Last month I wrote about how difficult I was finding getting back into writing after NaNoWriMo last year and having real world issues occupy my thought space. Then, recently, a friend pointed me towards This Article by megastar indie author Hugh Howie and I read it and decided that I wasn't going to let myself give up without at least trying to get my full series published.
But when I went to start editing book two in my Wind Dancer series, the motivation just wasn't there. So I got talking to some writer friends and we came up with the outrageous idea of writing novels in genres we neither read not enjoy. These novels would be for us only, as a way of letting us write without the need to publish at the end of the line and to also take us out of our comfort zone.
So this month, instead of working on my series, I have started writing a romance novel. Romance is my least favourite genre to write in because I've dallied with the popular indie romance novels making big money and they all make me wish the zombie apocalypse would hurry up and destroy us all. For the first few days, I just couldn't get much written because there just wasn't any real plot point to write towards. But the more I write, the more I'm remembering that no one is ever going to see this novel. So I've given myself lease to write rubbish and lo and behold it's working!
Hopefully, if this keeps up I'll be on my way to writing what I actually love in a month or two!
Lol! I would kill to read your romance. Knowing how much you hate it would make the whole process so hilarious. I do hope it helps you get out of your slump though! I want more of the Wind Dancer series!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds hilarious! But hey, get out all your crappy writing in the romance manuscript and stretch your wings all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be funny if you find you are really good at writing romance. I hope you surprise yourself. I'd like to read it too just to see how you did, since you don't like it.
ReplyDeleteJuneta Writer's Gambit
Yay, Lan! I'm so happy you're writing for yourself, again! It's fun, isn't it? That's what I did all year last year in order to retrain myself how to just write and get the writing done without any pressure or anxiety. It's a balancing act you have to learn to establish, but that's what I've figured out by now. Hopefully, it won't take you a year to truly get it. So far, I can say that it sticks if you've really learned from it.
ReplyDeleteUghhs, romance is my least favorite genre too. You are brave for attempting this. Let's hope it has a positive influence on your muse and you can get back to your other projects soon! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found something that will hopefully help. It an interesting idea for sure, might have to try it sometime. I actually write romance LOL, but I this made me smile :) "they all make me wish the zombie apocalypse would hurry up and destroy us all." Hope you're doing well, Lan!
ReplyDeleteNinja Girl
Awesome. That's the way to do it. I'm constantly dabbling in new or different genres. I have to tell you though, there was a HUGE sigh of relief when I picked up an urban fantasy to read this last week. As much as I like other genres, there's something like coming home when you get back to your roots.
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