It’s been over a year now since my first MM Erotic Romance was published.
That looks so cool it gets its own paragraph. 🙂
During my holiday break I gave serious thought to what I wanted to write in 2014, and thought my “second genre” would be YA. I love YA—especially paranormal and sci fi and just about anything that’s really out there. Some of my favorite authors write YA—many write it exclusively (as far as I know)—and sometimes I just get a cool YA story. Well, I think they’re cool; so far I’m not of the majority opinion, which is fine.
Today I learned I won’t be a Harmony Ink author—at least not with the manuscript I sent them a few weeks ago. And instead of pulling on my shoes and heading for the Ben & Jerry’s aisle at Safeway, I started thinking about what I want 2014 to look like writing-wise. (Probably didn’t hurt that I finished drafting Joe & Kai’s story right before I saw that rejection email.)
Do I want to work on that novel and try to sub it elsewhere? What about the short I’ve been working on for the H.I. antho? Do I want to work on one of the many other YA story nuggets I have stewing in my brain & languishing on my hard drive in the hopes H.I. will like one of those?
I think maybe I don’t.
I’m enjoying writing ERom, and just might write one with different pairings, but I don’t think I want to worry about maintaining another online presence. I know many authors write YA and ERom under the same name, but I didn’t feel comfortable doing that. I dig hanging out with all the cool kids online but it’s not the easiest thing for me to do as one person, let alone two.
Luckily, I don’t have to commit to anything right now. I have a story to polish before February 1st, and the paranormal is one pivotal scene away from being fully drafted (finally!!). After those are finished, who knows? In keeping with my 2014 resolution to Have More Fun—that’s my criteria for stories as well. Whatever will be the most fun (and yes, I consider writing angst fun—you’ve been warned!), that’s what I’ll be writing.
Since I am so close to finishing all my current WIPS, though, I thought I’d open the floor to ideas. What would you like to read late this year or early next?
Charley Descoteaux 
Keep the YA on the back burner, and let it simmer. I love your books so anything you write is great.
Aww, you’re so sweet. Thanks, Laurie! *hugs*
Charley, I’m a big believer in things happening for a reason and that if something doesn’t happen, it’s just not the right time. It doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but for whatever reason, now is not that time. That doesn’t mean I think you can just sit around hoping for your time to come (and obviously you are not doing that), but I think sometimes even when you do your best, it’s not the best time for that something to happen. I guess that works well for me because I’m very patient (well, unless I’m on the road, and then what the heck are you waiting for, an engraved invitation to turn!…uhm, err… back to my point.)
I’m glad you didn’t let it swing you into the ice cream aisle, at least not to make things better. I’ve read so many stories of authors who let that setback either spur them on or take them into a better direction, and that’s what I hope for you.
I love fun (and angst), so I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve got going the rest of the year!
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Carolyn! I think this rejection was probably for the best…yesterday I took part in a flash fiction challenge and now I have a whole new (and very adult *g*) magical world coming together in the twisty parts of my brain!
Good luck with your plans to have more fun–I’m sure whatever you decide will be fine!