Thursday, June 14, 2012

Touching My Root(s)

My first novel was a romance novel.

I never intended it to be when I first sat down and began writing the story some 12 odd long years ago. I was just telling the story that filled my head. Being the voice of the characters that spoke to me.

I'd spent my life reading and had read a wide variety of books of many genres without being a particularity devotee to any of them. At the time I was enrolled in my very first true writing class. (Oh I'd taken creative writing as a college freshman, but that was about acing assignment, not achieving publication.) My instructor in that calls was RWA Hall of Famer Jodi Thomas. And when she read the beginning of that novel she said, "It feels like a romance, but it's structured more like literary." Because of that and the input of other I for years called it -- Women's Fiction. But like Jodi said at it's heart the book was and is a Romance Novel.

I wrote a second book which was more of a love story than a true romance. Then a third that was pure romance. 

And then I strayed.

All of those novels nearly found homes but for a variety of reasons they are still unpublished.

I went through a time thereafter where I started and stopped 3 or 4 new novels. Romances, women's fiction, and a dark literary work, but still heavily invested in affairs of the heart.

Then I started this blog. Began to write more humor. Penned my novella Plundered Booty and began work on The Feedstore Chronicles. 

I won't speak for all writers, only myself but I think most of my brethren would say something similar.

Writing for publication is hard. It is fraught with rejections, failures, and long hours, months, and years of disappointments. So much so that even the tiniest of successes is like salve to a wound.

When this blog found an audience and began to grow (back when lots of folks would read blogs meaning BEFORE FACEBOOK), and people I really respect began to praise my humor voice, and I began selling humorous works I believe I was only a humor writer. I abandoned my more emotional writing and somewhere in there I kind of lost myself as a writer. And only recently have I started to migrate back to where I want to be.

Don't get me wrong, I think the comedic stuff I've done has merit but I think it lacks soul at times. Heart even. What I hope to achieve is both funny and emotional. There are times I pulled that off in The Feedstore Chronicles and times I did not.

Another thing about we writers. We worry and fret about things we shouldn't. Our carts are often way ahead of our horses.

I'm still not allowed to share things I really want to share but things are evolving in regards to my career. Well not so much as evolving as coming back around. There is something big, HUGE, LIFE CHANGING, on my horizon that will bring me back to those romance roots. I have been worrying and fretting that my only real writing presence in the marketplace is a comedic coming-of-age memoir. While it is a love story in the end, The Feedstore Chronicles certainly is no romance novel.

The fine folks at TAG Publishing that released TFC have been working with me and we've discussed many a follow project. They truly are interested in helping me build a career so  after much discussion we have decided it would be best for my next release to be something of a bridge between Feedstore and my romance/women's fiction projects which certainly appear to be my future.

 Hello Plundered Booty!

Long time readers will remember that is the name of a short story, turned novel, turned novella I wrote a number of years ago. The Novella was published in the Deadly By the Dozen e- anthology but I have recently been revamping to story.  I am getting closer to finishing it up and I'm really happy with what I have at this point. Comedic in nature it is a tale of modern day piracy set mostly in the fictional town of Red Dirt Oklahoma. It is chocked full of derelict car salesman, love, lust, and men thirsty for more than Caribbean rum.

I'm not sold on Plundered Booty as the title but that is where I'm at in my writing ventures. I'll update y'all as I can.

12 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

I just can't stay in one genre myself. I have to write different things. Sounds like you are the same, and I think that's a mark of a real writer. Of course, I guess I would think that. :)

Old Kitty said...

Oh my goodness you are a TEASE!! Big thing happening on the horizon? Does it involve lettuce!?!? LOL!!

Take care
x

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I would think that writing different genres would help keep an author fresh. I've read so many authors whose work becomes formulaic over time because they don't branch out and try new things.

Can't wait until you can tell us your secret surprise news! You didn't win the lottery and retire, did you? That's what I'm trying to do.

Kelly DeBie said...

I have a hard time even keeping my blog focused. I've started writing at least 4 books, then get distracted by shiny things. I get this. Totally.

the walking man said...

You won the lottery?!?!? Cool so can i get you to buy my house?

Seriously I think Plundered Booty even if it doesn't fit the story (having read FSC I am pretty sure the double entendre works)

What os really great though Travis is you found a press who wants to help you develop, has a finger on a pulse they want to infuse some new blood into. So good luck with that.

You do write funny blogs Travis but the reason they are funny is you don't mow your language, you write your blog pretty much conversationally. Do that with your books and you'll do well....if you can't then just be a poet, we don't need any skill. just an idea and vocabulary.

Miriam Forster said...

Every time you hint at mysterious goings-on, I get very happy. I hope these things are awesome for you and I can't wait to see where you go next!

*waits impatiently*

G. B. Miller said...

It's a very good thing that you have a publisher who truly cares about you as a person and as a writer.

It's very tough to write different genres and I doff my hat to you for being able to do it.

I know I labeled my stuff as "quirky" simply because it was the best description that I can come up with for what I write.

I still try to expirement from time to time with my writing, and while none of it has been published, I still label it a sucess when I'm satisfied with the end result.

Looking forward to seeing what the next stop on your writing journey is.

Annie said...

And this is what happens when I neglect to read my blog roll! Interesting stuff and nice to hear since I've given up hope. Can't wait to hear your news :)

DrillerAA said...

Congratulations on realizing your dream. Not many people can truly say that they made their personal dream come true. Well done

That Janie Girl said...

YAY!!! Congratulations!!

Deborah Elliott-Upton said...

4OK, I already know the new thing that is going to rock your world and I am very happy for you. (Nobody deserves it more than my bacon-loving friend!)You already know how I personally feel about Plundered Booty, but also know how talented I believe you are in your other writing endeavors. Hang in there: the right writing is happening in your subconscious and will explode upon a computer screen and the world will gasp in relief of your talent being shared.

Phats said...

I am not sure i'd have the patience for writing to be published I admire those that do it though.