*Sigh*, I need a break from my endless editing! The good news is my editors are SO meticulous; the bad news is that it takes so LONG! I completely understand what Oscar Wilde meant when he said, “I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again.”
(As I was looking for this quote I saw these and just had to include them: “I am not young enough to know everything” and “A man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her”.)
Anyway, where was I? Oh, right, I need a distraction.
I started daydreaming about all the other ideas I have for future books (something I usually do while I’m hung up on my series). My other ideas are not in the same genre as my series (reincarnation fantasy), actually, they vary from YA paranormal, adult paranormal, historical fantasy, and a paranormal thriller–although I do see a connection here 🙂
Honestly, I can’t imagine staying within one genre. I’m sure it’s beneficial since a writer can hone their talents and perfect their skills. Plus, it’s wise from a promoting standpoint to keep a specified audience that will stick with you, but my ADD will not allow me to stay within the creative borders of one genre. I must dream of taking on new parameters and jump into the adventure of a new literary world.
This choice most likely reflects the fact that, as a reader, I’m all over the place. I’ve never looked for a book based on genre. I’ve always walked around the book store just looking for the cover that jumps out at me or peruse the best seller shelves. If something sounds good, I buy it, regardless of whether it’s fantasy, historical, paranormal, YA, and even non-fiction.
So I write like I read.
I need diversity and when a crazy idea jumps into my mind, I’m thrilled that it’s so different.
Which made me wonder, what genre are all your works in progress? Procrastinating minds want to know.
laurenwaters 
my first novel was action and now i’m trying to write a fantasy so I can relate to you. oddly enough, writing fantasy is turning out to be harder than action. i thought it would be the other way around since i’ve always wanted to write fantasy. hm…
It’s funny you should say that because there’s this one story that I always thought would be so easy to write and one day I tried to start writing it and it just didn’t come out! It actually shocked me how unprepared I was since I thought I knew this story so well. Once you think something’s going to be easy when writing, watch out!
I tend to stick around two or three genres. Historical Fiction is probably the one I think in most. I also have a story that is fantasy and one that is paranormal. I find that I can start the first chaps of a lot of different ideas but I get overwhelmed by continuing them so I stop. I’m shocked I ever finished my first book because of that. I remember hitting the middle of it and wanting to start another one just to avoid having to keep going.
I haven’t felt that way with my series until I stopped to edit and publish the first two, and now I feel I’ve lost the momentum a bit. I know I just have to keep researching the character and then, boom, inspiration will strike (I hope!).
Those quotes were too funny!
I am with you on the editing. Wow it seems so hard to focus sometimes and just get it done.
I totally get the ADD thing too. lol. I know that the rules say to stick with one genre, but it hinders what we are the best in – creativity.
I think a writer’s brand is really our voice, which can transcend genre. And with the genres you mentioned – YA paranormal, historical fantasy, paranormal thriller, etc. – they go fairly well together. And as you mentioned, you like to read various genres.
I find that I am the same way! My first book is a YA high fantasy but then my second is an adult supernatural horror.
Transcending genre with a singular creative voice–I like that! Adult supernatural horror…I’m going to have to look that up, that sounds so interesting! I find that there are so many sub-genres out there that it’s hard to figure out where your novel belongs. Best of luck in the editing trenches!
So true about the sub genres.
And yes, what deep trenches they can be! 🙂
So, I actually miss editing. That’s sad, right? Yes, it’s sad. 😦 But still, I’d do anything to get out of this middle-slump I’m in. It’s not even the middle, it’s the beginning of the end (sounds so ominous!).
I know exactly how you feel, Bethany! The strange thing is that I had to stop myself from writing before. I was knee-deep in outlining the tenth life when I FORCED myself to stop. I was so afraid of editing and publishing, but now, I actually really enjoy it! I’ve learned so much and love the challenge of slashing through my MS.
Once the sequel’s off to market, I’m going to strap myself to my chair to get into writing again. Part of me (the very procrastinating and persuasive fraction) wants to edit the eighth and nineth lives instead, but I know I’m going to have to force myself to write again. Where is my writing muse?