How Do You Know?

Recently, my four year old Godson turned down a perfectly yummy chocolate chip cookie because “it’s not round”.  I said, “That doesn’t matter, it still tastes good. Try it.” He took a tiny taste but you could tell that he still had the notion in his head of what it is going to taste like. 

This got me to thinking.  Maybe other people are afraid to stretch their genre wings because they don’t fit into what they feel is the right shape.  I know that up until a year ago, I was the same way. I stuck pretty much to reading Medical Mysteries.  Why...because I was comfortable with them.  What I’ve since discovered is that a book is a book. It might look slightly different but if I go in with the idea that I don’t know what it will “read” like until I try it then I how will I know if I’m missing something really good?

I am applying this new theory to all types of books. I’ve read Tom Clancy as well as several Independent Authors. If you’d asked me 5 years ago to read anything outside of Medical Mysteries, I would have looked at you like you were crazy.  I like to think that I’ve grown as a reader and hopeful as an author because I took a leap of faith.  I’ve savored some really sweet fruits right along with a few sour grapes.

I’m sure one day that my Godson will outgrow his need for things to be a certain shape or color before he tries them.  I just hope that it doesn’t take him fifty years before he decides to try.

My challenge to you is to try something new.  Whether it is reading or writing something out of your “genre comfort zone” or trying "pizza cookies".

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks