Be Wrong

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As writers, as human beings, we often worry about taking the wrong step, for fear someone will point a finger and accuse you of . . . gasp . . . being wrong! I'm not talking about breaking the law here. I refer to being wrong in someone's eyes, by some unwritten rule, because the majority says so, and the list goes on.

Dare to be wrong.

As I pursued writing and publishing Lowcountry Bribe, I was accused many times of being wrong. Some of the "advice" included:

• A female sleuth cannot have young kids without ruining the mystery.
• A man can't say "Honey" or "Babe" without being somewhat demeaning.
• Hunt for an agent in New York or you lessen your chances of landing one.
• Do not go over 100,000 words, no matter what.
• Forget traditional publishing. Self-publish since you have a platform already.
• Readers don't want to read about a woman attracted to another man before she's divorced.
• In real life, a woman would not take these risks if she had children.
• Readers prefer Southern women to drink wine, not bourbon. 
• Write in third person. It's too difficult to tell a story, particularly a mystery, from first person perspective.
  

Well, sometimes you have to do what you feel is right for you. Yes, you want to know the basic rules of writing and the basic guidelines for your genre. But if everyone followed all the rules as written, stories would muddy into each other, diluting so many distinct voices.

I have a friend writing a YA literary fantasy. It's cute as a button! Another is writing high brow, historic romance, and it's sexy as hell. Neither is published . . . yet. I have no doubt they will be, because their work is good. And they've discovered their uniqueness. And they are hell-bent on refining it, making it work, and not becoming "the norm."

Being stubborn is one thing. Standing by your standards is another. While you know what you want to do, don't be deaf to suggestions, and don't be afraid to try change. Just realize that it's all optional. Being afraid to deviate from the norm confines you to a box with thousands of other writers afraid to be different. But also, being afraid to listen to suggestions is just as unwise, as someone might have gone before you and see the cliff you're about to walk off of.

Leave your options open.

Dare. Dare to be wrong. Dare to try different. Dare to define what right really is.

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