multiple WIP's

It's a good premise and has potential, but where do you go from there?
What type of memories does she regain? What makes her think that the voice can't be trusted? If she has no memory of the past months, how does she know it was voices that told her to kill herself?

There's nothing wrong with working on two novels at a time (In fact, I'm about to start another one). Also, summer break's coming up soon, so you can work more and not worry as much about school.

I can't see any conflict. I mean, there are just voices there, and she's in a mental hospital. She either escapes or she doesn't. So, is there anything else?

luvs2write44 said:

they told her to kill herself

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That happened before the start of the novel.

And in the opening scene she finds herself in a mental hospital. The whispers told her to kill herself but she failed. She has no memory of the past months, just that one night. The doctors say she is a skitso, but Lacey knows she is not. As the novel goes on, her memories come back to her. Then the whispers tell her to escape, and how. But Lacey doesn't know if trusting the whispers is such a good idea anymore...

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At least, I think. A suicide attempt would be very hard in a mental hospital.

So, sorry if I'm not getting this. I can see how it's hard to put all the conflict in a post. I just mean, after the book starts (if she's not trying to kill herself; I might be wrong), there is most likely something going on other than the voices telling her to escape. What?

luvs2write44 said:

yes, the whispers tell her in the MH that she tried to OD on perscription antibiotics for her mom

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In a mental hospital, they give you only as much medicine as you need for the next few hours. They don't give you enough to overdose. It's just "here's two pills, some water". She'd have to steal it, but I'm pretty sure it would be locked up, and people would be watching her.

Listen, I would advise you not to start another WIP. When I started writing, the urge to work on other projects was very strong, but I knew that if I gave in, my initial piece would never get done. The ability to focus on a single project is THE single thing that stands between a lot of people and getting to the next level. If you want to write a novel, you have to resist the temptation to do other things, including writing other novels. Maybe when you've been writing for, like, fifteen years, then you can juggle two projects. Now, you need to learn to focus on one.

I think you may have misinterpreted the OP, Fade - He stated that the MC tried to kill herself with her "mom's prescription," not the hospital stash, and that now she is choosing whether to listen to the whispers telling her to escape and/or finding out her past? (Not too clear about that last part.)

Now to your original question, which was about starting to write this one. I used to have multiple WIPs going on at the same time and I either found myself not finishing stuff and using it as an excuse to myself of why it's not done. Personally, I've begun just writing one thing at a time (at least novels - I don't think there's anything wrong with having a short story or something on the side...in fact many people do this when they are stuck in their WIP) and I find it easier to actually finish it then. Just a suggestion, but since you seem to work on outlines why not just work on that for the time being while finishing your other book. That way you finish Book #1 and immediately have the outline ready to go for Book #2. Just my two cents...

P.S. - I don't think there's anything wrong with letting ideas sit. I've let many go on the backburner (some for years, now), and have found that it's generally better for my writing to wait until it feels right. I'll be finishing up the first draft of my WIP within a month and then I'll be ready to start the next one. But if it feels right now...then, hey, go for it. But I suggest not.

WKolodzieski said:

I think you may have misinterpreted the OP, Fade - He stated that the MC tried to kill herself with her "mom's prescription," not the hospital stash, and that now she is choosing whether to listen to the whispers telling her to escape and/or finding out her past?

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Yeah, now I understand I did.

Also, Luvs2write, maybe if you can't write two novels at a time, you could get a notebook and put down your idea for the book, and as you think of more, just add other details or scene ideas. That way, when you have your first WIP done, you'll have already outlined your second.

At the moment:

I've got one edit and two drafts on the go. I can handle it, but if your gonna get distracted, then I wouldn't advise it, but me, I can concentrate on multiple WIPs. I take it in turns with the two drafts and most of the time I spend editing and rewriting my main novel. It's up to you whether you can concentrate on multiple projects.

I have around three WIPs that I am working on, during school. It can be a challenge but the weekends are life savers!

I have 7 WIPs sitting around. 4 are from my crime series, 1 is a murder mystery, 1 is a horsey romantic comedy, and then last 1 is a series of tongue-in-cheek essays I've written about the H/J world.

P.S. schizo
And, just a friendly suggestion, but you might want to pick something other than antibiotics for her to OD on. While it's completely possible, it's a little unbelievable for the average reader.