A few weeks ago I was at a loss as to what I should blog about. For my own blog, I write when something comes to me. But on this particular day I was to blog at my publisher's site. I am one of those people who can happily write away, alone in my own world, until someone gives me an assignment and then all original thought disappears from my brain. When I could think of no interesting topic, I posed the question to my critique group and asked them for suggestions. They offered several, thank goodness, and I used the first one. But, I liked them all and saved them to be used later. Here was the second suggestion:
"I wrote an article several years ago on my own website. As an unpublished writer, a friend of mine was having the discussion about writing the book of your heart versus not doing it for a first book. Which sparked the idea for the article. It's just a suggestion but new writers are very interested in what to do with the first book. You know the one that just flowed from your heart. Should you write the book of your heart, or write what's 'popular, that will sell'. Maybe you can blog about that."
Well, my personal thoughts are to write the book of your heart. You will never move forward and write the sellable book until you get that first book out. At least that was the case for me. Who knows, you may be lucky enough that your first book is your first sale. How many of us have the first novle tucked away, the one we cut our teeth on, the one so full of new writer errors that it will take a decade to rewrite? But, it is the first baby, and like my mother once said, "You always make mistakes with the first child." Of course, others may feel differently, so feel free to chime in. Should you write the book that is marketable, or the one of you heart even if it isn't the most popular genre at the moment?
I vote for write from the heart, it will connect with others that way. But then I'm not in writing for the money but for self expression.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, interesting points. A book of the heart is not necessarily something that should be sold, imo. I know my first one never got finished and I played with it for two years. It will never see the light of day, but it served its purpose. :-)
ReplyDeleteRight now, all of my books are coming from my heart. Thankfully, I'm in a position where I can write from my heart and have a saleable book (hopefully!). I also feel that part of learning the craft of writing is figuring out how to write a book that sells. We have to follow the modern day readers' demands and that does influence the way we write (if we want to write for publication). Hopefully, within the guidelines of the writing craft, we can still let the story that's within our heart come out and take life.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I like what Jody said. Can I change my opinion? LOL
ReplyDeleteI can't write what doesn't come from my heart. It takes waaaay too much effort on my part to struggle through something that doesn't really tug at me. I haven't the discipline for that, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI wrote the book of my heart eons ago and only last year pulled it out and edited. It sold to a publisher in England but I pulled it for some contract issues. Then I wrote another and finally I am writing one that really means something again to me. I prefer the ones from my heart.
ReplyDeleteIt looks we are all in agreement. Write from the heart. :)
ReplyDeleteI write because I love it, not because it makes me millions of dollars. I have never written for the trends, and I pray to God I never will. Writing is so deeply an act of the soul, so utterly personal. If I'm not wring *my* story *my* way, then what's the point? I'd rather be poor and happy!
ReplyDeleteI'd rather be rich and happy! Can I have both?
ReplyDeleteSeriously, i think one should write from their heart, then pray it's also what the market wants. I guess we should really pray before, during and after writing it. Pray to have God's heart, too.
Jen
It is interesting, whenever I start struggling with a story it is usually when I took it where I wanted to and stopped asking for guidance. I am all about the praying before, during and after and hope I was listening correctly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by K.M. and Jeanette
ReplyDeleteNo question about it in my mind - write the book of your heart. Your passion cannot be communicated for your subject unless you love it. :-)
ReplyDelete