Thursday, February 2, 2012

What's the Next Big Thing?

I'm currently finishing a writing project (I hope), so I've begun to ask myself what comes next. What new project should I try? What sub-genre of romance is calling my name? Or is there a new and exciting trend out there that I should look at?

Yes, I know. Writing for a trend is very risky. I'm a slow writer, so chances are if I tried to catch the wave of a current trend, it would likely pass me by before I finished writing it. But I'm wondering, is there something new out there that hasn't been tried before (or at least hasn't been done to death)? Could I get in on the beginning of a new wave? What will be the next big thing in romance?

Shapeshifters, vampires, and fae are very popular at the moment, and likely will continue to be. Mashing sub-genres is also popular - an historical that is also a suspense or paranormal, for example. Sometimes popular TV shows reflect or predict reading trends (and vice versa). One show I've been enjoying lately is "Once Upon a Time". It's not new to use fairy tale motifs in romance, but perhaps a book that creates a new fairy tale world of magic and treachery might be something I could sink my teeth into!

So, what do you think is the next big trend in romance? Or, do you follow the advice of many agents who say 'just write a good book' and forget about trends? If you're a writer, what is your next project going to be? If you're a reader, what kind of book do you want to read next?

13 comments:

  1. Whatever the trend is or may be I'm certain I would only catch it by accident as I write where the muse leads. I am currently very taken with the show Grimm. If this predicts a trend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Someone mentioned they heard small towns are the next trend. Boy do I hope so, since that's what I write about, anyway! LOL

    BTW, I've read 5 or 6 stories in your Love, Loss book (including yours) and am loving it. Very well done and interesting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jannine, I really hope that's a new trend. I 'get' small towns because that's where I come from. I've got a complete manuscript about a woman who returns to her small hometown in North Dakota when her life in the big city goes to hell. I haven't sent it anywhere yet because I wasn't sure what to do with it.

      Let's keep our fingers crossed!

      Delete
    2. P.S. Glad you're liking our book. I'm really proud of it and the members of our writing group who contributed to it and made it happen.

      To anyone else: the buy link is just over there on the left hand side of this page. (hint, hint!)

      Delete
  3. I'm with you Beth. If I ever caught a trend, it would likely be by accident. But I have to admit that such things fascinate me. However, if you write what's trendy and not what you love, it will show.

    I haven't watched Grimm yet but I've been hearing buzz. Another TV show that caught my interest is "Pan Am". I love the clothes the women wear. They all look fabulous. And the cold-war spying thing is intriguing too. But maybe it's just making me nostalgic for the days of luxurious air travel with free drinks and no pat-downs before boarding!

    Jana

    ReplyDelete
  4. My newest release is a post Civil War romance. Don't know if that time period will catch on, but I sure hope so. I just submitted a time travel novella also set in the American Victorian era in 1881.

    Don't know what the next trend will be, but I've spread myself out enough, with Civil War, time travel, even a few short vampire stories. I'm also polishing up a short contemporary Christmas story that I hope to submit next.

    I think you just have to write what interests you and hope readers and editors will get on board. What else can you do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm kind of in the same boat as you, Susan. I've written a bit of paranormal, some World War 2 era, some suspense and some contemporary. I write what calls to me and like you said, I hope others will like it. I love Christmas stories too. I hope you do well with yours.

      Delete
  5. That's an interesting question. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for small town settings because I love to write about them. WW2 and Pan Am have been mentioned. There's also the Bomb Girls on TV. Also the black and white movie The Artist is getting a lot of attention this awards season. That must be why I'm thinking it would be interesting to write a 'vintage' story. Which must mean it's already trending and by the time I write it the trend will be over :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My vote's in for small town settings, too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as well.

      "Vintage" can mean a lot of different things. Pretty much the whole 20th century, from WW1 to the Vietnam war qualifies. So pick any decade that interests you. I'm really glad that publishers are more open to different time periods now. I find that very exciting.

      For anyone who doesn't know, "Bomb Girls" is a Canadian show about a group of women who work at a bomb-making factory during World War 2, starring Meg Tilly. I learned something from the show; the turbans you see women of that era wearing in the factories wasn't a fashion statement, it was protective gear. Apparently the cordite explosive turned hair yellow if it wasn't covered.

      Delete
  6. I was at a writers' conference recently. One of the agents on a panel said if she gets a query about vampires, she immediately deletes the email. Gosh! That's harsh! One said she won't accept any more dystopian. I had to go home and look it up. **dummy here**

    I'm hearing rumblings about small towns and also cowboys. But I have no clue how accurate all that is. If you hear what's in, post about it so I learn to. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vonnie, I wonder if that means vampires are dead, no pun intended. They've been big for a long time, especially in YA. Maybe it's time for something new. Correct me if I'm wrong, but dystopian means a society that has totally broken down, sort of like in "The Hunger Games", does it not? Somebody clue me in if I'm totally out to lunch.

      Another vote for small towns. Yay! And have cowboys ever really gone out of style? I think not.

      Delete
  7. Hi Jana - I'm like you, no way could I write to a trend. I have to write what I write because otherwise I feel I'd come off lacking - forcing another kind of story out of me. I think my brain would revolt and I'd get writer's block if i forced myself to write to a trend. Couldn't write a vampire if my life depended on it (though I enjoy those stories). Couldn't write a western or a paranormal. I know my limits, so whatever the next big thing is won't matter to me. Chances are I won't be on that train...unless contemporary romance is coming back in style with a vengeance???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne, I hope contemporary romance comes back with a vengeance, because even though I love all those types of romances you mention, contemporary is still my favorite to read and to write.

      I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

      Delete