I’ve been putting a lot of thought into why I’m stalling with Cherokee Johnson. The reason seems to be Sins of a Father. My mind won’t let me put it on the back burner. It will likely end up finished before Cherokee. That wasn’t the plan when the story first came to me, but it may end up that way. I find myself trying to plan out Sins when I should be writing Cherokee.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In my head, Sins is a more complex story that will be harder to tell, but it’s also a better story. Don’t get me wrong, I love the story of Cherokee, but where it can be good, Sins can be great.
That being the case, I’m probably going to adjust my focus and knock Cherokee off the top rung of the ladder for now. I’ll have to adjust my goals, but I feel good about putting Sins at the top of the list. That’s where it deserves to be. Who am I to tell it no?
Does this kind of thing happen to you guys? Do you ever come across a story that simply demands to be told and throws a wrench in your plans?
May 8th, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Frequently. I was supposed to be writing a follow up to another story when an idea for a fairy tale came to me. I couldn’t stop writing the first because it was part of a challenge I was doing with a friend so I had to write them at the same time because the one wouldn’t leave me alone. It can be a little annoying when it happens.
May 8th, 2012 at 10:57 AM
It does get annoying, but I’d rather have too many ideas that not enough I guess. I just have to force myself to sit down and focus now. Stupid short attention span! I have a better attention span than a 1 year old, but just barely! lol
May 8th, 2012 at 10:35 AM
You just need to keep writing whatever story is fighting the hardest to get out… those end up being the better stories, anyway…
Armand Rosamilia
May 8th, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Very good advice, Armand. I plan to follow it. And I agree, the ones that fight the hardest to come out are always the best.