I’m Writing the Type of Novel I Hate

I want to write a hard-boiled detective series. Instead, I’m writing a series about a semi-competent newbie. On the plus side, it’s funny, IMHO. I’m writing like Janet Evanovich or Carl Hiaasen when I want to write like Robert Crais or Lee Child. Well, at least I have a high concept and comp titles.*

                How did I write a novel in a sub-genre I don’t like to read?

One reason is that crime is really a world I don’t know. Even though I’ve done a lot of research and read the genre, it’s still beyond my reach. Is it okay if I learn along with the character, I wonder. The rough draft is finished. If only not creating an experienced detective were my biggest problem. Maybe if I fix some of the plot points, I can make both of us—the main character and myself—look more competent.

I’m hoping Save the Cat! Writes a Novel can help, but so far it’s too simple and too formulaic to be helpful.

Back to the outline(s), I suppose. I’m going over the outline I wrote when I planned the novel and the one I wrote after I finished Draft 0. Hopefully, I can find holes, move things around, and improve the climax and the ending. Perhaps I can be happy with a believable novel—if I can get there.

In the past, this line of thinking has led me to quitting. I just can’t plot; I can’t write fight scenes; and on and on. However, I realize that I’m much too old for that melodrama. If I want to be an author, I need to write right now. Whether I know how is immaterial. I just need to do my best and then continue to improve. If it’s crap and I can’t fix it, I need to write another novel. If I can make it work, I still need to write another novel.

I must keep plugging away—no matter what. I don’t have to worry about a career or a following or writing income. That is a gift of having worked for someone for forty years.

Today is the day I put words on the page. And tomorrow—I hope to write a little better. The next novel must always be in process. Along the way, I should be able to write something publishable. It likely won’t be what I’ve envisioned, but it will be the best I can do at the time.

*High concept: (Example) The novel is Hard Eight (Janet Evanovich) meets No Surrender (Carl Hiaasen).

*Comp (Comparable) titles: (Definition) Ten or so titles that are similar; that is, humorous PI novels.