Too Many Choices

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Ok, so now that I’ve stopped working on But Not Forgotten and I’ve got over the shock lol, I’m ready to make a commitment to a shiny brand new WIP 🙂

I have 3 choices….help me mull them over and then give me your opinion.

Choice number 1 The Daisy Chain idea I had for my 26 characters (the ones I did for the Blogging A-Z Challenge). I love the idea of this, but, 26 characters? Is that too much? I’ve come up with an idea that links them all together, and I’ve kind of got an ending. But, in a time where agents are telling us that publishers are steering away from huge tomes, and this will definitely be a large book, is that sensible? It’s definitely got a concept, and it’s definitely different.

Choice number 2 The Jersey war story. Now, I love this idea too, but, it will take a lot of research. If I did decide to try to get it published I would immediately be labelling myself as a historical fiction writer (do I want that?). Are people not sick of war stories?

Choice number 3 My original Nano 2012 idea was for a story told from 2 different viewpoints, about someone who goes missing. I watched a TV show that had a section about missing persons and they talked about the families, what they go through. That piqued my interest. So yes, that one has concept, and is different too.

So can you see my dilemma? lol

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I’m not quite at that stage where I’m hitting my head, but I will be soon if I don’t make a decision lol. Nano is looming 🙂

Advice and thoughts much needed 😉

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42 thoughts on “Too Many Choices”

  1. My vote is for choice number three. If I’ve learned anything from the agent tweets it’s that 26 characters is WAY too many (you know I say that with a lot of love). I feel like investing your time into an idea you already have, as opposed to forcing yourself to research something that could limit you in terms of marketing is the better route. Regardless, I support you in whatever you pursue. 😀

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  2. I think if you really want to do it now is the time to do two while you have the passion for the subject (you would need it to face the research lol) if the idea is already losing its appeal go with three 26 characters in one would be too much unless there is a way to break it into a trilogy or series

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    • I guess I could break it down into a trilogy, but, I’m not sure it would work as well.

      Ha ha ha, do two? *shudders* I dunno about that lol

      I think it’s becoming pretty obvious that the 26 characters isn’t really gunna work, unless I do it as 26 short stories, but I didn’t want to do it that way.

      Thanks Paula 🙂

      Xx

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  3. I say go with no.3. High drama, lots of possible ideas – it’s the one that stood out for me. Good luck with your decision – I’m sure whichever you choose you’ll do it perfectly 🙂 x

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  4. No. 3. My epic fantasy novel had 17 characters the reader had to follow. The first publisher I sent it to said absolutely NOT! 10 characters on stage at one time, no more than 5 POV’s, preferably only up to 3.

    The 2nd one doesn’t sound interesting to me. It might be if I knew more about the story but right now, it doesn’t hold my interest.

    So, #3 for me! 🙂

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  6. They all sound like good story ideas, but I think I’ll vote for Number 3. 🙂 If the ideas you mentioned were all books on a library shelf in front of me, I do believe that Number 3 is the one I would want to read first. 🙂

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  7. I like that you’ve come up with three pretty solid ideas.
    I was drawn to your third option immediately, although the second was quite workable as well. I’m not sure you’d be happy with all the research you’d have to do though, since even now it’s already an obstacle you are nervous about.
    I like number one a lot too, but the number of characters seems mind-boggling. Would it be necessary to include them all? I get it, yes, the alphabet, but there’s nothing wrong with selecting just the juiciest characters, and using maybe names with vowels, or letters that spell out a word?
    If it were me, though, I’d explore the third option a bit more. Readers will connect with the immediacy of missing persons, in my opinion.
    Whatever one you choose though, I’m sure you’ll do great with it.

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    • I’m usually pretty good at coming up with ideas for stories, it’s actually writing them, and finishing them that seems to be the problem lol

      Yes, that’s true, I guess I don’t have to use ALL of the characters. Quite a few of them have quite strong back stories that could probably be a whole book in themselves.

      Thanks Kirsten 🙂

      Xx

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  8. Though I am newbie for your webspace but on the face of it, third option looks intriguing. Lots of dimensions…twists and turns… Potent masterpiece 🙂

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  9. I definitely thing that the third option is the most commercially appealing, but I am perverse and I what to read the first one. Could you write that just for me please?

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  10. I buy the Writers’ Forum Magazine. There is an article in it by a lady named Liz Harris who is about to release her first novel in September. Her advice “listen to your heart”. In writing her novel she went against the trend and followed her gut instinct (she bucked the trend of having one chapter following another in chronological order). I personally would love to hear Louisa’s story but I think I would be in the minority. 🙂

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    • Thanks Teresa 🙂

      I have the most recent one, I’ll check out the article thanks 🙂

      I really want to write Louisa’s story, but, I’m not sure it would be a good choice for a first novel….I definitely won’t be forgetting about it that’s for sure 😉

      Sooooo, follow my heart…..hmmmmmm, that sounds like a bloody good idea! 🙂

      Xx

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  11. I would also go with number 3. Firstly because that sort of story just appeals to me more as a reader, and secondly because for you, after letting go of your previous WIP so recently, I think it might be counter-productive for you to start too big a project so soon. The third option sounds just right for you right now – the others are great too, but maybe for later on in your writing career 🙂 x

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  12. They are all good ideas. The Jersey war story stands out because, despite your reservations about historical fiction, it’s a fascinating time and place. Also, I know from my own experience that conducting research leads to a lot of persoanl growth and learning # quite a pwerful experience.
    Have you read ‘The Book of Lies’ by Mary Horlock. It’s about the Nazi occupation of Guernsey, but also tied in to a young girl grwoing up on the island and the teenage dilemmas she goes through.
    The 26 character story – could that be a flash fiction project of some description?
    Number 3 sounds quite good, but needs developing. Two viewpoints switching back and forth can work well, but it doesn’t strike me as a particularly original idea. It could be more challenging than it looks to make it a stand out story, so probably worth tackling.

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    • Wow Andy, thanks 🙂

      Will definitely check out that book!

      I did think about just doing the 26 characters as 26 short stories, I guess I still could 🙂

      Yeah, number 3 is not exactly an original idea I guess, but I’m really drawn to it lol 😉

      Xx

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  13. Which of the ideas you have for a project most interest you. Try ordering them by importance from one to three (or however many you have) and then go with the one that gives you the most peace. It always works for me.

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  14. For me it would be choice two. You could do research that should add a lot. Thinking about this a little more since you posted about it some days ago, I would do this with fictional characters, perhaps with a note about where the story came from. That will give you the room to shape a few details to suit the story as you tell it, plus you won’t be treading on anyones toes.

    That said, I would take some notes with you for all three over the next few days or week or so. You will start feeling one of them more than the others, then it will be time to sideline the others and work on that. The good thing is if whilst doing this, you think of ideas for the other projects, you can easily add them to the notes for later use.

    As a side note I’ve had a bunch of ideas over the last few years that felt good for a week or two then I sidelined. I looked through them the other week and some are decent, and maybe something to go back to in the future.

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  15. Your mention of the 26 characters makes me wonder if Doctor Zhivago would be considered by a publisher today. I loved the book, but there are so many side or minor characters and their back stories.

    I like war stories and history stories, but that is coming from a former History student. I say write what you are the most passionate about. I know what I wrote sounds repeated one million plus times, but if you are willing to research or put in the time, writing, editing, and research to find an agent your chosen project is worth it.

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    • That is a good point Becca…. I really must have a look in the book shops, see if there has been any LARGE books published recently.

      Thanks honey, I think you’re right. It has to be the one I’m going to really enjoy writing 🙂

      Xx

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  17. I have to agree with Robyn, up there. All three of them sound interesting, though I’ve never really been into the missing person thing; perhaps if it had a similar twist in the ways that are offered by shows like CSI and NCIS, then maybe.

    Twenty-six characters does sound a bit much. That would be a tome in and of itself. Look at the story that J. R. R. Tolkien told. His trilogy was a single story that had been broken down. Were there fewer than twenty-six characters? Maybe? — Just trying to say: It’s not impossible. Just because one (or five) of the major publishing houses say ‘NO’ doesn’t mean no one will enjoy it. Anything’s possible so long as skill, will, and determination remain intact.

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  18. Wow, I can’t vote for just one. So I guess I’ll put them in order? 3, 1, 2. If you could break up the daisy chain into a trilogy though, I’d put that concept first instead of the missing persons one. Total conundrum though. Good luck.

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