I’m sure most of you recognize the Morton Salt logo. The second “it” in that catch phrase refers to the salt, but in this post title it refers to the number of story ideas I’ve had lately. A month ago, I lamented that I had no idea what to write next. Then I found some old notes I’d written for a story and decided to try expanding the idea to novel length. Soon after, NaHoCleMo started and I haven’t managed to write much.
What I have had time to do, while I’ve been cleaning, is think. In looking over the files on the disk I found “lost” in my supply closet, I saw how many of those stories or ideas were darker than what I’ve been writing in the past year and a half. And then I saw a good horror movie and now my mind is swirling with dark ideas. I had a new one just yesterday when I took a nap. Now I have to make a decision whether to develop one of those ideas as a horror novel or keep working on the literary novel I started. Another option is to keep working on the literary novel and develop some of the new ideas into short stories. Then, of course, I could just go back to my original plan to edit my first horror novel.
Yeah, when it rains, it pours. Tell me, how do you choose what to write next?
I never know how to choose. For one, when I get ideas, they seem to come in a flood. I have to finish editing my completed manuscript first — at least, that’s what I keep telling myself — then I have a WIP languishing on my hard drive. After that’s finished, I have ideas for about four more books, but I’ve got to work them up a little more. And finally I have about ten snippets of under-developed ideas sitting in storage on my hard drive from about five years ago. Those would need the most help and I haven’t looked at them in so long I don’t know if they’re still even remotely appealing or interesting to me.
With all that said, I have no idea why I don’t have permission from myself to get off my butt and do something. Anything. If I can’t motivate myself to edit my manuscript, why not work on something else?! Jeez!!
But it’s how I’m wired. I can’t help it.
Well, that was a big help to you, wasn’t it? Sorry, I’m wasting your time. Short answer is, I don’t know how to choose. So I write flash- and short-fiction instead. Meh. Sissy’s way out, I guess.
Darc, you never waste my time, and maybe you didn’t waste yours either. I find that sometimes a comment I leave on someone’s blog helps me sort things out in my mind and ultimately make a decision.
Have you ever expanded one of your flash or short stories into a longer work?
I would like to take a little credit for all your new ideas since we’re competing in the NaHoCleMo together.
Just kidding. Way to rock the ideas, Linda.
Okay, the way I decide what to write next is the one that starts flowing the easiest. I usually start two to three at once and then the one that takes over my brain wins.
Well, yes, you are partly responsible. Thank you.
And thank you for the tip on how to decide. I actually checked Querytracker yesterday to see if any of the agents on my list also represent horror, so that’s probably where I’m headed next.
Like you, Linda I sometimes go through old notes but inspiration can come from anywhere. I seem to have lots of ideas, partial stories but until I’m actually ready the story isn’t likely to get finished anytime soon.
It sounds as though you have plenty of things to choose from.
To choose from yes, but which one is the question. Congrats on your book signing.
Hi Linda
I rarely have trouble with ideas, it’s the implementation of ideas I struggle with. For me story ideas just happen whenever they feel like it. I have screeds of notes on ideas waiting to manifest into actual stories. I only wish I had your stamina when it came to writing them.
Well, I have to be writing something. I have lots of starts and a file of ideas and even first lines. They are “maybe somedays” but now I have at least four good possibilities. I guess I’ll work on each and see which takes off.
Love your nearly finished bibliotopia.
When this happens to me, I just sit down and begin to write. I let the stories decided which one is ready to be told.
Yes, I think that’s what I’ll do. Or maybe while I’m doing my 167 minutes of NaHo cleaning today, I’ll just “know” which to go for.
I would advise you to write any horror idea you really like into a flash piece.
Or several flash pieces with different endings or different emphasis on characterization or setting.
That way you can be fleshing out your ideas without feeling like you’re tied to absolutely making any one of them into a novel RIGHT NOW.
And….if they stand alone you can always submit them to lit mags.
win/win
happy cleaning! [and idea gathering]
:0)
Happy cleaning? That’s an oxymoron.
Well, since my recently completed novel started life as a short story, I suppose it would be a logical choice for me to write up these ideas as flash or even shorts. I suspect that at least two of them will end up short stories anyway. Thanks for the suggestion.
I love the idea of writing the stories, all demanding to be told, into flash pieces.
Cathryn, if I had your talent with flash, I’d write a hundred of them.
Great question, Linda. When the ideas are pouring, it is hard to decide. Recently, when I had the opportunity to write something new, for some reason I didn’t dig into my stack of ideas and notes. I wanted something entirely NEW so I just let my fingers do the writing. I think probably we choose to write the story that won’t let us not write it.
On the other hand, remember that post about Stephen Dobyns a while back–he sat down and in one sitting wrote 60 first sentences. Later he went back to see how many he could turn into paragraphs and then pages…So basically he chose everything to write about and took each thing as far as it was interesting.
Good luck!
I really think that’s all I can do. Just see if the words come. And if not now, maybe later on that particular idea. It’s almost like I have a so many stories alloted me, because I almost never forget the idea. Sometimes it re-surfaces in my mind unbidden, sometimes I see it in my ideas folder and recall when and where the idea first popped into my head. They seem to just wait around for their turns.
Can I just copy/paste Darcknyt’s answer? ‘Cause that’s exactly how I would’ve answered. Thanks Darc for saving me the words.
Are you saying you’re not writing, Tricia?
Not really. I didn’t want to admit it, but I’ve been crazy busy lately. I’m looking forward to tomorrow when I’ve actually alotted the whole day for writing (I didn’t want to make that announcement either because I didn’t want to sabatoge it the way Squidward sabatoges himself when he announces he’s got Sunday all to himself only to find Spongebob and Patrick at his door to ruin his day).
I don’t speak Spongebobese, but I do wish you a productive writing day.
I’ve only ever read one of your short stories, but it stuck with me (*shiver*). I’m not a good one for advice in this area. Until recently I was all over the place with my writing (working on three projects) , but then I decided to focus and go in chronological order. So now I work my first book and when it’s done I’m going to finish my second book and so on.
I’m seriously considering doing that. I have my other finished novel, why not just edit it?
Why not indeed? (Sorry, I just had to say indeed because it’s what Jalal would say, and I love that he talks like that.)
And I love that you love Jalal. Also, it cracks me up that Renee is your favorite character.