Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Recently I’ve had several conversations with writers who are exploring what book they should be writing. Sometimes the individual is seeking to be published for the first time. Other times it’s a published authors trying to decide what to write next.
I’ve found that asking yourself one question might well give clarity where before your vision was blurred.
If you don’t write that book [or insert “that idea”], who will?
A couple of cases illustrate how asking such a question can lead to an answer that, 
once you come upon it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t see it before.
At a writers conference, I met with a conferee who was trying her hand at writing, unsure of whether she had the innate ability to pursue publication. I skimmed her sample chapters for a nonfiction book, laughing aloud in a few places, feeling challenged in my thinking in others. Good stuff. Strong writing.
But as we talked, the writer happened to mention another idea she had. I realized immediately that: it suited her well; she had spent her life working in an industry that the idea was connected to; the topic was one most Americans strongly relate to; and she saw a way to solve a conundrum others haven’t discovered. She also had spoken at significant conferences on the book’s subject and been enthusiastically received.
I responded to her by saying, “The chapters I read were good, and with some additional work, you might well get that idea published. But there’s nothing uniquely you about the concept. Anyone to write what you did. However, with your second idea, if you don’t write it, who will?”
I had a similar conversation with one of my clients. She explained to me that her publisher had seen one of her blog posts, liked it, and asked her to write a book on it. My client’s response was, “Why not?”
After all, when your publisher asks for a book, you should write it, right?
But I didn’t see it that way. The publisher might have just been struck by the topic and impulsively asked the author about expanding that into a book. It was in a genre my client could write in, but was this the best idea for her next book? Her career is young, and she’s establishing a lot about herself with her readers: What type of book should they expect from her? What is true for her voice and what isn’t? Is she giving her readers what they want? And, most importantly, if she doesn’t write that book, might someone else?
The answer to the last question is yes, another person might well write a book on that idea. Plus, my client has another idea that’s still taking shape in her mind, and it’s uniquely her. The concept is encapsulated in a phrase that’s catchy, memorable, and perfect for a book’s title. Not to mention that certain events in her life will enrich the book significantly. And she is passionate about writing it.
We’ll discuss the first idea with the publisher to find out more about why the request was made, but I’m pretty sure, my client needs to write that second idea.
If you find two or more ideas sparring each other for your attention, ask yourself:
1. If I don’t write this book, could someone else?
2. Am I uniquely qualified?
3. Am I passionate about the idea?
In what ways do you agree with me? disagree?
Do you think writing what your passionate about is the most important part of deciding what to write?
TWEETABLES
How to decide what to write next. Click to tweet.
Ask 3 questions to decide if you’re writing the right book. Click to tweet.
Those are great questions to help weed out ideas when trying to decide on a new project. There is one more consideration I’d personally add. Where is God leading? I know publishing is a business and I never sit down at a pitch meeting and declare I must be contracted because God gave me the words to write. But I do want to follow His leading and seek His blessing in every project I take on. Thanks for a great post, Janet!
Good addition, Andrea. Following God’s leading should be #1.
Great addition, Andrea!
These questions are most helpful, Janet. Being clear about my response to one of them is good; having clarity with all three in conjunction with one another would seem to be a great way to establish ‘go or no go’. Thank you!
Micky, it’s true that a yes on all three is a pretty strong assurance that you’re headed in the right direction.
Someone once wrote “Amateurs write for passion, professionals write for publication”.
I think I agree with this.
I have a passion to help people improve and enjoy their marriages – I think marriage is the most important thing we do in this life, and it’s intimately connected with how we relate to the Almighty.
I write a blog about it, three times a week, and have no diminution of enthusiasm. People seem to like it, too.
And I’ve written a book about Christian marriage, and how to make it thrive.
But the book will never be published, for one simple reason.
I’m unqualified to write it. Looking at my resume, one might ask how I can even think of writing about ANY kind of relationship bar that of mortal combat.
Sure, I’ve thought about self-pubbing, but that’s not the point. It was written to help others, not to give me a feel-good “I’m an author!” glow.
But there is a strategy. I’m using social media to try to get a church marriage ministry to take a look at the book, and see if they’ll adopt it in Kindle form, for free.
And perhaps they might recommend it to other ministry teams at other churches.
Maybe it won’t get published, but the passion may do some good nonetheless.
Meanwhile, what I CAN do is write positive marriage messages into fiction, and that does have at least a chance of getting published.
You are too qualified to write about marriage! You and B got married…twice! That fact alone doubles your qualifications. And honestly, if you two can still be all googly eyed (I’ve seen it, it’s kinda cute in a “Oh, I think I may hurl at this cuteness” kind of way) after what you both have been through, then you are TOTALLY qualified to write about marriage.
Thanks, Jennifer – for the casual reader, I think you have a point. But to ask a publisher to make an investment based on that, probably not.
I’m hoping that the blog will be something of a resource for ministry teams in the future. That’s the focus of my publicity efforts. If that’s successful, it may become enough of a platform to get the book published, even without professional counseling credentials.
I won’t quit. Seeing what else is out there, I think I do bring a different perspective to the issue, and it’s worth the effort even if only a few people stop and think.
I am so glad that this is the first thing I read this morning. I completely agree with you. I am a creative writer and for years I thought I just needed to sit down and fly by the seat of my pants, but I felt like had a split-personality in my writing. I had lots of good ideas, lots of starts, and only few really good finishes that I was proud of. I’m almost finished with a manuscript because I asked myself…who else will write this? Timely post for me, thank you!
Jennifer, hooray for you to finally settle into asking yourself that penultimate question, Who else will write this? I’m glad my post affirmed your decision.
Those are great questions to consider when trying to decide what I want to write next. It seems like passion needs to play an important part in what I decide to write. If I’m not passionate about the story, it will reflect in the writing. I’m not certain passion should be the only, or the overriding factor that determines if I will write the book I’m considering.
You brought up great points, as far as what unique qualities I might bring to the topic or theme being considered. I haven’t considered your third question before. That is a great filter. Thanks for sharing this!
Jeanne, beautiful friend, dear, pure hearted, Jeanne.
I think you have a book hidden away that you’re putting aside for another day. A safer day, a day when you’ve “arrived”, and no one will wonder who you are and why you’re hiding this gem. Because maybe then you won’t be afraid to fire on all cylinders and give the world what you’ve kept in that treasure box.
You are one of the NICEST people I’ve ever met. Truly.
And you’re also one of the smartest.
But you need to toss the caution to the wind and tackle the chains that are holding that story in the dark dungeon of “Maybe Later”.
I KNOW it is in there, the story that will make people their jaws in wonder and ask “Where has Jeanne Takenaka been!?”
Passion, and truth. THAT is your hallmark. Jesus has already won your war, but now? Now it’s time to do battle.
Shake off those invisible chains and don’t be afraid of reckless abandon.
What does God say in Isaiah? “Do not fear.”
Thank you for your kind words, Jennifer. 🙂
On the flip side, if we are passionate about the story, it will reflect in the writing.
A sense of urgency about your topic or tale comes in handy when you take a hundredth pass at your MS for revision purposes. I think we discover new facets of ourselves when we delve into our characters, and remain diligent despite tough critiques. Perhaps renewed ardor eliminates some of the hesitancy and fear. But I also know we have to find a balance with the ‘write to publish’ side of the process.
Well put, Jenni.
You’re right, Jenni. I guess part of what I left out that I should have said is what you did: Passion about what we’re right will shine through. 🙂 Thanks for completing my thought. 😉
Good topic today Janet. Outside of all technical documentation and editing I do, I am developing a work of fiction yet people tell me I should be writing a non-fiction book which is totally unrelated to anything technical I normally write. I consider what people tell me but this post has helped in regarding why I am focusing on the fiction and not the non-fiction. Here is my response below”
1. If I don’t write this book, could someone else? Fiction: No Non-fiction: Maybe
2. Am I uniquely qualified? Fiction: Yes to a certain degree. Non-fiction: Definitely not but some may say otherwise.
3. Am I passionate about the idea? Fiction: Yes Non-fiction: No, however people would probably say I am but I definitlely more passionate about my fiction topic.
Do you think writing what your passionate about is the most important part of deciding what to write? I think Number 2 is important but Number 3 is definitely important. It is one thing to write to pay the bills but if you are not passionate about it, then who would be. You can’t expect an agent or publisher to be as excited about a project if you are not passionate about it.
Without passion, whatever you write will be limp. Who wants to read limp? The writing might technically be fine, but passion infuses your work with an energy like nothing else can.
I’ve pondered this for 4 hours.
And it just hit me.
(for those who don’t know, I write about Navajo history from 1864, and on)
I write because I think maybe, just maybe, if I tell the story well enough now, I can go back in time, and somehow save them. That somehow, I can stop Kit Carson. And the Cavalry. And General Carleton.
That by telling a story now about what happened to the Navajo people 150 years ago, I can somehow stand in the path of 9500 wandering souls, raise my hands and scream at them all to go home. That if they keep walking to New Mexico, one way or another, they’ll die.
And what was done in the name of God was not done with His blessing.
“Just as you unreel the thread from a spool, I want the past to become the present.”
– attributed to the wife of Minamoto Yoshitune, in a poem written on Yoshitune’s departure for what would become his last battle.
wow, that is so cool!
Who was Yoshitune?
And you’re probably too close to your project to see it, but I think your stories will fill a niche that’s been overlooked far too long. I’m excited to see where God takes your novels and I look forward to reading them. Love your passionate heart!
Thank you, Cindy.
I do want to make a difference, and I want to reach people, Navajo or whoever, for Jesus.
Yoshitune was a very skilled general; who lived from 1159 to 1189; he was pivotal in causing the downfall of the Taira clan during the Gempei War.
Yoshitune rebelled against the victorious shogun, and, trapped, was compelled to take his own life. The legendary warrior monk Benkei fought to buy time for Yoshitune to die honorably by his own hand.
He’s revered in Japan to this day, as a model of strength, courage, and benevolence; his only failing – a large one – was his rebellious nature in a time when loyalty had to be absolute, unto death.
Annnnd this is why you blow me away. 12th C Japanese heroes?
Cool.
Jennifer, that is so beautiful! Sounds like a story in and of itself. You make me passionate for my own writing all over again. Thank you!
Wow, thank you, and you’re welcome.
Wow, Jennifer…your words here made me tear up.
I wish we could redo some parts of history, and I don’t understand why God allowed them. But maybe somehow, even through our writing, He can allow people to re-live them in a way that can lead towards healing.
Bless you.
“If I don’t write this book, could someone else?”
Your question may help me make a decision, Janet. I have been so torn. Non-fiction/fiction? Non-fiction/fiction? And again, and again.
When we have first-hand knowledge of an issue that both the wider culture, and Christians, are talking about, but that is oh so controversial, we also have to decide how public we want to go along with our decision about what to write. For some of us, our decision has repercussions far beyond our own sphere and our own lifetime perhaps.
But then, if I don’t write it, who will? Who will speak from my perspective–from my eyes looking outward? Non-fiction…
It sounds as though writing what you’re uniquely qualified to create puts you in a vulnerable and scary place. And that means asking God when is the right time to write it. Only through prayerful consideration can you determine that.
Thank you. You are so right. Pray I will.
Sometimes fiction can speak more powerfully to a specific issue; the characters that you can create will speak with your unique heart, and can touch the hearts of those whose hearts might be hardened against nonfiction.
Love can be the wedge that rolls away the stone, and gives them the enlightenment, and the strength, to care.
Thank you for your wise, thoughtful response too, Andrew. I’ve often thought the same thing: that love is the answer, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do.
I don’t write NF, but if the content is controversial, I imagine that safeguarding those close to you is something to consider. This important priority would really determine how, or when, or even if you broach the topic with the public.
This is definitely a thought-provoking topic, Janet. Thank you.
I’ve written one novel and now I’m working on a second one that is in an entirely different genre. I was (and still am) passionate about the first one and am passionate and excited about my WIP. Could anyone else have written the first one? Absolutely not. Could anyone write my second one? I don’t think so, but sometimes I’m worried that I’m wrong about that. There certainly are novels that have similar elements, but I feel I’m doing it from a unique perspective and that it contains some unusual elements. While I believe you bring up an excellent point in advising writers to ask, “If you don’t write that book…who will?” I think you’re examples fit non-fiction better than fiction. If I were to follow the advice exactly as I understand it, I would actively pursue getting the first novel published, and I think that would be a mistake. Here’s why:
About a year and a half ago, I had every intention of working on getting the first novel published by the traditional route. I was working on my fifth (and I hoped) final revision and was investing in having it professionally critiqued by a Writer’s Digest service. The response from the writer / editor who was critiquing the novel (in segments) was so positive that she apologized to me for not finding a lot wrong and she gave referred me to her agent and said she would happily recommend the manuscript to her agent. As you can imagine, I was elated. Then I read an excellent blog post by Rachel Kent and realized that I needed to put that novel on hold and put my focus on the second novel, which I had just started. For clarity, the first novel is an adult psychological mystery I titled Shattering the Moonfish, and the WIP in a YA fantasy called Music of Dragons. Writing Moonfish was intensive. The plotting is similar to piecing together a mosaic. While Music of Dragons does have some complexity of plot (and all that world building one has to do in a fantasy), it is much more straightforward writing and it is fun. Moonfish deals with child abuse and mental illness and, at times, scenes were emotionally difficult and exhausting to write. I really believe in Moonfish. I think it’s a story that needs to be told, especially the forgiveness aspect of the story, and I still want to publish it at some point. However, as a want-to-be debut author who wants to be a career author, I learned about branding from Rachel. After reading her post (which was shortly after being given the promise of a recommendation of Moonfish to an agent), I had a serious conversation with myself and God about whether or not I could write another book like Moonfish, and I don’t think I can. On the other hand, even early on I had ideas for three to four books that would be set in the same world and with some of the same characters as Music of Dragons. I felt that these were books that I could produce under a deadline and books that I would enjoy writing and sharing with people. So the answer was clear to me: go with the story that could lead to a career as a traditionally publisher writer. I still hope to publish Moonfish as some point, either under a pseudonym or as a self-published book, but I think if I pursued trying to publish it right now, I wouldn’t be able to get an agent. If I succeeded in getting a phone interview and the question came up, “So what’s your second novel about?” I would have to admit that I can’t see myself writing another book in that genre. And that would be the end of that.
Returning to your question, I am hopeful that, although another author might write a novel wingless, teenage faerie who’s struggling with which Life Path to take, Music of Dragons will still have elements that are unique enough to it that I’m still the only person who could have written that novel. And the other two or three that follow it. 😉
Happy Monday!
Christine, thanks for unfolding for us your thoughts on why you should write a YA fantasy rather than an adult psychological mystery. Your reasoning makes good sense to me. A writer should think about branding and not just writing what interests him/her at the moment. Since you know you don’t want to write a mystery series, with your finished manuscript as the first book, it makes sense for you not to pursue that now.
Your examples show the importance of looking ahead as you make a decision, not just looking at the present. Thanks for your contribution to the conversation.
Thank you, Janet.
(Sorry for the late response. It’s been one of those days.)
Thanks for this post, Janet! I think most writers have had people tell us, “Oh, you should write [insert their idea here].” And it’s not a bad idea to listen to that suggestion. My gut reaction is still almost always, “That’s not really my thing.”
I’ve had people offer me horror novel ideas, even though I don’t even read horror, let alone write it. I do like ghost stories, though, which I think is where the confusion starts.
I still think the best ideas come from within, where I’m so passionate about the character or the story that I can’t not write about it. Sometimes I can take a thread or a scenario from an idea or suggestion, but I always have to tinker with it to make it my own. I think that’s the only way to withstand the long hours of drafting, editing, and then marketing that all writers have to do. For me, anyway. 🙂
Thanks again for the interesting post!
I agree, Jenni. My hubby and my father have both suggested great topics for non-fiction books (connections they know, etc). I always refuse because I rarely read non-fiction, and I know I wouldn’t have the first sweet clue about how to go about writing it (outside having interviewed people for newspapers, etc, but turning that into a book!?). Anyway–great point.
Yes, if you don’t read a certain type of book, it certainly doesn’t make sense to write in it. You’re not inherently drawn to it. At least it’s pretty easy to dismiss those book suggestions!
Ha, I have a unique problem. No one else would write about any of my ideas. Perhaps I am a bit too unique. May have something to do with why my books aren’t published. Ah well, better writing. I’m working on better writing, maybe that will help.
Kristen, if sufficient readers exist who like what you write, then uniqueness shouldn’t be a problem–publishing swoops in to fill such vacuums. If there are readers for your type of writing, and you’re still not getting traction, then some other issue is making editors/agents say no–especially since your idea is unique.
Thanks for the encouragement and wisdom Janet. It is YA Biblical fiction. I’ve had a lot of people remind me that YA doesn’t do well in CBA and for a long time many said that Biblical fiction wasn’t selling…but that seems to be changing some. So, my passions seem to line up with the slumping areas of the business. But I’ll just keep working on getting better and see if the trends change.
Kristen, it only takes one successful author to begin a trend–and a publishing house ready to take a risk. Wendy’s client, Jill Eileen Smith, worked on her adult biblical fiction for at least a decade, and everyone told her biblical fiction didn’t sell. Then a publisher loved her novels and decided to publish them. With their beautiful covers, the books were an immediate success. And other publishers started, once again, to buy biblical fiction. So there you have it!
For me, Janet, it has to be passion and belief in what I’m writing about. I was published by a major traditional house, but I didn’t have a passion for what I wrote. The truth was it left me wanting more. I’m very grateful that I was able to be published, but it left me unfulfilled.
I believe passion is what separates great from good, and the world has more than enough good writers it doesn’t need me. I want not so much to be a great writer, but to write about something great. Someone great. My main goal is to glorify Jesus in my writing. Be that through traditional or self-publishing.
And who knows, crazier things have happened?
Jim, I add a hearty amen to writing what you’re passionate about–unless you have to bring in a certain amount of earnings from your writing or have some other compelling reason to write that which you’re ho-hum about. Writing and being published is way too much work to do it just because you can.
Yes, I do think if you’re not writing what you’re passionate about, that will show up in your work. Conversely, this occasionally necessitates looking outside the box for publishing options. But I think when you have that story you know needs to be told, and you believe in it enough not to alter or water down the driving passion behind it, it will get out there, one way or another. Many times I’ve been tempted to write romance or Amish fiction, but it has never been something I migrate toward, so therefore WHY would I attempt to write it? (nothing against romance/Amish, just not my calling as an author) You have to write what you want to read. In the end, I think that’s what makes your books uniquely “you.” Great thoughts today.
Heather, yes, if you’re passionate about writing something and traditional publishing just isn’t there for you, then it’s time to look elsewhere. Some writers love creating romances; it’s what they read. So they’re aiming in the perfect direction for them. It’s all about what’s a good fit. (Unless you’re having to make a certain income through your writing, or you’re having to write in a currently popular genre because you need to improve your sales history.)
We need to discuss you and the Amish idea.
These are such great questions.
For me, passion and fear seem to be awfully close neighbors. I find that if something scares me a little, to write it, it’s probably because it’s a big part of my heart. I think authenticity and “voice” are born from a good mix of confident passion and “gosh, I hope they get it” fear.
That said, this is a business…there is the need to brand…what a juggle! 🙂
Becky, I love your description of passion and fear. They do tend to reside next to each other, don’t they? Which means you’re highly unlikely to encounter one without meeting the other.
You also need to find the core of your passion, not just an idea that has you enthused at the moment. If you write from the center of passion, you’ll naturally be branding yourself in a way you’re comfortable with long-term.
I very much enjoyed this post, Janet! I’ve discovered in the eleven months I’ve been writing that if I don’t enjoy the story I’m writing, it shows. The style is the same but the passion isn’t there. I really think it’s important to write what YOU need to. What you have a fire for. So, my answer to the second question is a big ole YES! Write what you’re passionate about. Where is the enjoyment in writing if you’re not writing what you love?
Crystal, exactly. Without passion in the writing, the manuscript is serviceable.
I’m going to ask my agent about writing a non-fiction memwar (yes, that is totally the real French spelling.). The working title could be: Jennifer Major-The Only Reason Her Mother Refuses to Get a Facebook Page…EVER.
LOL!
Do a screen shot of yours, print it, frame it, and she’ll have her very own FB page to hang on the wall.
Thus, having her own, she’ll be all out of excuses.
Oh man…
I can chop logic with the worst of them.
Bahahaha! Yes, you can.
But you do it so well!
Thank you for this blogpost, Janet! Your thoughts and 3 questions have confirmed some of my short stories I have been wary of sharing because of an odd style(it’s a fairly whimsical voice.) While I am sure it still needs some work, perhaps the style these stories are in is not a detriment as I was originally concerned about.
Additionally, pretty sure that my current WIP fulfills all 3 requirements :)Yay!
A year ago, I was writing a novel that I thought was a very cool idea. But it wasn’t a genre I feel comfortable in and I was dragging myself to my laptop every day. I didn’t want to quit for the sake of not quitting, but after finishing 2/3 of it, I finally realized the problem. I had zero passion for the story and characters. I gave myself permission to quit and decided to work on an old idea that was so much more me. I’m so glad I did 🙂
Passion is so important. If you’re not feeling it, neither will your readers!
But don’t delete the one you quit on – you may one day find a way back into it!
I won’t! I have a habit of not deleting anything.
I still have the first (massively autobiographical) “novel” I wrote. I need a program that would delete it automatically upon my death, it’s so embarrassing. But I can’t bring myself to delete it quite yet!
Angela, when you find that auto delete program, let me know, okay?
Angela, needless to say I’m glad you returned to the story where your passion resided. It showed!
🙂 Thank you!
Thanks for this post Janet. For 15 years, people have been telling me that I need to write a book about all the experiences that I and my family went through before and after the Vietnam war. This year, I finally started it, only to find myself gripping with fear at the thought of actually putting it all to print for all the world to see. I saw a million copies of other authors with similar stories out there, so it seemed to me as if the story had already been told a thousand times. ‘Who wants to read ANOTHER Vietnam war story?’ I told myself. I realize now, though, that it’s more about the way you tell a story that makes the difference, so I trudge on and write as much as I can now. What I’m finding difficult now is that to make that story uniquely mine, I have to expose a lot of myself and that is…scary! I agree with you that those are the books that we need to write – the ones that no one else can write, but often, those are the ones that are the hardest to write because we are vulnerable to being exposed; and as such, many of them never get published. I’m not sure yet if mine will ever get published for that reason, so for now, I’m writing it just for my kids so that they will know my story and can pass it down through the years. Your thoughts are nevertheless very useful and applicable to me for the follow-up ideas I have for other books. Thanks again & keep them coming!
Eugene Sledge wrote “With The Old Breed” for his kids – he was sure no one would want yet another WW2 memoir, particularly a few years after the publication of William Manchester’s “Goodbye, Darkness”, which covered some of the same ground (particularly Okinawa, in which battle both men served).
The books complemented each other, and “With The Old Breed” is probably more widely read today.
The popularity of Sledge’s work also kept veterans engaged in writing memoirs, and as a result we have preserved much of the history that would otherwise have been lost. The WW2 generation is passing quickly now; but their words will stay with us as both inspiration and caution.
The same thing is true of the Viet Nam generation; there are a lot of well-written memoirs of the war and its aftermath, but there is always room for more. Stop by a bookstore, and you’ll almost always find people browsing that shelf.
By the way – not to be nit-picky – it’s Viet Nam, two words. It means “far south”…you wouldn’t write “farsouth” in English, right?
Andrew, so when the media talked about Viet Nam, they were saying, “In South Far South…” or “In North Far South…”? Speaking of learning something new every day…
Elisabeth, writing from your life experience is a dynamic situation. You have so many emotions, details you’re still processing and trying to understand, and then there’s the need to not tell every family member’s story–because that’s their story. Lots of juggling needs to be done. And sometimes the writer concludes the story is a great one for the family to read, and that it doesn’t need to be available to the larger world. Other times we’re not sure about who the intended audience is, and we write because the story won’t leave us alone.
Janet…yes, it was North Far South or South Far South.
The finely nuanced and accurate novel about that tormented land and its Apocalypse has yet to be written.
I think i may have put this response in the wrong place…hmm…we’ll see…
I completely agree. So many people are pushed into writing something because someone says it’s “what the people want” or are hugely influenced by both the book and movie industry of today. I’ve been trying to be braver in speaking my mind through my writing and express what I’m passionate about within my heart; growing up, I always hated being told what to write in school, and by the time I was given the opportunity to write what I wanted, I had no clue what to do. It showed in my writing. Finding my “place” in uniquely-me stories has been a hard journey, one still to be worked on, but it has been exciting to find my passion. Thank you for this post – I’m inspired to go back to my WIP and weed through what is really me and what I’m forcing. I might just go to my writing journal as well and make a list of what I identify to be personally passionate about.
Sarah, what a great exercise for any writer to make a list of what he or she is passionate about. It would help in staying focused.
I sometimes wonder if I would be more successful writing for an older audience. It’s what I intended to do; but I also feel God has called me to write for children. Most of the ideas I come up with are for the children’s market. But I still keep coming back to the first full length manuscript I completed and would love to get back to one day.
Cheryl, it’s hard when you’re torn between two audiences. But sometimes, if doors aren’t opening for one, it makes sense to try another door.
Thank you, Janet. These are simple questions that I haven’t asked myself often enough. Your post stirred up excitement and it helped clear muddy waters.
Back to work and feeling passionate about what I’m writing. I AM the one to write this particular book.
Have a blessed day.
Bonnie, what a wonderful confirmation for you!
Thank you. Not many dementia patients can still write and I think it is extremely important to have public understand that a dementia patient is not losing their soul — just their brain. So I think I am one of just a few people who could write from this perspective. But with my unique challenges finding an editor is extremely difficult (and more imperative each week that goes by because my capabilities are deteriorating). Thank you. — Truthful Loving Kindness is my full legal name, 56yo dementia patient.
Trying to decide what book to focus on writing next, so I googled it and came up with your blog post! Thanks so much for this post, Janet – it will really help me with my decision as my tendency is to start writing a book, get halfway through, think of another idea, and then abandon the first book for the new project. After publishing four books, I was slipping back into my old ways and this will help me get focused again!
No one would write a book or dissertation for you. You should know how to cite a dissertation Turabian to defense it!