by Jim
Hi Jim,
I’m having trouble with two separate stories I’m writing. I’ve got both of them complete, but neither one of them is particularly long and I don’t think they’re strong enough to stand by themselves. I wrote them as sort of a separate story in the same universe where the characters from both stories meet up at the end and basically finish off the bad guy. At this point, I’m thinking of scrapping the story, but I really do like it. So I thought I’d reach out and get your thoughts.
Thanks,
Dillan
Dillan
Hi Dillan,
I think part of the problem is that you may have gotten a little ahead of yourself. It sounds like you jumped the gun, writing the second story when the first one wasn’t even complete and ironed out. I’m all for getting all of your ideas down on paper, but focus on one story; one set of characters, and one set of events before moving onto the next one.
That being said… I think I may have a solution for you. Have you considered combining the stories? Think about it for a second… read any story out there with a large cast of 4 or more that have multiple plot threads. What happens? Well… the cast tends to split off into groups and go on their own adventures. They tend to alternate the chapters between each group. So maybe you should do the same thing?
Here’s what I want you to try; save a copy of each of your stories. Now open a third file and paste the first chapter from your first story in. Mark that as chapter one. Then paste in the first chapter from your second story and mark that as chapter 2. Now go back and forth doing that with the rest of your book, paste in chapters where you feel they’ll fit and work together. Once you’re done, read the new book you’ve created in its entirety. Does it work? Do the narrative flow and everything come together?
I think this really might be the best solution for you in terms of what you’ve got going on. Feel free to email me and let me know how it’s going.
Readers, what do you think Dillan should do? Let me know in the comments.
Readers,
Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel free to post a comment or email me.
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I’ll use those comments to select my next blog post.
I have been writing for several years, have 4 published works, experience with publishing and independent work, so I can hopefully be of assistance.
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Thanks friends!
Catch you on the flip side!
-Jim
James Harringtons Creative Work 
Alternate chapter by chapter might not be the best option. Look for the logical points to transition between one story and the next. The best place may be after two or three chapters which present an episode you don’t want to interrupt. It may come in the middle of a chapter
Also, don’t hesitate to rework as needed at the transition points; at the end of one story and the beginning of the other. Two stories need to be woven enough to make a fine picture.
Right now, you have two pictures of two lions. You want to weave them together sufficiently to where the lions look like they are about to come to blows, or, as the case may be, join forces to take down the rhino.
Also, consider the background. Might a few line insertion indicate where the two characters cross paths? Marvel is good at keeping the attention focused up front while something else is happening in the background.
good post and good luck Dillan
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