 | 11 Jan 10 |
For the last month, I’ve been working on a new paranormal romance series proposal. Two months ago, I was pretty certain it would take until spring, maybe summer before I could even begin to start thinking of a new series. The world-building involved is time consuming and arduous. It is a labor of love and an investment. I have to create something solid, then I have to love it enough to make it real and chance not selling it.
It’s the loving part that makes the work involved worthwhile. It is also what creates the risk. Will an editor love it? Will readers? Will I be able to complete the world? And biggest of all: Will I be able to do it justice?
The latter question has become very important to me over the last two years of my career. I started out by writing what I loved to read. From there, I began putting my own twists into storylines that I enjoyed and writing what I wanted to read but couldn’t find. All the while, I seriously challenged my characters, really ran them through the wringer. But I came to realize that I wasn’t seriously challenging myself. I was writing what I was good at and what I was comfortable with. There’s a lot to be said for going that route. It was a damn sight less stressful for me, for sure. It was also limiting. I reached the conclusion that I needed to start tackling ideas that were too big for me.
Will I be able to do it justice? If I wasn’t doubtful about the answer to that question, I put the idea aside. I knew I had to do something bigger, greater, more if I wanted to be a better writer and stronger entertainer (and keep my career growing). When I tackled my first over-my-head project, I sat down with the editor who bought it and said, “I’m going to need all the support I can get with this. I’m pretty sure it’s bigger than me.” (And God bless editors who love challenges like that. They’re worth their weight in gold.)
And now, it seems, I’m really addicted to that fear of inadequacy. There’s something oddly delicious about tackling a story idea that’s so big/involved/unfamiliar it scares the crap out of you. Something crazily exhilarating about sitting down at the keyboard and thinking, “I know what has to happen, but can I pull it off?” I’ve had moments where I am absolutely positive I’m in over my head. Fortunately, those usually come in the wee hours of the morning when I’m exhausted and when I wake up, I have forgotten how panicked I was the night before.
So I’ve spent almost a month working on this new proposal, with plenty of “What the hell am I hoping to get myself into?” moments. It’s exciting and daunting and frightening. I love the concept and the world. I know in the right hands, it could be something awesome. I’m not sure I have those hands, which is why I started the story. I just hope I can do it justice. 
© 2010 Sylvia Day. All rights reserved.
Sylvia Day is the national bestselling, award-winning author of seventeen novels. A wife and mother of two, she is a former Russian linguist for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. In addition to her novels, she’s written numerous novellas and short stories for both print and electronic-original release. Sylvia’s work has been called “wonderful and passionate” by WNBC.com and “wickedly entertaining” by Booklist. Her stories have been translated into Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, German, Czech, and Thai. She’s been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, the EPPIE award, the National Readers' Choice Award, and multiple finalist nominations for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award of Excellence.
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Big hugs and all the best to you, lass. We’ll be here to cheer you on
by Tez Miller January 11th, 2010 at 5:14 amThank you!
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 3:12 pmI have no doubts you’ll do it proud.
by Terry Odell January 11th, 2010 at 8:41 amThank you!
*fingers crossed*
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 3:12 pmI completely understand what you’re going through. My current WIP is a historical romance set in the mid-17th century. This is a genre I don’t care to read and have never attempted writing before. It’s not quite the same as what you’re delving into, but is a challenge for me and I’m actually enjoying it…scary!
by Peri January 11th, 2010 at 8:41 amI think finding a way to enjoy the fear is a requirement. Have you picked up any books set in that time period since you started the project?
I’m wishing you lots of luck!! May we both come out the other side victorious!
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 4:14 pmI haven’t, because I don’t want to find myself copying that other person’s style or worse, stealing from them. I don’t want outside influence until I’ve completed the manuscript. Then I’ll throw it to the wolves and see what survives.
by Peri January 12th, 2010 at 8:51 amIt always surprises me when one of you wonderful ladies have even the smallest of doubts about your talents. All of you are talented as hell and can blow us away with any book you choose to write.
The only bad thing, it will be a while before this one hits the book stores.
Good luck!
by HollyD January 11th, 2010 at 9:26 amThank you! ((hugs))
I hope I pull it off and y’all get to read it.
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 4:14 pmOh my gosh, girl, I know just how you feel! I’m planning to start something new and I don’t even know where to begin. It’s a fab idea but I don’t know if I can pull it off! HOWEVER, I know YOU can do this!
by Debra Webb January 11th, 2010 at 10:16 am((hugs)) Thank you.
You’re an AWESOME writer. I’ll never forget how blown away I was by the ARC of TRACELESS. You rock and I can’t wait to read your new project!
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 4:16 pmWow, Syl, I’m in the same place. I’ve bitten off something much bigger with this new book, and it scares the bejesus out of me. I knew I’d found what I had to write about when I was confronted at a recent outing a couple of months ago… I was skimming across the surface of the story when a friend pushed me to think of the deeper implications. My first instinct? To say, “Nuh unh,” and run. But a few hours later, I was standing in the shower, crying, and I realized that if I was that scared of it, I needed to write it. And so I am. I have those doubts about every other minute, but I am loving what’s coming out of the work, now. I feel challenged and engaged.
Good luck with yours! I can’t wait to read.
(And I know what Deb’s up to… it’s gonna blow people away.)
by toni mcgee causey January 11th, 2010 at 11:11 amToni – You write it and I’ll read it.
by HollyD January 11th, 2010 at 12:42 pmOh, Holly, thank you!
by toni mcgee causey January 11th, 2010 at 1:04 pmDitto!
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:11 pmDigging deeper is spot on, and you’re right… it’s challenging and keeps us on our toes. I ask myself sometimes (when I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew) — “Would you rather be doing something else?” — and usually the answer is no. *g*
I can’t wait to read what you’re working on!
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:07 pmThank you for sharing.
by RKCharron January 11th, 2010 at 11:15 amI know you will do justice to the story!
xoxo
Thank you! ((hugs))
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:27 pmGood luck on the new project! Can’t wait to read it when it’s done
by katiebabs January 11th, 2010 at 11:16 amThank you! (I need it.)
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:07 pmI feel sure you can pull off whatever you want, but I do understand. I’ll read an excellent book and know that something that complex and detailed is beyond me. Interesting to hear someone as talented as you can feel the same way!
by ArkansasCyndi January 11th, 2010 at 11:20 amTo be honest, I hope I never get to the point where I’m sure I’ve got it all down pat. It’s like that saying about house renovation — if there’s nothing you want to improve, it’s time to move.
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:08 pmWow. Can I tell you what a relief it is to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way? I’m still in the begining stages of my writing “career”. I am working on my 2nd WIP and I am sure that I have created way too big of a storyline for my writing skills. Thank you for helping me realize it’s not just me. I’m sure you can handle anything you set your mind to. You sound very determined. Best of luck to you.
by Erika January 11th, 2010 at 11:50 amThank you! Good luck to you, too. It’s a huge accomplishment to start a second book. I hope you celebrate it.
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:09 pmWow, this post came at the spookily perfect time. Over the weekend I put the finishing touches on my own proposal for a series that is way, way, way over the head of anything else I have ever done. I don’t mean that it is smarter or bigger, but it is outside of what I know. For another writer this might be the natural, easy space to inhabit (just as my Stella series is my own comfort zone) but it forced me to stretch mightily.
And I was struggling with the question of whether I ought to be taking it on. But then I read what you said. We have to challenge ourselves – and HARD – to wring the very best out of ourselves. I believe that, I really do, and today you gave me the reminder I needed. THANKS!
by Sophie Littlefield January 11th, 2010 at 12:35 pmYou must let us know how it goes with the proposal! I’m wishing you all the luck in the world.
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:11 pmSyl, I’m excited for you! I know you can do this, as you have tremendous talent! I can’t wait to hear more about this project!
by Jen Lyon January 11th, 2010 at 2:26 pmThank you! ((hugs))
One of the things I’m struggling with is having something in my mind but not getting it on paper. And a lot of the time, it’s due to not being sure I can do it justice. I have to go back and force myself to tackle that vision and wrestle it onto the paper, then keep at it until I get it right. I used to think that if I had to work so hard at something, maybe it wasn’t natural for me, but that’s not it at all. We can all do anything we set our minds to, if we don’t let fear intimidate us.
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:15 pmI know EXACTLY how you feel, Sylvia. I had the idea for ORIGINAL SIN for six years before I felt ready to write it. And even when I was writing it, I didn’t know if I could do it justice. I was blessed with more time than I normally have to write, and that made all the difference I think.
Because you’re passionate about your story, you’ll be able to pull it off. Loving it, wanting to make it shine, is half the battle.
by Allison Brennan January 11th, 2010 at 3:25 pmTime is a HUGE factor for me. I’ve learned that I need to give myself a lot more room to work if I want to do these “bigger” stories justice. (and keep my sanity)
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:18 pmThis must be the year, Sylvia. I’m doing exactly the same thing – not abandoning what I write, but secretly working on something completely different. And, OMG, it is hard. It’s fun and exciting to recapture the early excitement, but it’s daunting, too.
You’ll kill it, I know you will. You’re a terrific writer and you are unstoppable. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire January 11th, 2010 at 3:25 pmRocki — I’m so excited for you! You made some big changes last year and I think they’re all going to be wonderful for you. Talk about unstoppable! You’re IT, girl. I can’t wait to see it all unfold for you over the next couple years. ((hugs))
Now, if I could just catch up to you…
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:20 pmSylvia,
You are an inspiration and good luck!
PS-I am out of my comfort zone right now, being in NYC!!
by Lori Armstrong January 11th, 2010 at 4:56 pmI love NYC!!! Wish I were there with you, we’d have lots of fun!
by Allison Brennan January 11th, 2010 at 5:53 pmI envy you being in NY! I hope you’re enjoying it. I make one business trip a year and it’s not enough. There’s just something about that city. I love it.
Thank you for the luck!
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:22 pmSyl,
You know that with the support for the WW girls that we are there to cheer you on, make you laugh and feed you chocolate and alcohol. You writing is wonderful and I’d say all the better for your attitude of jumping off a cliff hoping the parachute works.
Keep it up, stay strong and remember “YOU ROCK”
Bek
by Bek January 11th, 2010 at 5:18 pmBek — THANK YOU!! ((hugs)) I’ll definitely be taking you up on the offer of chocolate, alcohol, and laughs… I can always use the laughs.
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:24 pmsylvia, we have to push ourselves to grow.
the series is fab. i can’t wait to read the proposal!
by Karin Tabke January 11th, 2010 at 6:18 pmThanks to your brainstorming help! I love you for that (and dozens of other things).
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:24 pmHi Sylvia! Best of luck with the new series. I think the fact that it feels so challenging is great. You’re really stretching yourself and I’m sure that new energy will come through.
by Laura Griffin January 11th, 2010 at 7:03 pmFrom your lips to God’s ears…
Thank you for the luck!
by S. J. Day January 11th, 2010 at 8:25 pmRocki’s right–it’s something in the air. Terry told me to come check out MSW (I haven’t been reading blogs lately; too much going on at work) because I’d just finished posting the same thing! Not nearly as eloquently, of course….
But yeah, it’s the giving in to something that won’t let go of you and trusting that it’s the right thing at the right time or it wouldn’t be demanding this…
by Lorena January 12th, 2010 at 7:11 amThat’s awesome – but is there any new yet on the next Eve book? That cliffhanger is driving me CRAZY.
by Calliope January 15th, 2010 at 9:12 am