It's time for IWSG! The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the creation of Ninja Captain Alex, and is a great way for writers to share their worries, support and encouragement.
It's been a busy month, with the release of Adamant, my first self-published novel! I'm absolutely loving indie publishing so far, so I definitely made the right choice for the Alliance series.
However... that leaves me with a dilemma about which project to work on next. Up until now, I've prioritised books I thought would give me the best shot at getting an agent. So when I've drafted projects for fun, I put them away immediately afterwards to avoid the inevitable response of "interesting idea, but this genre isn't selling". I revised my YA fantasy to literal death last year and haven't been able to pick it up since, because I got 50-odd rejections saying merpeople weren't selling. (Even though the merpeople in my book were murderous bloodsucking zombies...) And my YA urban fantasies and post-apocalyptic projects all died a tragic death before they even got past the first draft stage. Now, I have more choice... so naturally, I'm stuck between five different projects. :P
At the moment, I'm thinking of expanding my post-apocalyptic duology into a longer series. Camp NaNoWriMo starts today but I'm buried in work at the moment, so I'm hoping to make a start on one of these projects later this month. We'll see!
Maybe just step back for a bit. I think the right direction to take will make itself clear shortly. Best of luck and a happy writing month to you.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne (IWSG co-host)
I think my post-apocalyptic is the way forward, even if it takes longer than I thought! :)
DeleteTake a step back and see which project calls to you. That's usually what I do. Some characters nag me more insistently than others. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think I know which way I'm going. Thanks! :)
DeleteYou had me at merpeople zombies. Best of luck to you! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteFive projects? And I thought my working on three different projects was crazy. But it sounds as if you write way faster than I do. Just pick the project that calls to your muse the loudest.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's the plan! :)
DeleteYeah, I hear you. It's hard to tell what's going to get picked up. What I've learned is that I need to write what I want to read and what my brain wants to write/develop. I tried writing 'what' my agent said was selling and one of two things happened: by the time I finished the novel and readied it for subbing, the genre had passed, or I couldn't write as well as I normally do because I wasn't feeling what was supposedly selling right now. Writing lesson: write for me. Someone will eventually like it enough and when that happens I'll have a lot to sell. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteYep, I've experienced the same thing. That's why I'm only working on projects I'm passionate about now! :)
DeleteGood luck figuring out which project should get your focus first! I always have a difficult time with choices like that, too...
ReplyDeleteBTW, this could just be my inner horror fan talking, but murderous merpeople sound fun. Shame on all those people for thinking they're unsellable! ;)
Haha, I might reuse them in a future project. :P
DeleteI'm with you on having too many projects and too many ideas. I finally had to slow down a bit (hair tearing was starting), and I decided on an order for certain projects that I think will work.
ReplyDeleteI either recommend slowing down to decide or taking a day a week to play with each idea, and then decide . . . :)
Yep, that sounds like a plan! :)
DeleteYeah, I hear you. Once a story gets 'labeled' as an area not selling, it makes it close to impossible to sell, even if it's an awesome story!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame, because there are still great stories being written in unsellable genres! Hopefully their time will come around again.
DeleteEmma, if you think a project is dead, move on. Sometimes, some of out projects are just milestones. We learn from them and use out knowledge for new projects and new stories. Besides, you can always re-use some material. Maybe make a series of short stories or utilize the same adventure in a new setting.
ReplyDeleteYep, some of my projects definitely fall into this category! I do go back to my old projects and recycle the best parts.
DeleteEnjoy struggling with so many projects. Some of us are lucky to have one at a time. Just tackle the one that intrigues you the most.
ReplyDeleteI've been focused on one for so long, I guess this was inevitable!
DeleteGood luck choosing your projects. I have several story ideas and the bare minimum of outlines filed away. And whatever story I'm ready to tackle, calls and excites me and or send shivers down my spine is THE story to work on next.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's a good sign! :)
DeleteCongrats on your first indie release and good luck choosing your next project. Surely there's one just screaming out for some attention. Go with that one. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks! :) Yep, that's the plan!
DeleteHi Emma! Congrats on self-publishing your novel! And kudos to you for doing for it! You are lucky to have so many ideas in the works. I'd go with the project that seems most exciting and meaningful to you, block out your worries, and push ahead with your writing.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to write a book, but life got in the way. I wrote all kinds of things connected with my working career, but never that book. Now that I finally have time to write, I've decided that I will follow my heart and write what speaks to me. If an agent or a publisher won't take it, then darn-it-all, I'll publish it myself! Agents and publishers aren't always right either. Sometimes they've rejected things that became wildly successful when someone else saw their potential.
Good luck, and thanks for sharing!
Thanks! :) Definitely write what you love the most! I couldn't write what I'm not passionate about.
DeleteI am sure the right project will call you. Its happening to me too. There are 3 shiny ideas dancing around in my mind at this point. I don't know which to go ahead with.
ReplyDeleteRachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
Best of luck deciding! :)
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