Choosing the right direction for a story

[Reshbod]

This weekend I have finally made some good progress on the second part of my first story. For the longest time I could not think how to proceed, but on Friday a little "scene" popped into my head and from that a new story has pretty much grown.

The beginning is very weak and needs to be re-done, the rest the middle is pretty much complete and the end is in a basic outline.

Although there is one aspect that is not completely fleshed out. That is the direction the main character takes. While neither course will end in a "traditional" happy ending, one is a bit closer than the other.

Each time I sit down the direction I lean towards changes. In one the wife becomes an extremely unlikable and unsympathetic person who after the end continues in her "wicked" ways with no penalty. The second route shows the same character struggle with her feelings and in the end is able to make peace with what she has done and herself and move on, somewhat redeemed.

I have also considered combining them but it did not seem to work too well in my opinion.

I think putting this down has helped a little. Right now I am leaning more towards the second story line.

So, I don't really have a question or a point to posting this other than to clear my mind. But someone wants to mention how they choose a stories direction, it might be interesting to see.

 

[Madame Manga]

I tend to write out the different alternatives if I have them. But I don't usually end up spending much time on the alternatives that I discard, because if they aren't right, they don't move ahead. I'll get a few paragraphs out on paper, toss them and try something else. If it writes itself, I'm doing good.

But I do get stumped sometimes; one alternative isn't working and I'm tapped out on ideas. Usually the solution comes to me a week later while I'm washing dishes and not thinking about writing at all--it just had to develop and ripen somewhere under my radar.

MM

 

[TheEarl]

I have just flipped a coin before when faced with two alternative directions. I didn't go with what the coin said though. I found that the making of the decision by random chance led to me rooting for my preferred option to come up. I ended up selecting the course to take by being disappointed that the coin said otherwise.

If that makes any sense.

The Earl

 

[KillerMuffin]

The direction, for me, has always been the desired resolution of the primary conflict. I've never really had the problem of finding a direction.

Sometimes subplots can take over, though, and that can get a little bit fucked.

 

[Guest]

Hello Reshbod.

It does sound as if you'll make the right choice for yourself. I would only suggest try not thinking in terms such as "traditional happy ending" or "extremely unlikable", etc. Also, w/o knowing the story, unless you mean for the whole piece to have a certain negative tone or purpose, even nihilistic, then don't end on the kind of 'bad' note that dullens like a heavy blow.

Best to you, Perdita

 

[Rainbow Skin]

People are complicated, and very seldom come to any resolution or change their behaviour or personality. The real result is likely to be a temporary alteration, a compromise, an uncertainty between two states.

I would advise continuing to work at something in between like that that just doesn't come to a 'happy ending' or a 'sad ending', but knits up the ravelled story with a temporary resolution and no-one really knowing, not you nor the character nor we the readers, how it'll work out in the longer future.

 

[jfinn]

I had a similar thing happen to me a while back. Generally I know exactly where I'm heading in a story though sometimes the route becomes a little circuitous. This one however just didn't seem to work out to the conclusion I'd decided on no matter how many times I approached it from different angles.

I'd been planning on a happily ever after. The couple would get together and that would be that. But after trying six differents ways to get there if finally occured to me that the problem was the narrator was an asshole. I didn't like him, at least not in the context of what he was doing in that story and frankly I just didn't feel he'd earned his happiness. So I decided to try an unhappy ending. Two hours later the story was finished. My readers weren't thrilled, I'm a chocolate box writer mainly, but I was satisfied.

I guess what I'm saying is that perhaps if you think about your character and what would be reasonable to expect from her that maybe you'll find your ending that way.

Jayne

 

[Sultan Mad Cat]

Hell with it

try to offend everyone, or make them think your trying to offend them.....

 

[MathGirl]

Huh?

Originally posted by jfinn I'm a chocolate box writer mainly, but I was satisfied.

Dear Jayne,
Whazzat?
MG

 

[jfinn]

Re: Huh?

Dear Jayne,
Whazzat?
MG

Sugary sweet, cloyingly cute, horrendously hopeful... I could go on and alliterate some more, but then I'd need insulin and I'm fresh out.

jayne

 

[MathGirl]

Dear Jayne,
Thank you. I get the idea. Something that diabetics can't read.
MG

 

[jfinn]

Dear Jayne,
Thank you. I get the idea. Something that diabetics can't read.
MG

Or a strong gag reflex.

Jayne

 

[PAUL C]

I'm diabetic

the great thing about lit is there is no upper limit on your story length.

I am into part 15 of my latest story. I try to keep them down to approx 3000 words each, and include some sex in each.

I know how I want this particular story to end, I even have the the last sentence penciled in. It's getting there that's the problem.

But just keep writing. If readers like it and more importantly you do. what does it matter how long you take. explore all the sub plots. enjoy it.