Friday, December 2, 2011

Let yourself grow

Time for something new! You like the new template? I do. Love it! Every once in a while I need a change.

That takes me back to the second grade when I re-arranged my whole classroom while everyone was out to recess. I honestly don't remember why I was still inside the classroom, but there you go. The teacher was NOT pleased, and I got in a lot of trouble and felt very embarrassed when none of the students could find their desk. What was wrong with those kids anyway?

So, sometimes change is good and sometimes it's not. That is the big dilemma. Is it time in your life to make a change? It could be anything. A new job, a new place to live, a new spouse . . . . There are tons of choices to make, but always go with your gut feeling. Things usually turn out.

I recently realized I am not a fantasy writer. I enjoy reading fantasy to a degree, but I don't love it. I thought I did because I wrote a middle grade story that mostly falls into that category, but every fantasy book I try to read, I get impatient with and end up putting down.

What I really love is paranormal, and horror. OH MY WORD! Why did it take me so long to figure that out? Seriously, folks. Remember that it's usually those books that you love to read that you are most likely to write. And the authors I love most of all are Dan Wells--who writes horror, Elana Johnson, James Dashner, Allie Cross, Allie Condie, Maggie Stiefvater etc... You get the picture. And I've found that the last few books I've written were more along the lines of these other authors.

So get out there, my children, and find your niche! Go with it and don't be afraid of change. It makes you grow.

15 comments:

Kelley Lynn said...

Love the look!

I'm still trying to figure out what I should write. I love all YA. So I've got a Dystopian, Fantasy and Contemporary.

Who knows what will come next :) Hopefully a contract ;)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Yes I like the new look!

Old Kitty said...

Oh your new look blog is lovely!! Very serene and a touch romantic too!!

Yay for finding your niche!! Enjoy exploring the world of paranormal horror!! Take care
x

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

I'm still laughing about the rearranged second grade classroom. Love love love the little girl who would do that!!!

Unknown said...

This is a very grown up look...Like it. I started blogging and realised that I actually love so many genre's that I have a hard time choosing my favourite. I know my favourite authors though and they have a please on my sidebars as Writers with the Midas touch. I should actually add Karin Slaughter to that list.

http://fabulositygalore.blogspot.com/
http://fabulositynouveau.blogspot.com/
http://fabulosityreads.blogspot.com/

Mel Chesley said...

Loving the new look! And yes, if you don't love the genre you are writing in, find the one you love. Fantasy is for me. But I do love other genres, just can't write in them it seems. I will be tackling some short stories soon that are completely new genres for me, so we'll see how that goes.
Good post!

Rebecca Bradley said...

I love that you changed your classroom around while everyone was out!

Glad you found your niche. Now happy writing in it :)

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Woo HOO! The new look is very classy.

Mary Gray said...

Yay! You love my favorite type of books!! The agent I just signed with is actually pitching my latest story as horror. I would call it subtle horror, but creepy nonetheless. Yes, you have great taste in authors. I love everyone you listed.

Melissa Cunningham said...

Anthony- yep! I know. I read Darkspell when it was still in its infancy. Can't wait to read it again.

Julie Daines said...

Hooray for finding yourself. I have to say I love paranormal type stuff too. There's something so inviting and mystical when the story is set in the "real world" with just a hint of magic or fantasy.

Tasha Seegmiller said...

I just found your blog, so I can't say anything about the new look as I don't know what the old was, but I loved this post. Especially the thought of the precocious little 2nd grader. New follower :)

Mary Aalgaard said...

That's funny about rearranging the classroom. How fun. Too bad you got into trouble. Great message for embracing change and following what you truly love.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love the new look! I like rearranging things too, and once got in trouble with a couple of college roommates for rearranging all the furniture in our duplex to what I thought was a "more welcoming" arrangement. Guess I should have known better, but I had this idea about where the couch should sit in relation to the door . . .

kbrebes said...

Love the new template! LOL at changing the classroom! I once re-organized my mother-in-law's kitchen, and she about killed me, so I know what you mean!!!