Over the course of the last six years, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard “You should try writing…” or a variation of it. My aunt wanted me to write historicals like her favorite author. When she passed away, my mother said I needed to write something historical and dedicate it to my aunt. The one thing neither of them ever listened to was my answer, “I don’t want to write historicals and have no interest in it.” Historicals just aren’t my genre. I have nothing against reading them, but I tend to lean to the other extreme in my writing—futuristics. Spending months acquiring information and research just to write one book really isn’t for me. Just thinking about it makes my head hurt.
Recently, I sent my mother a copy of the only contemporary, straight-laced cowboy book I ever wrote. It was my very first completed novel and is no longer available anywhere and most likely never will be available again. I know she read The Drigon’s Fall, however, it wasn’t a genre she enjoys so it was kind of bleh for her. When she read Cortland’s story, I think she finally had that “Ah ha” moment when it comes to my writing, because she then said I needed to write for Harlequin. *face palm* Again, not really my type of writing anymore. In order to write something for that particular publisher, I’d have to well, not write like I do now, and I’m not so sure about that. It would definitely be a challenge, that much is for certain. But who knows? Maybe one day I’ll decide to give it another go. I can’t make any promises, though.
I guess my point is, I write what I write because I enjoy it. Scifi and paranormal stories are what speak to me. My writing has evolved over the last six years and most likely will continue to do so for how many ever more years I’ve got in me. It’s easy for someone to say, “You should try writing…” whatever it is they have in their heads, but they tend to forget that it’s not always easy for the author to do what’s suggested. I don’t think I could write historicals if my life depended on it. I just don’t have one in me. Historicals possess a whole different kind of lingo, one I am not familiar with, and truthfully, I don’t feel like taking the time to get to know it intimately. I’m happy with the way things are, so why change it?
Are there any genres I’d like to write in that I don’t already? Absolutely. Will I ever do it? Whole other story. If the idea hits, then sure, I’ll run with it, but until then, I’ll just continue on as I always have and write the story that screams the loudest. But I can’t write to please everyone because 1) I’d make myself miserable and 2) writing to please others is impossible because there will always be someone out there that’s unhappy with the result. So, I’ll just work at putting together the best story I can and hope it strikes a cord with someone out there.
Heather
