TRENDS

It rained buckets here last week. It's raining again, this morning. We need the rain, but not dispensed bucket style.  Now we flood. Flooding is not good.

My sister’s nightmare, week before last where lightening ran in on her house and fried nearly everything electric including wiring, continues as she discovers what appliances and electronics need replacing, picks out new things, waits on electricians and consoles pets that are now nervous of storms. Her search to replace the fried matter, in her house, has made me think about how fast technology changes and the trends. You know, what’s new out there in appliances, decorating, hair styles and even publishing. 

In fact, I just replaced my washer and dryer after twenty-three years. Guess what? Washers and dryers have come a long way, baby. They're all--sensitive like. Kind of touchy, feely.

This is what I read the other day about the newest kitchen trends, in case you were dying to know.

What’s out?

1.     They say that granite countertops are already looking dated.

2.      All wood-looking cabinets are out.

What’s in?

Countertops in marble is in. So is the old standby butcher block. OR you can mix the two. (What? Hey, I wouldn’t make that up.) And for you retro people, laminate countertops may just be returning with retro designs.

The cabinet trend is two-toned, as in tops and bottoms are different colors. (Not like when my gray hair makes an appearance next to my highly colored hair—not like that.) Also, open shelving is in, as well as, glass doors.

Tile anyone? Subway tile still holds out at #1. However, the new trend is dark grout (and no it doesn’t count if you spill coffee on the grout). If you still have square tiles, NO WORRIES, just re-grout with the dark or spill your coffee evenly.

Hardware and faucets? Brass is back. Think marble and brass, marble and brass, marble and brass.

Unless you’re psychic, and I’ve been accused of that, you can’t always predict trends. Except, and I almost promise this, what’s old will be new again with future generations. We can't ever leave out what's been tried and is true.

Trends are fun, but it’s more important to be true to yourself and not be a part of a trend unless you like it and it works for you.

And this brings me to writing.

I read an article, With Self-Publishing, We Control the Future of a Series, by Elizabeth Spann Craig. She seems to do both, tries new trends, but rarely dismisses the old way. One thing I admire is her dedication to her fans (readers). She had this book that was traditionally published, but it ended there, a series that the publisher wasn't going to publish.  Not so fast! Her readers wanted more—a series built around those characters, and that’s when she self-pubbed subsequent books as a series. Of course there was more to it, but she’d built a fan base, listened to her readers and hopped on the self-publishing train to give her readers a series.

EC said, “The future of my series depended on my readers and me.  It had nothing to do with what was hot, who wanted to contract books with elderly protagonists, or the rapidly changing editors at my publisher.  And that knowledge was empowering.”

Being flexible as a writer is a smart thing since the next best thing might be right around the corner and useful. However, staying true to your writing style and voice is important, even when you're writing a trendy plot  

This is my favorite line from E.C.'s article. “This is one reason why I feel strongly that this is the best time in history to be a writer.”

And that folks is why I’m hopeful as a writer. It is a great time in history to be a writer with all the different ways to get your writing out there.

Other links about writing trends:

Freelance Writing Trends in 2014: Looking to the future.
5 Industry Trends Requiring Every Writer’s Attention (from March 2013)

Is your kitchen outdated? J (Mine is) Is your hair styling? (Mine is) Do you think self publishing is just getting started or is there something new on the horizon? (Both) Did you miss that I didn't talk about life with Millie? (Not me. I'm trying to forget her. Not really.)

Source: The new Kitchen Top Trends by http://www.apartmenttherapy.com