Following Your Muse -- A Leap of Faith

by Beth Ciotta

The following article appeared in the February 2006 issue of The Heartline Herald, newsletter of the New Jersey Romance Writers (NJRW). Permission to reprint is granted to sister RWA Chapters, with credit to Author (including bio) and Chapter.

In their own quiet way, writers are brave creatures. They face challenges daily. One wrong decision could break their bank account, a contract or, horrors, their career. Is this agent right for me?

Should I invest in a full-color ad? Should I fight my editor on a specific revision request? One of the most angst-ridden choices could be: Do I follow my muse and write in X-sub-genre when I'm multi-published in another sub-genre? Do I take a leap of faith that readers will follow no matter where I go?

Sometimes it's not even a muse who nudges an author into a new world, but a publisher. "Yes, we know you're established in historical, but romantic suspense is hot and that's what we want." The author wonders/worries if readers will take a leap of faith and crossover. Obviously, the publisher is counting on just that. Hopefully, said author has a true desire to explore this new genre. There's nothing worse than forcing what doesn't come naturally. The creator suffers, as does the art.

As a reader, I have followed many authors into a new world. When favorite historical authors made the leap to contemporary, I jumped too. Did I enjoy these stories? Yes. I find that, although the era is different, the tone is similar. Personally, that's what I'm most drawn to--an author's voice. Do I wish they'd throw me a historical every now and then? Yes! I'm greedy. I want it all.

As a writer, I want it all too. Although I'm multi-published in contemporary romance, I'm also inspired to write historical westerns--LASSO THE MOON, the first in a trilogy, premiers February 2006. This past year another idea sparked and refused to die. Suddenly, I just had to explore a first-person contemporary series, leaning more toward women's fiction with strong romantic elements. I opted to follow my muse, to take the leap of faith that readers will cross over, not once, but twice. Fortunately, I have an agent who supports my vision. She recently sold two more of my westerns to Medallion Press and the first-person contemporary series to HQN.

I look at it this way. I'm not switching genres; I'm expanding my horizons. The eras are different, but my voice, the tone, is the same. Most importantly, the writing will be honest and passionate because it's what I'm personally driven to do. Do I wonder if fans will cross over? Do I worry that they'll feel cheated of their first love--my more traditional contemporaries?

Yes. Do I think that writing in multiple sub-genres is a wise business choice? I'm not sure. But I do believe that it is wise to write from the heart, not for the market. The creator will flourish, as will the art.

Multi-published author Beth Ciotta writes Romantic Comedy with a Twist of Suspense. This past year she hooked up with her dream agent, signed with Medallion Press for a historical western trilogy and with HQN for contemporary series entitled, THE CHAMELEON CHRONICLES. Living proof that dreams do come true!

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