Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.
This Week’s Topic
In honor of this month’s Bookmobile book, Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, name a fable or story you’d like to see a retelling of. If you’re feeling creative, come up with a premise of your own!
My Answer
This is a timely question for me, as the story I’m considering writing for NaNoWriMo this year is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I’m a bit nervous about it though, because re-writing fairy tales seems to be very popular right now. “They” tell you to never write to trends because by the time your book is ready for submission, the trend is over-saturated. But, “they” also say that any well-written book with the right hook can be picked up regardless of the trends.
So all I can do is write the best story I can and cross my fingers.
I believe you have the talent and drive to write ANY book regardless of trends, saturation or marketability!
Yes!
You guys are too sweet! <3
Don’t write to trends, and don’t write according to what people say you should or shouldn’t write. Just write the story that’s on your mind and your heart. If it’s great, people will read it. 🙂
Thanks. I read your Sleeping Beauty query and loved it. I hope you do write it!
I think you’re right: If the story is good, trends don’t really matter. I don’t know that fairy tale retellings will ever really stop selling, especially if there’s a unique twist on it. And I think that’s what literary agents and publishers are looking for: unique. I say go for it! 🙂
I hope so… and I hope I can put a unique enough twist on it…that is the key, I believe.
I’ll echo the previous comments — if it’s a good story, what’s ‘on trend’ doesn’t matter nearly as much. I’d be interested to see what your take on ‘Sleeping Beauty’ is!
Oh yeah, I forgot that part of the question, didn’t I? Well, it was a modern re-telling with a medical setting. But after reading some of the responses to the question, I feel like I need to go back and rework it. Give it more of a twist or make it more unique. Glad that NaNo doesn’t start for several more weeks. 😉
Go for it, follow your heart and head and if the story is good, the trends won’t stand in your way!
Thanks!