I feel like you and I are riding parallel writing tracks right now. Every post, I'm like, "Girl, me too." I am about 30k into what I hope will be "upmarket" romance and absolutely terrified I'm not hitting any of the right marks. It's also coming along a lot slower than how I've written in the past, which is freaking me out a bit. Like you, I'm trying to focus on progress. Just know I'm cheering for you over here!
*waves at you from the parallel train* It is scary trying to deepen the writing. I think I'm always vaguely intimidated that I don't have an MFA, even though I *know* that isn't necessary and that I can improve by self-study. And I've always been a slow writer, but I'm trying to really give myself space on this. Like I have 20k of this story and I can basically see where it will go. I could write it. It would be fine. But I just feel like there's more I can do with it if I give myself time to dig deeper on it, experiment more with it instead of going the usual route I would go. Or I'll just end up hugging my knees and rocking in a corner, lol. We shall see!
Roni, I don't know if this will help, but I think this is why some writers switch genres, or write in more than one. Sherry Thomas is writing mystery now, HelenKay Dimon is writing mystery/thrillers, and I am sure there are others whose names are not popping immediately into my head. I don't see it as a negative, just someone finding their muse looking in a different direction. As a reader, the plus is that I can try reading that new book, and there are likely to at least be some "romantic elements" in it.
I encourage you to continue your journey, and I as a reader I would much rather you continue writing, no matter what genre it can be slotted into. I know labels are needed for marketing, but I just think a good book is a good back.
I am having issues with writing right now. I have only published a novella in an anthology that has now been pulled from publication, so the plan is to self publish it once I get a cover, etc., but family issues have delayed that. My husband has had some health issues that are making it difficult to get my brain in gear, and my new writing has suffered as well. I intend to finish my current WIP, but it has been slow going. Reading this substack has helped.
Thanks so much, Laurel. I'm sorry your husband is having health issues. Sometimes writing just has to take a backseat when life things happen. Give yourself grace there. And yes, I love seeing other authors exploring different genres. I'm definitely open to doing that, but I know I need to steer clear of the plotty genres like mystery and suspense since I'm so character-driven. But there are a number of areas/genres/subgenres that could be a fit for me, so I'm exploring.
I am so stealing your craft book titles. After you quoted Deep Creativity earlier in the year, I went out and bought it and am using it like an exercise book. Loving that journey.
I have loved everything you've written so far and am very patient. Will read the next book when it gets here.
It is like you're reading my mind. I've written 44 romances. After 40 contemp, I added in PNR, and it was soooo much easier and more fun to do something different. And now I'm trying to roll into the hybrid WF/romance world. Scary. Sooo scary. But you can do it!
So scary! Agreed, lol. And I'm so glad you've found some fun in other genres. :) I probably will stay away from anything too plotty because I'm so character-driven. Like I have no business writing a mystery. But I know there are a number of adjacent genres or genre-bending zones I can explore. And thanks for the vote of confidence!
Yes, that's what I've always tried to do with my romances. Usually, I'm tackling mental health issues and/or trauma with my characters. In my erotic romances, there are often themes of overcoming society's puritanical or patriarchal expectations. So I need that something extra in whatever I'm writing. But even doing that, I think I just want to go deeper (with things like theme, symbolism, metaphor, etc.)
I think romances can be written at a high level, but I think sometimes when we write in the same zone for too long, it just loses it's excitement/discovery factor.
Sounds like this pause will make you a stronger and fulfilled writer. Best wishes!
Thanks, Denise! :)
I feel like you and I are riding parallel writing tracks right now. Every post, I'm like, "Girl, me too." I am about 30k into what I hope will be "upmarket" romance and absolutely terrified I'm not hitting any of the right marks. It's also coming along a lot slower than how I've written in the past, which is freaking me out a bit. Like you, I'm trying to focus on progress. Just know I'm cheering for you over here!
*waves at you from the parallel train* It is scary trying to deepen the writing. I think I'm always vaguely intimidated that I don't have an MFA, even though I *know* that isn't necessary and that I can improve by self-study. And I've always been a slow writer, but I'm trying to really give myself space on this. Like I have 20k of this story and I can basically see where it will go. I could write it. It would be fine. But I just feel like there's more I can do with it if I give myself time to dig deeper on it, experiment more with it instead of going the usual route I would go. Or I'll just end up hugging my knees and rocking in a corner, lol. We shall see!
Thanks for the update. I've been thinking of you and wondering how it's been going.
Thanks, Lee!
Roni, I don't know if this will help, but I think this is why some writers switch genres, or write in more than one. Sherry Thomas is writing mystery now, HelenKay Dimon is writing mystery/thrillers, and I am sure there are others whose names are not popping immediately into my head. I don't see it as a negative, just someone finding their muse looking in a different direction. As a reader, the plus is that I can try reading that new book, and there are likely to at least be some "romantic elements" in it.
I encourage you to continue your journey, and I as a reader I would much rather you continue writing, no matter what genre it can be slotted into. I know labels are needed for marketing, but I just think a good book is a good back.
I am having issues with writing right now. I have only published a novella in an anthology that has now been pulled from publication, so the plan is to self publish it once I get a cover, etc., but family issues have delayed that. My husband has had some health issues that are making it difficult to get my brain in gear, and my new writing has suffered as well. I intend to finish my current WIP, but it has been slow going. Reading this substack has helped.
Good luck with your evolution. :-)
Thanks so much, Laurel. I'm sorry your husband is having health issues. Sometimes writing just has to take a backseat when life things happen. Give yourself grace there. And yes, I love seeing other authors exploring different genres. I'm definitely open to doing that, but I know I need to steer clear of the plotty genres like mystery and suspense since I'm so character-driven. But there are a number of areas/genres/subgenres that could be a fit for me, so I'm exploring.
I am so stealing your craft book titles. After you quoted Deep Creativity earlier in the year, I went out and bought it and am using it like an exercise book. Loving that journey.
I have loved everything you've written so far and am very patient. Will read the next book when it gets here.
Steal away! And thanks so much for the kind words. <3
It is like you're reading my mind. I've written 44 romances. After 40 contemp, I added in PNR, and it was soooo much easier and more fun to do something different. And now I'm trying to roll into the hybrid WF/romance world. Scary. Sooo scary. But you can do it!
So scary! Agreed, lol. And I'm so glad you've found some fun in other genres. :) I probably will stay away from anything too plotty because I'm so character-driven. Like I have no business writing a mystery. But I know there are a number of adjacent genres or genre-bending zones I can explore. And thanks for the vote of confidence!
Oooh, please share the craft books!
Wanting to stretch after as many books as you've written makes total sense. It sounds like a fun challenge.
I'll share good ones here once I've read them, but if you want to see the ones I've bought recently or checked out from the library, they're all on my Goodreads TBR list here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2796995-roni-loren?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=to-read
Yes, that's what I've always tried to do with my romances. Usually, I'm tackling mental health issues and/or trauma with my characters. In my erotic romances, there are often themes of overcoming society's puritanical or patriarchal expectations. So I need that something extra in whatever I'm writing. But even doing that, I think I just want to go deeper (with things like theme, symbolism, metaphor, etc.)
I think romances can be written at a high level, but I think sometimes when we write in the same zone for too long, it just loses it's excitement/discovery factor.