If I've learned anything from total immersion into every nuance of the pre-published writing industry, it's this: market trends are every bit as fluid as fashion. Just...less material resembling shredded Ikea bags.
Some authors may rejoice when the market panders to their specific niche. For those who prefer to be judged on the quality of their writing over subject matter, this is a frustrating mess. It's difficult enough for me to write what I want/what I know without being told my ideas won't sell. When the true reason is my ethnicity or sexual orientation, or even that of my character(s), I can't help but feel slighted.
What about all the thousands of hours I've put into learning, reading, critiquing, and receiving feedback on top of the actual novel writing process? Do my efforts and stories count for nothing if I'm outside the scope of "acceptable" trends?
Then I remember I can't do anything about these floating fact. And so, here I write what I want/what I know. Breathe in, exhale. Keep writing.
Still, that toxic thought lingers under the surface: maybe I should change something about my story so it caters to current market trends.
The healthy answer for me is NO.
The problem with writing specifically to appeal to others is that I may never connect with my own characters or story. If I don't vibe with what I'm writing, how can I expect anyone else to? The purpose is lost before I type that opening line.
This isn't meant to downplay exploring outside comfort zones. Doing so is often a healthy method of expression. The point is about pressure. Writing is supposed to spark my passion and be enjoyable. I don't ever want to sit down and think, "Okay, what's trending? If I want to get published, I better write a story about (insert prevalent social/environmental issue, etc.)."
If current events spark ideas for authors, then hey, they should have at it. Writing about a specific hot topic issue feels redundant for me. I already write stories with central themes of kindness, inclusion, and the importance of inner beauty over outer. To me, these are issues as old as time, perpetually recycled through history. They aren't going away.
But, imagine how the world would benefit if more people applied Jesus' command to love one another. Belief and religion aside, that one idea—when put into practice—has the power to dissolve all barriers.
I don't always love others as I should, but I'm on a mission to make this the motto for my life. Everything I write, all my interactions with other people, online or off, everything is put through this filter. The simplest and greatest command leaves no room for exclusion or discrimination of any sort. Simple as the concept of equality should be, applying it in daily life is a struggle. We all know people who are more difficult to love than others, often in our own families. I don't always do this well, and I'll never reach that point of perfection.
But it's worth it to me to try.
That's the beauty of life. That's where I want to keep my writing. The characters I create are imperfect facets of myself, exploring their world and making choices based on their experiences: some good, some bad. The results are where life and story emerge. Along the way, my own life unfolds.
What will my life story include? What do I hope it doesn't include? These can be frightening questions.
Like it or not, we're all "writing" our life stories through daily interactions and routines. What would happen if they were packaged and presented to our loved ones after we're gone? And no, I'm not talking about embellished autobiographies. I'm talking about the 100% honest version of ourselves, including the thoughts we hope never make it past our mouths.
I can't live a perfect life, but when I reach the end of it, I hope I uplifted more often than I tore down. I hope I was helpful to those who needed it and generous to those who struggled. If my smile is remembered more than anything else about me, I'll call that a fulfilling life.
So, until my life journey ends, I'll write what I know and love. I encourage everyone out there to do the same. Trends come and go, but no law stands against love and kindness. If getting published is meant to happen, it will.
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