Choosing a Topic For Your Book

OK, I was having a discussion last night with a friend about choosing a hook for your book. (ooh, that rhymes!) We were talking about the fine art of choosing something that inspires you and that you find interesting, but that's not so far beyond the pale that it isn't sellable. I suppose this depends on if you are targeting a particular book line or if you're writing a single title, but even single titles seem to be within a certain norm and if you're outside that norm it might be difficult to sell your book.

And god forbid you pick a topic that, while fun, has already been done a bunch and the editors and agents are tired of it. For instance, I hear there are some agents that refuse to have anything to do with plot lines that have cats in them because they're considered cliche at this point. This doesn't mean that a book with a cat character is doomed, but it is something to consider.

So what's a writer to do?

I write what I love to read. And I read what's popular, as well as what is up and coming so I can keep my finger on the pulse of what's going on. I don't plagarize or steal ideas, but I tend to have published books in mind when I write. But I also strive to make mine different somehow. Strive to take it in a new direction, or with a different voice. Something to distinguish myself without going so far beyond what's out there that it will never sell.

At least that's the plan. Having not yet sold a book, I suppose I'm not one to talk, lol. If any of these theories become reality, ya'll will be the first ones to know. :-)