Finding Your Niche!

Mike27 · Apr 26, 2005

Hey folks,

Wasn’t sure where to pose this question, so I thought I’d try here…

How did you find the genre with which you’re comfortable? I’ve been trying my hand at mystery and western (fiction) and some non-fiction history as well as motivational. I seem to jump from story to story not fully completing any! It’s quite frustrating!

I’ve been published a few times but I can’t seem to stay interested in one particular area very long.

Do you write what you know or write what intrigues you at the moment? Should I take a look at my particular strenghths/weaknesses or a look at my interests/fantasies and steer my writing towards that? I don’t know.

I guess what I want is to jump out of bed and be excited about tackling a project! Some of the famous authors, King, Clancy, Steele, Ludlum (whether you like their writing or not) seem to blast out manuscripts as often as I change my socks. They have obviously found their niche.

Is there a writing exercise, or similar, to help a guy determine his niche?

Cheers!

GypsyWriter · Apr 26, 2005

Frustration?

Hi there,

If you could:

Choose one book to take out of this world with you,

Write only one before you go,

What would they be? What do you want to "say?"

Develop a "to die for" plot, and I think you'll find that elusive desire you need.

Play with this: http://www.gazeboenterprises.com/story_idea.htm

Work hard. Tag me when the fire starts. Jo

stormie · Apr 26, 2005

Hey, Mike! Welcome to the boards (if I haven't already said so in another post).

Nope, after over five years I still haven't found my niche. I write what I call "across the board." Mostly everything from horror stories to religious essays. I read almost anything, too, and enjoy it. There are days when I'll spend the entire day writing a horror story, then there are days when I get on my soapbox and write a 2,000 word essay. Then of course, there are days when I just daydream, which is necessary to refuel my imagination. Doesn't do much for my bank account, though.

Don't worry about it. Maybe it'll come to you, maybe not. Just write and enjoy what you're writing about.

awatkins · Apr 26, 2005

Welcome, Mike. Make yourself at home.

Wormo · Apr 26, 2005

Mike27 said:
Is there a writing exercise, or similar, to help a guy determine his niche? Cheers!

Let's hope you never determine your niche (because i'm evil muaaa, but seriously), I like the fact that your talented enough to write multiple genres however if you seem to be bored of something particular then you could try reading over some of your works, maybe you'll see what you've written and you'll think

"I wish I would have done this, and made the character like this" etc

thistle · Apr 26, 2005

Welcome, Mike. I read somewhere that it's best to try writing everything that interests you. Don't question your muse!

At some point, you'll find your niche. But the journey isn't a waste--you'll probably discover that you enjoy several genres--just as you enjoy reading all kinds of lit.

I wish you success! :hi:

Elonna · Apr 26, 2005

Welcome Mike, I can't offer much advice because I seem to suffer the same thing you are. I can't stay with a story long which means to me, I'm not writing what i really want to write. If you find the answer, let me know will ya?

ChunkyC · Apr 26, 2005

Hiya, Mike!

All I can say is write what you love to read. If that happens to cover a lot of genres, so be it.

Mike27 · Apr 27, 2005

Thanks for your replies and advise guys!

Very much appreciated! Coffee and doughnuts are on me. :Coffee:

SeanDSchaffer · Apr 28, 2005

I think you ought to just write whatever you want to write. If you're comfortable in one genre, great; if you're comfortable in several genres, hey that's great too. I don't think any writer is required to write in just one particular genre.

:hat:

Oh, and BTW: Welcome to AW. :welcome:

Wormo · Apr 28, 2005

Mike27 said:
Very much appreciated! Coffee and doughnuts are on me.

Now that sounds like a treat, enjoy the boards!

veinglory · Apr 29, 2005

I use a combination of what I like and what sells. broadly speaking I love to write romance, but if I add a little sexy stuff it sells better -- hence I ended up in erotic romance....

Maryn · Apr 29, 2005

Doughnuts, thanks! (Only at a good writers' board do you see it spelled that way, you know. Anyplace else, it'd read Donuts, thanx!)

I write in multiple genres, too, Mike27. Sometimes I'll get all hot for one and focus on it for a time, then something else draws me away to write in a very different area. I figure as long as I'm progressing in every genre where I dabble, that's good enough.

Maryn, all over the place

sharon · Apr 30, 2005

Hi Mike and welcome! I also write in different genre's. I have many interests and enjoy stretching my comfort zone by trying new things. Glad you're here!

jdkiggins · May 1, 2005

Mike

Joanne

Finding Your Niche!

Mike27

GypsyWriter

stormie

storm central

awatkins

Not harboring illegal parrot

Wormo

Getting By

thistle

Hipster Doofus

Elonna

I'm a dork

ChunkyC

It's hard being green

Mike27

SeanDSchaffer

Wormo

Getting By

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Maryn

I Tried

sharon

jdkiggins

Troubled-Talks with animals.