The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Alex said to share our fears and/or a word of encouragement. I hope to do both.

One of my greatest fears right now is that my YA series, The Circle of Friends, will be the only fiction I ever write. I didn’t even intend to write YA. And it’s been such a battle.

YA needs to be edgy, paranormal, controversial, salacious… and my books are none of these things. They have realistic elements, but I didn’t want to delve into the darker things. I wanted to inspire. I’m an optimist who believes in happy endings.

I’m also aware of the improvements I’ve made over the years as a writer, but I know so many will miss that. The best thing I ever wrote was the fifth and final book of the series, and I’m sure many will never get to that book, even though all of the books are stand alones.

And after my experiences with one non-fiction title (and I’m working on another) I realize how hard it is to sell fiction. Non-fiction is so much easier. So while I have an idea for another fiction book (it already has a title, Four in Darkness) I doubt I will ever write it.

I guess if I could offer any of you encouragement or advice, it would be to diversify. Not necessarily in genre, but in what else you do beside write to make money. I’ve been a professional speaker for five years (and member of the NSA) and that is what pays the bills. I also do private consulting and book formatting. But it is these things that keep me going, keep the money coming in so I don’t have to get a J-O-B.

You might not make enough money to quit your job, but with the market changing so fast, diversifying is a good idea. And if you’re an author, you are an expert at something - capitalize on that talent and knowledge!