Ok, I have this problem, I'll try to explain it :
I used to work on several novel(a)s at the same time, more a curse (not able to focus) than an aptitude.
Regulary I find that an idea, a subplot, a paragraph (or just a good sentence sometimes) could fit in two stories. It works well on each, offering good possibilities of developing the charachters, storylines... etc.
And from there comes the dilemma : I have to make a choice, so I spend several days or weeks, changing my mind, hesitating, making me feel like I'm Buridan's ass !
I don't expect a miraculous answer, but if you already had the same problem, It would be good to share experience.
Thanks.
Eden Elsworth : I was talking about a sentence that reveals something important and can completely define the charachter personnality, so the problem is not concerning the form of the sentence.
But anyway, I have this image : Imagine that two charachters (each one is the hero of a different story) are like two shrubs. They are closely beside one another, and at that moment there's no problem. But, as they grow (with the story) becoming trees, their branches spread out on the same space shared between them, until they become entangled. Now, you have to trim the branches of one of the two trees, so the other can continue to grow !
Is it clearer ? Or do you need secateurs ? ^ ^'
using the same sentence in more than one story would be boring to others to read, but, with a little rearranging and using a thesaurus, there's no reason why a variation can't be used in another story.
That should have read above.
Victoria is 'right' to use the term, Character-led.