The Other Side

of the question. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time, and a recent phone conversation with Ava Milne (in my writing group) brought it into focus.

I want to write. I want writing to be my profession, not just a hobby I sneak in between the edges of "real life." And yet, I don't see many (if any) authors living that. Writing careers don't last, and honestly I don't think it has anything to do with people wanting the next sensation.

It has everything to do with the fact that everyone is writing what they think the publishers want, rather than writing what they love.

I know people don't agree with me on this--I've had some rather interesting arguments on this topic. But what I see is that someone breaks the mold, the break becomes a sensation, and then the majority of writers jump on the bandwagon. A children's alternate reality fantasy, everyone starts writing children's fantasy. A YA vampire book, everyone starts writing paranormal for teenagers (MUST have the good demon or the fallen angel). Right now it's distopian.

I've talked to authors who get one or two books published and are afraid that they won't get another published, but what I see is that for the most part they are writing what is currently selling. They make no attempt to break the mold.

I've been told numerous times that what I write won't sell because it isn't what everyone is used to reading. I don't see that breaking the mold is a problem.

The problem would be finding a publisher who's willing to take the chance on something that's not dystopian.