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Choices, choices…

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Photo by Lauren Macdonald on Flickr

Photo by Lauren Macdonald on Flickr

So, my fifth manuscript is finally with the readers, and from the comments so far it sounds like it’s going great 😀

During the couple of weeks my readers have my manuscript, I usually start working on my cover, but also planning out my next book. This is so I’m totally organised and can begin writing as soon as the next month comes around.

The problem is choosing which book to write next.

Starting a new book is always exciting, with the thrill of finding new plots and twists, and figuring out characters to fill the world with! But there’s always a huge amount of nervous anticipation too, because I want to make sure I choose the right one.

It’s probably the same for all authors, but I do write a ton better when I’m really enjoying the story and characters I’m writing. And although I have a load of story ideas, I need make sure I figure out which one suits my current writing mood, and which one will keep me inspired and enthusiastic all the way through.

So, this week will be half working on getting organised on my new release, whilst also sifting through my piles of notes and notepads, trying to find which story is going to grab hold of my interest next.

It’s a tough job, as I already have about 4 which are really getting me inspired!

Starting and choosing a new story is definitely one of my favourite parts of being a writer 😀

How do you pick which story to write next? Do you have a bunch of story ideas to choose from? Is starting a new project one of your favourite things as a writer?

–

Progress Report:

Status of fifth manuscript: With the readers. Need to do cover/trailer/marketing.

Books read: 2/4

End of September Indie Review: Written and ready.

55 thoughts on “Choices, choices…”

  1. I guess I’m lucky because all of my book ideas take place in the same world. So I kind of have a tentative order. Some series can’t be touched until others are done. I have one that will require pauses to work on another series to avoid spoilers. It gets confusing, but it does seem to take the pressure off having to choose.

  2. I write the story I cannot keep myself from writing. I love, love the beginning stages of story writing. I love discovering what the story is about and what surprises I will find on the way!
    Good luck with your new project, Mishka!

    • The surprises that get thrown up at the beginning of a project are always the best, and definitely keep me excited and motivated to pursue it all the way to the end 😀

      Thank you so much for the kind comment! 🙂

  3. I seem to have tons of ideas but I lack the time to write everything I want to. I would like to write a detective story (I have the plan in my mind) and some other interesting subjects but I have to finish my series first, which won’t happen until mid-2015. If only I could have more time in my hands -and thousands in the bank! 🙂

    • I know what you mean! I have tons I want to write, but I have to be choosy about ones I pick because I can’t get around to it all 😀 Yeah, I think a few grand would certainly help ease the burdens!

      Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

  4. I’ve found myself in a place where I’m having less of a flow of ideas (at least, ones that can translate to actual books), but it’s a good thing in my case. With so many starts, sketches and bits and pieces floating around on my computer I’ve got enough material to go back and finish (about 15 years worth of viable not-finished manuscripts, I’d say) that I don’t need many new ideas, just further understanding of existing ones. Sort of like Charles, many of mine are going to be able to take place in connected worlds so I’m able to focus on ones that most connect to certain points, or that step away from others. The WIP I’m focusing on now, for instance, is one that is connected to Disparate Threads enough that I can use some of the world-building that’s going on for that, but different enough that I get to write something DIFFERENT!

    • I can imagine it must be quite a bit harder with a series, especially keeping the focus and motivation needed. It’s a great idea to have it all be able to draw off the world building you’ve already done, but still able to make the stories different!

      Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

      • Yeah… I don’t think I could do a series in the traditional sense, but like the idea of “they’re all connected, at least vaguely.” That way I don’t have to do the multi-book arc, but can use similar structures and material. There’ve been a few authors who I’ve seen do similar and I just love the expansive sense of the world that I’m able to get through that.

  7. Sounds like you’re doing well Mishka. 🙂 I tend to have one story idea spring to mind after the other in terms of what I’m writing about, so it’s less hard for me to choose which one to pick.

    I don’t know if you ever find this, but right now in the story I’m currently writing, I’m finding it a bit hard going. I know where I want the story to go, just not sure exactly how I’m going get there. In a way it’s exciting, in another way I just want to reach the point where it gets easier!

    BTW I’m still keen to take part in the Romance Weekly blog hop. I set up a Facebook author page at the weekend (yay!) so if you do a search on FB for Elaine Jeremiah Author you should find me and you can message me about it there if you want. x

    • I am quite keen on keeping everything to tight schedule, but sometimes that just stresses me out even more when things don’t get done on time! I need to be able to go with the flow a lot more I think 😀

      Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

  9. Wow! So you’re about to start your sixth manuscript, huh? Excellent job. 🙂 I’m slow to come up with ideas, and slow to write them. For me, I choose the idea on the basis of its characters. If the characters are speaking to me, then I know I’m on to something. I have a few novel ideas, but they are on hold until I complete my current manuscript. I love the idea of starting a new project, but I try to save time by running it through my long-term filters to figure out if it’s a sustainable one.

    So my suggestion: Pick the idea with the characters who stand out to you the most. Happy writing!

    • That’s a great suggestion, most of my writing revolves around the characters, so picking a story with strong ones would be an excellent way to go! 😀

      Thank you so much for the comment and tip! 🙂

    • I find working on a new project straight after another keeps my mind from focusing too much on how the book is doing or if I’ve got any reviews! 😀

      Have you released a book recently?

      Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

      • I haven’t released a book– ever! But I am working on editing/revising a book that I began last year. I hope to release it eventually, it’s a ton of work though.

        How do you know that you’re ready to have others beta read or critique your work?

        I’m trying to keep my focus on this project, although my mind wants to wander and think about new stories. Hopefully this draft will be done before November and I can start a new project for NaNoWriMo.

      • Books are so much work! But it really is worth it in the end 😀

        I think knowing when to let your work go out for others to see is pretty much down to you. Generally for me it’s when I’m getting tired of the manuscript and all my editing is tiny little things. When I’m doing more harm than good with my editing! 😀

        Good luck with it all 🙂

  11. I’m looking forward to hearing more updates about your latest novel 🙂 I feel the same way with new stories. I’ve been planning out my story for NaNoWriMo and really want to make sure I like my idea so that I won’t lose steam while writing. I think writers have so many ideas in their head that they just don’t know which one to choose 🙂

    • I forgot NaNo was coming up! Good luck with that! 😀 But yeah, you’re totally right, you definitely need to choose something that will keep you motivated and want to reach the end 😀

      Thank you so much for the kind comment 🙂

    • NaNo is pretty much a huge project! 😀 Good luck with it if you decide to take it on!

      But yeah,it is a case of tons of ideas, but not enough time to write them all!

      Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

  14. Yup, trying to decide what is next myself. I have some q’s I’ll answer and then decide. Deciding and outlining are definitely my favorite parts of writing.

  15. For what it is worth… I think NaNo would be awesome for you. You already write so much within a month, you could totally rock it. I’m seriously contemplating using NaNo to write Book 3 of my series.

    Series aren’t that hard as long as you keep detailed notes and have a copy of the manuscript with you. Though sometimes you have to remember that even though there is a storyline for the series, you have to know how to keep a reader engaged for just the one book.

    • NaNo does seem interesting, but it always falls on a non-writing months for me 😀 And I such a one for schedule! Good luck with it if you enter though, it’s almost here, right?

      There is a series I have been looking into, and it has been pulling my interest more and more, so I might take a look at it this time.

      Thank you for the comment and tips! Always appreciated 🙂

    • I know what you mean, that excitement of being able to choose any story and go into any world with new characters 😀 It’s definitely one of my favourite parts!

      Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

  17. I chose the project I’m currently working on (or fighting with, depending on which way you look at it) because I had a FB group member who works with a traditional publishing company ask if I wanted to submit a piece to a possible anthology. It’s a genre I don’t usually write with a sub-genre I don’t usually write, which is part of the reason I’m fighting it more than writing it, but it’s still new and fun.

    Usually, I decide projects based on what yells at me to write it. Or I write down the working title of all the projects I want to write and draw them from a hat (actually, I use a mason jar).

    • I can understand why you’re fighting with it though, that’s quite an opportunity! 😀

      I like the idea of drawing them from a hat or jar! That might add a little fun to things!

      Thank you so much for commenting, and good luck with your writing 🙂

  19. Writing’s just not worth it if you’re not enjoying your own story. For one thing, it just makes writing a chore, and for another, if you’r not enjoying your work, your readers probably aren’t either.

  20. Ideas are great but most of my ideas need a lot of work on them to get them to a point I can run with them. Some ideas seem great to start with but become nothing but a group of useless words. I love the ones that surprise even you the writer. They are the weak not much of an idea you have to play around with. A line or a few scribbled notes with need something extra and then ‘bang!’ You are up and running. To me it’s the editing I love most. Knowing something is finished and complete. Good luck with your next project.

    • I do like the ideas that seem to come out of nowhere, when you only had a little bit of an idea on it to start with 😀 When it surprises the author, it’s definitely going to surprise the reader!

      Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

  21. I enjoy starting a new story–it’s like going on a new adventure and meeting new people–2 things I love!

    I have a ton of story ideas that are waiting to be brought to life in books, I do not think I will ever run out 🙂

    • Finding out about the story and characters whilst planning is one of the most exciting parts, before you go through all the hard work of actually writing it! 😀

      Thank you so much for commenting, it’s always really appreciated! 🙂

  22. Actually, I’m currently in that same dilemma. I finally finished my final edits of the 7 novels I completed and I had notes for 7 more. I knew of the 7 to start the one that is my favorite will have to be written last because it will require the most research. Yet out of the other 6, I couldn’t make up my mind which one to start. I wasn’t in the mood for some of them and the others just didn’t grab me like they did a few months ago when I first had the ideas for them. So, I just went alphabetically and started the one that began with B. LOL! I started writing, and while it’s off to a slow start due to life circumstances right now, I’m getting more “into” it than I thought I would. Good luck! 😀

    • 7? Wow! At least you had a good choice 😀

      Picking alphabetically seems like a good idea, and it’s great that you’re getting into it 😀 I think sometimes it’s about knuckling down and starting writing, and the enthusiasm comes to you as you keep delving deeper into the story!

      Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

  23. I love the fact that you have to “decide” which story will have a turn and then organize yourself! The rush of energy with a new story is so invigorating!! Enjoy.
    Best of luck as you prepare to dive in… again;)

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