What to write??

In a meeting with my new critique group, we had a discussion about genres. One author, who I'll just call KA, is already substantially published. She has at least three books already slated to come out this year! I feel privileged just to be working with her and learning from her. Anyway, she writes category romance, mass market paperback. She wants to break into a single title suspense market, but once you are well established in one market, it is difficult to make the big switch to another. So, that got me thinking... where do I want to start?

I have such widespread interests when it comes to reading that it's difficult to say what I most want to write. Everyone says, 'Write what you most love to read.' Well, I love to read a lot of different things! I love horror novels, chick lit, romance, fantasy, young adult novels, everything!! I even enjoy reading non-fiction. Then, of course, there's books like The Muse Asylum by David Czuchlewski. General fiction. Literary fiction. Even poetry. I love all of those things. But what do I most love?

I think that in situations like this, where my heart is being pulled in several different directions, the key is really to trust my heart... my deep down gut feeling. I have to stop thinking about what anyone else might expect or want me to do. I need to stop worrying about which genre is most likely to make money faster. And I have to just listen to that little voice inside that says, "Do this. This is where you belong."

I have no doubt written about it before, because it is one of my favorite quotes, but I will go ahead and write about it again because it has roots in this topic. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a famous German writer in the 18th century, once wrote:

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts
of initiative (and creation),
there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which
kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
that moment in which one definitely
commits oneself, then Providence moves, too.

All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events
issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor
all manner of unforeseen incidents
and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamed would come his way.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can,
begin it.

Boldness has genius, power
and magic in it.

Begin it now.

What I think Goethe is talking about is the idea that we attract to us what it is that we desire. If you've heard about The Secret, you know exactly what I'm talking about it. In some ways, it sounds like magic of sorts. Can our thoughts really influence the world around us? I think the answer there is yes!

I mention all of this because there are two things lately that have pointed me toward the Young Adult genre. One, I met and became friends with an author who just happened to mention that she felt part of her success at a certain publisher was because she got in on the ground floor of a new line they had coming out, and they needed new authors. Then, less than one week later, I read that the same publisher is coming out with another new line. Young Adult. The second thing happened this week. I got an email from my writer's loop saying that a competition going on is looking for more Young Adult entries. The great thing about that contest is that an editor from another amazing Young Adult publisher will be reading the entries and judging them.

Two amazing opportunities pointing me in the same direction. I tell myself, "Be bold! Begin it now!" There isn't a moment to waste. When you feel life tugging you in many directions, chances are the answer is right there in front of you if you just open your eyes.