I is for Indecision

Apr 11, 2011

Before I dig into my post, how sad is it that I actually have to *think* about which letter of the alphabet comes next? Now that we’ve gotten past A, B, C on the A-Z challenge, I find myself saying F, G, H, … I! to figure out what to post the next day. Jeez. I should have paid more attention in Kindergarten!

Right, so indecision. I could actually use some help on this one, my dear bloggy friends!

See, as you probably know, when I was trying to decide what to do with my writing career, I made a checklist. On it, I mapped out two possible paths to meet certain goals. This is what led me to go indie with future books. I realised very quickly that to reach my goals, I’d have to have more control (over price, release dates, formatting, and cover art, etc) and I’d need to be on my own schedule (not to mention getting a much higher royalty.) This turned into a detailed business plan, which launched me into the busiest frenzy of work I’ve ever experienced in my adult life. Who knew that such a simple decision could propel me forward so much!

In my plan, I decided to publish Ordinary Angels (out now… woohoo), Blood Faerie, and Haywire Witch this year. Part of the reason for this timing was that an awkwardly phrased clause in my Ordinary Angels contract made it unclear whether I could publish futher books in this series without my publisher. So, I had steeled myself for the idea that perhaps I’d have to wait a looong five years to put out Familiar Demons.

But! I got good news. I finally got to the point where I could ask my publisher to clarify that bit of the contract. Although we’re on good terms, there’s no easy way to say “Umm, I don’t want you to publish my book.” The answer I got was that I’m free to publish Familiar Demons on my own. So… that’s great news (for me and for the folks who’ve written to say they love the first one in the series) but now I’m feeling indecisive!

I had planned to publish Haywire Witch this fall. I have an outline and about 10,000 words written. So, it’s in the early stages, and I definitely still plan to publish it eventually, but now I have another choice! Arrgh! Sometimes it’s easier when there’s only one option on the table.

The other option is to push Haywire Witch back to 2012 for release, and finish Familiar Demons. I’d have a little bit of catching up to do. I do have a full outline, but I would have to rewrite the beginning, since a few changes to the ending of Ordinary Angels make what I’ve already gotten done need tweaking.

It’s probably only a difference of 3-4 months. I either do one or the other for my autumn release… but which one? There’s points in favour of both. I’m starting to build up a few people who like Ordinary Angels, so making them wait a little less time for the sequel might make some of them very happy. On the other hand, Haywire Witch is a slightly different kind of book, so it might appeal to a different type of reader. It’s more paranormal chick lit (or Witch Lit, as I call it), where Ordinary Angels is more paranormal romance.

Maybe it doesn’t really make any difference and I should just work on the one that seems the most fun at the time?

See? Indecision doesn’t suit me! I like to have a clear path and forge ahead, guns blazing. (how’s that for mixed metaphors!)