I only just joined earlier. You can see in my introductory post that I have one unpublished book under my belt (that I have barely tried to sell!). Since I finished the last one I have had a squillion ideas for other stories, all different genres and writing styles and reading ages. Some I have carefully tucked away in the nether regions of my brain, others I have written "free-style" (ie without a properly plotted story, making it up as you go along), others I have very specifically plotted out but not written a word of the actual story...and everything in between.
So in terms of goals, I'm honestly a little confused. I know it is very far from efficient to keep going the way im going, bits here and there. Plus, the overall indecisiveness leads to very little writing being done, and a whole lot of "dwelling" on what to do!
I'll be very honest, one major hurdle is the commercial side of things. I am quite sure that if I managed to sell one book, it will be like unleashing a Niagara falls worth of writing. So im constantly doubting which story to pursue in focus. I have this lingering doubt that I might not have it in me to keep writing and writing without some semblance of it being worthwhile (beyond personal enjoyment). I might have one more in me that I can do without any sign of success. Does this make sense? Its a pity, because its the (obvious) clash of my love of writing versus the understandable nature of having to actually get it out on bookshelves. Frustrating, in a word.
Ive even flirted with the idea of this craziness; To finish/polish the first 3 chapters of each story I have in mind, and then send them out to agencies. If I had an inkling that I was on the right track I wouldn't even mind telling an agent "it will be later after all, sorry". A form of validation, something everyone needs to some extent. Otherwise I tend to feel that Im simply wasting my time, twirling around in limbo. Don't get me wrong, its fun to write, but the painful strides needed to get a book close to 100% is quite different than doodling for fun.
So...how do people here deal with setting goals when they have so many different stories bursting out at once? Flip a coin? Persevere at all of them? Most curious to hear others opinions, thanks
PS: as for the first book I wrote, I spent a significant amount of time plotting out and writing sequels (which are at various stages of completion, 50% ish each). If the first one doesn't go anywhere, it would be crushing to see all that effort get flushed away. I'd love to continue writing the sequels, but then theres that constant doubt "I am completely wasting my time here, but I love these characters and where they are going!". Bah
So in terms of goals, I'm honestly a little confused. I know it is very far from efficient to keep going the way im going, bits here and there. Plus, the overall indecisiveness leads to very little writing being done, and a whole lot of "dwelling" on what to do!
I'll be very honest, one major hurdle is the commercial side of things. I am quite sure that if I managed to sell one book, it will be like unleashing a Niagara falls worth of writing. So im constantly doubting which story to pursue in focus. I have this lingering doubt that I might not have it in me to keep writing and writing without some semblance of it being worthwhile (beyond personal enjoyment). I might have one more in me that I can do without any sign of success. Does this make sense? Its a pity, because its the (obvious) clash of my love of writing versus the understandable nature of having to actually get it out on bookshelves. Frustrating, in a word.
Ive even flirted with the idea of this craziness; To finish/polish the first 3 chapters of each story I have in mind, and then send them out to agencies. If I had an inkling that I was on the right track I wouldn't even mind telling an agent "it will be later after all, sorry". A form of validation, something everyone needs to some extent. Otherwise I tend to feel that Im simply wasting my time, twirling around in limbo. Don't get me wrong, its fun to write, but the painful strides needed to get a book close to 100% is quite different than doodling for fun.
So...how do people here deal with setting goals when they have so many different stories bursting out at once? Flip a coin? Persevere at all of them? Most curious to hear others opinions, thanks
PS: as for the first book I wrote, I spent a significant amount of time plotting out and writing sequels (which are at various stages of completion, 50% ish each). If the first one doesn't go anywhere, it would be crushing to see all that effort get flushed away. I'd love to continue writing the sequels, but then theres that constant doubt "I am completely wasting my time here, but I love these characters and where they are going!". Bah
