Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Decisions, Decisions

I went shopping yesterday and found TWO dresses for my cousin's wedding. They were on sale, so I bought both. Now I just have to figure out which one to wear.

Last night I was sitting down to write my 401 words for the day and I couldn't figure out what to write. I was stuck. Again. I got a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I didn't need to be working on the suspense and that I should stick to my short contemporaries. The insane side of me panicked that I'd lost my ability to tell a suspense story. The rational side reminded me that I finaled in contests and got requests for my suspense stories. I'll get there, get back to them, when the time is right. At that point, I'd decided to focus once again on the short contemps. No sooner had I reached that decision when I got a blog comment that forced me to rethink my strategy AGAIN.

I read Tez's comment from yesterday in reference to me not remembering how to write a suspense after so long. She said I should read some suspenses and that would remind me how it's done. She's right about that. I'd already pulled one off the shelf to start reading. (Suzanne Brockmann's Breaking Point. I love her work!)

But, the part that struck to my heart was the other part of Tez's comment. She said that I come across as a romantic suspense writer. That struck me as odd and I immediately wondered what made her think that. Not that I mind, of course! Suspense has always been my first love. Of my 8 completed manuscripts, 6 of them are suspense. My first contest win was with a suspense. My first request for a full was a suspense. When I first started writing the contemps and I doubted my ability to tell a story, I took a time out and wrote a suspense scene just to make myself feel better.

So, thanks, Tez. You've reminded me to write what I love, even if it turns out to be both short contemporaries AND romantic suspense. I can write two types of romance and I should remember that is a talent! Most importantly, you've reminded me that I don't have to sacrifice one to do well in the other. After all, as my critique partner would remind me: It doesn't matter what type of story it is. In the end, it's how well the story is told that counts.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I think it's great that you write more than one type of story. It will enhance your marketability down the road and expand your horizons. Plus it's just plain fun to do a bunch of different stuff.

The important part is to keep writing. And I KNOW you're going to do that!

Crystal said...

I like a good suspense book! Cat's right, it's neat you can do more than one type book. So keep up the good work!;-)

Lexi said...

I'm learning to enjoy that process of writing 2 types of stories, Cat!

Lexi said...

Thanks, Crystal! Today I embraced my multi-talent abilities and I'm having a blast! I've already written 950 words so far for the day.

Tez Miller said...

Not sure how I decided it. I don't know if I have intuition, or if I just jump to conclusions ;-) Somehow - however I figured it - I thought you were a romance writer, and then when you mentioned suspense... boom, you're a romantic suspense writer ;-)

Glad to be of assistance, and have a lovely day! :-)

TJ Brown said...

I highly recommend writing in more than one genre. Keeps the paychecks coming. Not that I have actually gotten one yet:) Except for my nonfiction, of course.
Teri

Kelly Boyce said...

Sounds like good advice from Tez! I say go with it.

Lexi said...

Teri, ever since I started writing short contemps I always figured I'd write in two genres (sub-genres?)...eventually.

Kelly, and since I decided to take that advice that she didn't know she gave, I've been quite relaxed, happy and productive on both stories!