Vlog: Write for Yourself First

A vlog about writing in dead genres, paying attention to trends, and writing what you're passionate about.



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Twitter-sized bites: 
Worried that your WIP or awesome book idea is in a dead genre? @Ava_Jae vlogs her thoughts. (Click to tweet)  
"In the end agents, editors, and readers don't fall in love with genres—they fall in love with stories." (Click to tweet)

15 comments:

  1. AlyssaApril 2, 2015 at 5:34 AM

    Thanks for this inspiring vlog, Ava -- it comes at a really great time for me because the next idea I want to work on is so-called a dead genre, but then again it'll be a while before it's anywhere near finished, and like you say, the market changes all the time.


    Also, re: undead genres, now I'm imagining books flapping around and shambling off the shelf ... XD

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  2. Ana @ Butterflies of the ImagiApril 2, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    Thanks for this vlog, Ava. It can be discouraging to write a novel in a dead genre, but just like tropes and cliches, if the twist on the story is unique enough and well executed, it can sell. I really want to write a historical fiction novel after I finish revising my sci-fi one because historical fiction is my favorite genre to read. Except for some exceptions, historical fiction isn't a very popular, so it can be discouraging to write one. Not to mention how frustrating all that research can be. Still, I think it will be a ton of fun, so I'll write it anyway.

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  3. Julia E.April 3, 2015 at 4:27 AM

    I love reading multiple POV novels, but recently have noticed a trend of dual 1st person. I really don't like it as I think it's almost impossible to pull of well. The author has to have an excellent command of voice to make two people sound truly different, and it cuts down the tension for me by feeling too omnipotent.

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  4. Ava JaeApril 3, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    I think it's definitely tough, especially at first, to pull off multiple POVs, but it's a really fun adventure, in my experience. I'll definitely play around with it again in the future. :)

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  5. Ava JaeApril 3, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    That's so interesting! I actually really love dual first person POV, and though I've read some that didn't work, I've read some that I really loved, too. It's definitely a tricky thing to pull off, though, and takes quite a bit of work and character development!

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  6. Ava JaeApril 3, 2015 at 6:20 PM

    You're so welcome, Alyssa! The dead genre thing is really tough to navigate, but I encourage you to write what you want to write anyway. Writing, after all, is never ever a waste.


    Undead genres...lol. If and when Paranormal becomes undead, it'll be especially fitting. :D

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  7. Ava JaeApril 3, 2015 at 6:21 PM

    Definitely go for it, if that's the book that's calling you to be written! It's good to be aware of what's going on in the market, but in the end, a good story is a good story. :)

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  8. jooe15April 4, 2015 at 12:30 AM

    I gotta ask — Do you ever write a book, and then just shelf it immediately and wait for the genera to come back?

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  9. HeatherApril 5, 2015 at 12:50 AM

    The first book I ever tried to write had about eight POVs and each chapter was probably like, 300 words. I have since concluded that I am not ready to write that yet. I'll stick to a smaller number, like two. XD At any rate, this is important to remember, even when you're just writing one POV and you want to differentiate between dialogue, and see a limited snapshot of perspective. I don't read many multi-POV books, though... I can't even think of any off the top of my head.

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  10. Ava JaeApril 6, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    Eight?? Holy cannoli, I don't think I'd even attempt that now let alone for my first book...


    Also, I can give you a couple recommendations if you're interested!

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  11. Ava JaeApril 6, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    I have written many books and shelved them immediately, although only one of them was because I was concerned about the genre (the others I just...mostly lost interest in). But I do have a shelved project, that while I didn't immediately shelve, I'm holding on to for now in the hopes that either the genre will come back or I'll just be able to sell it anyway. :)

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  12. HeatherApril 6, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    The mind of an eleven-year-old is a strange place.


    And yes, if you have a few, I'd be interested in a few recommendations!

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  13. Ava JaeApril 6, 2015 at 6:27 PM

    Across the Universe by Beth Revis, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey and Faking It by Cora Carmack are some of my favorite multi-POV novels. Note that the last one is NA, though. :)


    I feel like I'm forgetting some...if I think of more, I'll let you know!

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  14. jooe15May 19, 2015 at 11:32 PM

    Ah, okay. Thanks.

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  15. Ava JaeMay 20, 2015 at 3:10 AM

    Sure!

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