tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post5300506226283838200..comments2023-06-28T06:36:14.559-06:00Comments on Tess Hilmo: Why It Matters, Even If We Don't Want It ToTesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-37064411821904094812009-08-28T22:40:50.451-06:002009-08-28T22:40:50.451-06:00What a great discussion..thanks to everyone who we...What a great discussion..thanks to everyone who weighed in. It's good to discuss these things and it's okay if we don't agree - that makes it interesting, I think :D<br /><br />I really appreciate your input and opinions and advice...good stuff!!Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-71717676633328508572009-08-27T15:21:23.525-06:002009-08-27T15:21:23.525-06:00Wow ... fantastic post - very thought-provoking! ...Wow ... fantastic post - very thought-provoking! Could you imagine ... Poland?! Congrats on your progress too!!!Kelly H-Yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324529762031928328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-35521345028825520912009-08-27T12:11:11.041-06:002009-08-27T12:11:11.041-06:00I've got big dreams for my books. Of course, ...I've got big dreams for my books. Of course, reality looks at me like I'm a dork, and laughs his fool head off, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming. I would LOVE to have my book published in other countries. That's why Man created Foreign Rights. But...*shakes head* Right now, I'd just be happy to find an agent willing to sell one of my books here at home. LOL! Still searching. Will find!SM Bloodinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09971299586092717838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-24906754288344204292009-08-27T11:12:13.065-06:002009-08-27T11:12:13.065-06:00I agree 100% with your post. Anyone in business is...I agree 100% with your post. Anyone in business is smart to be flexible and to heed current market conditions. I'm not just a writer, I'm a writer who wants to get published and get paid for what I do. That means I'm a business person. <br /><br />Every writer should have a business plan and should be flexible and on top of market conditions. It's just smart.Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-65371476648392948812009-08-27T08:26:53.633-06:002009-08-27T08:26:53.633-06:00Tess, I think the key word here is: FLEXIBILITY. Y...Tess, I think the key word here is: FLEXIBILITY. Yes, I think there is a way that we can still honor our writing, that is, be true to our voice, and yet still be open to suggestions from agents and editors. We can still "write what we know," that is, our experiences, our emotions, etc. and just incorporate it into something more contemporary. I was wondering, though, as to how much "contemporary" do agents/editors want a novel to be. Like, could something set in the '80s or '90s still be called contemporary?<br /><br />Great post again, Tess!Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09968456960528987538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-62837413026245730372009-08-26T18:10:30.352-06:002009-08-26T18:10:30.352-06:00I think agents and editors are educated and know w...I think agents and editors are educated and know what will sell. Thats why they have the careers they have. I'm always open to suggestions if it will better my story without changing the heart and soul of it.kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-37832643204517629712009-08-26T12:34:53.018-06:002009-08-26T12:34:53.018-06:00You are right on. This is EXACTLY what I've be...You are right on. This is EXACTLY what I've been told by my agent too. I'm having to rethink my strategy and go with a more saleable story for my next book. Like you, there's still hope for my first, but to build a readership I have to write something more marketable next.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-62385362392364886092009-08-26T12:12:06.589-06:002009-08-26T12:12:06.589-06:00I definitely think about the market. You have to, ...I definitely think about the market. You have to, I think. And having someone who knows the market so well is priceless. It would be shameful not to listen. <br /><br />Good luck with your subs, Tess. And with your new WiP!Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-76927292413040834912009-08-26T11:44:05.958-06:002009-08-26T11:44:05.958-06:00Another great question, Tess!
I weighed in previo...Another great question, Tess!<br /><br />I weighed in previously about writing what is in you to write. And I believe that.<br /><br />However, I think it's great to try something new as long as it's not slavish trend-following. You might find yourself writing a story you're passionate about after all. <br /><br />I know that my MS has improved by just playing with suggestions fellow Slushbusters have given me. Being open to doing something different with a subplot or character in my story has helped. Why not try something different with an entire story?<br /><br />So yes, I'd consider writing a different genre. I think the key would be whether I could invest myself in that genre. If I couldn't, then it really wouldn't be worth it.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06909176210194176373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-20120202616458393212009-08-26T11:36:18.998-06:002009-08-26T11:36:18.998-06:00BJ: don't worry, friend! my historical is doin...BJ: don't worry, friend! my historical is doing fine. it's just a little bit of a longer road, is all - a numbers game, if you will.<br /><br />Stephanie: interesting thoughts, I am so glad you disagree some (I love a good discussion!).<br /><br />PJ: how come I never even considered the foreign thing? so cool! I'm going to totally start paying attention to that w/ other books from now on.<br /><br />Davin: You speak from your heart and you make excellent points. Thanks for commenting and thanks for not automatically agreeing - that's what makes discussion interesting. Six months ago I would have agreed whole heartedly with 100% of what you said. Now I agree 98%. ;) That's good because the best people in our lives cause us to think.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-20807884160805254412009-08-26T11:15:52.091-06:002009-08-26T11:15:52.091-06:00Tess, I think this is a really hard topic to ever ...Tess, I think this is a really hard topic to ever be confident about. For me personally, I have separated the two things. There is what I want to write, and there is what will sell. I honestly, honestly believe that a great writer will be able to market exactly what she or he wants to write. But, for most writers, some compromise has to be made if they want to sell. That's okay if they are in it for the love of writing. After all, they still get to write. I'm leaning the other way. I think, at least where I am now, I'm more willing to sacrifice the numbers for the art. I want it to be more personal. Maybe that has to do with the fact that I have a stable non-writing job. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I've published some short stories and find that I don't get as much satisfaction about publishing something I don't like, even if other people like it a lot. For me, the thrill is to pour my heart out on the page and have people look at that. Being a best-seller with material I'm not as happy with would still be fun, but not AS fun.Davin Malasarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385823575081492949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-45059380872430316442009-08-26T10:08:50.598-06:002009-08-26T10:08:50.598-06:00I love seeing what gets sold to foreign countries....I love seeing what gets sold to foreign countries. It's so levelizing. Makes me realize everyone likes a good story. Some stuff sells much more easily.<br /><br />i love your thoughts on the business!PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-89086506120563795082009-08-26T09:53:35.685-06:002009-08-26T09:53:35.685-06:00I have a blog I wrote on this issue, set to publis...I have a blog I wrote on this issue, set to publish sometime in the next week. (I tend to write too many blogs so I just save up!) There's two things I've noticed...if you want to be published, you have to follow market trends.<br /><br />If you want to be a STAR, you write the book of your heart.<br /><br />The latter is risky. And most people take this route, unfortunately. There end up being very few Stephenie Meyers or J.K. Rowlings and a whole lot of people who remain unpublished until they finally give in to writing to market.<br /><br />But if you CAN pull off writing the book of your heart and not following any rules...the payoff is much better than following what the crowd is doing. Again, though, the number of people who are able to do this is ridiculously small. Kinda like the number of people who go on to network superstardom in the TV news business, compared to the huge number of people making good money doing news at local stations...Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-28546204141273803732009-08-26T09:30:00.508-06:002009-08-26T09:30:00.508-06:00I think it's a very valid point. If you aren&...I think it's a very valid point. If you aren't reading what's out there right now and what's popular, you'll probably miss the mark. Although, I just saw a YA historical that I'm dying to pick up, because I love historicals. :D I just finished writing one, and now I'm totally freaked out that it's going to get rejected because of that.B.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767654810069240472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-32339347432544392082009-08-26T09:16:37.870-06:002009-08-26T09:16:37.870-06:00Jeannie: I had never considered it, either and it ...Jeannie: I had never considered it, either and it is soo exciting!<br /><br />LazyWriter: yes, we are right ;)<br /><br />Storyqueen: you make a very important point. I do give far more weight to these suggestions based on the fact that they are coming from someone who knows my writing, my voice -- who appreciates those things about me -- but who also knows the market.<br /><br />Suzanne: ha!<br /><br />Robyn: yes, and we can find both a story we love and a story that has some broader appeal. we can, we can.<br /><br />MG: excellent point. trust our gut-monitors. I have no intention of writing to the trends. I'm just moving the MG mystery I love to write from 1957 (or the like) up to current times. thanks!<br /><br />Glam: oh, you are a sneaky, clever girl! But, really, you are spot on in your comment. The source of advice does matter...and in the meantime, we can slip in those timeless elements ;)Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-67398469358315045032009-08-26T09:07:33.715-06:002009-08-26T09:07:33.715-06:00I like how Natalie puts it that you can write what...I like how Natalie puts it that you can write what you love and make it fit the market at the same time. This is why it would be wonderful to have an agent to guide me along. I guess the hardest thing is to get our foot in the door to begin with. Until then, we rely on blogs and networking, reading current trends, etc. to see what's working at the moment.<br /><br />At the same time, I think we just have to write the best story we can. I'm doing that, but also putting in elements that I know will always appeal to wider audiences. I'm so sneaky. Heh.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-46250019062985116682009-08-26T09:00:40.394-06:002009-08-26T09:00:40.394-06:00I think your argument is sensible. Can we be flexi...I think your argument is sensible. Can we be flexible and still honor our artistic integrity? Of course! As you're writing, I believe your internal gut-check monitor will let you know if/when you've crossed that "commercial" line. Go for it.MG Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584010470283038023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-83971435949072644542009-08-26T08:53:25.189-06:002009-08-26T08:53:25.189-06:00I don't think you're being blasphemous. I ...I don't think you're being blasphemous. I do think we as writers have to compromise and eventually have to work with a team. <br /><br />I too am confident your book will sell. Historical fiction is gobbled up where we live. <br /><br />If you WANT to do more contemporary writing, and throw in the historical stuff that's GREAT! But ONLY if that's what you as a writer really WANT to do. We do this because we love, love, love it. :)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-25119717545171858582009-08-26T08:35:34.967-06:002009-08-26T08:35:34.967-06:00Um.... I will wait and see what you do and copy i...Um.... I will wait and see what you do and copy it. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556206184198452490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-51590466907578543392009-08-26T08:07:33.180-06:002009-08-26T08:07:33.180-06:00I think the difference here is that you are gettin...I think the difference here is that you are getting advice from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Your agent is making suggestions about what might be a good writing avenue to stroll down for a bit. Heck yes! I'd give serious thought to a suggestion by my editor or agent.<br /><br />However, those without the horse's mouth whispering in their ears....well, who is to say what is marketable/publishable or not? <br />Following trends (unless one is an extremely fast writer) seems to land the writer a day late and a dollar short. <br /><br />So, I guess I'd still say to write what only you can write....but taking chances and stretching yourself is never a bad thing.<br /><br />Great post!<br /><br />Shelleystoryqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07039684494823420722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-88846073785687316772009-08-26T07:34:48.786-06:002009-08-26T07:34:48.786-06:00I agree! There is somewhere in the middle. You c...I agree! There is somewhere in the middle. You can write something marketable and still love it.Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-27594192944464505702009-08-26T07:29:44.522-06:002009-08-26T07:29:44.522-06:00i've never thought about selling in a differen...i've never thought about selling in a different country! but it happens all the time (currently reading sophie kinsella's shopaholic series). anyway...i have a blog ward for you on my blog today! check it out!Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-13224229835217958912009-08-26T07:25:45.846-06:002009-08-26T07:25:45.846-06:00Lisa/Laura: Ah, by your comment I can tell I am re...Lisa/Laura: Ah, by your comment I can tell I am responding to Lisa...hello :) . We are in such a similar place. Thanks for sharing part of your journey. What important lessons we are learning.<br /><br />Natalie: you got it. And what's wrong with a little strech? It's good for us, right?<br /><br />Dominique: thanks for your comment. It is a good idea to keep your stories flowing and not turn any away,I agree. <br /><br />LT: you hit it exactly. It is both an expression of our art and a business. One does not exclude the other :)<br /><br />Tricia: thanks for the vote of confidence. it's my favorite part of blogging. We must follow our heart when we write, but be open to suggestions for revision or other works. <br /><br />KM: What a great point about how little patience we have with certain writing styles. What a great story you shared, thanks.<br /><br />Jennifer: YES! It is going on all the time...I was just clueless. And, what did Ally Carter write before YA? How very interesting...must check that out, thanks!Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-77479046486685919052009-08-26T07:08:48.042-06:002009-08-26T07:08:48.042-06:00Honestly, I hear this going on all the time. Ally ...Honestly, I hear this going on all the time. Ally Carter switched to YA and is a huge success because she followed her agent's advice. Many contemporary romance authrs are making the switch to paranormals with huge success because of the market.<br />I don't think there's anything wrong with taking the advice of your agent if it's something that doesn't make you uncomfortable and you can enjoy doing.Jennifer Shirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970585847385511795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-2064928816719372892009-08-26T05:25:28.863-06:002009-08-26T05:25:28.863-06:00I think it's really great how a book might not...I think it's really great how a book might not sell in America well but will be incredibly popular in another country. Some cultures are just more receptive to ideas/themes/writing styles more than others. I have a writer friend who loves the old British novels (as do I) and would love to write/publish them, but he's aware that the American market doesn't really have a place for them, so he writes more contemporary/fast-paced/sci-fi. I have to say, though, that I wish the American market was a little more open to the narrative-slow-start-but-builds-to-an-incredible-climax style.Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851403823244758904noreply@blogger.com