I have effectively finished the second act of my current “practice” novel that I’ve been working on for three years, and I’m continuing to work towards finishing it completely. I feel like it will be done soon, and I want to be able to start something new in November for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
I have three stories in my head that I could possibly start writing, and I’d love to have some input about which one my readers find most interesting.
The Island, The City, The Mountain (YA fantasy trilogy)
This is an idea I’ve had in my head since high school: a group of teenagers with elemental powers, the last of their ancient civilization, fighting demons out of myth to protect their world. The first book is kind of a prequel, followed by a duology.
I’ve written one chapter of the 2nd book previously, and started the first book several times but nothing’s stuck. I could start on either the first or second book. I have the characters pretty well developed, and a general plot direction, but nothing specific.
The Gladiator and the Goddess
This is a terrible title and definitely not something I would ever name a book, but it gets the point across. This is a historical fantasy with a touch of romance, and it owes a lot to Guy Gavriel Kay’s books. The idea first came to me in a dream: a girl in a Roman temple being possessed by the spirit of a healer goddess. The gladiator with a secret past is her protector on her quest to free the spirit. Ugh, this sounds horribly cliche; I need to work on my blurbs.
This may be the story I am best equipped to start writing seriously.
War Story
Yeah, that’s not a real title, either. A recent college graduate with serious anxiety issues is sent to be a strategic adviser to the commanding prince on the front of a years-long war effort to repel an invasion. Partly inspired by Kristin Cashore’s Fire. I have a beginning and an ending in my head for this story, and not much in the middle haha. This is only very light fantasy; no overt magic, but set in an alternate world.
Well, what do you guys think?
Jedi by Knight 
I really like your “Gladiator and the Goddess” idea! I would definitely be interested in reading that.
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That seems to be the front runner! Thanks for weighing in 🙂
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Ah, I like conflict, so I would go with the war story. But do what you want!
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That one definitely has conflict haha. Thanks for the feedback!
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These are all good ideas. Sounds like the first one would take a ton of work (esp. with 3 books to write). As for your third idea, beginnings and endings are so important, but once you have them down, you’re good to go. That’s the way I write and then it’s fun and easy to just plump up the middle of the book to flesh out the full story. Good luck with nanowrimo!
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Thanks, and thanks for the insight!
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These all look like great ideas! It sounds like you have the characters all ready for “The Island, The City, The Mountain” so maybe continue with the second book?
I hope you have fun doing it!
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Thank you!
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Of the three I’d be most interested in reading War Story myself, but it’s probably a good idea to start with the one you’re most prepared to write!
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Yeah, I don’t think I’m quite ready for the War Story yet. Maybe next year!
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Happy writing. 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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