Well hello there, Reader,
Last week, when I was upstairs folding laundry, (it’s a never-ending side quest 😩) our friend called.
After a good 15 mins of her meandering through a wide array of topics, she finally ventured into what she really wanted to talk about. Her struggles with project paralysis.
A struggle that I—and many other storytellers—have suffered from. One where you have too many great ideas and partially drafted stories. And you’re not sure which one you should be devoting your time to.
So, Reader, if you’re currently in the same boat as my friend here, paddling in circles, unsure of which idea to work on first…
Here are 3 surefire ways to help you decide on 1 story to ensure your book makes it to THE END:
1) Which can I finish the fastest?
Ask yourself: Which do I have the most content for?
People too often focus on what they haven’t accomplished or achieved or what they haven’t created. They’re like a little mouse running on a wheel squeaking more, more, MORE!
They never stop to look at all the things they’ve already created. Or how close they might be to the finish line.
This is where doing a Creative Assessment can be extremely valuable. And the added benefit of doing an assessment like this is that you can see at a simple click of a button how close a project is to being completed. Or if a project should be placed on the back burner to tackle another day.
To perform your own Creative Assessment, simply follow this link to view the example and download the FREE Google Sheet template I made for you.
2) Which is the easiest to complete?
Ask yourself: Which story is the simplest?
Let’s be honest, Reader, some stories are just more complicated than others.
Some stories have straightforward, simple plots with a single POV. While others are complex epics like Foundation, Outlander, Game of Thrones, or The Witcher.
A historical Murder Mystery with intricate plotting like Murder on the Orient Express will require far more hours to complete than a fun and flirty Contemporary Romance novella.
So do a quick assessment of your stories’ plots. Are they simple? Complicated and intricate? Do they feature a single POV? A cast of a dozen over the span of several decades?
3) Which am I most passionate about?
Ask yourself: Which story will make me the happiest?
Be honest with yourself, which story are you most passionate about right now? Because the story that sparks your interest is the one you’re most likely to finish. Especially during the long hours of revisions and edits.
If a story is boring you, it’s going to bore your readers. And you really don’t want your writing time to become something you dread or begin to feel like homework.
Sure, writing IS work. It takes time. It’s a learned skill you have to study to improve upon. But if what you’re creating doesn’t delight you, you might as well be folding laundry. Because to make it to the finish line, you have to have that passion fueling you.
So, Reader, if you’re ever stuck paddling in circles, unsure which story to work on, remember to ask yourself those 3 questions.
Well, until next time, this is your friendly neighborhood storytelling Kat wishing you a wonderfully creative week.
Your cohort in storytelling,
Kat Vancil
🐱
PS 👉 My fellow writer friends in the Fantasy & SciFi Alliance are releasing their latest short story anthology, MASH UP, on Friday, Aug 1st!
When genres collide, chaos reigns and magic emerges.
Dragons stalk subway tunnels, and Punk rockers strike deals with fae royalty. High school science projects crack open the laws of reality while Olympic athletes go head-to-head with AI implants.
11 unforgettable short stories featuring courtroom absurdity, mythic rebellion, experimental A.I., and glam-soaked chaos—MASH UP has something for everyone.
Available for PRE-ORDER now!
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Hi! I'm Kerry Savage, writer and book coach.
by Kerry Savage
I help fiction writers answer their story questions, overcome imposter syndrome, and stay focused and accountable so they can finish their novel with confidence. Check out the resources I offer and sign up for my newsletter! |
