So far this month, I’ve read a lot of articles about the future of fiction. I’ve heard that historic is being pared back, contemporary is pushing ahead again, that Dee Henderson has brought romantic suspense back to the forefront. So what is the real direction fiction is taking?
When I first became an agent, I thought I’d be signing mostly suspense authors.
I LOVE SUSPENSE!
And yet, historic fiction and historic romance have filled “most” of the slots thus far. I’m hooked on it.
I also have suspense, romantic suspense, contemporary, and even a thriller. So what do they all have in common?
Awesome writers…writers who make the written word come alive to all the senses. I not only see the protagonist, I hear her voice, see his eyes, taste what she tastes. And I feel their joy, sorrow, fears and more.
I realize the industry can change from year to year, month to month, even day to day, but one thing does not change…good writing. And eventually that good writing will find a home. It might not be tomorrow or even next month, but it WILL find a home.
So, there you have it. My take on the future of fiction. GOOD fiction, despite the genre, will find its way into a reader’s hand if the author doesn’t quit. Doesn’t sigh and say, “Oh well, they aren’t buying my type of novel anymore. Why keep writing?”
Never forget my mantra; feel free to make it your own. When you have to write as surely as you have to breathe, then, and only then, are you truly a writer!
SUSPENSE SEALED WITH A KISS
SPEAKER: Linda is a member of AWSA, and is available to speak to your organization, at your conference, or as part of a workshop.
Contact her at lglazagain@aol.com
AGENT: Linda is a an agent with Hartline Literary Agency. She would love to represent that next great American novel! She will look at nonfiction, but she LOVES FICTION--historic, suspense, romance or all of the above. linda@hartlineliterary.com
AUTHOR: Linda writes romance in all categories, but what is her fave? Suspense, and not only suspense, but SUSPENSE SEALED WITH A KISS
Contact her at lglazagain@aol.com
AGENT: Linda is a an agent with Hartline Literary Agency. She would love to represent that next great American novel! She will look at nonfiction, but she LOVES FICTION--historic, suspense, romance or all of the above. linda@hartlineliterary.com
AUTHOR: Linda writes romance in all categories, but what is her fave? Suspense, and not only suspense, but SUSPENSE SEALED WITH A KISS
Great words to the wise.
ReplyDeleteSo inspirational. THANK you, Linda :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your inside knowledge, Linda! Hope all of your clients find homes for their work this year!
ReplyDeleteOh, me too, Jill. That's my prayer every day.
ReplyDeleteVery true. I can no more stop writing than a duck can stop swimming. :-) Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. After the fact that God gave me the need and talent to write stories, my characters take over. I can't stop them from telling their own stories. I will continue to write. :)
ReplyDeleteJust got home and read this. Sounds like a winner to me and I love your tag line about not letting history repeat itself. Clever you are!
ReplyDeleteYay, contemporary is back. LOL. Just in time for Biker Boots. Thanks for the info, Linda.
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