The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?
If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably heard me say I have a bouncy brain. I tend to have far too many ideas going on at once.
For instance, I'm currently planning (as much as my non-plotting brain can plan) and writing a new six-book Small Town Heroes series. I've got one written, the second mostly written, the third started, and the other three sets of characters walking around in my head.
I need to know my characters before I write their stories. While they wander my brain, they're telling me their backstories and I'm finding out where the conflicts are. Of course, there are also some secondary characters who want to bump up to main characters vying for my attention as well.
I also have several folks from Bloo Moose walking around in my brain telling me who they need to meet and demanding their turn in the spotlight.
Then I have an outline (in my head) for my third series and the 6 (potentially 7) sets of characters who will be its focus.
Now, to answer the question 😊
I have a really great idea for a speculative fiction series. It would be a long multi-generational series about the future of humanity with lots of cool SF elements.
Here's my conflict.
When am I supposed to fit this in? Would I need a pen name for the new series (SF) as it doesn't follow my current brand (romantic suspense)? Where in the world would I find time to work on building up another pen name???? So far, no answers, just lots of ideas.
Anyone working on a time machine that will give me more hours in the day just for writing?
How about you? Do you have characters knocking impatiently on your skull too? Anyone else with a bouncy brain?
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55 comments:
Maybe just finish your current stuff and then work on the new stories and pen name. Sounds like a lot to take on at once.
Hi,
Good luck with the multi-generational series that you're planning.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I can't believe how fast you're writing and producing your books. Maybe you can write the speculative fiction story when you finish your current series. Many authors write in different genres and for different age groups without a pen name. I think it'd be easier not to have start a new social media platform and market under a pen name.
You're already producing books at a crazy speed. Give yourself time for that series and setting up a pen name.
Try writing a short story based on one of your new characters in your new setting. It may spark your muse. I am on the same page as Natalie. Besides, keeping your same writing name may bring your current fan base to your new series.
You are an absolute genius Jemi! I'm sure you'll find the time to write the Science Fiction series too. Roland's and Natalie's idea is a good one, write a short story first. I don't think you need a pen name. Happy IWSG day.
I'm considering it - I love the idea, but I hate to mess with my current plans!
Thanks, Pat. It will be fun once I get to it!
That might be good timing. I've also considered using a pen name but doing without the social media - just a newsletter. That option appeals most at the moment :)
That's true - I'm having so much fun with the stories!
The short story is a great idea!
I think the deciding factor will be the target audience and heat level of the new series
Thanks so much, Kalpana - you know how to make my day!
I'm more of a plot first kind of reader (or writer), so I have plot ideas bouncing around in my head all the time. My characters will just have to learn to keep up.
Hi Jemi, I love the phrase "Bouncy brain." I think I have the same problem :)
Love that!!
I love how differently we all approach the same task. As I read on another blog - we are delightfully different!
It's a fun problem to have!
I do, and some characters that have been in my shorts want to be the star in a longer work. ;-)
Good luck with your dilemma. It's all about timing. When you're ready, nothing will stop you.
Anna from elements of emaginette
I think the pen names for different genres thing is a personal choice for indie authors. May be different for trad authors, though—I know some in the past have done it because how many books they were publishing in a year.
I personally didn't establish a pen name when I added a genre to my titles list. I would have just confused myself. :)
OMG Jemi, you are in a great space. I am sure you will find the time machine. I am pretty sure. I wish I could churn out even half of those.
-Sonia
Those characters can be so demanding!!!
So true - timing is everything!
LOL - that would be me, too!
I might just for algorithms sake, but I think I'd skip the socials and just publish :)
That's a really good idea!
My bouncy brain has some definite advantages!
Here's to the time machine inventors!!
You're asking a lot of the same question I am with this new and different book that's under construction. We should talk! :-)
Sounds like a very good idea!!
I want that extra-time-just-for-writing machine! I have a little bit of bouncy brain and a whole lot of bouncy real life.
Like you, I recently had a new story appear in my head out of nowhere. The characters sprang out fully alive, with emotions and adventures enough for a full novel. I wasn't ready to write it as I'm working on a different story at the moment. What I did instead, I took a day off my current project and wrote a detailed outline with all the main events, some sketchy dialogs, emotions at pivotal points, and lots of main and secondary characters' demographic descriptions, so I won't forget later, when I'm ready to write it.
You have so much in your head! And you're still breathing. That's a good sign. I love my journals. I keep on journal per couple and whenever they jump in my head, i reach for their journal and plot/write/or just tell them to bug off. We're just awesome that way. lo
All the best Jemi and I do hope you get all your stories down and out on the world for readers!
A definite YES to the bouncy life, too!
That's a great plan, Olga - thanks!
Love it! I'll definitely have to start a file for ideas!
Thanks so much, Nas! I'm doing my best! :)
Can I borrow your time machine when you get one?
I'm impressed by how much you are achieving. It's so wonderful!! And inspiring.
We can definitely share!!
Thanks - right back atcha!
"Bouncy brain." Boy, do I love that phrase! Mine is more of a 'tangled wires mess' brain. I have characters kicking around in my head bossing me around all the time.
Your speculative fiction series sounds amazing. The whole business of maintaining two identities sounds daunting - but Nora Roberts does it as JD Robb, quite openly.
I do get a little scattered, but my bounces don't match up to yours! As for the question of pen name and genres... I've wandered a bit around the genres, and stick to one name. Anything else would probably explode my brain with trying to keep up.
It seems like maybe you need to follow the new story, but this comes from a person who has focus issues. :) I like Roland's idea.
Teresa
I agree with Lynda, it's super impressive that you have so many projects going!
I'm a huge Nora/JD fan - can't believe I didn't even think about her!
Those characters are definitely bossy!
LOL - that's what I'm worried about as well. I don't want one of my bounces to take me right out of my brain!! :)
I like his idea as well!
I've got a TON of focus issues as well - but I'm learning!
KJ - thanks! Mostly it feels more wacky than impressive! :)
I love working on multiple projects. I often have 2 or more stories open in Word and flip between them. Struggling over a pen name stopped me from publishing for at least a year as I knew I was already tightly stretched. I compromised by combining the two. Not perfect, but it's all I can manage.
That's the dilemma - I can't create time (not yet anyway!) so I'll have to figure out a system to make do with what I get
A long multi-generational spec fic series?
Why not? I say go for it!
I'm in awe of your bouncy brain - it ensures that you never run out of story ideas.
Thanks!
You're so right - I have WAY more ideas than I have time for!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I get the dilemma of not knowing what to write first. If you have an established series already, finsih that one and then maybe start the new one. Not sure what to say about the pen name. I have one but haven't done much with it after only one book under its belt.
Good advice - thanks. I think the trick for a one name (for me) would be to be open about it and to have at least 3 books ready to go before I release anything... maybe! :)
I love that your series will be so long with multiple characters and generations.
Using a pen name for another genre is definitely a personal choice. For me, if I published under a different name, I would do what Patricia does and simply add a note to all my social media profiles that I also publish ______ under _____. I'd have a separate website for my pen name, though, to snag up that domain before anyone else does, but I'd add it as a page to my main website and vice versa.
That's an excellent plan, Chrys - think I'm stealing it! Thanks :)
I would love to have a time machine! And hours dedicated just to noodling and learning about our characters' backstories. I love series with characters all interconnected with each other; can't wait to read more of yours!
Thanks, Deniz!
We need some engineering-minded writers to make us all secret time machines!
I see your dilemma, Jemi. A time machine would definitely help. Or at least some way of stopping time. Can't imagine how we'd work it so time only stopped for one person instead of the entire universe. Can you imagine, 7 billion people having the ability to press the pause button? LOL.
LOL - that would be wild! I'd take a secret time machine for writing!
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