Swithering. Probably my second-most-succesful activity after procrastination. I’ve been trying to decide between projects since before Christmas. In desperation, I decided to work on them all in the hope that I’d lean heavily towards one or the other. This hasn’t happened. Instead, I’ve limped forwards on all the books, have many voices in my head, and an unpleasant, scattered sensation throughout every writing session.
So. That’s an experiment that I won’t repeat.
Which leaves me with the decision. Do I work on Book A: A character-driven, women’s fiction affair that I began on the advice of my old agent? At the time it was like pulling teeth but when I read it now, I quite like it. Plus, there’s over 50,000 words in the file.
Or, Book B: My supernatural YA. I started this for NaNo ages ago. Three years? And have been working on it off-and-on ever since. I’ve got about 55,000 words and ideas about how to fix the plot/character issues, but it all feels a bit ‘meh’. I can’t seem to make myself care very much.
Book C: Adult urban fantasy thing that I started for KazNo 2011. I like my main character, I like lots of the dialogue, but I stalled early on and am not sure where the story is going. Of course, I never know where my stories are going, so I shouldn’t let that stop me…
Finally, Book D. This is basically starting a new book. I’d be using a character (or two) from the book I wrote for my MLitt, but that’s it. Blank page. New-ish genre (for me); psychological thriller/crime.
In case you’re having a similar dilemma, I’d recommend doing what I just did… Write out all your options. The decision seems clearer to me, already. Failing that, this Should Do Would Do Book Dilemma post from Victoria Schwab might help.