Excuses and Writing Outside Your Comfort Zone

I’m sorry it has been a while since I’ve actually written a blog post--as opposed to hosting a giveaway--but I’ve got two good reasons, I promise! 

Number 1: The submission process is still ongoing for my YA Paranormal Romance novel JUDGES. We’ve had some rejections and some requests and as it is in every facet of this business, it takes time...lots and lots of time :) I’ll keep you all posted as soon as I know anything. 

Number 2: I’m 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby and it has been a real roller coaster ride thus far. The first four months were extremely hard to get through--I was one of those women that had morning sickness occur not only in the morning...more like 24/7 sickness. So clearly no writing productivity came out of those times. And as the sickness has passed and other fun side-effects have kicked in--like my brain seriously lacking in top-quality functionality--I’ve found it harder and harder to find something of worth to offer you all. Besides those fun giveaways I host, which surely don’t bother anyone too much ;) 

Now that I got that off my chest I can share with you what I’ve been working on (or trying really hard to work on) recently. 

I completed the first draft to the sequel of JUDGES, took a short break, and then dove head first into a story that popped up out of no where and wouldn’t let me go. Aren’t those the best kind? I’ve been working on this project as often as my new struggling brain allows me and it has been quite a feat getting in my daily word counts. Not just because I’m exhausted on an hourly basis, but because this story is completely outside my comfort zone.

I read primarily YA and when I do read adult it almost always has a Paranormal or Fantasy element...so I was completely shocked to have an idea come to me in the form of an adult thriller. After scribbling the characters who manifested nearly fully formed in my head down in a notebook, as well as a few plot notes, I had to take a step back. I’ve only read a few thrillers and can honestly say I had no clue how to go about writing one. Luckily, for writers today, there are countless blogs, websites, and books dedicated to educating one on how to do so. Not to mention I’ve been watching as many thrillers as I can stand and read as much as I can as well. 

After gathering information, researching, and reading I finally felt capable to start this journey and it is still on going. I’m enjoying the process, relishing in the challenge of taking a step outside where I feel most comfortable. Though, as I work on this project, I’ve had several other ideas come to me--some almost as clear and demanding as this one did--and a couple of them have been YA. It’s as if my brain is begging me to go back to what I know, but I’ve pushed the thoughts away (after jotting down the ideas of course) and am sticking to my guns. 

I’m wondering how other writer’s would view this process? Do you find it challenging to write what you don’t know or do you embrace each genre with an open mind? And where do you go first to find out how best to write a story--to a genre novel, a writing book, a trusted writer’s blog, or fellow author friends? If you have a favorite go to site or book please feel free to site them in the comments section for others. :)  

Whatever your technique or style, I’m sure you appreciate the wealth of knowledge that is at our fingertips today--allowing us to color outside the lines and explore worlds we may not have before.