Hi there! Kim Fielding here. I know it’s early August, but I’m coming into the tail end of summer. My younger daughter starts high school next week. The week after that, my older daughter heads out of state to college—and I go back to teach my fall semester classes. Sob. But it’s been a good summer. I wrote one book, started another, and worked on edits for three more. I hung out with my kids and spearheaded major room-cleaning operations for them both. And I enjoyed some travel. I had short vacations in Sonoma County and San Francisco, but the highlight was a three-week, ten-state, 4500-mile road trip with the older kid.
On that trip, we traveled through some places I’m very familiar with, some I haven’t been to in years, and others that were brand-new to me. I visited some old haunts, including Lincoln, Nebraska, where I lived during grad school, and Portland, Oregon, where I grew up. I discovered that I love the Black Hills, that Wyoming is full of surprises, and that there really is a whole lot of Montana. So in that respect, the trip was ideal—old and new.
And this highlights a dilemma I always have when traveling. Do I revisit places I’ve been to before and know I adore? Or do I try somewhere new and see if I might fall in love with it too? It’s always a tough decision. In an ideal world, of course, I’d get to do both. But usually there are time and money constraints and I’m forced to make choices.
This dilemma applies to reading too. Like most people, I have limited free time. Do I stick to favorite authors and genres? Or do I take a risk on something new to me? Even when I write, I face this problem. I feel wonderfully comfortable in certain genres, but wouldn’t it be fun to try my hand at something else? I have characters who feel like old friends, and I’d love to revisit them. But there are so many new (imaginary!) people to get to know!
Whether traveling, reading, or writing, how do you manage this quandary? Tried and true, new and promising, or some of each? Please comment below. And while you’re at it—what was the best thing you did this summer?
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Kim Fielding is the bestselling author of numerous m/m romance novels, novellas, and short stories. Like Kim herself, her work is eclectic, spanning genres such as contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and historical. Her stories are set in alternate worlds, in 15th century Bosnia, in modern-day Oregon. Her heroes are hipster architect werewolves, housekeepers, maimed giants, and conflicted graduate students. They’re usually flawed, they often encounter terrible obstacles, but they always find love.
After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.
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A complete list of Kim’s books: http://www.kfieldingwrites.com/kim-fieldings-books/
I see your point, Kim… It is difficult to choose between something new and something familiar. When traveling, I must recognise I always choose the something new… There are so many places to see/discover. When reading, I tend to follow a somehow safer line. I follow some authors, and buy everything they publish. I like to try new things as well, but I follow the recommendations of people or blogs I trust, because I’ve been disappointed many times… Though I have found great books as well 😉
Recommendations from people you trust are such a great way to find new authors!
I try to mix it up – both tried & true and new & potentially promising. Sometimes the new is not so promising but if not tied then I’ll never know.
As for this summer – it’s been really busy; hanging out with the family, attending PFLAG events, helping my son move out of his old apartment then into his new home. Juggling work, home & health.
Sometimes the new things that don’t seem promising give us our best surprises.
I really prefer going to new places or at least old places with people I haven’t been there with before. Seeing the world through new eyes is great.
I have favorite authors who I read every book they write. But I always try new authors. Because sometimes their books are great and make it to the ‘favorite author’ list! And that’s the best thing ever!
It sounds like you have a really balanced approach!