So far, I've not received any rejections from the agencies. I'm viewing this as a positive thing, and hoping I've managed to pass the first hurdle and had my work added to the "To be read" pile. The thought that it's still sitting in the "Not yet looked at in the first place" pile hasn't even entered my head. No, really!
Now that I've (finally) been brave enough to send Odd Squad out into the the world, it's left me with the dilemma of where to go next. At the moment, there are 4 options crying out to me:
1) Carry on with the sequel. The next two books are already outlined, and I have already written about a third of the first draft of Odd Squad 2. The problem I have, is that the doubts are creeping in on whether the first book is strong enough. What if I never get a deal for the first one? Am I going down a road where the results are never going to see the light of day?
2) Write something new. There are several ideas for different stories queued up waiting for me to breathe life into them and be captured on paper (or, at least on the screen of my laptop). I'm thinking of using the Save The Cat framework to map one of them out and see how it develops. The problem is knowing which one is going to have the strongest plot lines.
3) Go and try and fix Ghost School. I know that Ghost School has an original and strong story, but I also know that there are some big problems with it. Should re-visit it? Wade through the issues using the things that I've learnt while writing Odd Squad and try and make it a viable project? Some of the areas that need attention, I now know that I have the tools to be able to address their short comings. But others..? I get the feeling that maybe I'm not quite there yet.
4) Go back to bed. Ok, so this isn't really an option. Then again, if enough people suggest it then I may give it a try ;o)
What do you guys do when you reach the end of a project?
I'd go back to bed and outline a new book there. That's really what I did, BTW. :)
ReplyDeleteFollow your gut, Iain. Writer whatever you're jazzed about. Whatever that may be...
So far, you've made going back to bed top of the list Emily. :o)
DeleteI hope you went back to bed. :)
DeleteBTW, I tagged you!
I didn't quite end up in bed, but I did map out a whole new book idea.
DeleteThanks for the tag :o)
I second Empress King's suggestion! Go back to bed and outline the next book. :D
ReplyDeleteWho am I do go against the wisdom of these suggestions :o)
DeleteI had a really hard time answering that question for myself, and I really do think that the answer may be different for each person. When I was deciding, I asked an author her opinion, and she said, "I'd never write a second book in a series before the first one sold!" It made perfect sense to me, so I outlined books 2 & 3 while it was still fresh, then moved onto the next thing. The other thing to think of, is that if book 1 does sell, as you go through changes with your editor, will it change things for book 2? It may not make sense to go the same direction. But, having said all that, I think the best thing to do is to write whatever is calling you the loudest. That's where you're likely to have the greatest success!
ReplyDeleteThanks Peggy, I've have 2,3,and 4 mapped out for ages. I'll leave them mapped in case there are changes, like you said.
DeleteAs it turns out, I had inspiration this morning and mapped out a new idea :o)
I second what's been said. Bed first. Start a new book second. Any effort you put into a sequel (to a first book that might not sell) could be put into the first book of something else. And totally. Outline like a madman! :)
ReplyDeleteWise words. I'd be a fool not to heed them :o)
DeleteBed and a new book it is :o)
Good luck with the querying! Hope it gets you lots of requests. :)
ReplyDeleteI always start a new book when querying. Usually not a sequel-- I like to get my brain on something totally different. Hope you find something fun and distracting. :)
Thanks Shallee. No new yet, which I'm hoping is a good thing.
DeleteI've mapped out a whole new idea already which is a massive distraction, and really exciting.