Between Projects: What’s Next?
My third novel is in the “resting stage” while I try to get some distance from it before I revise. I’ve been trying to decide what to work on next. I have a list of about ten projects that I’d like to try at some point (and fifteen notebooks full of more ideas).
I’ve narrowed it down to two possibilities, but I’m taking things slowly. Before I plunge back into writing, some serious thinking is required. I’m working on the ideas for both books, trying to sketch out plot and develop characters with clear motivations and goals. My hope is that one of them will become stronger in my mind and I’ll have to start writing it.
What do you need to have in place before you start a new story?
– Andrea
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Oddly enough, I have to have a title. Characters and motivations, too, of course. But having a title helps me feel like the idea is real. It helps give me focus. I also have to know the ending. I feel like I can’t begin a journey without a destination in mind. Even if my ending changes midway, I like to at least start off going in a certain direction.
I like to spend some time thinking like you do. But once I’ve got some ideas, I write up a one line hook for each and then I read them to my friends and hubby. I listen to their thoughts and think about which one I’m most passionate about. I start researching and then I brainstorm and outline.
Carmella, I used to need to have a title, but lately I’ve been waiting to see how the story turns out first. Christy, I love your idea of the one line hook. I’m going to try that!
I need characters and motivations. Often I find that I need to combine ideas, like what if I combined the character who wants X with the character who wants Y. And I definitely like to have an ending, although as Car said, I often change it. As for titles, I hardly ever peg them until the end of the process!