I’ve been doing a lot of knitting lately. I’m needle deep in American Girl sweaters at the moment. Normally knitting is very good for the muse—the busy work for the hands often leads to freedom for the brain to wander at will. For stimulating the muse, it’s as good as the shower but I don’t have to get naked.
Right now, though, the knitting is coinciding with the time of year I get very, very introspective about the whole writing thing. Where I’ve been, where I am, where I’m going. Somewhere along the line, I started dropping stitches writing-wise. It’s easy to get caught up in what everybody else is doing—the NY deals, the multibook contracts, the market watching. This is hot, that is hot, So-and-So started out on the same eHQ threads and is now a superstar. Blah blah blah.
I feel like I’m just throwing stitches on the needle as fast as I can, hoping it comes out okay. Sometimes I think it’ll be a nice little lapthrow. Sometimes I’m hoping it’ll be a incredibly detailed sweater. What I’m really heading for is one long-ass scarf.
It’s okay if you have no idea what the hell I’m talking about. I barely do. But the bottom line is a major refocusing at Casa Shannon. I don’t really give a shit what’s hot, and who made a gazillion dollar deal in what’s hot, and yadda yadda yadda.
I want to write category. Always have. Still do. So I’m dropping the crazy scarf and casting on a fresh row. Wish me luck.
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I find myself doing something similar…well, I can’t knit but you know what I mean. It’s a great time of the year to reflect and prioritize.
:boogie::boogie: (don’t know what he’s doing but damn, he’s cute)
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i think every writer should do what they want to do….write what you love and don’t repress yourself. you’ll be much happier in the long run. :coffee:
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:groucho:
It’s the truth, Shan, you gotta do what you want, what you love, or you’ll just feel like hanging yourself with that long, variety filled scarf you’re knitting.
And bravo for KNOWING what you want. Some of us have no clue. :hide:
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I LOVE category. Eharlequin gets a lot of my money every single month. More than any other publisher or line period.
I think you’d rock in category. Have you thought about what line you’ll target?
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I always get a little thrill when I hear/see an author say something like this.
We all have to refocus from time to time (I did it twice this year). But so many authors ignore their strengths or their core desires or never manage to find them. So good for you, Shan!
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:thumb:
I’m rooting for you whatever road you take. Good on ya!
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Have you thought about what line you’ll target?
Something hearth and homey, which is a bit limiting. SSE is my first choice and—I think—the best fit, but they’re a tough nut to crack. Harlequin American, maybe. I’m still looking at those two. Canadian postage for HAR, though. Blech. (I do enjoy that the one series particularly flagged with “American” comes out of the Toronto office.)
OMG, do I even remember how to write a query letter? I SO wish they accepted cold partials.
:beam:
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Shan, I think you’d be a great fit for SSE! Excellent plan. There’d be room for all the kinds of storylines you like to do, except maybe aliens. Knowing what you want is huge. So many people never figure that out. :cheer: Go write that category book they can’t say no to!