D. Fierst

The wheels are turning, and while it’s still too early to see (or report) where everything will land, I have to ask myself a hard question: Is the Tiger Boat series really the right direction for me right now? If I’m being truly honest, I’m starting to have doubts.

Lately, my other projects have been moving in a much clearer direction—YA thrillers, horror, and mystery, with a fun, campy twist. Think of that SNL spoof trailer of a Wes Anderson horror film with Edward Norton as Owen Wilson. That’s more in line with where my creative energy is pulling me.

The truth is, after spending so long working on the Tiger Boat middle-grade action/adventure series, I’m realizing I might have been barking up the wrong tree. And you know what? That’s okay. Every part of the process—writing, learning the ins and outs of publishing, facing a thousand rejections—has been an invaluable education. It’s not time wasted, but rather a journey that’s brought me to where I am now. Turning left.

I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s becoming clearer that the state of “always making” is the path to finding your voice. And lately, I’ve felt like I’ve finally hit my stride. For example, it’s got me thinking: When I turn on a movie or crack open a book, what genre is it? Was it Lord of the Rings or Stephen King novels that were read to me as bedtime stories as a kid?

What pulls me in as a reader? The answer’s obvious now—and it’s not the direction of “cuddly adventures.” So, if I’m being honest, why have I been spending so much time writing something that’s not what I truly love?

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve poured a lot into Tiger Boat, but there was never that click. Or, to define that clearer, there was a click about writing and creating character and narrative, but no that click. And that’s exactly what I’m feeling now, with these new ideas. It’s exciting. The words are coming faster than I can type. The ideas are piling up and the responses are positive.

In the end, even great artists like Picasso had their zigzags— Blue Period, Rose Period, all the way to his most famous Cubist pieces. Why shouldn’t I do the same? As long as I’m moving forward in a genuine direction, I think it’s okay to turn as many corners as necessary.

So here I am, being honest: I’m going to keep turning left. Campy thrillers, horror, and mystery are where my passion lies. I can’t wait to share these new stories and characters with everyone. The ride is just getting started. And the kicker is, after the dust settles over here, I foresee something big on the quickly approaching horizon.