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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

*sigh* I'm waffling

Badly, at that. normalwashingmachine

See, I have a dilemma. I have two books that I want to finish out of a pile of about six that I could finish. One is a fantasy, a full length, lush fantasy romance. Dragon guadians, planes (worlds, not the flying kind), sarcastic unicorns. The list could go on.

Then I have my *In a deep male voice-over affect* AGENT BOOK. Yeah, the one I've only been working on for the last two years. A shifter story that is intricate, and likely only the first to a strong series if I can ever get it done, and done well. It could be my ticket to an agent, and a NY publisher. Could be because even though I feel good about the book and the premise, I'm still realistic.

The thing is, there's a cover I wantwantwant for the fantasy. It's gorgeous. I want it. I mean I WANT IT! And he has to be done by October if I plan to get it. It is a work of art, simply stunning.

But then there's the agent book.

But then there's the fantasy.

They both have qualities to say which one should be first. Let's not even toss the edits I have into the barrel, but I guess in all fairness, we must. I have three books in different stages of edits right now. So they're distracting me. And the books I want to write are distracting me from the editing I need to do.

So I'm waffling. And I don't even get to play in the syrup. :(

What would you guys like to see? A fantasy romance with a sexy dragon guardian, or a shifter paranormal with certain twists that are NOT the norm?

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Sexy dragon :) - good luck. I think you need to work on the one that calls to the most, but that's just me, waffling in my own hell at the moment.

Diana Castilleja said...

Thanks Debora. I like my dragon guy. I've seen the cover I want for him and I'm trying to make it my inpsiration to see him done. But then... LOL

Doesn't waffling just suck?

Linda Mooney said...

Go with the one that has a cover waiting. Because if you wait too long, it might end up belonging to someone else.

Just my 2 cents, and you can give me change. ;)

Kiki Howell - Author said...

Going to not help by going against the norm here and go with the agent/shifter thing. I say "DREAM BIG!" I have been going through the same type of dilemna, and that was the advice I finally gave to myself. So, I plan on dreaming big once my kids go back to school!

Ciara Gold said...

I feel your pain. I'm working on two at the same time. I finally settled on the one closer to completion to query and am now waiting to hear while I continue to work on both. As soon as I know, I'll devote the rest of my time to it. In the meantime, I say work on the one closer to completion so you don't have a break in contracted work. I made that mistake and I don't have one thing contracted for 2009. Grrrr. The AGENT book sounds like it will take more time and concentration. IT's already been two years in the making, a few more months won't make a lot of difference. JMO, I'd go with the "cover" one first so you don't ever regret losing the cover, then continue to work on the Agent one when it's done.

Cindy K. Green said...

Oh this is a problem I am always in and I usually follow my greatest inspiration. As to your two choices--I'd pick the fantasy because I'd really love to read it. :D

Good luck with your decision, Diana!

Diana Castilleja said...

I've been in the "which one" discussion/battle before. And it's a hard one!!!

I keep thinking, what's two months (which is when I need the fantasy done by to get the cover) in the grand scheme of things???

I had a plan on when I'd work on the Agent book again, and I'm already behind. LOL I want to finish it. It's two-thirds done. So cloooooooose.

But then I see the cover.... And...

But....

And....

*sigh*

Emma Sanders said...

If you can write on both, have at it. Otherwise, I have to agree that the fantasy one with the cover waiting is probably the one you should do. Still, you should definitely work on the NY one when you know it's the right time. But I don't think you'd even be asking this question if it was the right time. So get the other one off your mind and then focus on your NY ticket! And good luck!

Carol Ann said...

I'm going to chime in with the AGENT choice. I mean, isn't that what you are dreaming, hoping, longing to get published? The book cover is cool, and covers are important...but the chance to pitch a DIFFERENT kind of novel...well, that's exactly the place most of us wish we were in! Go for it, Diana!!

Grace Tyler said...

I say do the one that is going to send you the farthest and fastest in your career. Or the one you feel more passionate about. Or the one that's closer to done.

Aw heck. If it were me, I would do the dragon book first.

Diane Craver said...

I would like to see you finish the fantasy romance with the dragon cover. But whatever you decide, will be right for you. good luck, Diana!

Unknown said...

I'll add to the 11 witty replies. Are all writers ADHD? I thought I was the only one. I'm with Ciara--go with the one near completetion. That way, you can tick one thing off your list--simplify, sweetie. Celia Yeary

Elaine Cantrell said...

Dragons and sarcastic unicorns.

Elaine Cantrell
www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com

Emma Sanders said...

Here's another suggestion (since you haven't posted again and told us if you decided)...print out the cover you want, post it on your computer, and use that as your incentive. Two months isn't that big in the grand scheme of things, and it may be what's stopping you from working on your other novel. (Not to mention, any writing is good for you and makes you better. Practice makes perfect, yadda yadda yadda).

Diana Castilleja said...

Wow! A lot of people have come to help me on this... I just got the latest buzz.

Today was shopping day, so I hadn't been able to come by until now to see what's been said.

I know Emma just posted it about the cover, and I've actually done something similar to that. I made the cover that I want my wallpaper on my computer.

Even my mom got in on the debate! She spoke up on the loop, but it cracked me up.

I've also come up with an "almost" plan. If it works, then it was my plan all along. *wink*

I'm going to finish the fantasy, even though it has a little more to go on it then the paranormal, I think it will wrap up once I get my head into the game on it. Then I can focus on my paranormal.

I also have more edits that came in last night to work on. Um.. Yay me. :|

I really think the paranormal has a chance to do something with an agent. I even hit a high-concept idea on it today. So.... Fingers crossed... One book at a time, one bite at a time.

Thank you to everyone! It was a huge help.

Ava Rose Johnson said...

Well done on making the decision Diana! It was a tough one. I always have a number of WIPs battling for my attention and it's always a nightmare trying to decide which one to focus on.