One of the things I struggle with as a writer is whether to tell people what I do. Sometimes I think I should keep it close to the vest but other times I feel as if I should be out spreading the word. Talking about writing and getting my books published has helped in leading me to people who can help me with my endevors, such as editors, graphic artists, videographers, etc.
The down side is that it also opens you up to preemptive criticism. For example, one person asked, "Does that pay anything to make it worthwhile? I mean you're no J.K. Rowling!" Yeah, well I wasn't trying to be. I'm more interested in being Maureen Mullis, thank you very much. I'm also more interested in people reading my books more than in making a lot of money. I do want to sell them, don't get me wrong, but I just love the idea of people reading my books and liking them and wanting to read more.
My book hasn't been out there long enough to get too many people reading it, but I am working on that.
Then I've had criticisms from some of my beta readers about the style of books I write. One woman was vehement about not wanting me to write cozy mysteries, insisting that I stick with women's fiction. I'm not sure if my decision to publish the cozy first was in defiance to her.
Basically I write what I would like to read. I write what interests me. I haven't settled on one genre, but I would imagine that at some point in time I will. If you're a writer, let me know what you think. Are you "married" to one style of story or not? And if not, what do you like to write?
Well, I'm not a writer, but a lot of what you said is true for what I like to do - photography. Sometimes I like to tell people I take pictures and sometimes I don't because photos are subjective too. Some people love my pictures, others don't give them a second look. I too have had my feelings hurt by what people have said. I have decided that I take pictures for me, first and foremost - take pictures of things that I like, that I think are beautiful, or that I want to remember. I figure if I love them that's all that matters. It sounds like you are doing the same thing with your writing, and I think that's the only way to go.
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