UPDATE: I've been away from the community for sometime as I've been studying a science course. I haven't been able to stop writing, though. I start a new course in the autumn, but I'm hoping to launch most of my series on kindle in the summer break.
My question relates to my new projects. I wrote a Nanowrimo years ago that was only meant to be a fun holiday read and I started a far more serious work which, until a few months ago, was just a collection of notes but has suddenly grown. So my problem is, the fun Nanowrimo has taken a serious turn. If I manage to bring the current idea to fruition, it will probably be my best work. On the other hand my 'serious' project just turned itself into another romantic fiction when it was supposed to be anything but. Should I stamp my foot and put one or both projects back on plan, or do I just allow them to be?
Hi Victoria
As a reader, I like books to be consistent. If I picked up a book which appeared to be a sequel to The House at Pooh Corner and was enjoying reading about Christopher Robin and Piglet going for a picnic with their favourite bear-friend, I would not be best pleased if CR suddenly took Piglet to an abattoir and came home with half a pound of bacon. On the other hand, if I picked up a book about vampires and was enjoying the ripping of throats when suddenly they all decided to be friends and go on a picnic in the hundred acre woods, I would not be happy with that either.
If the nature of your rom com suddenly turns into a weepy about being a carer for elderly parents with Alzheimer's, your readers might worry about your own cognitive faculties. I think it's fine to introduce something new and interesting to liven up a beach read, but there must have been some hint of what was to come from the first chapter.
Hope that helps (and no pinching my idea for a Twilight/Winnie the Pooh mash-up!)
Kate