tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post2576037478506150274..comments2023-10-26T11:34:38.322-04:00Comments on Ask Allison: Fish or Cut Bait?Allison Winn Scotchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820208316115681320noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-13172851825594958132009-04-08T08:24:00.000-04:002009-04-08T08:24:00.000-04:00I completely agree -- set aside the second book fo...I completely agree -- set aside the second book for now, and shop the third to agents. I think heavy subject matter is subjective and depends on the voice of the writer in terms of how it can be marketed and sold. Marian Keyes' "Is Anybody Out There?" and Lolly Winston's "Good Grief" both tackled sad subjects -- widowhood -- and managed to combine humor along with a very moving and poignant depiction of the grieving process. But without humor, difficult/painful subject matter seems like a very hard sell (unless maybe it's purely literary and not commercial?) I read Allison's first book, and even though the subject was tough, the writing touch let up and became lighter at times, even humorous, so there was a lot of relief from the difficult scenes.sarah pekkanenhttp://www.sarahpekkanen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-72532377948888799222009-04-07T15:33:00.000-04:002009-04-07T15:33:00.000-04:00I think a great strategy is to look for an agent f...I think a great strategy is to look for an agent for your third book--especially if you think the publisher's contract is crappy. (What's the benefit of this "crappy" contract? The fact that your book will be published?) My thought is, if you snag an agent for #3 and it finds a home, then #2 might find a home later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-23854733944969406542009-04-07T12:16:00.000-04:002009-04-07T12:16:00.000-04:00I think a book with a depressing, difficult subjec...I think a book with a depressing, difficult subject, like caring for a chronic illness, dealing with cancer, etc. is a tough sell in any market. This is just my opinion a reader, but the only way I'd consider tackling that kind of a book would be if it were to shed new light on the subject go somewhere no one had gone before. An example that comes to mind is Lisa Genova's book, Still Alice. It's fiction, an imagined memoir of a brilliant doctor dealing with Alzheimer's. Why would I read this? The author is a doctor and knows this subject and reviews have exclaimed about the book how it offers a new glimpse inside the world of Alzheimer's.<BR/><BR/>Still, I haven't read it yet. But it's on my imaginary list, for when I'm in the mood for a darker book.<BR/><BR/>Speaking as myself as a reader, I look for books for an excape from the real world, for adventure. A book that focuses on disease is too realistic and not what I'm looking for when planning to spend several hours with a book.<BR/><BR/>That's why I haven't read Allison's first book, even though I adored and have raved about Time of My Life. I lost my Mom to cancer 7 years ago, and it's still too close to home to consider reading a book with that storyline.<BR/><BR/>I wonder too, in this kind of economy if people are seeking feel-good, escapism stories more than ever?<BR/><BR/>Funny that I'm following Trish Ryan's comment...don't know if she'll be back to read this, but have to add that I just read her book last weekend, her memoir, in one sitting. It was amazing! and uplifting. <BR/><BR/>~Pampamclhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03272373376910975546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-11655814732982888172009-04-07T11:15:00.000-04:002009-04-07T11:15:00.000-04:00It's so key not to get too attached to any one pro...It's so key not to get too attached to any one project. So many times we refer to books as our "babies", and while I understand that impulse, I think it makes us too blind to accept feedback and let go when something isn't right or isn't going to work. <BR/><BR/>My agent and I have been through numerous ideas that just didn't pan out. Each time I try to remind myself that if I'm really a writer, that means I can sit down and write something else...I get to try again. The old ideas aren't lost, just shelved for awhile. And sometimes (as Allison points out) that's a good thing :)Trish Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18038324441006141430noreply@blogger.com