I’ve been having trouble writing, and i keep switiching between books. I don’t know what genre i want to start with, and which is best. I also don’t know if i should start easy and slow, with a novel, or write the several book series i’ve dreamed of.
I’ve been thinking of a series about fantasy, inspired by dnd lore, following a Tiefling on a revenge mission, but i also have several other ideas.
A daughter of shadows and darkness, sent to live among a kingdom of sun worshipers.
A sci fi about a baking show involving murder
A mystery inside of a glass building.
How do i decide what to write? Popular opinion?
Hey Micah. Good questions.
What are your goals for your writing? Your answer might change some of my answer, but assuming your goal is to become a professional writer…
Definitely start with a standalone novel. Even if your intention is to eventually write a series, you should start with a single book that can stand on its own. Series are earned.
I always recommend that you write a series because the first book proved the demand for it.
It’s OK to have ideas for a future series and to leave the back door of the story open to continue the story in the next book. But your first published book needs to be dynamite, with a story that fully resolves.
It’s not to say that genre doesn’t matter, but I wouldn’t put too much weight on that with your thinking. What genre can you write the best book? Which of your story ideas is the best? Write the best story you can, and then the genre question will solve itself later.
It sounds like you have a lot on your mind. 🙂 It’s easy to overthink at this stage.
All-in-all, my advice is to just pick one story that you’re most passionate about, and focus on writing one great book. Once you’ve accomplished that, you’re going to have a lot more information and better perspective to keep asking good questions and take the next steps.
