I’ve always known I was a little different. I’m sure that is an experience many of you can relate to. Story after story of what it was like to be a lesbian in middle school and high school are relatively prevalent in lesfic. But, I take that one step further. Within that small community, I have a reputation for being unusual, quirky, odd and quite a bit outside the norm. I’ve always been an overachiever. Unfortunately, that isn’t a very good thing if a person wants to stay above water as a writer.
Reviews often note my oddness or how unusual my stories are…in a good way, which is nice to know. I appreciate hearing that my unusual style, topics, and books, resonate with some. I loved when a reader thought up The Mori Zone. That was hilarious and spot on to describe some of my story ideas.
Most of the time, I’m okay with being the odd girl out. But I have to admit that sometimes, like when I was in high school, I just want to fit in…be one of the cool kids… have a bit of success. This has never been more evident than with my experience this past week. For once, I wrote a traditional romance without the mashup or heavy dose of quirkiness. Sure, there was one little quirk added (the cat point of view). But, for the most part, I followed the rules and wrote a straight (not literally) forward romance. Miracle of miracles…my book, Artist Free Zone, made it for a brief moment to the #2 spot on Lesbian Romance and Lesbian Fiction Amazon charts. Given my recent experience with other releases in the past year, this was a monumental improvement and the best ranking I’ve ever achieved, including for my book that won a Goldie, Locked Inside.
Honestly, writing traditional or contemporary romance does not come easy to me. I always think the conflict is too forced or the storyline pure trope and I feel compelled to add a little pizazz to the story. The only reason I was able to write Artist Free Zone was that I relayed heavily on my own personal experience. The story is my love story and a lot of it is true. If you want even more insight into the story, check out the Therapy Cafe podcast, Episode 49, Rules of Engagement: Therapy Cafe Podcast
I am thrilled the story is doing so well because as I’ve already posted like a gazillion times, every penny goes to two charities: It Gets Better and The Trevor Project. It’s a good damn thing I donated this book and not some of my other more unusual stories or the charities might not have received anything and poor Stone Soup would go in the hole! Trust me, because of my OCD, I worried about this…a lot…
Thanks for letting me be one of the cool kids for once. You made my year. For those of you who have not downloaded Artist Free Zone, what are you waiting for? It’s on Kindle Unlimited, it’s for two deserving charities, it’s getting good reviews and…for a short time I don’t feel like the odd girl out!
Want to check out my books…you know the drill.
Artist Free Zone US – Help Support these Amazing Charities – It Gets Better and The Trevor Project
The Book Witch on Amazon Australia
The Book Witch on Amazon Canada
The Book Witch on Affinity Rainbow Publications
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Annette Mori 
Annette, I’ve always felt odd. Even as a kid, I tried to fit into groups but it didn’t usually work. I started creating my own groups, a band of not quite fits. We weren’t misfits but we weren’t the “cool” kids. I went through high school, thinking I’m okay but still felt different. I didn’t figure the lesbian part until I was almost 30. (I’m a little slow.). Sometimes I wonder what would have been different if I had figured out my orientation earlier, but I realize it’s worked out okay for the most part.
I’m in my 60s now and I am happy with myself, where I am, who I am, and what I’m doing. I still embrace and celebrate my “oddness!” I now realize that I was always brave enough to be weird! I hope others will realize that it’s not odd or really weird but our own uniqueness!
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