My branding under my romance pen names
is very narrow.
I know what I write.
My readers know what I write.
Yet people often approach me,
asking me to contribute to their projects
(boxed sets, multi writer series, charity anthologies),
and
then, after I agree,
they ask me to write
something completely different.
We ALL do this.
We go to a steakhouse
and order chicken.
We ask a print marketing expert
to design a social media ad.
These experts might say yes
as a favor to you
or out of financial need
but they chose to work in another area.
That’s their preference.
I’ve been in a top steakhouse
when a guest ordered chicken.
The chef and everyone around him
had expressions of disgust on their faces.
And the chicken wasn’t very good.
If you ask an expert
to perform a task outside of her expertise,
don’t expect
that same level of greatness
and don’t expect her to be thrilled
with the challenge.