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Unexpected Directions
When I first started writing, I had some pretty high hopes of becoming the next Nora Roberts. (Hey, let’s face it, what beginning writer didn’t want to be the next Nora?)
I read all her books voraciously. So when I finished my first own romance book, I really thought I had managed to emulate her in every way.
My first chance to showcase my stuff then appeared. My local library was having author Ann Kelleher come and do a writing workshop. I was a newbie writer so I enthusiastically gobbled up all she had to say on writing and trying to get published. I’d learned so much. Then on the last day, she asked for volunteers to bring in samples of their writing for a critique. I was psyched! I had not found any crit partners yet—nor had ANYONE else read my work—so I was anxious to hear what others would think.
So the last day of the workshop, I brought in my first chapter grasped in my sweaty little fingers and anxiously handed it over to be read. As Ms. Kelleher read it, she smiled and nodded. (Good signs, I thought) When she finished, I looked at her expectantly. She said, “It’s good. You got the Chick-lit voice down pat.” Then she proceeded to tell me how I could make my manuscript better. Yeah, well, unfortunately, I missed half of what she said because I was too preoccupied by her chick-lit comment. (I barely knew what that meant)
Chick-lit? I thought. My story isn’t Chick-lit. It’s a Tender Romance.
Huh. Obviously, I was not the next Nora. I went home that night with my tail tucked between my legs, devastated that I was so far off base with what I thought my writing was. But as learned more about the craft, I realized that is was actually a good thing I had my own voice. In fact, I learned to embrace my humorous tone and switched my focus from trying to write like Nora to trying to write like…well, me. And when I did that, I found I enjoyed writing more. It came more naturally. I soon found some crit partners who agreed and gave me positive feedback.
I don’t write Chick-lit—but it is kind of funny—no pun intended—that I’ve switched to writing Romantic Comedy instead of the romantic dramas I thought I should write. Who knew? But I’m very grateful for that accidental steering I got. It opened my eyes to a whole new sub genre of romance I might not have found on my own.
What about you? Are you writing in the genre you thought you’d be writing in?
Great post! Based on comments from my critique partners, I believe I’ve finally found my voice in my current WIP. Hearing what they had to say was so encouraging, because for years I didn’t really understand what “voice” was. Now I know that it’s what comes naturally when you just write and don’t try to be someone else.
Right now I’m completely absorbed in J.R. Ward’s BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD series, and I realize I could never write like she does. But that’s okay.
Not at all.
I thought I would write romantic comedy. And look what I’m writing now. ;)
I’m still struggling. I’ve done well under category contemporary…but now have an opportunity with single title. So…I’m still wondering where I fit in. Sounds like high school…dang.
Interesting. And yes, you did find just the right voice (IMHO anyway!)
As for me, I wanted desperately to write romantic suspense – but so far my voice just won’t go there. I think you know when you’re righting the way you should – it’s not as much of a struggle. I sometimes felt each page was like pulling teeth, but when I changed directions, the words came together so much easier…I knew it was more “me.”
:) Hey, Jennifer!
To be honest, I thought I’d be writing fantasy romance, definitely not historical romance or urban fantasy,
Turns out that my historical romances/urban fantasies kicked butt of any fantasy romance I could have thought up.
Hi Jennifer!!
I started with historicals..and I’m sticking with historicals. I think I’m lucky in that my voice fits the genre I had always imagined myself writing. Of course…I wanted to be the next Sabrina Jeffries instead of the next Nora, so we’ll see how that one goes, LOL! My few forays into other genres didn’t end well :)
I think you’ve definitely found your voice, and you’re writing to its strengths!
Nope! I wanted to write category. Had visions of effortlessly pumping out 4 50k novels a year and living comfortably. Not La Nora comfort and stardom, ya know. Just normal comfort. :)
Silly me. Never did follow rules well. I can write sweet romance, but the stuff that comes more easily and is more fun for me is probably women’s fic with a bit of chick lit snark tossed in.
Go ahead, genre define that one. I dar ya!
sigh
I’m still finding my voice. I love Harlequin Romance and Superromance lines but I’m not sure that’s my voice. I also love Love Inspired but again, I’m not sure I fit there.
I think I have more a single title, women’s fiction voice but I don’t know.
I’d love to write romantic comedy but I don’t think I’m funny although I tend to speak with humourous sarcasm.
As much as I enjoy romantic suspense, I know that’s not my voice.
And voice is not a genre, as one might think by my comments, but at the same time, there is a correlation, right?
See the problem?
Yep. I’m writing exactly what I’m supposed to be writing, though if I didn’t have someone point out to me that I was writing comedy, I wouldn’t have known. (What?)
What I mean is, I never set out to write romantic comedy. I don’t even like to say I write comedy. I just write…funny. Not intentionally. It just…happens. Even when I try to write serious business emails. You have no idea how many times I get this response: “You are so funny!”
I am? Who knew? I didn’t.
I think that’s the wonder of Voice. You can TRY and write what you think you should, but if it’s not in you, you won’t succeed. Your writing will sound wrong. Stilted. Forced. You have to be true to your voice— even if your voice isn’t singing the song you expected.
Just call me the Queen of the Paraphrase. Jenn, I think I just summarized your blog. Hm. Well, I guess that means—*I agree*!
Thanks, Debora!
Angelle: you writing rom com? Now that’s funny! Oops. Sorry. But I think your ninja kitty avatar speaks volumes. wink
Chicki: I think you definitely found your voice and the genre you should be writing in!
Cyn: Uh, thanks for paraphrasing. LOL! And you definitely are a comedy writer.
Am I writing in the genre I thought I would?….Hm.
Well, maybe that’s why I can’t settle down to one genre or one type of writing, because I never thought in terms of genre until I learned I should stick to one if I was ever going to build up a following. But even now, when I look at my several works in progress, they’re all over the place. Sigh.
I write mainly suspense. Dark stuff.
And I wrote a romantic comedy in a time of my life that I needed to laugh.
It sold. So did my suspense, but I sold the romantic comedy. Can’t wait to write another one.
cmr
Great post, Jennifer! I write chick-lit mystery, inspirational romance and women’s fiction. I’m struggling with which one to focus on, but they all have sweet romance in them.
Loved the post, Jennifer! I started out wanting to write good paranromal romance, but quickly learned when I followed my voice, I ended up with great dark paranormal romance. At first it was a shock, but now I find there’s nothing better than giving a tortured soul a reason to love, without scrubbing said soul clean. :)
Everyone’s posts are so interesting. Funny how some writers stumbled into their direction, some new right off the bat, and some are still searching.
Thanks for sharing! :)