Hi everyone.

I think William Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true." This was brought home to roost for a friend of mine a few days ago.

My friend is a terrific writer with several published books to her credit. For unknown reasons (to me), she decided to change a story in her usual YA genre and aim for an adult audience. She spent almost two months on the project only to have it slapped down by her agent as not being up to her usual standards.

Devastating as this was, the intriguing part is that during the revision, she didn't like what she was writing. As writers, we've all been down that road. We occasionally step out of our comfort zones in the hopes of creating a spark with something different. Along the way, we may lose the spark that made our voices in the first place.

Now, comfort zones can be good things. Many of us don't cross the line until forced to do so by circumstance or suggestion. But by and large, we stay with what we do best be it historical, paranormal, contemporary or suspense sub-genres.

I don't fault my friend for trying to expand her repertoire. The current economic conditions have hit the publishing business just as hard as it's hit the rest of us. Editors  aren't offering contracts on new material with the rapidity of a year ago. So, if your usual fare isn't selling, it doesn't hurt to try something different. This can work--provided you love what you're writing. If the words don't sound like YOU, don't write it. Listen to your inner self.

My friend learned a lesson. She's chalking it up to experience and going back to what she does with so much success. I guess we can all learn from this.

To thine own self be true.

Have a good day and I'll talk to you later.

Suzanne