I have heard many times on different agent's blogs that they don't want writers to write what's popular, they want a writer to create the next best thing. Vampires have been a very popular subject of late. That means we shouldn't be writing about vampires.
A friend of mine who is published told me that Amish romance stories are the next big thing. What I wonder is, how do we know what that is? How do we create it? I was told that if you are writing, but the time you get signed, edited and published a year will have passed and the subject then will be outdated.
Agents and Editors are going to know as they watch the market and are able to see a broader picture of what's out there. As a unpublished writer, I would not have that ability. For me, I started writing what I enjoyed reading and that is paranormal historical romance. I have always been interested in Scotland. I love to read historical romance and have been intrigued by time travel. Obviously I wrote about what I knew and interested me.
I have many ideas for new books, I am sure we all have. But will the ideas that float through our heads be the next big thing? So what do you do? Are there trends that never go out of style? If you are writing about what's popular now, does that hurt you or help you get published?
What are you writing about and have you descovered the next big thing?
Hi, Sarah. I don't have the answer. Wish I had a crystal ball or scrying mirror. :) I write what intrigues me and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic! I think it's important to know the trends but to write the kind of book you like to read. If you try to write what's popular and not what you're passionate about, you may not write your best book.
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