Decisions, decisions …

• Posted in On Writing

So I met with my critique group last night. I’d sent them some sample chapters of Quiver, my young-adult fantasy, to look over. The general conscensus was that my second effort – making my main character, Gwen, more of a Robin Hood-type outlaw — was much better and more in keeping with my voice.

That’s good and made me feel like I was going in the right direction with the book …

Until this morning, when I had yet another idea — to make Gwen more of a Scarlet Pimpernel-type character and basically switch her role with that of her love interest’s.

I think it’s an idea that has merit, but argh!!! :hulk:

Now, I don’t know what to do — keep going with what I’m doing or go back to the beginning again and start over. I’ve never had such problems deciding what to do with a book before. Sigh.

But at 36,000 words in my second draft, I think I’m just going to keep going and finish this draft out. Then, I’ll let it sit for a few weeks and see what I’ve got. Hopefully, even if I do decide to change Gwen’s character yet again, I’ll have enough good stuff from the second draft to help me make the changes relatively quickly.

Oh yeah, and sometime during all this, I want to start working on the rough draft of Elemental Assassin 4.

So hello, computer. I think you and me will be spending a lot of time together this weekend … :rolleyes:

5 Responses to “Decisions, decisions …”

  1. PurpleRanger says:

    Okay, what would be the difference between making Gwen a Robin hood type and making her a Scarlet Pimpernel type? And what would be the advantages/disadvantages of either choice?

  2. Jennifer Estep says:

    It’s not a huge difference (at this point). It would just involve how I set up the story in the first several chapters. But at this point, I’d like to move on — at least to the middle and end of the book!

  3. nightdragon62 says:

    While I think the Robin Hood/Scarlet Pimpernel sounds interesting. {I loved Leslie Howard’s Scarlet Pimpernel.} I think you have to ask yourself which is the storyline that is the most developed in your head? And what is your time frame for completing this book? Lastly which storyline will bring you the most pleasure as an author to create. Yup, more decisions. I have faith in you. I am cheering you on whichever storyline you use. Have a great weekend!

  4. nightdragon62 says:

    Have you seen Robin Hood was mentioned in the news today?
    https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_britain_robin_hood

    An academic found a note a monk had wrote in a book margin about him. I’m taking the academic’s interpretation on the translation with a grain of salt. As the monk belonged to a group targeted by Robin’s people I would say it’s sour grapes.

    Wishing you a productive weekend!
    Jo

  5. Jennifer Estep says:

    ND — I think Pimpernel is the way to go at this point … at least until I have another “brilliant” thought! :rolleyes:

    Thanks for sharing the link. That was interesting.

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