Be A Novelist Blog |

My Love Affair with my Local Library – And Their Contests

For many years I have had an ongoing love affair with the Tulsa City-County Library system. Although I no longer live in Tulsa proper, I am still in the county and therefore still enjoy all the perks.

In the pre-Internet days I spent long long hours in the downtown location researching for my historical novels. And also for the many biographies that I authored for Chelsea House Publishing. Not only did I do the research there, I spent additional hours at the copy machines since Chelsea House required documentation of every reference used in their books, and I had no copy machine of my own at the time. The beautiful downtown library became like a second home. (I also loved the underground protected parking!)

Fast forward to 2014 — I get everything I need online. I search the library files from the comfort of my office; request what I need and am then able to pick up the materials at the local branch which is only a few minutes from my home.

But one of the perks that makes me most proud of our library system is their writing contest that is held in January every year. They offer four categories and the rules are quite simple. More info here.

On the wall of my office I proudly display three certificates celebrating my wins in three different years of this contest. I am a believer in legitimate contests for writers. As a confidence booster, it has few equals. (Second only to being published I would guess. My opinion of course.) Hurray for entities who give writers a helping hand! (I have additional certificates on my wall from wins in yet other writing contests from years gone by. I used to enter all I could find!) Be A Novelist

I’m such a strong believer in contests for aspiring authors that I created this short video on YouTube to emphasize my point.

Does your local library help emerging authors in this way? If not, you may be the one to get the ball rolling!

It’s January and once again the contest is in full swing at the Tulsa City-County Library.

And once again, I feel a strong sense of pride in my local library!

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Follow the Market? Or Not?

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I’m often asked by aspiring novelists whether or not it’s a good idea to follow the markets. Translated, this question might read:

Shall I follow the trends? Shall I write what’s popular?

Here’s my take on the subject (for what it’s worth).

Not My Favorite Genre

Years ago, when I was told by a writer friend that Barbour Publishing had started an inspirational romance line (HeartSong), and that they needed Christian-based, light romances, I was interested. Actually I already had a completed manuscript in my files that fit their guidelines. (Long story behind that.)

This was not my favorite genre, but I sold that one and three more to Barbour. In a way, I was writing for the market that was available to me. I was extremely grateful to be published and to get my name out there. But I did not camp there. As I said, it was not my favorite genre.

Did Barbour need more Christian-based, light romances? Indeed they did. I probably could have sold a lot more. But my heart was elsewhere. So I stopped.

In today’s market (the teen market, which is the one I mainly write for), you’ll see dozens and dozens of fantasy, paranormal, dystopian, explicit sex, and many are at the top of the charts. Making sales like crazy.

Some would say I’m missing out because I don’t follow these popular trends. But I choose to remain true to my core values. That’s why I adopted the name Clean Teen Reads.

Follow Your Heart

Some authors write in these themes because they love this kind of literature. Still others are writing to follow the market. No one can tell another writer what to write. You must follow your heart and your passions. However, I very much like this quote by David Morrell (of Rambo fame):

Don’t try to outsmart the market. Just write a story you feel passionate about and do it as well as you possibly can.

Do the genres I mentioned fit into a trend that will soon fade away? Who knows? But as Morrell says, You can’t “outsmart” the market.

In my long writing career — well over 30 years now — I’ve seen many “popular” trends come — and then I’ve seen them go. This is why trends do not turn my head.

Be True to Yourself

Be true to yourself. That’s all you can ever do in this business.

How do you feel about following the market? (The latest trend?) Leave your comments below.

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