That’s so awesome!!!! I first learned that I could write whatever I wanted when my 2nd and 3rd TBIs crumbled My Shot. I was agented and working through a revision for an editor from Del Rey when that happened. Unbeknownst to me and the editor both, my agent did some really shady things, which we only learned 3 years later after chance reconnected us. By then I’d been left with the impression that traditional publishing could never play nicely with my brain injuries, which had struck shackles from my ankles and wrists I’d never known were hindering me.
And yes. It was the erotic aspects. Not dragons. My Gladiators and their Gods. 😈 And out of that experiment, half of which I kept, half of which I scrapped and repurposed, my ginormous Persephone & Haides series was born. Which made me understand I’m not an erotica writer. (I wish. I’d make bank if I could cater primarily to the wank.) But that my writing will never be complete by hinting, using solely poetic language, and especially not closing the bedroom door. Narp. I’m a down n dirty steam-machine, in addition to the sprawling palace intrigues, sword-swinging grit, and soul-searching dives. I pray Substack keeps letting me do what I do here.
Having crossed genre so dramatically assured this editor from a fantasy house that I was not his girl, but I already knew that. I have no idea where my kind of readers are either, but thank you for the reminder to never stop doing what I do, and searching for them. ✨🐲✨
I was just listening to another author this weekend who was saying that we all have to remember that if we like something, that is enough, someone else out there will like it too. And he was saying it's almost the more unique and quirky your curiosity is, the better chance you have of finding your own personal writing *sweet spot.* So KEEP GOING!!!
My realization that I could write anything came after I read (via audiobook) "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." This cult classic was lost on my when I was younger, but in an effort to expand my literary circles, I decided to give it a listen. I apologize in advance, sci-fi is not my natural genre, and my main thought during and after listening to this book was "Wow. This is absolutely ridiculous." And honestly, the writing itself, the descriptions etc... were not particularly refined or intricate, but when I realized how popular this book was, I realized there really is an audience for every writer, and even I could write obnoxious, unbelievable plot lines.
Oh my goodness yes. What a weird wild ride Hitchhikers is! I remember going all the way through it like WHAT. IS. HAPPENING?!?! I ended up loving it, but also still wondering WHAT THE HECK? That was one read that definitely helped me spread my writing wings.
OMG. I know! Isn't it nuts? It's one of those things that apparently lots of people know about, but I didn't until I did and from that point forward I felt necessary to tell as many people as I could because HOW ENLIGHTENING!!! Lol!
That’s so awesome!!!! I first learned that I could write whatever I wanted when my 2nd and 3rd TBIs crumbled My Shot. I was agented and working through a revision for an editor from Del Rey when that happened. Unbeknownst to me and the editor both, my agent did some really shady things, which we only learned 3 years later after chance reconnected us. By then I’d been left with the impression that traditional publishing could never play nicely with my brain injuries, which had struck shackles from my ankles and wrists I’d never known were hindering me.
And yes. It was the erotic aspects. Not dragons. My Gladiators and their Gods. 😈 And out of that experiment, half of which I kept, half of which I scrapped and repurposed, my ginormous Persephone & Haides series was born. Which made me understand I’m not an erotica writer. (I wish. I’d make bank if I could cater primarily to the wank.) But that my writing will never be complete by hinting, using solely poetic language, and especially not closing the bedroom door. Narp. I’m a down n dirty steam-machine, in addition to the sprawling palace intrigues, sword-swinging grit, and soul-searching dives. I pray Substack keeps letting me do what I do here.
Having crossed genre so dramatically assured this editor from a fantasy house that I was not his girl, but I already knew that. I have no idea where my kind of readers are either, but thank you for the reminder to never stop doing what I do, and searching for them. ✨🐲✨
I was just listening to another author this weekend who was saying that we all have to remember that if we like something, that is enough, someone else out there will like it too. And he was saying it's almost the more unique and quirky your curiosity is, the better chance you have of finding your own personal writing *sweet spot.* So KEEP GOING!!!
Woooot! You too, darlin!! 🤗😘🤗
I just about finished my first story, will post it soon. Like your story a lot, gives me hope i can find an audience too.
Congratulations!!
My realization that I could write anything came after I read (via audiobook) "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." This cult classic was lost on my when I was younger, but in an effort to expand my literary circles, I decided to give it a listen. I apologize in advance, sci-fi is not my natural genre, and my main thought during and after listening to this book was "Wow. This is absolutely ridiculous." And honestly, the writing itself, the descriptions etc... were not particularly refined or intricate, but when I realized how popular this book was, I realized there really is an audience for every writer, and even I could write obnoxious, unbelievable plot lines.
Oh my goodness yes. What a weird wild ride Hitchhikers is! I remember going all the way through it like WHAT. IS. HAPPENING?!?! I ended up loving it, but also still wondering WHAT THE HECK? That was one read that definitely helped me spread my writing wings.
Woah! I am writing about mythical sea dragons and I’ve been holding back apparently??
OMG. I know! Isn't it nuts? It's one of those things that apparently lots of people know about, but I didn't until I did and from that point forward I felt necessary to tell as many people as I could because HOW ENLIGHTENING!!! Lol!
This is one of my favorite stories from Stop Writing Alone! Hee hee
It's a classic for a reason! I hope it translates to anyone reading it for the first time.