Do you write for the market or for yourself? Why? Are there times you do both? Or times when you've written something specifically because it was "hot" at the moment? If so, how did it turn out?
I hate to admit this, but when I first started writing seriously—as in an actual novel and not just journaling—it was for the market. I read a ridiculously popular book and thought I should be able to come up with something at least that good. Yeah, well. Writing is harder than it looks. But you all know that. :)
When I say I wrote for the market, I don’t think it was in the sense that most think of it. I wasn’t jumping on the vampire bandwagon or anything like that. In fact, I discarded any ideas I knew were already out there—at least when it came to plot or concept. And I get a little freaked whenever I come across anything that’s similar to my story. But that’s another post.
In terms of writing for the market, I focused on the main thing I thought was selling YA books—the love story angle, which I don’t think will ever go out of style. My first draft was very heavy in this area. Sorry first betas. :) That aspect is still a very important part of my current draft, but the plot is much more developed, and it’s a pretty original concept—I think. I haven’t read close to everything that’s out there.
The thing is, I may be writing for the market, but this is what I love to write, and I was very lucky to stumble upon the genre that was best for me on my first try. I’ve since tried more obscure ventures, but I always come back to the YA (sci-fi specifically) and everything I write has a love story angle.
So I guess it’s a mixture of both writing for the market and writing for myself. Ultimately, though, if I want to be published someday, I think it’s necessary to write for the market, at least on some level.
What about all of you? Do you write for the market or for yourself? Why?
Be sure to check out the very cool Kat Harris’s take on this, and don't miss the marvelous Margie Gelbwasser’s post tomorrow.
Right now I'm writing for myself. I'm still very much in the process of trying to figure out if this is something I want to actually pursue or just dabble with. So for now, I write for me.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I don't think teen romance will ever go out of style.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep my audience in mind, but mostly, I write for me. I rewrite for my readers. ;)
The very first book I wrote, I wrote for myself. But now I find that I write more for the market. Maybe someday if I'm famous I can write for myself again. And then I'll write all about unicorns and lots of them!
ReplyDeleteI write for my characters, to tell their story. I write because I always want to improve my craft.
ReplyDeleteI write for myself, because I must. AND I write for the reader.
But I do not write for 'the market", I do not write toward any trend.
Welcome to the blog chain! Great post.
ReplyDeleteI do see your angle, but I have to stick with my guns and write for the story - take the learning process to the next level with what I enjoy. Once I believe I'm professional enough, *maybe* I'll write for the market.
Woohoo, Abby is on 'Da Chain!
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice response, Abby. While I don't think I could write for the market, I admire someone who can write a good story and still keep the market in mind. Nice job.
i write for me. not always easy when i have people waiting for a book and they have expectations. but if i write for them, i get stressed.
ReplyDeletethat doesn't mean i want to write a shoddy story. i'm a perfectionist for goodness' sakes. like someone else i know.
Great post, Abby. I write for myself on my novel, short stories, etc., but I write for the market for my commercial work (i.e. magazine articles about Kegels, that sort of thing) because that is the nature of the beast.
ReplyDeleteIf only I could get paid for the things I write for myself...someday....
Welcome to the Blog Chain!
ReplyDeleteI don't think love stories will ever go out of style; we had a blog chain devoted to romance last June. And even stories and ideas that have already been used can gain new life if told from a new perspective.
You know, Abby, it seems like you and I have gone down a similar path. I also focused too much on the love story angle. My current draft is much, much, much better with a deeper plot.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI used to have panic attacks when I found out someone was writing a story similar to the one I was working on.
I write for myself. If I didn't I think I'd be more stressed out about getting published. As it is, most days I tell myself I'll never be published. But I keep plugging away, telling the stories that demand to be let out.
ReplyDeleteGood post! I think you have to have a balance. Obviously, if I'm not working on something that I love to write (and read), I won't stick with it. Or it will turn out flat and lifeless. But if you ignore the market completely, that's a pretty surefire way to shoot yourself in the foot.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way I think. The things I love to write,and read, happen to be the same stuff that is popular - but then I'm pretty easy to please and willing to try anything (but horror) at least once :D
ReplyDeleteI write what I want to read. Hopefully, the market will someday accept my efforts. Maybe if I get good enough they will. Thanks for a great post, Abby.
ReplyDeleteI think there should be a delicate balance. I think there are some things that are timeless. The important thing is to try to sound like you, and not anyone else. Try not to copy. Try not to follow a trend, but make your own. Some elements will be marketable. If the writing is good, the book will be marketable, and the other elements will become trends.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for sharing your journey!
ReplyDeleteI write for myself, i couldn't do it if I didn't. But I get freaked out when people say they don't like the kind of books that I like to write. YA love story.
ReplyDeleteRight now I say for myself, but that's mostly because I have no idea where what I write would fit and can't believe anyone would pay to read my stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on becoming a part of the blog chain. Look forward to hearing your thoughts. I pretty much write for myself and yes love stories are timeless. I love writing mysteries as well and doubt they'll ever go out of style. I don't think I could write to satisfy a trend if it wasn't something that interested me. My heart wouldn't be in it.
ReplyDeleteA little bit of both. I write the books I love to read (YA with romance), but I keep in mind what's hot so I can avoid it. Also, I think of what I would be okay with my daughter reading when she hits my target audience age (14+).
ReplyDeleteOh, I totally write for myself. I picked a pretty niche genre and I'm sure that it will be really hard for me to break through it but I know that it's where I'm happy and where I can write my best. So glad you found that place for you and that you're writing for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Welcome to the chain.
ReplyDeleteThose are great thoughts. I try to write for myself, so to speak, ie: write what I love and am passionate about, but it is important to keep your intended audience in mind too!
ReplyDeleteNice post! When I was doing revisions for Deathday Letter with my agent, he said the voice reminded him of a particular book. I waited until the book sold and revisions were done before finally reading that book because I was petrified that I'd find out it was TOO much like it.
ReplyDeleteBut you're right, even if you're not writing for the market, you have to keep an eye on it.
Ooh, I am also always a big fan of reading anything with a love story! Great post and welcome to the blog chain!
ReplyDeleteUltimately, though, if I want to be published someday, I think it’s necessary to write for the market, at least on some level.
ReplyDeleteAgree. I've made changes to my project that, while I didn't make them for the market, I felt afterward that they would benefit the project marketwise.
I, too, won't read a book that's similar to mine until mine is all done because I'm afraid I'll somehow transfer its similarities. And freaking out about similar books? I'm right there with you!
ReplyDelete"Ultimately, though, if I want to be published someday, I think it’s necessary to write for the market, at least on some level." I couldn't agree more. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the chain! Like you, my first book was written with the market in mind, though the actual story had nothing to do with the trends. But in the long run, I realized that writing for someone else was not the way to write a good book. So I wrote for me, and I'm a happy writer because of it! ;)
ReplyDeletethis is an EXCELLENT topic. I wrote a post on that today.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who wrote for herself and then felt the weight of the world once she became published. I can only imagine that burden, and I'd have to welcome it if I'm to get published!
Great post, Abby! :)
PS--I write for myself because it's so FREEING! But I have to keep all them rules in mind (which also means for the market). *Sigh...
ReplyDelete