Monday, November 1, 2010

Yikes!

So, 5 minutes ago, I was all set to start my NaNo rewrite. I opened my older file. I pulled up my outline. I even opened the vocabulary list I created to keep track of all the steampunk words I created.

I wrote my first sentence.

It wasn't my rewrite. It's not even steampunk!! It's for a story idea I had ages and ages ago. All I've got is the setting and main character and what her struggle is. Not even a name. Certainly no outline. Or anything helpful.

*Sigh*

But that's the story that popped out. *Double sigh*

So, now I have to decide. Do I work on the rewrite I've prepped for or do I go with this new story that apparently REALLY wants to get out? I hate decisions. Especially when I really didn't intend on making one. I thought I was set.


Maybe I'll work on this one tonight and see how it goes. Then I can put off that decision until tomorrow!

Have your plans ever been hijacked (or highjacked??) by a new idea? How'd it work out for you???

107 comments:

Mason Canyon said...

I'd say this other story definitely wants to be written. I'd say take a deep breath, don't think about the story you wanted to do and just play with this one for 24 hours. If it's not right, you've only lost one day and might gets some ideas that you can use with the other story. Then again, after 24 hours this might just been what works best. Remember, things do happen for a reason, we just don't always understand them at the time. Good luck.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Jemi Fraser said...

Mason - ooooo - good advice! I've been so overwhelmed with life in general lately, I'd no thoughts at all of trying something new. But, you're right. It does want to pop out. I've only got a few paragraphs right now, but we'll see!

Susan Fields said...

If a story really wants to get out, I'd say go with it - that's where your passion will be.

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - it really does. At least for today!! :) I'm only a page in and the character's already surprising me. That's good... right? :)

Laura S. said...

Ooo, yes that happened to me this summer. I started a novel that ended up turning into two completely different stories. Kind of cool, but frustrating too! I've chosen to work on one of them for NaNo though, so it's all working out okay.

Why can't you work on your new idea for NaNo? Maybe this shiny new idea wants you to pants it a long and not outline!

Good luck and happy writing, Jemi!

Jemi Fraser said...

Laura - That's a cool story! I haven't had a story split into 2 yet, but it sounds like fun! :)

At this point in (almost a whole 30 minutes! :)) I think I'll give it a shot. I hope it's got enough legs to go the distance! Thanks :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I want one of those frustration signs. I have had trouble deciding which project to start. Hope you pick the one that really inspires you to meet you goal.

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - isn't it great! Some days I think I could use it in my classroom! :)

Thanks - I hope the same goes for you. It's really hard to decide between all the pretty and shiny ideas!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

My idea gets hijacked now, I'm in serious trouble!

Yvonne Osborne said...

I'd say go with the new story. I don't do NaNo (don't like the timeline) so can't really comment on that. But you should rewrite at your own comfortable pace and get it right. No? And why do you need an outline? Just write!

Jemi Fraser said...

Alex - I think your idea's been in your head for long enough for it to be pretty solid now! I don't think you've got to worry! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Yvonne - thanks!

I'm using an outline for the rewrite because I totally messed up a plot line and I need to straighten it out. Although the entire outline is probably less than 100 words, so I think my pantster rep is still intact! :)

Lola Sharp said...

I believe those story ideas that have niggled a long time, festering, eventually demand to be told. And I also believe that not every story has to be written with the same process. Sometimes being free and open to creativity means going with the flow.
I think Mason has given you good advice. You'll only lose a day or two if you go with this new one for a bit and see how you feel.
On the flip side, if this goes well, you'll have something brand new, and you can always do the rewrite that you'd planned to do on the steampunk, later.

Good luck! *hugs*

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Wow. My stories get a little pushy but yours is clubbing you over your head.
I agree with Mason.
Good luck, Jemi!

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss jemi! sometimes we could make stuff lots more harder. mostly you just gotta follow your heart and thats the best thing you could do. sounds like your heart is saying get going on that new story!
...hugs from lenny

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Lola! I'm wondering if this idea popped up because I've been swimming in Revision Hell for so long! Maybe my brain is just too tired of it for the moment :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Mary - exactly! I'm hoping to make the right decision ... if I can think past the concussion :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Lenny - I think you've seen right to the heart of the problem!! I love my steampunk story, but with the real life chaos that's been interfering, I feel like I've been working on it forever. Maybe it's time to take a break and see where this shiny new idea takes me :) Thanks!!

Laura Pauling said...

Yes, my most recent story was supposed to be light and humorous and turned out totally different. I went with it. :) Good luck wit Nano!

Jemi Fraser said...

Laura - it's funny how our plans can go completely sideways on us! I had no idea this story was bursting to get out. And I'm a whole 3 pages in and it's changed from what I thought :)

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

Isn't that the way? But I'd say go with your gut. You'll be happier in the end. ;)

Guinevere said...

It definitely happens! I think NaNo is a great time to write a new story, though - you have to write fast and I think that's a great chance to get a new rough draft down on paper. You can always go back to the re-write on December 1st. Whatever you decide, I hope you have a terrific month of NaNo!

Jemi Fraser said...

Kathi - you're right! I'm NOT a planner or an outliner. So it figures once I have those in place, that something brand new sneaks up and grabs my attention!

Jemi Fraser said...

Guinevere - so true! This is my 3rd nano and I love it. The silly pressure to actually finish works for me. I love the whole month - even when it's absolutely crazy! So I think I'll give this a shot and see where it takes me! :)

Rebecca Gomez said...

I vote for the new story!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Hey Jemi, last year another bloger I know wrote two stories at once! Maybe you can do it, too. Whichever one calls you at writing time, go for it. :D

Elizabeth Mueller said...

*Hugs* Jemi. Go with what is pressing you into writing. When that runs dry, skip to your other prepped story.

I finished a novel last year's NaNo and started/finished a second one. and the second one was NOT planned at all, it popped up and grabbed me and took off fast!

Good luck, girl. If you want a sounding board, I'm your girl. Seriously!!!! elizabethmueller6ATgmailDOTcom.

Good luck!

Karen Strong said...

LOL. I felt like Snoopy today...

I think you should go for it! Maybe it's itching to come out for a reason.

Either way, whichever you choose as long as you're writing, it's all good.

Charmaine Clancy said...

Write what you feel like, if you change your mind halfway through you can skip to your rewrite and all the words will still count, plus you'll have the start of something exciting to start when you're done with your other story.

NaNo on!

Unknown said...

Good luck with the decision, sometimes the unexpected can be very successful.
I'm mid-wip x 2 so I just couldn't let myself go with an entirely new project. I have a post NaNo idea or two ;)

Old Kitty said...

Oooooh what a dilemma!!! I say go with your new idea!!! The re-write is already written so that can be later!! I think! GOOD LUCK!!!!

Take care
x

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I have a story that I've put aside for a little over a year now...and it makes me sad! No time to write it, but I know what I'll write when I can.

Maybe flesh out the idea a little, if you have time, and see if you can run with it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Rebecca - thanks! I got my NaNo goal last night with it. I guess I'll just have to see how it goes :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Tricia - that's a very good idea! I don't know if I could pull it off though! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Elizabeth - thanks!!! It's so hard to decide. And I know NaNo is just for fun, but I really like how it spurs me to get that draft down. I like your solution - thanks for the support! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Karen - I know what you mean - I've definitely had my fair share of those Snoopy days!!

You're right too - NaNo is what I need just now to get me moving again. Real life has been ultra-chaotic lately and I need a boost.

Jemi Fraser said...

Charmaine - that's a good idea! I never thought of counting what I write for both stories. Sometimes I get locked into one path instead of looking around. Definitely a symptom of my busy-ness lately :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Elaine - I do like surprises and unexpected twists. I'm happy with the start I made last night on the new story, so I guess I'll stick with it for a bit and see how it goes. :) Good luck with yours!

Jemi Fraser said...

Old Kitty - I think that's the way I'm leaning. I'm just worried about getting back to the rewrite. I hate to just drop it! But this story is calling!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Elizabeth! I only have limited writing time and it's hard to have to choose. I always have lots of ideas floating around but this one seems pretty determined to get itself written!

Alix said...

ooh sounds like the muse is knocking and won't be ignored :) Maybe you can switch between the two.

Good Luck :)

Jessica Ann Hill said...

Oh, I know how you feel! My plans get hijacked by new story ideas a lot. I blame that on why finishing a novel seems to be so difficult for me. :/

Good luck with whatever you decide! :)

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I think you should run with it, Jemi - see where it takes you. :-)

Kimberly Franklin said...

Yes I have! But sometimes it can be annoyingly great! :) Good luck!

Roxy said...

There have been times when new ideas have saved my bacon, but I also hate making big story decisions. How do you know which choice is right? Good luck, Jemi. Your bright, creative mind can do anything!

Shelley Sly said...

Sorry for your dilemma. :( If I were in your position, I'd write whatever is in my heart at the moment, and if that's the new idea rather than the rewrite, I'd go along with it. But you've gotta do what's best for you! Hey, too many projects are better than none at all. Good luck!!

VR Barkowski said...

You must go with story that wants to be written, but how frustrating for you!

My NaNo effort has been hijacked twice. I wrote it first as a murder mystery. Then I rewrote it from scratch as crime/historical fiction. Now I'm rewriting it a third time as a thriller. Apart from the series characters and the premise of a missing painting, it's a brand new story - yet for some reason, I'm already tired of it. :)

February Grace said...

Yes it's happened to me both times I've done NaNo before and countless other times writing regularly and it always, always works better to go with it- at least for me.

Grab that thread and pull- see what happens!!!

This year I'm a little worried that I'm not going with comfort zone- but I did what I always do. I sat down at 12:01 and started to write and before I'd finished for the day, somebody had highjacked the story.

They're always my favorite characters, in the end. I hope that proves true for this year too.

Best of luck!

~bru

Ellie Garratt said...

Well it could be that nasty old Mr. Procrastination is trying to stop you doing the re-write or, as I auspect, the number rule of nano is starting a new story and thus your muse is telling you to obey!

I changed my mind three days before nano started and decided to go with my gut instinct. Listen to what your creative mind is telling you and you'll get the answer.

Talli Roland said...

Hmmm... that's a tough one! If the idea is flowing and it has legs, then go for it. But if you don't think it can carry through until the end... well, maybe you should let it simmer in the back of your brain and write what you'd planned. Good luck, Jemi!

Kristi said...

Oh no....Good luck Jemi!

Jemi Fraser said...

Alexa - I really hadn't thought of switching between the two. That's probably a good idea - which means it probably won't work for me!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Jessica - thanks! I'm definitely going to need a little luck!

Jemi Fraser said...

Shannon - I'm sure thinking about it. I didn't start until late last night and the first installment (1700) went pretty well. So I'll probably stick with it and see how it goes. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Kimberly - yup! I've got the annoying part down pat! :) I hope it gets better!

Jemi Fraser said...

Roxy - thanks! I hope you're right!! It's so frustrating when things go against the plan. I should be used to it by now I guess :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Shelley! Lots of projects and ideas is WAY better than not enough. I'm going to go with it (the new one) for now and see what happens. Cross your fingers!

Jemi Fraser said...

VR - I can totally see that. It must be frustrating to have an idea that works so well it can work in 3 different genres! But I can see how it would get old - I think my new idea popped up because it's been a year on the old one.

Jemi Fraser said...

Bru - lol :) My characters do hijack things within the story all the time! I just hadn't expected the entire story to be taken over. It's not even the same genre or age group!

Good luck with yours sounds like you're well on your way!

Jemi Fraser said...

Ellie - you're probably right! I tend to be a rule follower for most things so many the nano muse was upset I was doing a rewrite! And good ole Mr. Procrastination has been having lots of fun with me lately too! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Talli - that's exactly what worries me! I'm not sure at all where this story is heading although. I came up with an idea at work today, and I think it'll work, so we'll just see how it goes!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Kristi - thanks! I'm definitely going to need it!! :)

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Go with the story you feel happiest with.

Yvonne.

Jemi Fraser said...

Yvonne - I love both stories. I'm a little more leery about the new one as I don't know where it's going yet, but the idea is all pretty and shiny! And I love my steampunk characters. Maybe if I give them a bit of a break, I can come back to it fresh... :)

Amie Kaufman said...

Absolutely, I know what you mean about the hijacking.

Maybe this is an opportunity to try the new story, since it's bursting to get out. A rewrite isn't always best tackled at speed. You can tell the new story it has to cooperate, because it has 30 days and 30 nights to get itself told. No more, no less. Not a lot of time to set aside for something this keen to be written!

Jemi Fraser said...

Amie - I'm so glad I'm not alone! That's a really good point about revising with speed. Rewriting does take more thought and planning - which is probably why I'm struggling with it. First draft is my favourite thing - I love getting that story down!

Glynis Peters said...

My pov stuck to the rules, except she was supposed to be brown haired. She made me write fair haired. LOL

If a story wants to get out, it will do it whether we want it to or not!

Good luck.

laughingwolf said...

for nano, work on it... unless the other tale needs telling more, then give up on nano, for this year....

Jemi Fraser said...

Glynis - isn't it funny how these figments of our imagination can take total charge of the situation!

I need a 2ndary plot to carry throughout the story as the one I've got is good, but it's inner conflict and I need a outer conflict too.

Jemi Fraser said...

Laughing wolf - that's the thing - nano is just a silly, fun thing ... but I love it :) Maybe I'll just conintue to play it by ear and see how it goes. I guess there's no pressure - it's not a real deadline :)

Natasha said...

I would say, go with the new story. Quite obviously, it is a story that wants to be written, so you may as well do it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Rayna - Thanks! I think I'm going to go with it for a bit and see where it takes me. I just had some blood and mayhem happen in it, so that should spice things up a bit!

I love the new pic for the avatar! :)

Shannon said...

Ah...NaNo. I wish I could participate this year. And then again, I don't. =p

Like others have posted, I'd say go with the new story. It sounds like it wants to be written.

Jemi Fraser said...

Shannon - that's the joy and the terror of NaNo all right!

So far, so good with the new one. I've kept up with the word count so far and story's fun. Couple of fun plot stories to pull together. Thanks :)

Anonymous said...

This happens to me often. I write it out regardless. If it doesn't fit, I place it in my JUNKYARD and often I will be able to use it or a variation at a later time.

Terry Stonecrop said...

It happens to me a lot. I tend to write the idea down for later or write a short story to get it out of my system so I can continue with my WIP.

Coincidentally, a story has been calling to me for the past two weeks, I'm having trouble ignoring and it doesn't want to be short. So, I sympathize. Wish I could be of more help:)

Julie Musil said...

Jemi, it sounds like you're enjoying your new path with the new story! And isn't that what it's all about? There's always time for the other story. And then the next one, and the next one. It cracks me up that you were hijacked on day one!

Anonymous said...

I hope you're going for the story that popped out! And I'll look forward to hearing about the outcome.

I'm re-signing in as a follower because a blogger glitch forced me to export/delete my old blog and do a new one--meaning I have a new address, and a VERY slightly different title. Here I am now, when you surface from NaNo.
Ann

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephen - I LOVE the idea of a writing junkyard! What an awesome concept! I'm definitely using that from now on! Thanks :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Terry - that's okay! Just knowing it happens to other folks always helps!!! I think my brain is full of the rewrite and needs to put it to the side. I've been working on that story more or less for the past year. I'll give this one a shot and see where we go! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Julie - you're so right. It's not like there's an actual deadline! I won't have any of those until I get an actual story published. :) So I guess I'll just have fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

Ann - thanks - I'm trying the new one - so we'll see where it takes me. Lots of fun so far :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Ann - oops! I pressed enter too soon! Thanks for the new link - I'll update everything and pop on over to visit! :)

WritingNut said...

Oyee.. yes.. all the time! I think you should go for the story that popped out - because everything happens for a reason, and there's a reason that story can't wait.

Good luck! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Writing Nut - I hope you're right! I'm liking it so far. I've found myself following the characters and they're surprising me a bit. But that's no surprise! :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

My stories are continually hijacked by my characters all the way through a novel, no matter how thoroughly I outline or plan. They often provide new ideas...and I pay attention.

Elana Johnson said...

Yes, all the time. I wrote an outline for my NaNo novel, and I've deviated so far from it, I can't even see it anymore. Oh well.

Jemi Fraser said...

Pat - Sounds like good advice. The characters always seem to have a good idea what they're doing! More than me anyway :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Elana - really? That's maybe not good news for you, but it's very encouraging for me! Thanks! ;)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Jemi~I say go with the one that calls you at the moment. That could change at some point during NaNo and that's okay...I work on several projects at once. I go to which ever one is calling my name the loudest that day...

Best wishes. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Sharon - I've never worked on 2 projects at the same time before. But I think it's worth a shot. So far, the new one's flowing pretty well. We'll see how that goes! Thanks!! :)

Lisa Gail Green said...

Jemi - you have to go for the one trying to get out. I think that's what Nanos about, and it's DEFINITELY what I would do. So you know, you have to do what I would do cuz I said so. :D Seriously though, whatever you decide I'm rooting for you!! Go Jemi!!!

cleemckenzie said...

That's a hard decision, but it seems like it's the old, "the story chose me." Kind of like those pound puppies that you have to take home. Good luck. I look forward to hearing what happens with your NaNoWriMo.

Anne Spollen said...

I didn't know you were doing Nano. Want to feel better? It's November 6, and I haven't written a word. Nope, not one, and I'm in Nano. So at least you have a decision on work you've done...

But go for the one trying to escape. The goal is completion, not perfection. Sort of how I clean my house : )

Jemi Fraser said...

Lisa - yes, ma'am!! :) That's the one I'm working with so far. 8k in and it's fun, so I'm thinking it's work. Hope so anyway!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Lee - I hope it all goes well. It's a totally different genre and age level than my other wip, so it might be just the breath of fresh air my mind needs in order to focus back on the first one! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Anne - yikes! Hopefully once you get writing, the story will just pour out of your fingers! It does make me feel better! Thanks & good luck!!! :)

RaShelle Workman said...

Jemi - Hijacked by the story that wants to be told! I love it!! We are creative souls and as such, must follow our inspiration. I would say go for that story, Jemi. =D

Jemi Fraser said...

RaShelle - thanks! I like your take on it. I'm working on it now, and so far, I'm staying on track for the word count! Some parts of the story are just flying out of me. Other parts, not so much, but that's okay. :)

Anonymous said...

Best wishes with NaNo, Jemi. Sounds like you have a great start!

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynn - thanks! I hope so. It's an intriguing story line - to me anyway. We'll see what comes of it :)

Meagan Spooner said...

I had my brain hijacked by a new idea in the middle of a WIP I had made a resolution to finish and work on every day. The new idea just wouldn't leave me alone. In the end I allowed myself to write 1,000 words of the new idea before returning to my WIP. It turned out to be exactly what I needed to get the new idea out of my system and onto paper, where it has waited all through finishing and revising the original WIP--now I get to come back to it. The best part is, that idea has matured so much over the past couple of months. Waiting seems to have worked out really well!

Jemi Fraser said...

Meagan - that's awesome!! I like that idea. It's flowing well right now, so I'm going to go with it for a bit and see how it goes. If it stalls, I'll head back to the other one. Being in the mode of writing so much each day has got to help the rewrite when I head back to it. Thanks for dropping by :)

Jean said...

Oh yeah. Hijacked like you would not believe! It is one of the reasons why I have a pile of first drafts that are waiting to be edited!

Jemi Fraser said...

Jean - that worries me a little. I still have my nano story from 2 years ago that I've never polished or even edited. I don't want a whole pile of first drafts - I want to finish it through!

Patti Lacy said...

Oh, MYYYYY!
I had to scroll like for MINUTES to get to the bottom of this!!!

No, I'm too stubborn to be hijacked. But sometimes the publisher does it for me.

No choice about THOSE STORYjacks.

Blessings, dear one. You go!

Jemi Fraser said...

Patti - I need to work on my stubbornness! Sometimes I'm a real doormat - both in my writing and in real life. It's too easy to say yes instead of no!

I guess being hijacked by the publisher would be okay! No choice involved at all! :)