Writing to your strengths
There are a lot of options for authors out there today, and
not everyone can be good at everything. In fact, no one can be good at
everything, and usually, we excel in only a few. So how can you choose between
the thousands of genres? And even then, how can you choose between the subcategories
within those genres? And who’s to say that you can’t do a little bit of
everything? After all, isn’t one of the signs of a great author the ability to
adapt, grow and learn new skills?
Why yes, that just so happens to be
one of the many things great authors have the capability of doing. Yet, if you
look at the history of those authors, except in rare occasions, they took their
time evolving. Stephen King didn’t go from great fantasy writer to one of the
most amazing authors of suspense in our life time over night. He worked at it
for years, and so must the rest of us.
So how do you know what you are good at? It just so happens
that there are a few pointers to keep you on track.
Does it interest you?
This might sound like a no brainer, but there are a
surprising amount of authors out there who try and write “what sells” instead
of what they know, or even enjoy. As an erotic romance writer I run into a lot
of questions about kinks, or niches, and while as a writer you will need your
own niche to fill, trying to fill one you know nothing about will not only be
frustrating, but you will offend anyone who has even half an inkling about the
subject.
The way around this? If you have your heart set on that
topic, despite your lack of interest, and despite your prior knowledge, then
you HAVE to research. And one night, spending three hours on Google isn’t going
to cut it. You’re going to have to find people who do understand what you will
be writing about and pick their brain. Whether that is in a book, or blog, or any
other form you can get your hands on- just make sure you’re not basing your
entire knowledge base on Yahoo answers or a Wiki page.
Does it interest your beta readers?
Another
bit of advice that sounds like a no brainer, but again, it is surprising at how
many authors don’t have beta readers to begin with. All you really need is one,
a different pair of eyes to look over it and let you know what they enjoyed and
what they thought needed work.
The key to having beta readers is trust. You have to trust that they aren’t
going to intentionally hurt your feelings. You have to trust that they know
what they are talking about. You have to trust that they have your best
interest in mind. If you don’t trust them, you aren’t going to listen to their
advice, so what is the point? Not every change needs to be taken in, a lot of
times a correction will be personal style- but when you work with your reader
eventually the two of you build a relationship of understanding.
If you let it sit for a month and go back to it, does it still sound as good?
This one is so important. Do you need to let every single
piece sit for that long? No. But every piece needs to be left alone, untouched,
possibly thrown in a cold, dark place with a lock and chain on it. At least
over night.
Stepping away and clearing your thoughts help you catch
small things, editing mistakes and phrases used one too many times, but it also
lets you step back. Like painting, sometimes changing your perspective helps
ensure the whole picture looks as best as it can. (Another good reason for a
beta reader).
If you can nail those three things, you can write well in
any topic or genre. It may take time, and even if you don’t want to hear that
story you spent weeks studying material for, and months hashing out character
arcs and plot twists for, just isn’t cutting the cake- take your time. Rome
wasn’t built in a day. A solid writing career won’t either.
