Explore What You Like and Don’t Like with Blogging

You’ve heard the expression that the “grass is always greener.” If you’ve never heard the full version, it is, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” meaning that no matter where you are, you think things are better where you aren’t. It’s like being in a lane of traffic that seems to be moving slowly. You change lanes to move faster… only to watch your lane slow down while the lane you were in moves faster. The same is true of checkout lines at the grocery store. The one you’re not in always seems to be the one that is moving along briskly.

When you’re writing something or working in a genre, it can be tempting to look at other genres and think, “Maybe I’d enjoy that more. Maybe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” You might or might not be surprised to learn that writers go through this very same thing.

Take William W. Johnstone, for example. Johnstone was one of the most prolific authors of the modern era, cranking out Western novel after Western novel. If you read them, it becomes painfully clear that they are often the same novel, repeating the same tropes and plot points repeatedly. Yet, for fans, they are also extremely enjoyable.

When Johnstone died, he kept writing and publishing books. I have an author friend who said, “When I die, I hope I’m as productive as William W. Johnstone.” (The publisher finally had to admit they had his books ghost-written under his name.) I’m unsure which author holds the record for most books produced worldwide, but Johnstone must be a contender for that title.

Many people don’t know that Johnstone didn’t just write Westerns and modern action thrillers. He had a twisted, almost weird side. For example, he wrote a science fiction novel called Them, which is about alien beings (I think they’re floating brains, if I remember correctly) coming to Earth and possessing human beings. Among other things, again, if I remember correctly, the possessing aliens cause the humans to have inappropriate sexual relationships. The same author friend told me of this novel, “It’s pretty clear Johnstone had some seriously weird ideas he was repressing in the rest of his fiction.”

My point is that Johnstone took the time to write an entire full-length novel in a genre he didn’t normally work in, probably to see if he liked it better. Along the way, he did some things he wouldn’t normally do, and his “regular” audience might have rejected them had he tried them in his more traditional work. This is exactly what writers do when they use their blogs to explore different types of writing, writing samples, individual chapters, and other material in different styles, perspectives, and genres.

“Books are like mirrors: if a fool looks in, you cannot expect a genius to look out.” – J.K. Rowling

This means that you can also use your blog to see what you like and don’t like. Explore new genres to see if you like them better. See how your audience reacts to your “experimental work,”… that’s something we’ve talked about before. But mostly, do this to see what YOU like. You might find that the type of work you’re doing now and what you truly enjoy are different things. That would guide you in a different direction, career-wise.

Never forget that one of the most successful authors in the world, JK Rowling, did much the same thing. After completing the Harry Potter series, she took a break and wrote a mystery novel under a pen name. I like to think this was a frustrated desire she had that she was finally indulging. Her success meant she could do an entire published novel, but any writer can use a blog to do the same thing.

Try out different genres and styles. Work with different perspectives. Use your blog to see if the grass really is greener. In this way, you can figure out how to spend your time so that you enjoy your life — and your career — most.

___

*This blog was written 100% by a human and contains no AI-generated written content.

Your Book Creation Coach

Melissa G Wilson is one of the most trusted book creation experts. She focuses on helping thought leaders write, publish, and launch their first book. With a track record of guiding over 170 thought leaders, Melissa provides “the kickstart that makes all the difference. With two decades of experience in writing and publishing, including working with six traditional publishers and achieving five best sellers herself, Melissa assists thought leaders in turning their innovative concepts into compelling books that deeply connect with their readers’ minds and hearts.

So, what’s the secret to writing a great book? It all starts with a well-crafted outline. Begin your new author journey today by scheduling a one-hour outlining session by Clicking Here.