UPDATE: I've been away from the community for sometime as I've been studying a science course. I haven't been able to stop writing, though. I start a new course in the autumn, but I'm hoping to launch most of my series on kindle in the summer break.
My question relates to my new projects. I wrote a Nanowrimo years ago that was only meant to be a fun holiday read and I started a far more serious work which, until a few months ago, was just a collection of notes but has suddenly grown. So my problem is, the fun Nanowrimo has taken a serious turn. If I manage to bring the current idea to fruition, it will probably be my best work. On the other hand my 'serious' project just turned itself into another romantic fiction when it was supposed to be anything but. Should I stamp my foot and put one or both projects back on plan, or do I just allow them to be?
Having now read all comments, I add:
As much as I love Kate and Lorraine (possible jealous husbands: it is to be understood - ONLY cyberneticly through W&A), may I point out that one of the funniest books ever written, the best book of any genre ever to come out of Ireland (IMHO), and a book that caused James Joyce (or was it Dylan Thomas?) to say that he was jealous of its author's talent shifts between at least 3 totally different plots constantly.
I'm writing - of course - of Flann O'Brien's At Swim Two Birds.
But then, it's a comedy. Perhaps you'd be interested in throwing that into your mixing bowl?
And Kate, if you ever DO write the Twilight/Pooh mash, I want first refusal. Any ideas for an illustrator? Ralph Steadman, perhaps? Helen Oxbury on crack?
Although 2 of my favourite commenters have also replied, my eye caught on Barbara Thompson's one-liner: "Write the book you want to be remembered for." and I'm replying before reading anything more.
EXCELLENT advice! To gild the lily (a silly habit, but I'm a silly old man): Imagine writing just one of your 2 possibilities and then being hit by a bus. Which one would you rather leave behind as your legacy?
I've realised I'm always going to be on two different paths, Adrian. Still, Twister is fun!
Nanowrimo isn't judged. You win by producing 50,000 words in one month - a very useful experiment for any writer, even if nothing useful is produced.
I think I'm wandering back to what I know instead of sticking with the story I believe in, hence the need for advice. I never abandon anything. I love making them all work, but I was so sure this one was different to the others. This character was different and had potential to be a lot more than half of something. I'm going to put it aside for a while and then go strip it back to what it's supposed to be. I never stick to the plan with any of my stories and this one won't be any different, but I think I'm going to apply a few rules to maintain the purpose of the book. That way, as Barbara says, I might write the book I want to be remembered for.
Thanks all, Vxx