After finishing preparing my fantasy trilogy for query, which has been its own set of stresses and problems, I decided to take a much needed break from writing and focus on reading stuff not written by me. But now I am ready to start my next novel. While I would like to continue my fantasy series with a fourth installment, I decided it would be better to start a new IP that's meant to be a single entry. No planned sequels. No larger universe. Just a solid story that leaves the reader satisfied, though not necessarily happy, at the end.
I have had 2 different stories rattling around in my head for at least a year, but I was focused on my fantasy trilogy, so I never took the time to pursue them. In the last few weeks, I have finally taken the time to lay the ground work for both novels, including full chapter outlines. So now I need to decide which one I want to write first. Check out these short descriptions and let me know which one you'd be more interested in reading. Or which one you think is more likely to get published, if you're privy to such things.
1. An immortal magician is captured by the FBI and forced to work with them to stop an evil sorcerer from opening a portal to Hell.
YA/Adult Magical Realism. Planned 60K - 80K words. First person POV with 3 narrators.
2. After being transported to another world, a man is coerced into teaching a community of farmers how to fight and protect themselves from an invading force of imperialists.
YA Portal Fantasy. Planned 80K - 100K words. First person POV with 1 narrator. (Honestly, I think this would be better in third person, but I'm committed to giving writing a novel in first person a shot.)
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Hi and I write fantasy and while I like number 1, I found number 2 more interesting.
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Number 2, Terrence Sellers. I think it's gonna be fun for the audience to know the farmers' plan, but the main character doesn't.
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I've read some YA, and the first person approach is common. But remember when writing it, there's no way for the protagonist to know what someone else is doing. Once you go first person, you go all the way! First idea is solid, and the second idea is the Seven Samurai (minus six), you don't have to go off world for this one, you can keep it grounded (no pun intended).
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I found this post ISO going from Screenwriter to attempt Novel. First thing I noticed is Logline is called "short description'. Also the term Chapter(s) Outline. I have found after writing 3 Screenplays with One of them getting 7 rewrites and a few studios dangle a carrot with some flim flam Producer that Studios prefer a track record if One would like investment money. Hence me switching to writing a Novel, mostly to just get it out of my head! I'm headed down the rabbit hole to find help on Ch, Outline(s), nomenclature and other guidelines. It's going to be a change to use Shoe Leather (as termed in Screen) which I stumbled across A.I for that.
I digress. Your logline(s) could use super adjectives pitting the Antag against the Protag to get my attention to read.It seems the short description allowed on a book cover affords for a lengthier hook than a Movie. The Best story is the One you want to do. For marketing purposes. . . What are your sphere of influences? (rhetorical) Eg., I am into Politics and the Truth, my sphere is too. When Kash Patel wrote Government Gangsters we shared it with one another on our Social Media accounts, which drove interest to the movie now being made. So writing within that sphere (fiction for down time) ~ If I write a Jack Ryan type movie with my Clive Cussler influence and of course write a good hook I could see good traction for a self publish Amazon. <h1> IF </h1> <--- Supposed to be big IF I sell enough THEN and only THEN would I get any help, to be sure. Oh and writing an FBlie movie and hopping into a law enforcement group, will come off like a 3.00 bill.
Best,
Old man
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I am all about number 1. There is a lot of opportunity there to make it a really strong character piece. The concept of an immortal magician conjures up (pun intended) the idea of someone who has seen and done it all and needs to be inspired to care.
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Also, adapting a book into a screenplay is a different muscle, even if it is your own book. If you have any eye on possibly adapting it, you might want to watch a webinar like this one now. It might help current you to write it in such a way that saves future you a lot of headache. Just a thought.
https://www.stage32.com/education/search?term=novel&h=how-to-adapt-a-boo...
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It's very interesting that most people who commented here chose number 2 and most people on Twitter who voted chose number 1. Ultimately, I decided to start with number 1, because that idea has been kicking around in my head longer. But seeing this positive feedback for number 2 makes me more motivated to write it down the road.