Write to the Market or Write From Your Heart?

I was fortunate to hear LeUyen Pham speak at Golden Gate Day in San Bruno. She talked about her life and asked if we would choose the proverbial Lady (the safe route) or the Tiger (the more risky but possibly the better choice). In her life she has always chosen the Tiger which made her path far harder than most and far longer yet she remained true to her ideals and to her creative soul. I admire her immensely, especially since many times in my life I have chosen the Lady, not because of fear, but because I had responsibilities and needed to care for others. If I took the risky road, perhaps I would fail them.

I have sometimes chosen the Tiger. I started my own dog training and Golden Retriever breeding business , knowing I had to work and work hard, or I would not be able to pay bills. Another Tiger choice was when I finally realized John was the love of my life, and it was worth it to me to leave everything I knew, except for my three Goldens, and to move across country in my Toyota Highlander to my new life in California. Neither of these were easy choices. I miss my children ,especially ,and my dear friends. Yet True Love is one of the most noble reasons for Life.

Now I find career-wise I am back to which path should I take? The Lady or the Tiger? Nine of my twelve children’s book manuscripts are about dogs. Many times the dog is the main character. Many times the dog talks. I feel a true connection with canines to the point people have called me “a dog whisperer.” I find dogs universal characters that are not a particular nationality. They can be less threatening in their messages. I know I am not the only one who loves dogs or dog books. Most picture books I loved had animal characters. That is still true.

However, I have heard from two agents that animal characters are not selling right now. Publishers want children to be the protagonists in the story. So I am working on three.

Yet, I feel in my heart my best stories deal with my passion for dogs.

Do I wait the Market out? Or do I remain true to my vision and find that publisher on my own who says, “Yeah, we get the trends, but we want those good stories.”

We shall see. Secretly I hope my first published book is a dog book.