April 27, 2006
Where and When: Does it matter?
Written by Kimberly Logan in Writers and WritingI was contacted yesterday by an aspiring writer friend who wanted to ask a few questions and chat a bit about her current work in progress. For purposes of this blog entry, we’ll call her “M.” (Very Mission Impossibl-ish, hmmm? And this blog entry will self destruct in…) Anyway, I have always believed that “M” is a wonderful writer, and there is little doubt in my mind that she will be published someday. However, while she has been writing straight historical fiction for some time, she is rather new to the world of romance writing and is a bit clueless when it comes to all the ins and outs of the industry. Of course, I am always glad to offer what advice I can, as I was once in the same place she is and know how much it can mean to have someone with a bit more experience lend a helping hand.
So, we were chatting away blithely when she brought up the fact that her current project is one she is really excited about, and I have to agree that it sounds like she has the makings for a really good book. The storyline is intriguing, she has some wonderful ideas for plot points, her hero and heroine are engaging. And, by the way, it’s set during the Civil War.
That’s when I slammed on my mental brakes. Yipes! If you have been writing historical romance for any length of time, you more than likely have heard the stories. Civil War romances aren’t selling right now, so publishers aren’t buying. The same goes for Westerns and Colonial-set romances. Pirate romances and Indian romances are few and far between. As someone who can remember the days when the settings for historical romances were as numerous as stars in the sky, I suddenly realize how much I miss that variety of choice, and how daunting it must be for aspiring authors struggling to break out who write in those time periods.
And I know this lack of choice must be equally as frustrating for readers. Of course, Regencies are topping lists all over the place, so someone must be buying them. And as someone who writes them, I know how lucky I am that my chosen time period just happens to be popular right now. But what if I wrote Renaissance-set historicals instead? Would I be published right now? Or would I still be among the numerous aspiring authors out there still waiting for The Call?
Which led me to a quandary. What do I tell “M?” Do I advise her to change her time period? Tell her how difficult it might be to get a Civil War era romance published? Do I have the right to discourage her in such a way? It truly sounds as if this is the book of her heart, and I hate to be the one to rain fire and brimstone down on her happiness, but I do want to be honest. Do I urge her to go ahead and write it, all the while assuring her that sooner or later the market is bound to change again?
I suppose I’m one of those optimists that likes to believe that things always turn around. What is popular today won’t necessarily sell tomorrow, and “M’s” Civil War romance might soon be coming to a shelf near you. The Jaunty Quills are giving a workshop at RWA National this summer titled “What Historical Slump?” And while I believe with all my heart that historicals are NOT dead, as so many have claimed, I do believe that there IS room for more variety.
So what do you all think? As an author or aspiring author, do you let the market dicate what and how you write? Or like me, do you just happen to be lucky enough to love writing what is currently selling? And what about you readers? Are you discouraged by the lack of variety in settings and time periods in historical romance? Or are you enjoying the Regency trend? Would you encourage your favorite author or authors to write the book of their heart, no matter what the time period? And would you buy it if she did?
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Isabel Says:
Kim and fellow Jaunty Quills I want to say thanks once again for blogging about writing topics. I’m an aspiring writer myself with long ways to go before I even attempt to submit anything to agents/publishers.
I love the Regency and Victorian times and I’m currently reseaching said periods. I hope and am keeping my fingers crossed that by the time I send queries out that these historical eras will still be popular with the publishers and readers.
If I were in M’s shoes I’d like to learn what the current trends are.
I’m gathering ideas for a story with romantic elements set in a time and country that I just know won’t sell at this moment (maybe never) but I do feel that when I finally sit down to write that story it might just be the best work I ever do. Even if no one reads it, that idea has been ever present in my mind since I was a young girl.
I really hope that romance historicals don’t go away. I’ve been a fan for fifteen years.
Personally I encourage my CPs to write the story of their hearts and as far as I know they are. The most important thing is to keep writing and even if the MS doesn’t sell. To me everytime you finish a book you become a better writer.
As for my favorite writers, I would buy and read whatever they write
Isabel
(sorry for the long rambling response)
Shana Says:
Well, I always like to go into things with my eyes open. Tell her that the Civil War is a hard sell right now, but that doesn’t mena a book set then won’t sell. There are so many books that sell because they’re different. They start a new trend, so who knows.
If she has to write the book, then she’ll write the book, regardless of the market. But I think you’ll feel better mentioning now that she might have difficulty, instead of waiting a year when she has trouble selling it and then saying, “well, I was going to mention that the Civil war is a tough sell…” Of course, by then, the Civil War might be the new hot thing! You never know.
Janelle Says:
Shane! I’m involved in the Harper Collins First Look Books program, and a copy of Reality TV Bites is on its way to my house!!!
I’m so excited.
Lois Says:
Well, I would explain what the market is like, ultimately giving her the choice whether or not to go for it, but I would still tell her to try, you simply don’t know until you try it and see what happens.
As for me, yep, I do tend to stick with England set stuff, mostly Regency, some Victorian, but do have some contemporaries, but that’s me and my interests. But I most certainly think there is room for everything, as there are people who may not like what I like. But that seems to be the nature of people — books, movies, tv, whatever — when there is one thing out there that becomes popular, everyone has to copy it for a while, pushing everything else out of the way. I guess for the most part, stuff comes back (everything old is new again), and no one ever learns that lesson that not everyone likes everything. I for one was really disappointed the tradition Regency lines were ended, and I’m not really into erotic romances. I like my hot just so hot. But I totally am fine that others don’t share my likes and dislikes — so hopefully one of these days traditionals come back but they certainly don’t have to push out anything else to do it. Why can’t they *try* to make everyone happy? LOL
Lois
Shana Says:
I’m excited, too, Janelle! Until about 2 weeks ago, I didn’t even know that RTB was part of the First Look program. I so hope you enjoy it!
Janelle Says:
You’ll be the first to know, definitely. I love all your other books… I can’t imagine that I’d feel differently about this one!
Robyn DeHart Says:
Well, I’ve never been one to sugar coat things. In fact, my critique partner calls me a drill saergent sometimes. So were it me, I would be completely frank with her and tell her about the market. Commiserate with her as you seem to be sympathetic to the lack of options in historical romance and she would appreciate the commonality. And then I’d throw something out to her and see how she feels about it. I’m kind of snarky about the whole book of your heart thing - I think if you want to have a career in this business, you have to sometimes make sacrifices to write to the market. I’m having to do this myself right now, but I accept the fact that it’s something I need to do as a professional. So instead of writing the books of our heart we should find how to love what’s popular to sell. But back to the idea, (cause clearly I could rant about this for days!) what is it about the Civil War that is so appealing? Is it the opposite sides fighting? What precisely is so important about this backdrop? Because let’s face it, that’s all they are, backdrops. We’re writing romance and it’s about the relationship, the rest of the stuff is just to make the romance more interesting. That’s stripping it down quite a bit, I realize, but it’s what I believe. So once she can identify what it is about that time period that’s working for her, perhaps you (she) can find a more popular time period that offers the same element, whether that be Regency, Victorian or Medieval. Then if she wants to pursue the book as her idea came, then it’s her decision, but you’ve given her opinion which she asked for. I always wanted people to be brutally honest with me and I wish I’d knew before I sold what I know now about my own books, it would have made this transition less painful.
Kimberly Logan Says:
First of all, Isabel, you are very welcome! It wasn’t all that long ago that I was an aspiring author surfing the net, trying to find a bit of honest advice to help me along the road to publication. If the Jaunty Quills can provide that for others, that’s great!
Yes, as a reader I can definitely understand the frustration out there at the lack of variety. I would love to read a good Civil War story right about now. Or how about a tale set during the French revolution? I LOVED Iris Johansen’s Storm Winds from the Wind Dancer series. But would that book sell today if it had been written by anyone but Johansen? I don’t know, and that’s sad.
However, I can also understand the publisher’s need to employ authors who write books that sell, and right now it seems that is Regency, Victorian, and Medieval. Obviously, a publishing company isn’t going to be around very long if they don’t make any money, and in the end that’s what it comes down to, I guess.
As for “M,” I thank you all for the advice. In the end, I pretty much decided that honesty was the best policy. I think anyone starting out in this business needs to have their eyes wide open. Back when I was still struggling to figure it all out, someone told me to try writing two books: One aimed at the current market and the book of my heart. Believe it or not, the book of my heart sold first! It was called A Kiss in the Dark. I had been told several times by various crit partners that publishers didn’t want books set in the Regency underworld. They wanted balls and dinner parties and high society all the way. Thankfully, I found out that wasn’t always the case. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that “M” finds out that her Civil War romance is the exception to the rule. Like you said, Shane, maybe she’ll start the next new trend.
Lacey Kaye Says:
Fantastic post, guys. I loved every word and every response. I love Robyn’s blinders-off honesty! This is all great food for thought, and I agree with Isabel, I really enjoy the craft topics.
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