I am a Die Hard Romance Girl or at least I was until recently. I’m not sure what changed. Perhaps a little background will help. I started reading romance novels in the sixth grade. They went quite well with my Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Hobbit, Edgar Allen Poe, and Little House on the Prairie books. They did, I swear. *g* I cut my teeth on Kathleen Woodiwiss, Virginia Henley, and Johanna Lindsey. In seventh grade when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said an author…and a stewardess. (You had to pick two.)
It took me a little longer to get there than I’d anticipated, but I finally accomplished my seventh grade dream (on both counts). What I hadn’t anticipated was the dream changing as I was traversing the writer’s road. In the last few years, I’ve found my interests diversifying. I still love romance whether it’s in adult form or YA, but it’s no longer my only love. I seem to have grown fickle, which is odd, since I’m really not like that in ‘real’ life.
This past week I found myself writing a horror short story. I’ve never—and I mean NEVER—in my wildest dreams imagined myself writing horror. (Remember Die Hard Romance Girl here.) Before you think otherwise let me state clearly that I don’t have anything against horror. Some of it has given me nightmares, but that’s the point of certain types of horror. I think the shocking thing was how much I enjoyed the exercise and how naturally it came to me. I haven’t read (or watched) a lot of horror because I have an overactive imagination that doesn’t let things go easily. (Please refer to the section on nightmares.) So other than Edgar Allen Poe, Steve Niles, a few Koontz novels, and Stephen King, I’m not very familiar with the genre.  To claim otherwise would be like someone saying they know all about romance because they read one historical, one category, a suspense, and a paranormal.  In my opinion, I know nothing about the genre.
Of course that didn’t stop me from attempting to write it. Never let ignorance get in the way of wild abandon. *ggg* I have no idea whether the story will ever be published. I did write it for an anthology, but there’s no guarantee it’ll be chosen. Ultimately, I don’t think it matters. What’s important was that I tried. I stepped way out of my comfort zone and wrote something that to my seventh grade self was inconceivable. And it felt good. Really good.
Is there something you’ve wanted to try, but have been too afraid to attempt it? Think hard. It doesn’t have to be in the writing field. It’s time to lay aside your fears and step out with wild abandon. You never know what might happen. You may discover like I have through this exercise that there’s really nothing to fear. The phantoms are only in your mind.
No related posts.
In terms of reading, I’ll try an occasional suspense novel, usually legal suspense. But I don’t really read much of anything unless romance is involved. I’ve never tried to write anything that doesn’t feature romance.
Outside of those acts, in the “real world,” there are so many things I’d like to try, so many ways I’d like to step away from my security zone. Reality and the economy intervene for now, but thanks for the reminder that it’s important to take risks.
I’ll start with baby steps for now though!
I’m not so sure it was something I wanted to try, but about five years ago, my then-agent said, “There’s an editor looking for Latina-themed YA. Do you think you have a story in you?”
And my response was, “Are you kidding me? I wasn’t YA when I was YA.” (Translation: scared the ever-lovin’ you know out of me…)
“Oh, just give it a shot. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Three YA novels later… *g*
Who knew that that taking that leap into something that scared me so much would lead to my first published novels?
Now, I routinely take on writing things that scare me because who knows what can happen, right?
Mary Anne, There’s nothing wrong with baby steps.
I’m trying to get out of my reading comfort zone. I’ve made an effort this year to read things I wouldn’t normally pick up (ie horror, nonfiction, autobiographies, classics, bestsellers, etc.). Some I’ve enjoyed, some I thought were just okay, but I have learned something from each book.
Barbara, I’m trying to write a YA right now. I’m a hundred pages or so in. It’s definitely scaring me. But like your former agent said, “What’s the worst that can happen?”
I think you made the right move.
I have a middle grade series being shopped right now, and I’m working on a women’s fiction. I think pushing ourselves in new directions makes us stronger. And sometimes that place we had no intention of going turns out to be the place we belong. It’s a journey, and it’s always exciting!
Misa, ***And sometimes that place we had no intention of going turns out to be the place we belong.***
I think the above statement is so true. The journey to self-discovery is always a fun and exciting ride.