Comments on: Changing Courses Part Two

By: Stacey Joy Netzel

Stacey Joy Netzel — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:41:02 +0000

Amy, like everyone else, I’m amazed by you. It’s a good thing we don’t all like the same thing so we have so much variety. I love to read historicals, but ask me to do research to write one? NO WAY. Writing is a combination of work and fun for me, but what you do sounds like all WORK to me. There has to be something you enjoy in it or else you wouldn’t continue to work at it with so much dedication. And that’s great, because I’m looking forward to reading the book when it’s done! All the more enjoyable for me because I didn’t risk my head exploding! LOL

By: Kelsey Browning

Kelsey Browning — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:12:14 +0000

Absolutely, you can say that, Amy! I think it’s exciting to see writers discover their niches. The great thing about starting out in the romance genre is the level of support among writers.

Thanks for being here. This was a fantastic topic and great comments!
K-

By: Amy Atwell

Amy Atwell — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:25:20 +0000

Margaret,

It’s great to hear you’re having so much fun with your new genre. Glad you’re enjoying the freedom to be who you are. Romance is not the only path out there (dare I say that on Romance University?)–so follow your heart and be forever young!

–Amy

By: Amy Atwell

Amy Atwell — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:23:12 +0000

Beppie,

Well, if I could find someone to live with in Lancashire or Yorkshire for six months…

Thanks as always for your support. Don’t give up the notion of writing in a specific time period because the research is daunting. Dig into the story you want to tell. I know I’ll one day return to my fictional characters (frozen as they are in 1483), but I must explore this story and try to put these women’s lives into words.

–Amy

By: Margaret A. Golla

Margaret A. Golla — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:27:29 +0000

Hi, Amy!
I LOVE reading historicals, but I couldn’t write one if I tried–oh, yeah, I DID try. So, write what you know didn’t work for me. I tried writing in many genres, sticking with romance because of my local RWA chapter and support group.
Well, last year, I switched it up. I quit my RWA chapter, and I quit writing romance, which was fine with me since I think along the lines romance as the sub-plot. I started writing early readers and young middle grade.
As you know, I relish my new direction! Sometimes switching it up will help a writer discover her ‘voice’. When I wrote romance I had to stifle my natural writing tone, but now I can be as juvenile as this old woman wants.

By: Beppie Harrison

Beppie Harrison — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:45:27 +0000

Bless you, Amy — your unquenchable enthusiasm always makes me want to hug you. I’m intrigued about your War of the Roses — my husband is from Lancashire, I’ve always loved Yorkshire (as a place I don’t think there’s much question that the east is more attractive than the west, particularly after what the Industrial Revolution did to Manchester, Liverpool, etc. etc.), but I am reminded by the man who used to be my Lancashire lad — frequently — that my proper loyalty should be Lancastrian. We have even grown the red roses than were growing back at the time of the Wars! At one point I was also attracted to writing about that period, but not having as much stick-to-it-iveness as you have, I decided in order to do the research properly I’d have to stay there for six months or so, and, dear as our English friends are, I didn’t want to be away from my family that long. Now, had I had your gumption, I could have found myself 20 books and settled down . . .

You are a constant inspiration to me. Thanks for another glimpse inside your ambitions and plans. As usual, you’ve got me thinking again.

By: Amy Atwell

Amy Atwell — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:43:15 +0000

Laurie,

Thanks for the thoughtful post. I’ve heard Jayne Ann Krentz speak, and she’s truly inspirational. And you’re so right, staying true to our core elements is important as writers. I remember when I realized all the similarities between my first historical and my contemporaries. There’s always a troublesome parent figure (not exactly a wicked stepmother–well, not always, anyway!), there’s always a buried family secret that must be revealed, and there’s always sibling strife. Hmmm, now what do you suppose that says about me?

Good luck on your paranormal debut, and I hope you do get to explore YA someday!

–Amy

By: Laurie London

Laurie London — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:05:35 +0000

What a great post, Amy. Your dedication, your methods, and the amount of research you’re doing is really inspiring.

Someone mentioned Jayne Ann Krentz. Recently, I had the privilege of attending her booksigning/Q&A session. She advised us to identify the core elements of the stories we write and stay true to that, at least as long as it excites us. Don’t be afraid if your writing seems to revolve around similar themes. Those are the stories that speak to us, that mean something to us as writers.

Early in her career, when the print runs on her futuristics diminished, she knew she had to do something major. When she stripped away the settings and special characters of her futuristics, she discovered that she wrote mainly about marriage of convenience. In what other sub-genres are marriage of convenience stories popular? Historicals. She’d never written one and didn’t read them at the time, but she took on the switch with as much seriousness and determination as you. And look what happened to her! Her career took off after that realization.

As for me, I write paranormal romance, but I read a ton of YA paranormal too. If I hadn’t sold in paranormal first, I’d have played around in YA a little more. I hope I get a chance to write it someday.

Best of luck on your story. It sounds fascinating for me the reader, but the writer in me is daunted by the amount of research.

By: Adrienne Giordano

Adrienne Giordano — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:16:34 +0000

Hi all. Just thought I’d jump in here and say this is a fantastic discussion. You all inspire me!

By: Amy Atwell

Amy Atwell — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:34:30 +0000

Wise advice, Ronna. My first love was reading historicals. I’ve got a background in Shakespeare, too. So it amazed me that I spent a few years writing contemporaries. The other lesson to learn from reviewing what you love to read, or movies you love to watch, is the scale of the story. One reason I don’t lean toward category is that I *love* the secondary characters, the multiple plot twists, trying to follow the threads and see them all wrapped up neatly at the end. Most category length stories require one main story line and fewer secondary characters.

Best wishes to you on your YA endeavors!

–Amy