My mind is a busy place. Sometimes, however, it grinds to a halt, as though something has gotten caught in the gears. This usually happens when I'm stressing about something.
I think I'm trying to second-guess where I'm going with my current WIP. I've written historical romantic fiction for a general audience up to now, but this novel is different. It begins on a farm in Pennsylvania, where life changes for the Marshall family when two visitors introduce them to a new religion.
Yep, it's those awful Mormons, come around to gain converts to their cult.
Or so many general fiction readers will think.
I'm not trying to round up new readers who are uncomfortable with the concept, or unwilling to take this journey with Elijah Marshall. But will my current non-LDS fans accept this step in a new direction?
It's not so much a permanent change of direction. It's more like a temporary detour. It's a piece that has been hanging around, awaiting completion, for a very long time. Since I bought the perfect cover back in 2013, it's really time to finish up the novel and give it birth.
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| The top half of the cover |
I pledge to write my usual character-rich prose, full of adventure and romantic tension. Whether it's a novel about Mormons or Buddhists or Catholics, it shouldn't matter. It's about people overcoming adversity and finding a satisfactory ending by the conclusion of the book.
If I can only find assurance that my readers will stick with me through this deviation from the Owenverse (Owen Family + Universe), I think I can unclog my mental gears and write with my usual hectic brain feeling the story.
What do you think? Will you stick, or will you wander? Will I be devastated or comforted? Let me know in a comment below.
Thank you.
You know I have to tell you I usually opt out when an established writer I happen to like dives into other places. As an author, I get that you want a challenge. For example Anne Perry has two Victorian novel series but opted to go for an LDS inspired two book series about an important book revealed to a woman whose mission was to spread the good news. She did rather poorly with the series. I liked them. LDS novels are not a favorite of mine because they tend to get preachy. Avoid that and I'll follow you into the new adventure lol
ReplyDeleteChanging things up is a great adventure. I'm in the minority, I know, but I don't expect a writer to write the same thing all of the time. This may be due to my own tendency to switch up interests and hobbies regularly. My kids keep track of our life as a family by the "mom was doing this" eras. I'll keep following you into your adventure. Besides. I'm loyal to the end. hugs~
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