stories will never be for everyone, just as every other writer's story will not be for me and that's okay.
I think it goes half and half. I write what I'm led to write and what I'm passionate about. Where the readers come in, my stories have the elements of science fiction and adventure fantasy. I enlist a plot, action, psychology, and make sure the story is edited and well written.With all that in place, there's no guarantees they'll even like it. But I have a deep love for world building, fantasy, and science fiction. That I can share with other people who love the genre.
For instance, Anne Rice wrote her vampire stories when no one else were, plus she was writing from the vampire's POV and included a number of homosexual overtones. Almost all of her books during that time pushed the envelope between paranormal and taboo subjects. Most of my favorite books on this planet were written from authors who wrote something they were passionate about. Anais Ninn - when women weren't supposed to be writing about sexual encounters during a time when they were expected to get married and be faithful to one man. Henry Miller, whose book was banned when it first came out. You had the science fiction of Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, Aldus Huxley, Isaac Asimov, and Octavia Butler. They wrote for themselves and slowly a readership found them.
Yet, to approach the other part of your post: switching teams, or consistency. Once you find your readership, you do want to keep them happy. I mean, Anne Rice became Christian and wrote some books on Jesus, which lost her a lot of readers. Was she free to do that? Yes, but . . . let's put it this way, she's back to writing paranormal. I've loved fantasy/sci-fi and paranormal for all of my life, and that's the readership I'm seeking. So, I agree that a writer does owe their readership some level of consistency. But I do know many writers who create another pen name to write in different genres.
Chaeya
That's true Chaeya, authors have always created additional pen names to write in different genres, but I suspect that even then, most are writing for an audience. For instance, I doubt Nora Roberts would've created J.D. Robb had she not believed she had an audience for suspense. I like paranormals. I like reading them and writing them, my current audience does not. So I'll create a pen name for those books. However, I do believe that SOME of my fans did like the paranormal books, so much like Roberts, my nom de plume will be an open secret.
Oh they definitely are, especially if they're NY published. I have friends who have numerous books NY published and despite that, their agents still have to place the book. Granted Nora has a big name, but she still can't do whatever kind of story she wants. Nora has her business locked up tight. Have you thought about marketing your paranormals by promoting just the story and the plot, instead of the race of the characters. I think you may get more readers that way, yeah?
Chaeya
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Great thread and great responses. I guess I'm from the "write it and they will come" belief. There's an audience for practically every kind of story under the sun. However, I have noticed that writers who concentrate on the audience tend to burn out faster and the quality of their work suffers. I've seen this with Sherrilyn Kenyon, who's actually hinted that she's getting a little tired of her Dark Hunter series.
Karen, I'm the one that wrote the above statement and I stand on what I have said. I'm not an author - I'm only a writer.
I guess that's the difference then Arch. I think as somebody who doesn't particularly want to be published, it's easy to say that you would only ever write the stories of your heart. I think if you relied on writing as a career, you'd end up treating it as a business rather than as a hobby.
A lot of people feel they should tell a writer what they should write and not write and they are in the wrong. I don't and will never let people move me.
Like I said, I think it' easy to say that as an unpubbed writer who doesn't care about getting published.
That's my game plan Chaeya. I can definitely understand how a writer could get tired of a long series. I could probably do a few more Rock Star books and have one planned. I like to do spin offs and cameos, which can be fun and keep things fresh. Doing a series is easier in one ways, it's like slipping into a comfy pair of slippers. OTOH, I can imagine that it gets boring after a while. That would probably be especially true when you have a contract to deliver a certain number of books and you've already gotten the money.
Mod
Like I said, I think it' easy to say that as an unpubbed writer who doesn't care about getting published."
Karen, you have started a thread about something that I have said, which you shouldn't have done that. You don't like what I have said here and I'm not going to back down from my stand. Even if I was seeking to be published, I wouldn't write what people want me to write. I'm not a follower. I'm a leader. I'm a true writer. I write and I share - I don't write and let others edit my work to fit them.
Again, I don't write for anyone but myself and whomever doesn't like that, oh well!
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Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors
(last edited Mar 11, 2012 01:47PM)
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I do believe you shouldn't write something you don't believe in and you wouldn't read yourself.
If my audience was alienated because I wrote a different kind of interracial combination, I think that's on them, not me. If a reader is loyal to a writer, then they usually will give something new a shot, unless it's a genre they really don't like. There are some authors who I consider autobuy, but if they write some kinds of books I don't read, I don't buy those books, but I continue to buy others.
As a reader, I respect writers as artists. If an writer wants to explore some concepts that I am interested in or willing to try, then great. If not, then, there are probably others who want to read them.
I am not published, but I plan on pursuing publication. I don't particularly want to pigeonhole my writing to one genre. I realize that some readers might read my books in one genre and not the other, and that's okay.
As for Arch's comments, I can see the logic in what she is saying, but I also understand that some writers are about making money, and they are willing to let economics dictate their writing decisions. Is that wrong? No. But not all writers are wired to do the same.
Karen, you have started a thread about something that I have said, which you shouldn't have done that.
I thought that your comment was an interesting one, and one worth exploring further, but it makes sense to me that you would feel the way you do, as somebody who has no interest in taking her writing further.
I wonder if there's a different mind set between pubbed writers and writers who haven't been published yet?
Mod
I don't have to take my writing further. I don't care if people read or don't read my stories. As I have said before, I write for myself. I write stories that I love reading and can't find in stores or library.
It's nothing for me to write a story, print it out and snuggle up to it.
I'm glad that I have the gift of writing. I don't have to get paid for it.
It's nothing for me to write a story, print it out and snuggle up to it.Oh. Okay then.
Mod
Ok.
I tend to think that if you're interested in reading a certain story and have enough passion to actually finish writing it and even rewriting it, then someone will read and appreciate it. I think every writer has a different relationship with writing. Some people don't need to share, some people want to use it as a means to make money. I don't think there's any such thing as a "true" writer." Many people do the things they love for profit. And many people do it because they enjoy it.
At the end of the day, I get a kick out of telling a story and I really, really love reading a good story. Because I consider myself a storyteller, I want to tell that story to other people. I don't really do it just for myself. I do it because I want to tell a story. But the story I want to tell, that's all me. And though I would like to think about market more than I do, writing is hard. I occasionally have to write about stuff I have absolutely no interest in for my day job and the only thing that gets me through that torture is knowing that I'll be able to write something I love after I'm done. That it brings in extra money is a bonus. But I find it hard to believe that anyone could write anything as long as a novel purely for a profit. Again, it's just too hard.
Hey Theodora, just Kindled your Russian Billionaire book to check out your work. It sounded interesting, and your post was sane. Two great combinations methinks, lol.
Mod
I'm a true writer.
At the end of the day, I get a kick out of telling a story and I really, really love reading a good story. Because I consider myself a storyteller, I want to tell that story to other people. I don't really do it just for myself. I do it because I want to tell a story. But the story I want to tell, that's all me. And though I would like to think about market more than I do, writing is hard. I occasionally have to write about stuff I have absolutely no interest in for my day job and the only thing that gets me through that torture is knowing that I'll be able to write something I love after I'm done. That it brings in extra money is a bonus. But I find it hard to believe that anyone could write anything as long as a novel purely for a profit. Again, it's just too hard.
Storytelling is not hard. At least not for me it isn't.
Arch wrote: Storytelling is not hard. At least not for me it isn't.With all due respect, I think that until you start the process of trying to get published, I don't think you can really know how good your story-telling abilities are. Self-critique, without input from external sources is no critique at all.
The one thing about story-telling is that the writer is not the best judge in terms of how good they are.
I fancy that I'm great at singing, but Clive Davis may not necessarily agree with that assessment.
Hey Theodora, I read Her Russian Billionaire, it was actually pretty good. Very readable.
Thanks, Karen! I appreciate the read!
Arch, to clarify -- I meant telling stories to others. I think that's hard because that's when all sorts of craft issues come in. The rough draft can be really fun, but if I want to tell that story to others and have it actually make sense, and be an enjoyable read, then some hard work is required.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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As a reader and a writer I feel the best stories are those that are filled with passion. I'm talking about the passion of the author about their story to where I feel the exuberance in their work, as if they're reaching out to me as a reader and saying "hey, isn't this cool?" Those writers become my favorites because while they may or may not be making a living at this, they're doing what they love and in turn, making me love it just as well. In the immortal words of Joseph Campbell, they're "following their bliss".I've been thinking about this conversation a lot since it began and I understand where Arch is coming from (though I still pester her on occasion about getting published, LOL). I suffered from the worst writers block after having taken a creative writing class for my college requirement. It lasted for two years and not only caused me incredible pain, but destroyed the relationship with my ex because of my anger issues. Part of the problem was having the instructor endlessly hammer at me about "writing for other people/the market", but because I was black, he wanted me to write about "black issues". I was more into Jane Austen and he wanted me to be more like James Baldwin (both authors I love, BTW). I got a B in the class, but the damage to my psyche had been done and for two years I couldn't write anything. I read a lot, hoping to stir my creative juices but nothing happened.
when the first short story I wrote got published, I took one of the copies I'd received as part of my payment back up to SF State, stomped into his office, thre the book on his desk and left. I haven't looked back since. But what I learned is write it and someone will want to read it. That's especially true these days with all the choices in publishing. And if it's good, word of mouth carries a long way. No, I don't expect to make huge gobs of cash, but I'm good with that. If one person digs Japanese metal gods and scary gothic houses, cool. I've done my job which is to tell stories with passion.
A part of that process also is feedback and editing the hell out of it too.
I didn't interpret the question that way, Vix. I mean, if I listened to others I definitely wouldn't write IR. Pretty much everyone has told me to leave the genre. If I had a dollar for eveyone who has told me to write white heroines, well, I wouldn't need to write. Others have encouraged me to jump on the MM bandwagon. No beef with any of these, but they don't speak to me. I want to write about black women, period. So yeah, in that regard I do choose to write based on what I want to write. But will I write another Muslim heroine? Hell no. A smart woman only wipes her ass with poison ivy once.Writing classes? Wouldn't take one if my life depended on it. This may sound obnoxious, but IMO there are two kinds of people; those who can write and those who cannot. And if you can't do it, all the classes in the world can't teach you. And if you can do it, you don't need a class now, do you? Beyond grammar and basic writing mechanics, I just don't see the need for writing classes. You're a better woman than I am, I've told more than one professor to fuck off. Unless you're paying me, you have no say in what I write.
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Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors
(last edited Mar 12, 2012 02:41PM)
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Mod
My instructors were all supportive of the kind of writing I was interested in, strictly genre--romance and speculative fiction. The classes were small and voluntary. It worked for me. I still remember the valuable lessons I garnered from the experience, and employ them in my writing to make my voice more successful for what I want to write, not what is considered acceptable subject matter.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Roslyn wrote: "I didn't interpret the question that way, Vix. I mean, if I listened to others I definitely wouldn't write IR. Pretty much everyone has told me to leave the genre. If I had a dollar for eveyone who..."The only reason I took the damn class in the first place had to do with it being a requirement. I'm with you as far as staying away from them as possible. I wish I could have had the kind of support Lady Danielle did. It would have saved my sanity.
I hear what you're saying and I agree. The point I was hoping to make about the "write for the market" school is that you can't really bring passion to it if your heart's just not in it. Nothing against the flaxen-haired wench, but she's so yesterday. She needs to stop hogging all the action and all the hunks, LOL. I could write one, but I'd end up making her TSTL because I just wouldn't care all that much. As far as M/M--been there, done that, may do it again someday.
Mod
The one thing about story-telling is that the writer is not the best judge in terms of how good they are.
I fancy that I'm great at singing, but Clive Davis may not necessarily agree with that assessment.
Hey Theodora, I read Her Russian Billionaire, it was actually pretty good. Very readable.
Karen, you don't know me and you can't speak for me. Telling a story may be hard for you to do, but it's not hard for me to do. I'm finished talking to you.
Mod
Theodora, a storyteller always tells a story. I'm a storyteller. Anyone can write, but writing isn't everyone's talent. Anyone can published a book, but everyone can't tell a story.
It's true that a lot of writers throw things together and call it a story, but when a person reads it, they don't see a story, because the story is missing from the book.
I love telling a story. Am I'm saying that my writing is all that? The answer will always be no. I know my story has holes in them, but yet, when people read my stories, they will see a story.
Writing is not hard for me. Storytelling is not hard for me. I do like 99.9% of my writing in my head. I have always been a head writer.
Mod
I enjoy writing for fun Vixenne. :)
I have never had writer's block. But, I have had times, where I didn't feel like writing. The scenes were in my head, but I just didn't feel like writing them. If I am not in a mood to write, I will not write. I don't like to force myself to write. Now, when I'm in the mood to write, I will spit those scenes out.
Arch, I wasn't trying to speak for you, I was trying to make a point.Have you posted any of your stories anywhere? I'd like to check them out.
I agree with Danielle, my teachers were very supportive of what I wrote, although I wasn't seeking to be professional at the time. I see writing classes as such: they can't teach you how to write, but they can help you with the mechanics and how to hone your craft. If you aren't already an artist, then art classes aren't going to help you - at least in high school or college. Maybe an adult school has beginning classes. I took art in high school and those kids kicked me in the butt and made me quit referring to myself as an artist. A teacher has no business telling you what and how to write. We had all sorts of people in my class - those who wanted to write professionally, some who just needed a credit (like me at the time), some who wanted to write better essays, and some who wanted to write about some family member and leave a written legacy behind. Just because a teacher teaches a class, doesn't mean they're good,and if they were telling you guys what you should write, then they were flat out in the wrong, and that to me, isn't the sign of a good teacher. A good teacher isn't going to tell you what to do, they're just going to help bring out the best in you. If you want to write about two frogs in a bush, that teacher should help you bring out your voice and the best in the story, not tell you that two frogs and a bush won't sell. No wonder you guys were pissed, I'd be too.
Chaeya
Mod
Have you posted any of your stories anywhere? I'd like to check them out."
Why do you want to check out my stories?
I'm a character driven writer. I don't know if I really have a choice. I write what is in my head making me sleepless and restless and hope that their is an audience for it when I publish it. Not every one of my book turns into a heavy seller and sometimes it surprise me which ones are. But I find when I overthink it or try to replicate the success of one that did well instead of just going with what's in my head I get all blocked again.
@Arch, well, I'm interested in reading your work, you sound like you have such a passion for writing that I'm curious about what sort of a storyteller you are.
Mod
Karen, you don't believe a writer is a storyteller, unless a reader feels they are a storyteller. You have already made up in your mind that there's no way Arch is a storyteller and you want to be the one that states rather or not, I'm a storyteller. I don't have to prove myself to you.
I'm sorry if I have offended you, because I wasn't trying to do so. But, I'm not going to play into your game. If you stumble upon my work, fine.
Arch, I'm not too sure why you think I don't think somebody's a storyteller unless a reader tells them so? My point was about self-critiquing as opposed to getting objective people, such as a crit partner to read and rate your work. Not quite sure why you're being so defensive? I already bought a book by somebody on this thread because I was curious about her work. Unfortunately as you're not published, I have to rely on you to point me in the direction of your writing. I never had to ask Theodora, I was able to easily find her work over at Amazon.
Mod
Not quite sure why you're being so defensive? I already bought a book by somebody on this thread because I was curious about her work. Unfortunately as you're not published, I have to rely on you to point me in the direction of your writing. I never had to ask Theodora, I was able to easily find her work over at Amazon. "
Karen, I'm not being defensive at all. You have a motive as to why you want to read my stories and it's not because you truly want to read my stories, you want to see if I'm telling the truth, when I say that I'm a storyteller. You want to determine if I'm a storyteller or not. You want to be able to leave a comment on a story of mine to let people know if you feel that I'm a storyteller or not. You want to critique my story. If I'm lying, then tell me that I'm lying.
Trust me, I'm not afraid of people reading my stories. I don't care if a person think they suck. Trust me, I'm my own worst critic.
I'm not looking for people to critic or rate my stories. Everyone has an opinion. A critic and a rating is just someone's opinion. You may find my story to be a 1 star and that's fine. That's your opinion and it will not change the fact that I'm a storyteller. My story will never be for everyone.
I write, because it's my talent and I love doing so. It's fun.
I don't need you to tell me rather or not, I'm a storyteller. I know that you look at me as being insane. My stories aren't important.
@Arch So can I conclude that you'd rather I didn't read your stories? Because that would be in direct conflict with your assertion that you don't care what other people think re your storytelling abilities.It seems to me that if you truly didn't care about what others thought of your work, you wouldn't care if they read them. You definitely wouldn't be bothed by comments that may or may mot be complimentary, thus you'd be happy enough to let others read them.
Seeing as the stories are presumably unpublished, it's not like I can post a review on Goodreads. After our discussion, it's unlikely that I would contact you to tell you what I thought of your work anyway, as you presumably wouldn't care either way.
I simply wanted to read your work, yes mostly out of curiosity, but I've always thought that was a good thing. I guess I get it though, despite your protestations otherwise, you're really not comfortable with your work being judged, in case it is found wanting. Which is fine, seeing as you have no interest in being published. I really do understand your fear. It's hard to accept critique of any kind, let alone on something you've poured your heart and soul into.
Mod
It seems to me that if you truly didn't care about what others thought of your work, you wouldn't care if they read them. You definitely wouldn't be bothed by comments that may or may mot be complimentary, thus you'd be happy enough to let others read them.
Seeing as the stories are presumably unpublished, it's not like I can post a review on Goodreads. After our discussion, it's unlikely that I would contact you to tell you what I thought of your work anyway, as you presumably wouldn't care either way.
I simply wanted to read your work, yes mostly out of curiosity, but I've always thought that was a good thing. I guess I get it though, despite your protestations otherwise, you're really not comfortable with your work being judged, in case it is found wanting. Which is fine, seeing as you have no interest in being published. I really do understand your fear. It's hard to accept critique of any kind, let alone on something you've poured your heart and soul into."
Karen, you think that I fear people saying negative stuff about my stories and you are clearly wrong. I don't even fear publication. I just don't desire to be published.
I have readers - honest readers. I have writers that reads my stories too and they will not say good things about my story to butter me up. My readers know that I don't go for stuff like that.
As I have said before, I'm my own worst critic. I'm not afraid to tell people that my stories sucks - that they have holes in them. Yet, I know how to tell a story. My readers reads my story, because they see a story. If you must know, I'm a script writer. My stories read like a script. I just don't like my readers to know what's happening, but to also see what's happening.
My stories might not be for you. A lot of people don't like to read stories about virgins.
My stories aren't hard to find on Goodreads.
I write what I feel and what I enjoy. I think all writers should stay true to themselves. I don't believe in writing to trend. I believe writers should not just write only to sell but they should also enjoy it. That's just my opinion.Writing to trend is when you latch onto whatever you feel is popular and write that. Some authors never base anything on their own independent ideas, just what is selling at the moment. That can come back to bite you because nothing is hot forever. I know an author who started writing vampire novels when Twilight was popular, thinking they would automatically sell. She switched to writing some interracial stuff because she figured it was "hot and selling". She wrote some erotica as well because she thought it would get her in the door. She is now writing YA because she says it's, "hot" right now. She has not sold one book or had anything published, just writing. She is a cool person and I wish her well but she has been very honest with how she approaches her work. She writes to what is popular. Is that bad or wrong? No. A lot of writers do it but it is not at all me or my vision. I could never write something I don't feel or love because it is popular. I have had friends who wrote for Harlequin but didn't like how every story was dictated to Har's guidelines so they moved on. They were excited because of the good sales some titles have with Har but then after a while they felt their writing had grown stale because they couldn't venture out and write what they really wanted.
As for my unpublished friend I just mentioned, she always wonders if she will ever get a deal. I feel that maybe if she'd written something that was closer to her heart she might have a better chance of selling a book. Her favorite genre is fantasy (which sells well) but for some reason she lacks the confidence that she could get a deal writing a fantasy. Don't ask me why, but that's how she is. She asked me what should she do, I said write the fantasy and work with that since that is what you really want to do. Who knows, maybe that will be the book she gets a deal with.
As for me, I am a crime/mystery author because that is what I love, what I read and what I grew up on. I will write that as long as I am able to write.So I write for myself and I also write for an audience. But writing for an audience is different than writing TO an audience. I write stories I want to write. I don't let the audience dictate how I should write my work. I figure if someone wants to dictate how an author writes a story they need to go write their own story. This is my book, my idea, my thoughts, case closed. Some writers write to their audience. I've seen writers who can't seem to write one word of a book without blogging about it and asking opinions. I understand that as well. Some authors I guess wanna make sure they might have a good shot with a book. I respect that but it's just not my way personally. I write my books, sell them to the publisher and whoever likes them, hopefully will buy them. No more, no less.
But in my eyes, as long as the writer is happy and enjoy what they do, more power to them.
Best Wishes!
http://www.stacy-deanne.net
Romance authors seem to have way more more pressure from their audience when it comes to what might be acceptable and what not in a romance. A lot of my friends write romance and they complain about different "guidelines" of the genre all the time. The romance audience seems to be very, very intolerant to certain things in that genre. It sometimes makes it hard for a romance author to know where they fit.In other genres there seems to be more freedom when it comes to stories, etc.
For example a friend asked me a few weeks ago, do I think a romance between a woman and a man who already have kids from previous relationships would be acceptable as a romance? Why she asked me, I don't know. I told her to ask a romance novelist to be sure. But I did tell her I am not sure if that would still be considered a romance with the kids in there. I told her maybe it's a certain type of romance but I wasn't sure if these types of books are the norm in romance or not. I told her maybe that would be considered Women's Fiction or something. I said I wasn't sure if romance had a category or anything for people who fall in love when they have kids. *shrugging*
I don't know why she asked me. I was the one who didn't know what the heck HEA meant a few months ago until I asked folks here. LOL! I'm the wrong person to be asking about what goes and what doesn't in a romance.
But I told her to just write that story and sell it as whatever it turns out to be if that's what she wants to write in her heart.
message 42:
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Stacy-Deanne wrote: "Romance authors seem to have way more more pressure from their audience when it comes to what might be acceptable and what not in a romance. A lot of my friends write romance and they complain about different "guidelines" of the genre all the time. The romance audience seems to be very, very intolerant to certain things in that genre. It sometimes makes it hard for a romance author to know where they fit..."Amen! I love romance but seriously, the "rules" of what readers will accept just boggles the imagination. I could never write for Harlequin because I know I'd balk at being told what my characters "should" do. I still have a copy of their guidelines (which is like near ten pages or so, LOL) and well, there's really little room for thinking outside of the box. On the other hand, there's Brenda Jenkins who seems to have no problems whatsoever if her Westmoreland Family series is any indication.
Hello everyone, Karen...I do write stories that I wish I could find to read. I write what inspires me. I chose to write interracial - with the primary focus, or female lead being a black woman simply because there weren't many out there.
I was a reader first - read loads, inhaling them left right and center, every moment I could get, I was reading and it was hard to catch me without a book in my hand.
BUT - it was all dominated by white heroines. While it was all good reading, I knew that there was something wrong with there not being more adversity in the publishing world.
I self-publish because I will not be told how to write, or what to write. Life and all the things that take place in it is too vast to narrow the type of stories I will tell. And I have a few white female, black male stories to tell as well - I haven't gotten them written yet - because simply put - I feel more urgent towards the bw/wm combo.
When I started writing WF-T, and Bomaw - you could google until the cows came home, there were no decent, good IR stories to be found. Interracial novels put into google only brought up porn. That pissed me off as well - as if to say, interracial anything is perversion, jungle fever and pure titillation - period.
Basically, yeah... I write what I wish to read, and the thing that my husband said to me, and I've found it to be true. If you write what you wish to read - I guarantee you, there are at the very least 100,000 with your taste in reading, wishing to read it too. So before a reader can enjoy your story, you must make it so that you enjoy it first, as well.
My goal for year 2013/14... to make Amber Swann Publishing Inc. a licensed registered publishing house, where I will be publishing IR ONLY. We'll be fully set up by then for full and complete bookcover designs, originals... not used to death photo'd couples used on 7 or 8 different novels. We're talking, customized bookcovers - detailed characters, representing a place or the couple from within the novel. No plagiarized snatched pictures off the internet altered in PSP or Photoshop.
Also, on board proof-readers - with only necessary editing - because editing alters the story, or voice of the writer. There is loads to do, but I've been using my own works to practice on and learn all the do's and don'ts of publishing - so when I start taking on works from other writers, I'll know first hand - what is needed.
Vixenne wrote: "Great thread and great responses. I guess I'm from the "write it and they will come" belief. There's an audience for practically every kind of story under the sun. .... I have noticed that writers who concentrate on the audience tend to burn out faster and the quality of their work suffers." Exactly! To keep the passion flowing, to keep the channel creative, I personally feel that a writer MUST write what drives them, inspires them. Otherwise, you will run out of steam - and simply just won't care to write anymore. A writer must ENJOY what they do to keep doing it.
If the story is written with a hook - with heart - with validity or realism - with charm - drama - laughter - and depth... there will ALWAYS be a biter/reader - an audience.
@Mercedes Good luck with your publishing project! As long as you don't do a Madris Depasteur, you'll be ok.:)With regards to your other points, I'm not really talking about being told what to to write, but about the writer being conscious of what is likely to sell or not sell. I think most people who write books in order to sell them must have a thought or two about the potential readers. The hope alone that people will want to read your work is a nod to that I think. Whereas, Arch stated that literally the only person she writes for is herself, to the exclusion of every other person out there. That extremist point of view was what I was questioning and trying to find out if that way of writing is more prevalent than I realised.
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What an interesting question! For me, it's a little bit of both. I write for myself (because I love to see the story in my head actually on paper) and because if I like a certain plot, I'm sure (hopefully) others will like to read it as well. I was just thinking about Vixenne's point the other day; "write and they will come." As an author of contemporary Christian interracial romance, the Christian market is bascially made up of Amish and Historicals right now, and so writing for the audience would be a bit difficult. I do have a story or two that would fit but they are among the other half a dozen that wouldn't. I really want to write what I love and I'm hoping people will like to try something new.
I write for myself, with the hope that it's of interest to others. Without trying my subject matter and approach to it is always left of center. There will have to be a big shift in trends for what I write to ever be mainstream. I'm OK with that, though I would like to connect with audiences that are more open to ranges in paranormal fiction and magickal realism.
Arch wrote: Karen, a writer should always write for themselves and not anyone else.I mostly disagree with this sentiment. I agree that a writer should write the story that he/she wants to write, but if said author has a fan base, and she disregards their investment in terms of their support of her work etc, she's walking a fine line.
What if a romance author with an established base wanted to write a book where the hero and the heroine in love were brother and sister? Would that author really risk alienating her fans by writing such a book?
By the way, I don' think that writing the book of your heart and writing for your readers has to be a mutually exclusive undertaking. If it is, then said author is at great risk of losing her readership, and after years of building that base, it seems crazy to risk losing the readers who have supported you.
I think you're a different case because you don't want to be published, Arch. Your motivations will vary from those of established authors or writers pursuing publishing.
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I mostly disagree with this sentiment. I agree that a writer should write the story that he/she wants to write,but if said author has a fan base, and she disregards their investment in terms of their support of her work etc, she's walking a fine line.
What if a romance author with an established base wanted to write a book where the hero and the heroine in love were brother and sister? Would that author really risk alienating her fans by writing such a book?
By the way, I don' think that writing the book of your heart and writing for your readers has to be a mutually exclusive undertaking. If it is, then said author is at great risk of losing her readership, and after years of building that base, it seems crazy to risk losing the readers who have supported you.
I think you're a different case because you don't want to be published, Arch. Your motivations will vary from those of established authors or writers pursuing publishing. "
Karen, correct me if I am wrong, but you aren't even a writer, so it's easy for you to disagree with me and I'm okay with that. As a reader myself, I wouldn't want a writer to write a story for me. I only read what interests me. If I read a certain person's work that fits into my reading taste and they write something that I don't read, I will not read the story that I don't read. For example, I don't read erotic stories and if I like a writer's work, who doesn't write erotic stories and all of the sudden, she starts writing erotic stories, I will not read those stories.
A lot of writers change up on things that they write, it doesn't mean readers should read all of their work.
Is the author really the only person who's supposed to like the story that they write? If so, what's the point of trying to get published?
Isn't that attitude a little self-indulgent? Unrealistic even?
If the majority of your fan base read your black women/ white men IR books, are you going to perhaps risk alienating them by writing a black man/white woman IR just because you want to?