I think Joanne Harris was really brave to write The Gospel of Loki, its a good retelling though. I've spent many hours reading and re-reading Snorri Sturleson's Eddas as research for my non fiction (amongst other reasons)
I agree with Helen, and others, that caution against chasing trends.
However it is good to keep an eye on them, in case what you are writing happens to coincide. It may give you that push/confidence to polish it up and send it out. Also for noting how trends change and swing, highlighting gaps that may later become trends.
Then altho my book is Fantasy, it does have PT elements. When I start submitting again, if this is still the trend, I may highlight these elements to show that my book may appeal across genre audiences.
I think writing to a trend is never really a good idea, as the nature of a trend is that it will come and go. Just tell the story you need to tell - you never know, you might start the next trend.
I heard (from an agent) that dystopia is fast becoming a dirty word - as Leanne said, people trying to cash in on the success of the Hunger Games by writing something similar.
As Shakespeare put it: 'This above all - to thine own self be true.' :-)
I think Joanne Harris was really brave to write The Gospel of Loki, its a good retelling though. I've spent many hours reading and re-reading Snorri Sturleson's Eddas as research for my non fiction (amongst other reasons)
I agree with Helen, and others, that caution against chasing trends.
However it is good to keep an eye on them, in case what you are writing happens to coincide. It may give you that push/confidence to polish it up and send it out. Also for noting how trends change and swing, highlighting gaps that may later become trends.
Then altho my book is Fantasy, it does have PT elements. When I start submitting again, if this is still the trend, I may highlight these elements to show that my book may appeal across genre audiences.
I think writing to a trend is never really a good idea, as the nature of a trend is that it will come and go. Just tell the story you need to tell - you never know, you might start the next trend.
I heard (from an agent) that dystopia is fast becoming a dirty word - as Leanne said, people trying to cash in on the success of the Hunger Games by writing something similar.
As Shakespeare put it: 'This above all - to thine own self be true.' :-)