Just cause you're not having fun, doesn't mean the book is bad

(How to Craft a Pitch and Some News)

I’ve been thinking a lot about different writing advice and insights. How some resonate and others don’t. I guess this applies to almost everything in life. Not every shoe fits. Not every tip or trick will work for you. And not every RULE is meant to be followed.

Some advice: if you’re not having fun writing, the reader will be able to tell, and what’s the point?

MAYBE this is true if the book you’re writing isn’t your preferred genre, or something feels off with the plot or characters. But I’m a few books deep in at this point, and let me tell you, not all of them have been enjoyable experiences. I think all my books, at one point, have been downright torturous to write. I also tend to write emotionally heavy stories that I gleefully hope will make readers cry. Writing trauma is TAXING. It’s not going to be fun all the time. There will be doubts, and blood, sweat, and tears.

Now that’s not to say that writing FUN stories will be bad. The first book I ever wrote as a baby writer was thrilling and joyful and blissful. Yes, all the adjectives. I went into that book with vibes and a suitcase of yearning. I had no concept of plot or characterization. FUN. Did it sell? Almost, but not quite. But the reason this advice has been on my mind lately is because I’m finally writing a book (secret mystery book) that’s plain old fun for me. It’s only when I stumble onto a heartwrenching scene or where the emotions are HIGH that I get that tortured author feel again.

Point is, fun or not, do you like it?

You know what I do when I first set off to write a new story? I write a query for it. Doesn’t have to be as cohesive as it would be if you were hitting send into the publishing verse, but it should include: The main character, what they want, who/what is keeping them from getting what they want (villain), and what must they sacrifice to get what they want (stakes).

Here’s an example of the pitch I wrote for my debut, A TALL DARK TROUBLE:

These are the bones.

As you’re writing, go back to the pitch that first made you excited to fall into this new world. Has it deviated? Do you like its new direction? Update the pitch and find out. Take a look at your characters. Are their emotional wants and desires driving their decisions? Or has the plot sort of just jerked them around like a loose penny in a piggy bank? Do they have agency?

Even if you answered yes to everything, you still might not be having fun. You may be prying molars with each word. Honestly, you want work that’s going to challenge you and make you a better writer. So don’t be afraid of the unfun parts.

RAMBLING DONE

(Or is it?)

I’ve sold another book! (and another I can’t yet talk about 👀) But the one I can scream to the rooftops about is another YA Horror Romance with trauma galore, and yes, it was painful at times to write.

Another take on a folktale! La Carretanagua is a cart hauled by Death themself that was first introduced in post post-colonial era Nicaragua. Very excited for you all to meet these new weirdos!

I don’t have a Goodreads or Storygraph link to share yet, but you can bet your tuchus I’ll share it the moment I do.

Well, bibbidi bobbidi, I’m through.

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