Letting it go

A lot of people seem to be blogging and talking about a post titled "For Jessica" over at Finding Your Voice. And while I read this heartfelt story and offered up my prayers, the post that really seemed to speak to me was the second one titled "Avoiding creative burnout". Okay, I know it sounds completely shallow to prefer a technical approach to writing over a beautifully-written, dig-in-your-heart post, but that it's just that the creative burnout post really spoke to what's been on my mind lately.

Rejection? Haven't gotten much of that lately. (With my writing that is. Job hunting on the other hand...) It's really been mostly silent. I've had two partials out for about 4 months and another for 2 weeks. Still, I can't help but feel I'm headed in the wrong direction. How do you start another novel when you're still in love with your last one. I already created an original-concept, plot-driven story once that no one seems to be loving. What's to say the next time will be any different? And who and the heck can be creative with a negative attitude like that :)

The post's advice? To separate the act of creation from the act of publishing. The article goes on to tell you how to do this. Like:

"Keep more than one project going. Have new work you’re conceptualizing while you edit the old work and send out the older. Keep your focus on your work and not on the publishing business."

And:

"Don’t invest everything in one project. Especially these days. Times are tough in publishing. You can love your book but you also need to Let. It. Go. Maybe it will be published, maybe it won’t. Like a child, you do your best by it but beyond that, you don’t have a lot of say in how it turns out. Get to work on the next book."

Lot's of good advice here. I seriously think I need to bookmark this post and study it some more in the morning, when my optimism is at its peak and I'm ready to get back to work!

Your Genre

I got to thinking today about why I write in the genre that I do, I decided:

One, I write mostly cozies because I'm a scaredy cat. Cozies are just scary enough to keep me intrigued, but still able to sleep at night.

Two, I love solving a good mystery. The more twists and turns the better (as long as the reader can keep up and it all makes sense).

Three, because they're like the Utopian of genres. Bad things happen, but in the end everything is going to be okay because that's the way the world is. Every loose thread is tied up into a pretty little package. Justice is served.

Four, I love writing in themes. Beauty Secrets of course is a beauty-themed cozie, which means I get to talk about lipstick, style trends and murder all in the same book!

Fifth, not only do I love writing cozies, but I love reading them. I'm a firm believer that you should read what you write. If you don't, you won't know what's out there and what the current market trends are. You have to stay one step ahead in publishing (or try to) and knowing what's on the market is one way to do that.

So what about you? Why do you write the genre that you do?

Hooked on Historicals

Up until 3 months ago, I'd never read a single historical novel, but now I can't seem to get enough of them. If makes sense, I love Jane Austen, so why wouldn't I love historicals?

So far I've read:

1. Golden Tulips (Rosalind Laker)
2. Dancing for Degas (Kathryn Wagner)
3. The Apothecary's Daughter (Julie Klassen)
4. To Dream of Snow (Rosalind Laker)

I'd love to read more. Do you have any suggestions?