That thing that’s not the crest of the wave but not the slough either

[pjthompson]

I seem to have this annoying habit of coming up with ideas and writing novels about them not when they’ve become a hot-hot-hot new trend, but maybe the year before they become hot.  Just about the time I finish my first draft I start seeing key elements of my novel every-fricking-where in the literary universe.  So I am anticipating the trends, in a way, but not anticipating them enough, obviously. 

Clearly, I need to write faster.  Or find a way of disseminating trend retardant into the literary air until I can catch up. 

I’m not the only one this happens to.  I’ve seen it happen to others.  I don’t think it’s quite as big of a setback for someone who already has a publishing deal, but for someone like myself, it makes me look like a copycat when really‑swear!‑I wasn’t seeing much of anything like this when I started formulating the novel. 

I’m sure one of my writing friends will tell me it’s what I do with the familiar material that counts, my original take on it, and I would thank them if they did, but…it wouldn’t be as cool as hitting the marketplace before the trend was seriously launched.

Such is life.

Comments

[morewineplease.livejournal.com]

Are you thinking of anything in particular?

[pjthompson]

Steampunk balloons this time around. A couple of Locus issues back, I counted three or four books with steampunk ballooms on the cover, and I've heard of more since--one just today.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I feel you. And it does suck.
Have there been any books about chickens lately? ;-)

[(Anonymous)]

rofl--no, but with my luck, that will be the new hot trend.

[pjthompson]

Dad gummit consarn it!

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. I really hope that fake psychic cop show gets cancelled, because it is totally ruining my Godzilla story.

[pjthompson]

Dude, that is so unfair. Eureka sort of rained on my Dos Lunas parade, but the spirit of the two is quite different, so I'm still hopeful.

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

write like the wind!

[pjthompson]

Yeeeha!

[makoiyi.livejournal.com]

Do you remember 'Shapechangers' by Jennifer Roberson??? I wrote that. before her books came out.

*Grumps*

And sympathy.

I *know*!!!

[pjthompson]

It's frustrating as all freak, ain't it?

[jmeadows.livejournal.com]

Urgh, yeah. I think it happens to everyone, no matter how fast you write. I see my ideas everywhere. :D

[pjthompson]

We should pass a law: no stealing of our ideas. :-)

[jmeadows.livejournal.com]

Seconded!