What's a writer to do?

[MaxSebastian]

I have about five completely different story ideas knocking around, and I just can't decide which one to write first!

Does anyone else ever get this problem? How do you decide what to do next?

 

[alltherage]

I have about five completely different story ideas knocking around, and I just can't decide which one to write first!

Does anyone else ever get this problem? How do you decide what to do next?

It depends on the depth of the idea. Sometimes what i do it write them down as they appear in my mind. If I run out of steam when I do this then I put them aside and try to write something else.

I always have something to write. A story, or work for school, letters, or just notes to myself. I think there is value to the physical activity of writing. I am no shrink but I am certain that parts of my brain I don't otherwise fully use get used when I write. My advice is to spend less time pondering and more time writing. You may find that the 5 ideas blend together to make one long story, or that one of the ideas fits nicely into the story you begin writing just to get yourself started.

One last thing. Having 5 ideas is wonderful. I am jealous.

 

[Brandy Chase]

I personally do not consider this to be a problem, it's a blessing. When I on rare occasion do find myself in this situation, I make brief notes on all the ideas. Then sit down at the keyboard and go with the one that's flowing the best in my mind. Later, I go back and work with the other ideas. Sometimes I work on each for a short time and switch around between the stories.

 

[P. B. Walker]

I have the same problem from time to time. My first thought is to at least get the idea down on paper and if possible a quick outline of the story and maybe a little character development (just a few short sentences about each character). If I can at least get that, I'm happy. Sometimes, I'll get the idea and just let the story flow, typing as fast as I can just to get it all down on paper, not caring about punctuation or spelling or any of that crap. Then I have to go back and really read the story, fixing and editing, maybe re-writing as I go. I have several story ideas that are still in the outline form and even more that are just a short paragraph about the idea. Someday, I'll actually get to them. When I have time to sit and write a new story, I usually look at the ideas I have before me, and go with the one that I feel most like writing about. Sometimes, I'm not in the mood to write about anal sex, sometimes I am. Sometimes I want to write about voyuerism so I pick the idea that most closely fits that theme. It all depends on my mood. But the idea behind writing the idea down and making an outline and hopefully getting some sentences down about the characters is so that when I go back to it months later, I have someplace to start. I tend to forget little things as time goes on, so writing this down helps me out alot.

Hope that helps,

- PBW

 

[JUDO]

The Rule

Follow the "Golden Rule".

When in doubt...write!

You have to re-write it anyway, so quit all the second-guessing and do it.

 

[Art]

What to do with too many ideas

I tend to just start the story, and then if I get distracted and can't finish it, make some notes on it and just file it away for use later. Nothing like having a few on file if you need an idea. I have worked on as many as four at the same time, or more correctly, had four in progress at the same time. Some were eventually trashed as I eventually though they were never going to be that great.

 

[Hitchhiker]

In a few months I might hit that problem, but at the moment I'm getting more idea's coming than I have to time write about.
So I'm listing them out 1 etc and will hit each story in order.

Even so the longer story does go on hold from time to time. But bit by bit all will be finished.

 

[Ulyssa]

This is very much a non-problem. If you feel the need to sample each idea until one of them won't let go, then it may decide the whole thing for you.

Judo hit the nail on the head when she put it all so succinctly.

 

[The Sex Master]

I have about five completely different story ideas knocking around, and I just can't decide which one to write first!

Does anyone else ever get this problem? How do you decide what to do next?

Pretend you will die in 2 days,and you HAVE to finish ONE story !

 

[Hitchhiker]

2 days to live?

The Sex Master
Can't seem to find YOUR stories. Your demise could be arranged so get tapping on those keys and lets see what you can do!!!

 

[scarfaccio]

just write a brief treatment for each so you don't forget the situation as you work on others, then bang them out in whichever order you like. how to choose the order? try putting all the titles on a dartboard and throwing one at a time until they're all triaged.

 

[Guest]

I was about to suggest that Scar...

I usually get an idea or two, and I generally put down a one or two paragraph plot treatment on the ones I want to work on. Nothing in depth; just general direction, a mention of the characters (in brief), and possible plot twists.

I have a paper folder filled with about 12 such "idea files" next to my monitor... hopefully will get to all of them someday.

Maintain and Check Six!