I got tagged. Twice.
Kirsten over at A Scenic Route tagged me in a meme about my writing process, and so did Carrie Butler. If you don't already follow Kirsten's and Carrie's blogs, you should. Carrie always has something fun and relevant, and the conversations Kirsten has with her muse are a hoot. I can't wait till she publishes. :)
Okay. Back to bizness...
I'm supposed to answer four questions, then tag morevictims writers.
1. What am I working on?
Well...
I was working on a dystopian, but, now that I've apparently branded myself as a western historical romance author, I'll have to stick to the genre for the next book or anger all the readers begging me for book two.
(Don't laugh. I was so focused on getting my story ready for publication, I didn't give much thought to how the choice of debut genre would brand me or what my fans would say. I didn't even think I'd have fans.)
Maybe I can spring the dystopian on them with book three. :P
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I've mentioned this before; unlike most western historicals I've read, the hero in Come Back is (was - LOL) a virgin.
Since I'm completely indie, I write for ME. I take my audience into account—genre expectations and my CPs' and betas' opinions, too—but, because I'm not aiming to please a publisher or fit into some narrow market mold, I have the freedom to write what I want.
3. Why do I write what I do?
Because it's what I'm inspired to write, and because it's something I'd like to read.
4. How does my writing process work?
I usually start with a vague story idea, not a whole plot. Often it's a single plot point or a scene playing out so intensely that I can't help but write it down. If it keeps bugging me and if I think I could build a workable story around it, then it gets its own folder on my laptop.
After that, I add to it as new ideas for the story come to mind. I make a list of character names, too. When I'm ready to get serious about it, I sketch out a plot or at lease some thorough scene notes. From there, I keep writing and working on structure until the story becomes something I can polish and pass on to the critters.
Okay! Time to tag some folks. *grin*
Tag—you're it!
Before
I go, I'd like to give a shout-out to Natasha Hanova, who's posting an
excerpt from my book. (Yes, she's really posting it this time.) Thank you, Natasha! :D
And Annalisa Crawford, who is revealing the cover of her new book, Our Beautiful Child. Congratulations, Annalisa!!!
Okay. Back to bizness...
I'm supposed to answer four questions, then tag more
1. What am I working on?
Well...
I was working on a dystopian, but, now that I've apparently branded myself as a western historical romance author, I'll have to stick to the genre for the next book or anger all the readers begging me for book two.
(Don't laugh. I was so focused on getting my story ready for publication, I didn't give much thought to how the choice of debut genre would brand me or what my fans would say. I didn't even think I'd have fans.)
Maybe I can spring the dystopian on them with book three. :P
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I've mentioned this before; unlike most western historicals I've read, the hero in Come Back is (was - LOL) a virgin.
Since I'm completely indie, I write for ME. I take my audience into account—genre expectations and my CPs' and betas' opinions, too—but, because I'm not aiming to please a publisher or fit into some narrow market mold, I have the freedom to write what I want.
3. Why do I write what I do?
Because it's what I'm inspired to write, and because it's something I'd like to read.
4. How does my writing process work?
I usually start with a vague story idea, not a whole plot. Often it's a single plot point or a scene playing out so intensely that I can't help but write it down. If it keeps bugging me and if I think I could build a workable story around it, then it gets its own folder on my laptop.
After that, I add to it as new ideas for the story come to mind. I make a list of character names, too. When I'm ready to get serious about it, I sketch out a plot or at lease some thorough scene notes. From there, I keep writing and working on structure until the story becomes something I can polish and pass on to the critters.
Okay! Time to tag some folks. *grin*
Christina Cole
@KCChristinaCole
Ashley Merrick
@AshleycMerrick
Pamela Kelley
@PamelaMKelley
Cathrina Constantine
@cathconstantine
Randi Lee
@lee_randi
Kristal Hollis
@KristalHollis
Tag—you're it!
And Annalisa Crawford, who is revealing the cover of her new book, Our Beautiful Child. Congratulations, Annalisa!!!
Thanks for the mention, Melissa.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how your first book somehow defines you, because for most authors that's just a start. Like you say, you're focused on getting a book out, let alone thinking about how people will react to it!
Well this genre certainly seems to be working for you and appealing to an audience. Go you!
ReplyDeleteYay! I totally got tagged over almost two months ago, and I'm SO SLOW. Goodness. Thanks for the reminder to kick my rear into gear. (P.S. All Indies write cross-genre. There's no shame in that.)
ReplyDeleteYou're gonna OWN the western historical genre...and dystopian, when you get there.
ReplyDeleteFun! Western historical is just like dystopian --just sorta on different sides.
ReplyDeleteIt's will be great to see where you go next!
And I suppose that's the beauty of indie life... you can take liberties, such as defining your genre...
ReplyDeleteYou have fans! How cool! But I hope you get to publish the dystopian some day. I do love those :).
ReplyDeleteI think you hit on two of the most important things about writing - write for you, and write what you want to read. I hear all kinds of things about keeping track of what's selling and trying to follow trends, but I don't think good books come from anywhere but the heart. ^_^
ReplyDeleteWonderful excerpt, and congrats to Annalisa!
ReplyDeleteI think you can write more than one genre, if people like you they'll read it. That's another great thing about being indie! Hey, you could write a dystopian where things have degenerated into some sort of lawless frontier-type state (but in a futuristic way) so at least there's a common theme. :)
ReplyDeleteFunny how people who love your books can totally get their way. I was ready to move on from my Coulter men, but people kept asking me to invent a bastard brother. I didn't do that, but I did move the family farther into the future and am working on a story for the now grown teenage son, Tanner Coulter.
ReplyDeleteI'm always fascinated to learn someone else's writing process! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHeading over to Annalisa's...
Tina @ Life is Good
On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!
I think it's great that you have a book out that people are loving. You'll get to the dystopian novel eventually, but give the people what they want! :)
ReplyDeleteI understand building a solid base by keeping to a certain genre for the first book or two. But I don't think it will be a problem to spring a dystopian on us later. Usually with an author I like them because of their style and themes. I also like it if they have different stories to tell. If they tell the same story over and over again with different character names it gets boring.
ReplyDeleteHi, Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI got tagged last week. I need to write my post soon. lol.
Congrats to Annalisa... She's everywhere today!
I begin with a vague idea, too. Sometimes it goes into my idea journal for future use.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to hear your book is doing so well. Congrats!
Wonderful excerpt, and congratulations to Annalisa!
ReplyDeleteYeah, there is something to be said for writing within a genre, especially if there's potential sequels.
ReplyDeleteBut definitely make sure you're still writing what your passionate about. We do our best work when our heart is fully in it. Gotta keep the fans happy, but yourself happy too, you know?
That's so cool you remembered my tag. I love reading about other authors' processes-especially published authors! :)
ReplyDeleteOh man, if I have to decide on a genre, I'm in trouble. Decisions, decisions!
Kirsten @ A Scenic Route
It's awesome that you have a book out that people are loving! You'll get to the dystopian novel soon enough, but it's smart to make your fans happy right now. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your writing process! And it is funny how your first book defines you. Looks like you're not doing so bad in the genre though. =D Way to go!
ReplyDelete