I marinate on ideas for a while. I'll jot down notes about characters, plot points, settings, etc. For months now I've been collecting notes for my next project, which I'll probably draft before the end of the year. Everything was running like clockwork until another shiny idea pushed its way into my brain.
It was innocent enough. I was watching a news story on television when BAM! The news story connected with me and I began furiously taking notes. What if? What if? What if? I write contemporary YA, so I look at news events through a story lens.
Other Story Idea was like, Hey, Lady! What about me? I've patiently waited for your attention. I've withstood the weight of layer upon layer of notes as your mind worked through the details. You aren't giving up on me, are you?
No, I'm not giving up on Other Story Idea. I just need to decide which book I want to write first. After all, novels take us a long time to write and revise. How can we trust our gut instinct when deciding which idea to pursue first? Here are some points to consider:
Passion
Which idea are you the most passionate about? Does one idea keep you up late at night or wake you early in the morning? Does one idea cause you to scribble notes in an effort to keep up with the idea? We should aim for passion when choosing which story to write.
Readers
Who are your readers? Adult women? Men? Teens? Our three sons are teens and I write for teens. Lucky me! I witness first hand what regular teens worry about. I hear about the nuances of friendship and coupledom. When considering what project to pursue next, we should think of future readers. What would they like to read about?
Heart
Does one story idea tug at your heart more than the other? This can be coupled with passion, because usually we're passionate about what tugs at our hearts. Family, friendship, first love, space aliens who lost their parents. Half-hearted ideas can grow up to become half-hearted stories. Whatever reaches into your heart will likely reach the hearts of others.
The End
Can you imagine one of the ideas all the way through to the end? Do you have the perfect twist? Organic conflict? I'm a plotter by nature. Although I don't always know exactly what will happen between A and Z, I like to know what A and Z are.
Market
We definitely should not write to a trend, that much we know for sure. But does one of your story ideas seem like it would fit the market better? Is it an idea that hasn't been tackled with fiction, and you see an opening? Has it been written from the adult POV but not yet a teen's? Is it a new concern that modern times has created?
Combination
Another option is to combine ideas into one story. I doubt this will work in my case this time around, but it's definitely something to consider. Maybe one could be the main plot thread and the other a sub plot. Maybe one character can lead the story while the other is a wingman.
For now, I have two stacks of notes going. I'm not pressuring myself to decide which project I'll write next. I'm tossing ideas around and gauging my own heart.
Do you ever have more than one idea demanding attention? How do you decide which book to write next?
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While I work on editing a couple different projects I've been plotting my next one. But I def. keep changing my mind. I want to be passionate. I want to be excited about the writing and the story. That's what guides my choice. I can have a whole story somewhat plotted and I start again, waiting for the right one. It's not easy!
ReplyDeleteLaura, so true! I want to devote precious time to The One.
DeleteGreat questions, Julie! I tend to compartmentalize ideas until one pops through. Then I let it wander. If's its an interesting path, I jot it down for later. But I keep to my immediate writing goal in progress.
ReplyDeleteKittie, it's perfect that you remain focused on your current writing project, while jotting down notes for the next one. You don't let any good ideas escape!
DeleteThat's a good checklist of things to consider. Sadly I never have more than one idea at a time. Sometimes I don't even have that...
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well, the ideas you DO have are huge winners!!
DeleteToday I read your piece in Indiestructible. Awesome stuff!
Great comprehensive way to look at several ideas at one time. I actually have a bunch of smaller projects that I hope will eventually feed into a larger project, so it's juggling but juggling with a common goal!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, that's sounds cool, Julie! Lots of fun with sub plots, I'll bet.
DeleteAwesome that you write so many notes before you sit down to write. I don't write to trends, but I had an idea for a YA urban fantasy and decided to go with that because they're easier to sell than high fantasy and YA vs. MG may be easier to debut with. Now I have to write it.
ReplyDeleteGreat strategy, Natalie! When the time comes, I'm sure you'll write a great story.
DeleteMy goodness, it can be so difficult to say no to a new idea. I usually jot down everything I'm thinking about it and ride wave until I hit the shore. Once beached, I stumble back to my previous project.
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy, Crystal! Our brains are crowded places, yes?
DeleteAs you can imagine, my brain is a muddled mess when it comes to focusing on one thing at a time. It's a wonder I can write any single thing to completion! LOL. What helped this last time was - wait for it - plotting! Yup. If I can't outline through the end, then I know I'm stuck and shouldn't pursue it. At least not yet!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I'm blown away by your plotting transformation. Your great writing only gets better :)
DeleteLove your list here, Julie. :) More often than not, I combine ideas... but then I have to make sure I'm not getting too complicated!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you have to write the story that is calling to you more... the one that you can't get out of your mind! :)
Morgan, I know what you mean about not getting too complicated. Sometimes I mistake conflict for confusion. Or confusion for conflict :/
DeleteOh, Julie, it's not easy when you have several ideas swimming around in the brain. I go with the one that has the strongest voice...the one that eats at me.
ReplyDeleteI actually started a second novel before I finished writing the first one, because I couldn't wait to start writing it. I was afraid that if I waited too long I might lose it somehow. Now both stories need to be revised, but I came up with an idea for a third one and I want to start writing that story too. (I know I should wait until I finish revisions, but I'm just so impatient.)
ReplyDeleteEverything counts when deciding what to write. Sometimes I like to write more than one at a time. It's a good way to keep the creative fires burning.
ReplyDeleteI tend to go with the idea I had first, and let my Shiny New Idea percolate in the back of my mind, so that when I'm done with my first project, I can start right up on the second! I like to use it as a carrot, to help me get through those days when I don't want to work--"If I finish this book, I can work on Awesome New Idea!"
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Julie. Lots of things to consider. I'd go with the first idea that's been percolating for awhile. You can let the new idea percolate some, adding to it as new thoughts/ideas come along. If you get stuck on where to go with idea #1, you know that idea #2 is waiting in the wings. : )
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! I let my gut choose. If I'm swayed by one story more than another, I go with that. What I wonder is: how do you write the story you want to when your contracted to write another?
ReplyDeleteI love your observation that "half-hearted ideas can grow up to be half-hearted stories." I've read a few books like that, where I didn't feel the author was that excited about their own book.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, yes, I often have more than one idea, it it frazzles me, trying to decide to pick which one to work on. I usually just tell myself, "okay, this one", and then try to stick with it.
It's tough sometimes. I've lately been going back and fine tuning work I thought I'd finished. Silly me. Everything can always use another layer of shine. They story in the drawer is getting impatient with me.
ReplyDeleteYes, I always have more than one idea demanding attention. Like you, I'm also a plotter. I try to treat my ideas as little seeds and nurture them for awhile, and the ones that blossom into flowers that seem like they can endure the elements are the ones I decide to explore further.
ReplyDelete