How Do You Decide Which Story to Write?

How does an author decide which story to write?

It’s time to prepare to write the next book.

I’m in the gloriously awkward position, of having two stories to write. They both would stretch me as a writer and a person. They both are clamoring for attention.

Here’s a peek of my dilemma. We’ll call them CW and WW.

Should I write the CW story or the WW story?

CW: “She needs to write me first. She’s done all the research and was ready to go, and then you came along.”

“I can’t help it if my story line is more timely than yours,” WW laughed. “She needs to write what will sell first. If she starts with me, you’ll catch up.”

“But she’s been to my locales! She knows the houses where my characters lived. She cried at their graves!”

WW shook his head. “She’s been to London and Paris a half-dozen times; she can manage the locations just fine.”

“Michelle’s already told people, however, that she’s not going to Egypt,” CW said. “Half the story takes place there, how can she adequately describe the smells, sand, and heat of that place without visiting?”

“She’s been reading Amelia Peabody’s works,” WW said. “And enjoying the stories along with the descriptions. She’s got a bunch of photos and books about the campaigns.

“She’s even got friends who’ve been to Cairo recently. They’ll help her. Not to mention that great photograph of her grandmother riding a camel with the pyramids in the background.”

Love and loss against a familiar tragedy or an unfamiliar one?

“My story is about love and loss set against the backdrop of a brutal tragedy. People know about the Civil War. They’ll weep with my characters as they experience one difficulty after another.”

“Few people know anything about World War I. It’s important someone tell the story with an element of hope in it,” WW argued.

“Michelle’s got a great hook and people will flock to see how her characters get through the agonies with their souls intact. In times like these, people need to hear that God is not surprised, even if he weeps with us.”

“Some of the principal characters die in your story,” CW said. “How can it be filled with hope?”

WW looked down his nose. “Don’t you have a tragic death, too?”

“Yes, but . . . ”

An eyebrow lifted.

“My story is also about hope; how you can overcome a tragedy and pick up the pieces of your life. My story takes us beyond the tragedy to the future, yours does not.”

WW shook his head. “My story ends on that glorious day the Doughboys marched down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to celebrate the end of the war. How can you top that?”

Which story is more exciting?

“My tale has an exciting prison escape.” CW stamped her foot.

“I’ve got Zeppelins, camels, and the pyramids.”

“What camels?” CW asked.

“Michelle could find a spot to put in some camels if she wanted to.” WW frowned.

“Camels were used in the Middle Eastern theater.”

“You’re pathetic.” CW shook her head. “I have horses, lots of gorgeous horses.”

WW paused and chewed his lip. “I’ve got U-boats. You know how everyone loves to hear Michelle’s submarine stories.”

“U-boats are the enemy in your story. I’ve got handsome men in striking uniforms. Generals, pomp, excitement and two pregnancies. You don’t have any babies in your story.”

WW pointed a finger. “Babies are not fair.”

“I’ve got two weddings, too, and glorious clothes. You’re stuck with drab khaki.”

“Not at Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo.”

CW laughed. “She doesn’t like those women.”

Does she like your characters?

“I have a dynamic character that changed people’s lives,” WW said. “He pointed people to God and helped them in the hours of their distress.”

“My charismatic character was flawed,” CW sighed. “But everyone will fall in love with him. They always did. He was like a rock star.”

“Big Name Author loved my story. Michelle’s agent likes it, too,” WW said.

“Michelle didn’t tell Big Name Author about my story. He’s from the South, he would have loved it.

“Besides, the agent likes my story and Jamie and Kim are chomping at the bit for Michelle to write it.”

“Michelle knows where my story begins. She has a twelve-page single spaced synopsis of the story. All she has to do is sit at the keyboard and it will flow from her fingers. ” WW crossed his arms over his chest. “Beat that.”

“She doesn’t know your characters as well as mine. She’s got lots of pictures of my folks, she knows them.” CW stood tall. “A personal relationship can go a long way, particularly when she’ll be writing for months.”

“That’s the rub, isn’t it?” WW looked with sympathy at CW. “Her soul will be fed while she writes my story. Why wouldn’t she start there?”

Well, which would you write if your agent asked you?

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