Went to the LARA meeting today, where Jill Marie Landis spoke to us about scene and sequel - fascinating discussion on plotting without actually plotting.

Anyway. What really struck me, is the first book she sold was the second one she wrote. And with that second one, she tossed out all the 'rules' and wrote the book her way (keeping in mind the commercial aspects). She is a draft writer - she has to write the first draft before she knows what happens in a book. (So am I.) She's also a writer who can't write short.

When the buzz had died down and most people had left, I had her sign a book for me and I told her that I was having a hard time writing right now. I felt constrained by category's 'rules' and panicked that I'll never get it right.

She said that many well-known authors aren't selling to publishers right now, that the market is shrinking, and that writing for category with the thought that it's easier to get published is just not the best way to go.

She said to take a story I really love, and add to it. Build it, make it bigger, longer. Add more characters. Deepen the layers. She gave me permission, more; she encouraged me to write something different than what I've been writing, and I feel released somehow, as though I've been constrained by my need to meet editors and sell to the ones I meet. I am looking forward now more than ever to August, and writing something different. I have more stories to tell, bigger stories that aren't necessarily romances (but are love stories in their way).

I don't know why I needed permission from another, successful writer. I don't even know how this will reflect in my writing until I get the opportunity to start something else, but hopefully knowing there is more out there will help me learn all I can now through this book so I am stronger when I start the next one.

I can hope, anyway.