ARGH...what do I do with this idea???

neener · Jun 20, 2009

Hey all, I need some advice...

I've been toying around with a new idea for awhile now. I really, really like it. Having said that, I have a few problems.

Here's the premise: teenage protag (female) lives in her family-run B&B. She's been a ballet almost-prodigy since she started (late) at age 12-ish. But, at the moment, dance isn't going well and the B&B might just be sunk by an infestation of bed bugs they can't get rid of. And to top it off, the MC's long-time crush has settled his affection--on another. Then, she is (in a way that keeps changing in my mind) granted a single wish from a fairy-godmother type. She *could* save her family's business, or get the attention of the guy...but she chooses dance. The rest of the story is about how she deals with that choice--how much does she love dance? It has been her identity so long...Is she willing to sacrifice her life to it? What about her guilt at not saving her family? etc. etc....

Here are my problems:

1. Gail Carson Levine has an MG novel called "The Wish" where an old lady on a bus grants the MC one wish...in this case to be the most popular girl @ school. Did not know about this book previously. Basic idea very similar, but ages, situation, main theme different. Problem?

2. Urban Fantasy. My current book is UF & I didn't intend to write another one. I don't want to be just one of the crowd...it seems that w/ many agents it's hard (but obviously not impossible) to stand out w/ urban fantasy. The fanstasy element is quick and mostly confined to the opening, but still...

So I've thought of a couple different solutions. One is making it a real fairy tale and losing the urban elements--more along the lines of the Princess Academy or Levine's other books. I just don't know. What do you think? Too predictable? Too much like everything else?

Note: the heart of the story is about her & the dancing...

Do I just give this one a rest?

Um, (grins) no one steal my idea, K?

Lisa Cox · Jun 20, 2009

If you love the idea, write it. No one concept is truly, completely original. It doesn't matter that there's a similar book on the market -- what matters is you make the concept your own.

Also, it's not really urban fantasy, I don't think. Not if there's only one fantasy element (the wish granted). I think, as you said, it sounds more like MG fairytale.

I say write it. You're clearly passionate about it. Just get it written and worry about marketing it later.

And good luck!

Mumut · Jun 20, 2009

lisamarie84x said:
I say write it. And good luck!

I second this. Also, if it is urban fantasy, so what? You've got scores of other books to write and they can be different. If this is a story you want to tell, it doesn't matter what package they say it fits into. Just tell it.

And good luck from me, too.

jennibly · Jun 20, 2009

Start writing it and see what happens. You might be surprised by how the story changes once it actually comes to life.

My only suggestion - she should have been dancing longer. I think her passion for it would be more convincing if it was something she had been doing her whole life instead of just a few years. It would be that much harder to let go of.

But I love love love your general concept. I am SO into dance. I really look forward to hearing more about this project once you get started.

Count me in as a future beta if you need one.

neener · Jun 20, 2009

Thanks guys...

I will just go for it.

BTW, about the dancing, I'll play with the ages, but I'm half-way sorta basing it on the experience of my sisters (combining my two sister's experiences into one and making some changes...) so I might keep the years dancing relatively short (for dance). The idea is that although she shone in the beginning, she's getting to the point now where the lack of extra years is starting to show...and she has to decide...

Thanks for the support!

Danthia · Jun 21, 2009

I agree, just write it and see what happens. You might consider adding more conflict (you may have it and it just didn't come across in the description) to connect the three elements. A girl who has the chance to save her family and doesn't, but chooses something selfish would turn me off a bit. That choice doesn't make me want to like her (especially if she's only been doing it a few years, so how integral to her identity could it really be vs her family's livelihood?). But if you had reasons why she made that choice that had greater meaning, and making the "right" choice wasn't as cut and dry as it would seem, then you could really build a compelling set of problems there. Situations where no choice s a good choice and all have consequences give you a lot to play with.

jmascia · Jun 21, 2009

Write the story. I can almost guarantee that since you know about the the other story that you will be able to make your story unlike it. Just don't worry about what's come before, worry about how you can make yours more impressive.

Sage · Jun 21, 2009

There are many wish stories, many fairy godmother stories. People love them. Write yours and make it stand out. Sounds different enough to me.

ARGH...what do I do with this idea???

neener

Cleaning is overrated

Lisa Cox

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

jennibly

neener

Cleaning is overrated

Danthia

jmascia

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals