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Are Virgins the New Vampires?

Hey guys!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support yesterday. I'd been so down for so long, it was a relief to get it out of my head, and your kind words made all the difference. Your comments shifted me right out of my misery, and I am just about raring to get moving again!

Before you all think I totally forgot, it's time for me to announce the winner of the Letting Go Bloghop! Every single entry was superb, and I had such a hard time choosing a winner, I just gave the entries to my mum to read lol! Bless her, she sat down yesterday afternoon and read every single one. She was just as impressed as I was but after much deliberation, she picked her winner so ... everyone please give a huge congratulations to Scribbles From Jenn! I will be in touch very soon about your prize! Thanks to everyone who participated - you were all amazing!

And now, it's time for that thing everyone is talking about! Yup, it's NaNo! It starts tomorrow and a huge spanner has been thrown in the works for me - and as such - I am once again seeking your advice.

Since Fifty Shades of Grey was released, not only has there been a surge in erotica, but also a surge in the number of books about virgins. Now, technically, these books may have always been there, but I am noticing them now, because virginity is the central theme of the story I was going to write for NaNo. With the popularity of Cora Carmack's "Losing It," and the upcoming release of "V is For Virgin" by Kelly Oram - I am wondering if maybe I need to change my idea. Mine is nothing like Fifty Shades, and not really like Losing It or V is for Virgin BUT, I'm kind of wondering how many more books about virgins will be flooding the market before I get mine ready. The suckier part of it is, I had the premise for this book years ago and never finished it - and I thought now might be the time. But I fear virgins are the new vampires - and I don't wanna just fall in line with the others. :S

So ... do I stick with my original plan, or come up with something new?

How are the rest of you prepared for NaNo? Ready to go, or flailing at the last minute? :D


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Comments

  1. ShaunaKelleyWrites31 October 2012 at 12:35

    I'm not sure this is a topic that can "flood the market," because, frankly, it is one of the most universal experiences in the world. Vampires... how many of us are ever going to fall in love with a vampire? SATURATED. I say go with your plan!

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    Replies
    1. Clare31 October 2012 at 12:39

      Oh, that's a really good point. I agree with this and add it to my list of reasons why you should write this story. :D

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  2. Clare31 October 2012 at 12:38

    I think you should stick with it for a number of reasons:
    1) I'm all for doing what you want and not following trends. If this is the story you feel you should write now, then to hell with what's popular.
    2)As you said yourself, your story is nothing like these books that feature virgins, so I don't see it being a problem.
    3)You can always write a draft, then put it aside after NaNo if you feel like there isn't a place for it.

    Ultimately, you have to do what is best for you and your story, but from everything you've told me, I feel like now is this story's time. :D

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  3. Anonymous31 October 2012 at 12:42

    Honestly I went through a similar thing over the summer when I wrote Damaged Souls. Reapers seen to be everywhere atm to, and I didn't see the point in writing my story. In the end though the draft turned out to be one of my favourites.
    I think you have to write the novel you want to write, your always going to put your own spin on it. Don't worry about what everyone else is writing, just worry about your story. I'm sure you'll do great!

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  4. Rebecca Barrow31 October 2012 at 12:53

    I say go for it :) I think that if something is good it will always stand even if it seems like the thene's been done a hundred times. And I always say you should write what you want because that's what will you enjoy the most!

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  5. Suzi31 October 2012 at 13:04

    I say go for it. Especially if you're self pub. Even if your theory is right, you'll get a book out soon with self pub as opposed to 1.5 years from now. So that's my opinion at least.

    And everybody above me made pretty good points too. So listen to them, if not me. :)

    I am so ready for NaNo. I want to start because the stories are percolating in my head. One more day.

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  6. Suzanne Furness31 October 2012 at 13:22

    I agree with the other comments here, go with what feels right. Trying to guess or second guess a future market is probably like sticking a needle in a haystack. Good luck with NaNo.

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  7. Nick Wilford31 October 2012 at 13:25

    I agree with everyone else. I wouldn't pay attention to anything else, I would just write what you want to. It's not like it'll have the same plot, or characters. Best of luck!

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  8. Nick Wilford31 October 2012 at 13:27

    Oh, and congrats to Jenn! Yep, must have been a tough pick. :D

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  9. Rachel Schieffelbein31 October 2012 at 13:32

    I agree with the others, too. And the truth is, paranormal romances are still selling. They just need to be unique. So, even if there does end up being a whole lot of books about virgins it doesn't mean yours can't make it, too. Just all the more reason it needs to be unique. I say go for it. :)

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  10. Michelle Wallace31 October 2012 at 13:36

    Congrats to Jenn! There were sooo many awesome entries.
    On many different blogs, I've always seen the following comments/advice: write the story YOU want to write!
    Good luck with NaNoWriMo!

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  11. Cecilia Robert31 October 2012 at 14:17

    Hey Kyra, thanks for following me @cecereadandwrite.blogspot.com and entering the giveaway :)

    I'll hope in the bandwagon and say write what makes you happy. It's your story and it's uniquely you. :)

    Happy Nano-ing!

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  12. Elizabeth Seckman31 October 2012 at 15:03

    I say go with it. I have a story I started a long time ago and the girl is a virgin, and she's staying that way.

    Congratulations to Jenny!!

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  13. Carrie-Anne31 October 2012 at 16:03

    I love a book that explores the whole spectrum of so-called "virginity," which is really more of a social construct and state of mind in the modern era than some kind of male-defined physical state. A lot of people don't understand it's not really some one-shot deal, that a sexual debut isn't always what it traditionally has been defined as. I know I'd stopped thinking of myself as a virgin even when society would say I technically still was one, because of the other kinds of sexual experiences I'd had with my fellow. I also hate the term "losing your virginity," and prefer the term "sexual debut." (Just see the awesome website Scarleteen if you're interested on more on this subject. They really opened my eyes to a whole new understanding of this topic.)

    Congratulations to Jenn!

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  14. Laura S.31 October 2012 at 16:05

    Go for it! Vampires have saturated the market but people are still lapping it up. So even if virgins become the next big thing, you started before anyone else! Good luck!!

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  15. Jennifer Joyce31 October 2012 at 16:09

    I'd write it! It's obviously something you want to write and like you say, it's different from what's out there already anyway.

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  16. Morgan31 October 2012 at 16:12

    Oh, absolutely go for it! Every romance book I've ever read made a big deal about virginity. So really, it's all about telling your tale, and making it awesome. And even though vampires are saturated, I will always love them! ;-)

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  17. Samantha May31 October 2012 at 16:15

    If it's a well written story then it won't matter if it's one of 45684597649 books on virgins. I'm not a huge fan of vampires, but if I was told about a super well written vampire based novel I'd still probably read it.

    Good luck with NaNo! Get it girl :)

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  18. Johanna Garth31 October 2012 at 16:24

    I'm with all the other commenters. If it's your story and you have a vision for it, you will make it unique regardless of whether the market is flooded or not.

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  19. Sheena-kay Graham31 October 2012 at 17:08

    I'm a virgin and proud. Anyway, go with your gut. Every story is unique and if you feel that yours is at a bad time. Put it aside for later. But if you think you can get ahead of the pack, stand out from the crowd. Go for it. Best of luck with Nano and congrats to the Letting Go B.H. winner.

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  20. Rena31 October 2012 at 17:09

    Go with it. Even if fifty seemingly identical books come out, write the story that lights your fires. I know it's hard to give the market and all of that the finger, but you have to write for you. ESPECIALLY with NaNo. That s6!7 is crazy, so don't make it hard on yourself by changing projects the DAY before. (seriously, that's crazy cakes on toast, don't do it!)

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  21. Annalisa Crawford31 October 2012 at 18:11

    Good question. In my opinion it's a bit like buying a car... stay with me. When you've got a red car, all the cars on the road seem to be red. When you buy a blue one, suddenly they all seem to be blue. They're not, of course, but you're more in tune with them.

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  22. Jennie Bennett31 October 2012 at 18:21

    Don't worry about Market Trends. If you write what you love and what you're interested in then people will respond. You never know when something big will come around again, so just keep writing and eventually you'll find something that resonates with readers :)

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  23. Alex J. Cavanaugh31 October 2012 at 18:50

    Congratulations, Jenn!
    You'll put a different twist on the tale - go for it.

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  24. Tammy Theriault31 October 2012 at 21:24

    awesome..the bloghop was a lot of fun!

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  25. Kelley Lynn31 October 2012 at 22:39

    I can speak from experience. WRITE WHAT SPEAKS TO YOU. We can't do our best work unless we love it 100%. Don't write for the market (or against it). Don't think about the market at all. Your best work comes from you writing what you want.

    And with the speed you write at girlie, it'll be out in no time :)

    Good luck!

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  26. Elise Fallson31 October 2012 at 22:57

    Well, looks like it's already been said and I agree with the above comemnters...Go for it! And congrats to Jenn!!! (:

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  27. Nicole1 November 2012 at 04:14

    Go for it! And have fun during NaNo.

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  28. cleemckenzie1 November 2012 at 16:10

    Congrats to Jenn. And good luck to you on NaNoWriMo! Write what you want is the only thing I can suggest. Oh, and have a great time doing it!

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  29. Christine Rains1 November 2012 at 18:25

    Congratulations to Jenn! And stick with your original plan. There's always been books about virgins. I just think they're getting more attention these days because the most popular books feature virginal main characters. I sometimes actually still think it's a fight to find good books about respectable women who aren't virgins and have healthy sex lives. Good luck with NaNo!

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  30. Unknown1 November 2012 at 18:48

    Thanks Kyra! I am humbled by the win; coming from someone with your talent. Thank your Mum for me too. Thank you everyone for the congrats :D

    I've always heard to keep moving forward, so, go for it! Enjoy NaNo. I did JuNoWriMo. It was challenging, but the feeling I had at the end was worth all the work.

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  31. Melissa Sugar2 November 2012 at 07:58

    Don't change the idea for your book. It spoke to you and you were passionate about your premise long before you knew of the other books debut. Don't pay attention to the market trend. People who try chase a trend by writing something that does not inspire them don't end up writing a book filled with the raw emotions and characters that move readers. If you happened to have stumbled upon the next big trend- just consider that a bonus. If you are writing what inspires you and it happens to become the next big thing, that just increases your odds of selling books. You are not chasing a trend; you developed a premise that may become the next trend. There is a big difference in my opinion. Good luck with NaNo.

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  32. Neurotic Workaholic4 November 2012 at 00:58

    I say stick with your original plan, especially if it's something that interests you and that you really like. It's okay if other people are also writing about a similar topic, because your unique perspective and your writing style will make your story different.

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  33. Trisha5 November 2012 at 03:38

    I know I'm late to this party but I'd go with your original plan - as I've said people say quite a lot lately, "Don't write to the market!" and in this case that means don't change your idea because other people are writing to the market. Write what you want to write!

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