A few times this summer, we’ve gone out to eat with our son and he’s been dissatisfied with his meal.
He was really excited about the food when he ordered it, but when he got the steak from the seafood restaurant, or the seafood salad from the deli, he wasn’t thrilled with the results.
I wasn’t really connecting the dots on my end, either. But finally (I’m slow sometimes) I realized there was a pattern to the problems with his orders. He wasn’t ordering the specialty of the house. Actually, he wasn’t even ordering something that the restaurant was very particularly good at cooking. He was just ordering what he was in the mood to eat.
So I pointed out to him the next time we went out, that if we were at a burger joint, he should get a burger—not a spinach quiche. If we were at a barbeque restaurant, he should get a barbeque sandwich—not the grilled chicken. It was better to order something that played to the restaurant’s strengths to produce more satisfying results.
I think, for a lot of writers, we’ve got a ton of ideas and aren’t sure which to write first. To me, it’s like those restaurants with the huge menus—there are lots of possibilities, but they can’t deliver some things as well as others.
That’s the nice thing about being creative—we get all these great ideas…all the time.
Since I’m focused right now on the projects I’m under contract for, I tend to just jot down these ideas and put them in a Word file for later.
But what if you’re trying to decide what ideas to write? Or even what genre to focus on?
That’s when I think it’s a good idea to play to our strengths.
Of course, every genre has a range of draws for readers and writers. But some genres are better known for some qualities than others. Do you write really riveting action scenes? You probably should focus on a genre like thrillers or fantasy/sci fi that allow you to showcase that talent.
Are your characters your strong point? Do they jump off the page? Choose a genre that’s more character focused and less about nonstop action.
Are you naturally funny and write humor well? Consider focusing on writing a lighter read instead of literary fiction.
That’s definitely not to say that we can’t include a lot of different elements in our books—but maybe we should pick an idea or a genre that really plays to our strengths for our first efforts—and try a more challenging project later.
What’s your specialty of the house?
Elizabeth – No doubt about it; it makes us feel more comfortable when we write to our strengths. I write mystery fiction, and there are lots of sub-genres there. My strength is not gore or psychopathology, so I don’t do serial-killer novels. I think what I do better is the whodunnit kind of intellectual puzzle.
Definitely personal essay and memoir. But trying other treats is so tempting, I’m working on a fiction piece. Oy!
Karen
It’s good to stretch occasionally, but I agree… it’s best to write to your strength. Thanks for a great post.
Good questions. I think my strengths lie in the characters and emotional aspects. I enjoy a wide variety of genres when reading and am still having fun milling around in a few :)
I always wanted to write mystery and I guess I do in a way. Suspense is easiest for me. I love to leave you thinking.
Since description and world-building isn’t my strength, as much as I enjoy reading and writing fantasy, I really shouldn’t attempt it just yet.
Surprisingly I’m good at creeping people out. So writing Paranormal Suspense comes rather easily.
The thing is, I don’t write frightening tomes for blog post (outside the recent one). Does that mean I have two very distinctive voices? Maybe. I choose to write what appeals to me the most – creep. (Hugs)Indigo
This is where it gets interesting because I’m still trying to figure that out. I think one of these days I need to go through and read everything I’ve written and try to analyze what the strongest bits are. (Kind of like how I’m still trying to find my voice, I’m trying to find my fit.)
Very thought-provoking post.
I didn’t know this till a month or two ago, but apparently I cotton to noir pretty well. This makes me happy. I think I should take up heavy drinking and smoking and such.
Okay, with me, I guess that just means adding smoking to the mix. *cough*
:)
Oh, this reminds me of a trip to London with one of my classes. One of the boys ordered what appeared to be a WHOLE fish – he lost his appetite completely when it lay there, glaring at him!
And when it comes to my specialty, people have told me for ages that humour is one of my strong points, so perhaps it is just about time I try that cozy caper thing? ;D
This is great advice and it couldn’t have come at a better time for me. My prior agent recently told me to focus on my strong point which was excellent story telling. That didn’t exactly narrow it down but your post did. Thank you!
I’m trying to decide on my next genre outside of YA and non-fiction. (The latter I will continue to write.) I need to reassess my strngths if I want to attempt another fiction piece.
That’s a very good question, Elizabeth. It does give me pause. I’ve always dabbled in mystery, but lately have turned to what I would describe as women’s fiction, but with a darker side to it. I think I’m good at snappy dialogue with a bit of humor. In other words, I’ll all over the page.
I need to narrow it down.
Over the last few years, so much of my writing has been essay style using humor (on my blog). Trying to adapt that to a novel has been a challenge, but it’s been a great opportunity to delve into what I do best and to work on what I need to improve.
I appreciate what you’ve written here because it makes me think I should ask some of my reader what they think I do well when I post bits of short stories.
Thank you.
This post comes at such a needed time. I’m like Stephanie, I’m still trying to figure it out. I enjoy writing mystery, especially “who done its”, yet I also enjoy writing about the past such as the series I’m writing now on my time in the Air Force. When I write about the Air Force it’s like I’m reliving. I wonder if I can write in two genres? I’ve decided to do the Nov10 National Novel Writing Month, so I need to decide by Nov 1. This post points me in the right direction by helping me narrow down the field. Thanks!
Another fantastic post. I wish I could know what the specialty of my house is but I don’t yet :-(
That was a great observation, Elizabeth. We don’t eat out very often, so I’m not sure I would have noticed, but you’re right. On the WRITING, I think there is ALSO the target. I have a lot of ideas for which I just WRITE, but have to put in some serious thought on the REWRITE… Yes, the MC is a teen, but will the story do okay if TOLD for YA or do I need to stick to adult suspense? I haven’t RESPONDED just yet but I have several works with this hovering question.,
Lou–Thanks so much for coming by!
Margot–Yes! The puzzles are fun. I like writing puzzles, too, but I think the characters in my stories are maybe even slightly more important than the puzzle…but I love coming up with the tricky stuff.
Mary–My favorite stuff to read!
Alex–You and I are both in that boat!
Indigo–I think that’s a useful habit in fiction!
Not only is that something you’re good at, but it’s something a lot of readers are interested in right now–a nice combination!
Stephanie–And what was the most fun for you to write? What came easiest? What did a first reader or critique group say, “Wow!” over?
Simon –Cigar or pipe? :) The drinking should be scotch, I think….
Karen–I think you could work those talents into fiction pretty well–maybe a first person POV and put yourself in their shoes? And maybe put some personal elements from your own life into the character’s?
Heather–Ha! Yes “good storytelling” is kind of all over the board. But figuring out what makes your story successful–what the components of the story are that you did so well–that’s a little easier. I can usually tell what I’m good at by how quickly and easily I write it. I usually enjoy dialogue and character development the most. I need to work on things like action and suspence.
Diane–It’s nice that the non-fiction is something you can keep writing–and then you can explore new genres, too.
Helen–It’s nice to be good at lots of things! Then you can just look at how best to combine the things you do well.
Lisa–I love that type of humor! And there always seems to be a market for it. I just read one today that was written by a quilter and had a lot of essay-style humor in it.
And you’ve brought up a good point–asking a reader is a good idea. Sometimes when I read my reviews I see what people liked–and then try to do more of it.
Jemi–I still think of you as my steampunk friend! It’s fun to try out a lot of other things, though.
Rayna–You’re probably one of the lucky ones who is good at a variety of different things! I know you write twist endings well–and that you can write very precisely–you can create a picture in someone’s head without going on and on.
Dorte–I think I’d have had to give it to someone else to eat!
The cozy caper thing is perfect for your sense of humor!
Judy–There’s also a lot of genre-blending going on right now. So if you wanted to write something a little retro and fit it into a mystery, maybe that would satisfy both the things you enjoy doing!
Hart–And the thing is that you could tell *basically* the same plot and if your target is a younger teen, it could be a completely different book than if the target audience is an adult. Which makes it challenging…and fun, too.
You’re right about the restaurants.
My specialty is … hmm … probably just geophysics >:)
Cold As Heaven
I’ve been off pondering on my own “blogcation” the past couple of weeks. It’s nice to come back to this post.
I think playing to your strengths can go deeper than what genre to choose. I have a pile of mysteries to write right now, and each play to my strengths…. but I think one of your “strengths” can be enthusiasm. (Or the ability to raise enthusiasm.)
I was going to set aside the WIP to work on a follow up book to one I published this summer. Both that book and the WIP are funny and character-based mysteries. But the WIP is something that has a cheer squad right now in my crit group.
Plus it’s mostly done, so I think I can sustain energy for it better.
I have to admit that betas/crit partners haven’t really read any of my work yet. I’m hoping to find a crit group soon. There’s a local B&N that has a crit group meeting week after this that I’m going to try to get to.
Being a dark, tormented soul, it’s all horror for me :D
Excellent advice, Elizabeth. My problem is similar to Lisa’s. I think I can do essay-style humour well, but translating that to novel-length works is easier said than done!
Good post – I have wrestled with that a lot, interested in everything and many ideas, but I returned to my love of mysteries after reading a few romance and light women’s fiction suggested by some fellow librarians – and realized that I kept thinking how all of those books would be improved if there was a dead body to be stumbled across :)