Have You Found Your Writing Specialty?

My 1988 copy of Phyllis A. Whitney's
wonderful "Guide to Fiction Writing."
Credit | E. Humphrey

In the introduction to Guide to Fiction Writing, Phyllis A. Whitney writes that "When we start out as writers we need to explore our own talents. We can't possibly know where we will write most comfortably until we've followed various leads." Whitney writes that after writing about 300 short stories (with 100 published!) did she realize she needed "the book length to move around in did I begin to be happier as a writer." She continued to make a living writing, but had not found her specialty: romantic suspense.

As I finished one client's work during the holidays, I realized how much I enjoy writing. But I also realized I need to find my own specialty. The project was something I wanted to do well with...but it was difficulty for me to shine in its writing. This one particular client's assignment was painful for me and it made me start thinking about my writing as a whole.

Whitney begins her book by countering Joanne Greenberg's belief that "writers can be divided into two categories:  those who are 'venturesome' and those who are 'consistent.'" Whitney's romantic suspense fits both categories, which she believes helps to attract readers.

As the year progresses, I've vowed to become more devoted to my own writing and less to the client work that sucks the life from my writing. I've followed a lot of leads. I still love writing nonfiction. I have my eye on a work-in-progress novel. But perhaps this is my year for discovering my specialty. And maybe it isn't something I've tried yet.

What about you? Do you know what your writing specialty is? How long did it take you to discover it? How did you do it?

Elizabeth King Humphrey is a North Carolina-based writer and editor. Still searching for a specialty, in 2012, Elizabeth completed a certificate in technical and professional writing.