Missing Inspiration by Jenn McKinlay

 JENN McKINLAY: I am in the thick of writing proposals. This is the best part and the worst part of the writing process to me. Taking that kernel of an idea and crafting it into something that readers will love, always feels like landing at the base camp on Mount Everest. 

I love it when an idea comes out of the ether and fills my brain, taking over my every thought until I get the story down on the page. Unfortunately, this very rarely happens and it's much more likely to be an idea that goes nowhere, a notion that goes sideways, or a concept that tanks before it can become a fully realized PROPOSAL. 

One of the biggest challenges right now is that the industry is very saturated in romcoms and mysteries and what I hear repeatedly from the publishers and booksellers is that they want "the same but different". When I ask what they mean specifically, I am told that they don't know but they'll know it when they see it. As you can tell I have spent many an hour banging my forehead on my desk.

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When things seem impossible, I do look behind me and remember that PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA came fully formed while I sat in my car waiting for a Hooligan while the SPRINKLE WITH MURDER arrived almost by happenstance when everywhere I looked there were cupcakes and everyone I spoke seemed to be talking about cupcakes and I just happened to be looking for a fresh angle on cozy mysteries. 

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Since I am fresh out of inspiration, a very disconcerting place for me since finishing the cozy fantasy, I must ask both the Reds and the Readers, what do you do when your creative well is dry? Do you have a technique for kick-starting your brain or your creativity? In other words...HELP!

What We're Writing: Proposals, proposals, and more proposals

JENN McKINLAY: I'm in the In-Between that restless spot between Out of Contract and I Have a New Idea. I think it's much like the Upside-Down from Stranger Things, which is described as an alternate dimension that's inhospitable to humans and should be avoided at all costs. Yes, very much like the In-Between for authors, at least for this author.

For me, proposal writing is the same as outlining. In fact, my proposals are usually what I use for my outline when the project gets the green light and it's a go. 

I recently turned in a proposal for a new genre (cozy fantasy with a mystery and a light romance tucked in) that I'm very excited about but because it's a brand new genre for me, the outline was twenty-five pages and the sample was forty-five. I wanted to be certain I was getting it right. If and when it sells, it should be easy peasy to write.

 [pause for laughter because it's never easy]

Aside from the cozy fantasy, I am working up proposals for two more romcoms, two more library lovers mysteries, and trying to decide if there is room in the schedule for more cupcake bakery mysteries. Given that most retailers are no longer carrying mass market paperbacks, which is the format for the cupcake bakery mysteries, I have a feeling that series is dusted and done but I will wait to hear before I declare it so. 

I had written up proposals for two more hat shop mysteries and my publisher said I could write them and they would publish them but where would they be sold if retailers no longer carry mass market? It's a conundrum. 

I do feel as if the publishing world is undergoing some dramatic changes. It used to be that they wanted books that were clearly definable by genre. If you wrote a romantic magical mystery, they were never clear on where to put it. Romance or fantasy or mystery? They couldn't decide so the book was rejected as unmarketable, which given the success of Gabaldon's Outlander seems short-sighted, but whatever. 

Now, it appears they no longer care and mashups are all the rage. Do you have a time traveling, sword wielding Amazon who likes to knit with vampires and runs a chocolate shop with her wily grandma while  they amateur sleuth the village murders? Let her rip! Yes, I'm exaggerating...but just a little.

So, how about it Reds and Readers? What are some genre mashups that you've read and enjoyed?