Like purchasing discount blinds instead of the ones you really wanted, sometimes as a writing you have to give someone what they are looking for, instead of what turns you on, to secure a sale.
Fortunately, some agents and editors are willing to let you know what they are looking for. For example, there is a very good agent who I’d love to have represent me. I pitched him my favorite personal project, Thirty Minutes or Less, and it’s not what he’s looking for.
So now, I’m pitching him a novel from his “What We’re Looknig For” list and hoping my take on the topic is one he’ll like enough to give me a shot.
Would I rather be writing my own original idea? Sure. But I’d also like to get published, get established and then maybe have a better shot at getting my Pizza Delivery Mysteries into print.