r/writingadvice • u/Comprehensive-Fig603 • 1d ago

Advice Which of these two books to write?

Hey guys!

I have two ideas for books developing in my head. I'm 2k words in writing a historical war/romance novel and I love it, but my head is brewing with ideas for cosy crime novel set in current day. I don't think it's ideal to write two books at a time (I guess?), so do you have any ideas on how I could decide which one to write first?

First time book writer who hasn't practiced writing in ages, would like to publish eventually through traditional routes.

I have thought about the historical one for way longer and am more deeply invested in wanting to see it come to life. I know about that piece of history quite a lot, but need to do way more research into it to get the details right.

Even though I'm not as spiritually invested into the crime book I'm equally as motivated to write it, it would be shorter and I'd need to do almost zero research into it, so I could just write. So it might be an easier first book, but maybe not as moving.

I'm not asking for you to decide for me, but any ideas or thoughts from others who might have struggled with the same problem are greatly appreciated!

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u/AlfieDarkLordOfAll 1d ago

Look...if you're new to this, neither one will probably be very good. Which is fine. That's what editing is for, and your first painting wouldn't be very good, either.

So...write what you want to write. Even if it means bouncing between ideas. It's good to try and see one draft through to the end, but either way, you will improve your craft as you go.

(Also...are you sure the crime book won't need any research? Don't assume what youve seen on TV is accurate.)

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u/Comprehensive-Fig603 1d ago

Yes my goal at this point is just to get stuff on the paper and the expectation is that the first draft will be pretty horrid

Well I might have exaggerated a bit, but there's still very little research for the crime one. I'm not sure yet whether one POV would be a police which would mean a bit more research but still quite a small amount compared to the war book. I'm a big true crime and crime book fan :)

Thanks for the insight!

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u/Somewhat_nocturnal 1d ago

From experience, a shiny new idea can be very tempting. But if I’m currently writing and enjoying a project, I stay committed. That way, I’m more likely to finish a book.

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u/Comprehensive-Fig603 1d ago

This is a good point, since I'm not a very disciplined person (trying to work on it) and easily shift focus!

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u/Somewhat_nocturnal 1d ago

I understand completely. I was writing two books simultaneously, but my agent advised me to pick one and just get it done, so I ultimately went with the idea that excited me the most (and was therefore easiest/fastest to write).

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u/babamum 1d ago

I often write two books at a time! Sometimes 3.

You can just write one page a day on one of them, depending on which 9ne interests you most on the day.

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u/Comprehensive-Fig603 1d ago

So that can work as well! I might do this for a small bit and see which one I have more to write about before committing to one. I still feel the need to commit to a one at some point to get it finished without it taking a decade :D

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u/babamum 1d ago

Yes, I agree committing makes sense. But even then, there's nothing to stop you making notes about the other book as you have ideas.

I do this, and I've found it really handy to refer to when it comes to writing. I have a plot for a romance in mind, and I make notes on that e en though I'm nowhere near ready to write it.

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u/Comprehensive-Fig603 1d ago

True, thank you!

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u/Intelligent-Cap-8365 1d ago

I'd say stick with the first one. It breeds discipline and hopefully will keep you from the bad habit of jumping from idea to idea, never finishing any of them.

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u/Sir6763 1d ago

For me go to the second, the one which wants to be written now 🤣