This last weekend I was writing to condense my five page synopsis into a two page synopsis. The one thing I noticed about myself in this process was that I ACTUALLY liked going over this story again.
--and I can honestly say that hasn't been the case with all my stories.
In May 2008, my writing life changed. I wrote my first picture book/easy reader story. It's called Peter's Messy Room. Peter is a fly, not a regular run-of-the-mill house fly, but a green bottle fly living in the country. Peter changed my focus as a writer. In this last year, I've written seven other Peter stories, one faerie story--The Faerie Who Lost His Wings, and one middle grade story--MISSING: One Garden Gnome.
I love all these stories, and enjoy revisiting each and every one of them. I could NEVER say that about my romances. Oh, they were okay, but there was always something about them that I couldn't put my finger on, some problem that I couldn't fix, something about them made me cringe and want to put them away . . . forever.
The missing element in those stories was passion.
Oh, I liked writing them. And I certainly love reading them. But I wasn't passionate about my writing romances. I never felt the need as a writer to make certain the characters had their HEA (Happily Ever After). Oh, I finished the story with the requisite HEA, but I didn't want to look at those stories again--still don't.
My writing was missing that one elusive spark that makes it stand out.
Many editors and agents will tell a newbie writer to write what you know. Writing to the current market is crazy since the new books hitting the shelf were bought one to two years ago. I can't write what I know because in the real world unicorns, gnomes, and faeries don't exist, though this lovely environmental artist , Sally J. Smith, might change your mind! What I can write about is my passion. I have a passion for fantasy intermingling with real life. I love escapism in books that I read and in movies that I watch. Real life is depressing. I want to experience fun and happiness when I escape, and that is what I want to bring to the reader.
--A chance to escape into a new world and experience new and fantastical creatures.
Oh, gotta go. Rory Leafhopper, esquire, First Gnome to the Princess of Celestia, wants a refill on his coffee and I'm the only one big enough to handle the eye dropper without scalding myself.
Write on!
I think you're so right. Even if the technicalities are right, if it's missing passion, the writing feels off. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elana!
ReplyDeleteIt took me seven years to figure it out, but within those seven years I honed my craft and discovered my voice.
It's all good. :-)
I can feel your passion! It's wonderful when we feel that love for our work. That's why there are books I won't write, even if that is the easy way into publishing.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your fantastical creatures!
Thanks, Edie!
ReplyDeleteI came up with a name for #2, how's this . . .
'The Fast and the Faerious'
:-) With the Faeri part in pink, of course, for those poor slobs who don't get it.
*snork* Sometimes, I kill myself. HAR!
That is the reason many people are unhappy in their 9 - to - 5 routine jobs; they have no passion for what they do. Most people must simply accept whatever work they can get to pay the bills. Been there. Done that.
ReplyDeleteNot only is it a wonderful thing to know what your passion is, it's a rare treat to be able to make your passion your work.
Then it doesn't really seem like 'work' at all, does it?
I can believe that, Jody! I LOVED working in the lab, it was teaching the college interns that I grew to hate. I couldn't even get my bench work done, because I had to explain what I was doing over and over . . . and over again--and then, they would have the gall to ask me to explain it one more time. I consider myself a fairly passive person, but I came close to hitting a couple of them upside the head! I was so glad when I could quit.
ReplyDeleteEdie is right...your passion for your stories come through when you talk about them. I think this post is right on target. You can learn what you don't know but you can't make yourself have passion for something you just don't like.
ReplyDeleteGood post.
Thanks for stopping by, Cyndi! I feel so stupid that it's taken me this long to realize what my passion was.
ReplyDeleteI totally get what you're saying. Because I think I've done the same thing. I love Scottish historicals, but I don't think that's where my niche is. Even though I don't think I could ever give up on them completely.
ReplyDeleteGo for your dreams, Margaret. Passion is what makes our stories POP! Otherwise, it's just another written page.
^5!!!!
You know, Kira, I think the more you write what you are passionate about, the more confident you are about tackling the other stuff. Don't give up on the Scottish historicals, maybe just put them aside for the time being.
ReplyDelete