Jan 11, 2010

What's Next?

I had an idea for a new book pop into my head today and I found myself wondering what to do with it. It's not like I haven't had ideas before, it's just that it's been so long since I started a new book. I think it would be good for me to start something new, to breathe life into a new child and dream of it being loved by the reading world.

I've worked on my Blood Bound series for almost two years, rewriting and editing again and again, determined to get it just right. I've also worked on a romance I started a year or so before that, but unfortunately, it still remains unfinished and neglected because of my focus on my series.

So now, I'm at a crossroads of sorts. Do I work on the second book in the Blood Bound series? I've already written it once, but it still remains in 1st person and doesn't reflect all the revisions I made in the first book. It's the victim of the dreaded Domino effect that happens when you make a change in your plot or give your character a new magical power. The entire series will suffer if the errors aren't found and you can be sure the readers and fans will catch them if you don't.

Or do I go back and finish the romance. I really hate to leave things undone. It's completely outlined and I know exactly what happens in every scene. I've let it play out in my mind like a Lifetime movie over and over, so finishing it would be easy.

But then my mind wanders back to this new idea and my muse gets all excited and starts whispering in my ear. I know if I don't let her have her way, the tiny sweet voice will become loud and keep me up at night, so should I give in? Oh, what to do, what to do?

So, all my writing friends out there. Tell me what you would do.

Hey, maybe I'll get an email tomorrow from an agent and she'll put me to work looking over a contract and I won't have to decide. *sigh* Don't laugh. I'm trying to be positive here.

4 comments:

  1. How about this: take some time away from Blood Bound to plot out this new idea, then see which story inspires the most passion.

    And just because you're writing one thing doesn't mean your subconscious isn't thinking about how to improve your other works!

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  2. For me, I've got to work on the stuff that gets me excited. I suppose that means I need to work on my work ethic.

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  3. I would probably try to finish the romance and leave your series alone for a little while since you've been working a lot on it, have finished and submitted it.

    But you should work on whatever you're excited about. (Just my opinion)

    Either way, you're writing, so ultimately it doesn't really matter.

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  4. I think this is a wonderful dilemma to have!

    When I'm in a similar situation, I like to write down everything that comes to my mind on the new story. I write a synopsis, and even will write the scenes that have come to my mind.

    Then, I can usually tell my muse it's alright to go back and work on my other WiP's because I know the cool new idea has been safely cared for and stored away until I can get to it.

    If I were you, I'd put BB away for a while. I'd finish up your romance (just first draft-ish) and then go write the first draft of your new story.

    Then you'd have three books DONE, one ready for submission and two others ready for edits. THEN you can pick and choose which story your heart tells you to work on.

    Rock On, Sistah!

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