Brainstorm Battle

Brainstorming (and plotting) is maybe my favorite stage of writing! So many possibilities! Lightning quick connections! Hardly any commitment.

If I’m honest, though, this is the first time I’ve had multiple story ideas I want to choose from. In the past, I’ve had one idea I really liked and I went for it. I never took much time to decide if the concept was right.

And maybe that’s my problem this time around: I feel like there is a “right” concept and a “wrong” one. I’m much more aware of what goes into a book’s success now: branding, reader expectations, tropes, pitch, marketing, buzz, trends…

So when choosing what book to write, I’m finding it harder to rely on my gut to decide which one I want to write most. But another consequence has been that I’ve recorded about a dozen more ideas too.

I’ve been diligent about keeping ideas in one notebook (one appropriately labeled “Ideas” in gold embossing and gifted to me by a student a few years ago). I’ve also been trying to note things I love in stories.

There are currently three ideas I am really drawn to:

One is more action/adventure with a great setting and lots of potential for man vs nature, man vs man, and man vs self conflicts. But it is less murder mystery…and will fans make that leap with me?

Another story is emotional and romantic, but again without a murder mystery story line. It would have clues and puzzle pieces, but not the same stakes as my other books. Do I want another heavy story line with grief?

And the final idea is the least developed of them all, but it sounds buzzy and definitely has potential in the pitch. Will it have the depth I enjoy?

Many writers have touted that the best, most successful book they’ve written is the one they wrote for themselves filled with everything they’d want as a reader. That’s the kind of book I want to write. One that makes me kick up my heels and squeal!

If only I knew which idea that would be!

I have learned so much about story-telling and revising and publishing in the last three years. I want to apply it all! I want to craft engaging characters and a dynamic plotline with a satisfying ending and hooky concept that has readers drooling.

I don’t really have answers for how I’ll settle on one idea, but I’ll have to trust it will come to me when the time is exactly right.