I Have a Dilemma
I have a dilemma. Not the “what should I wear today” kind of dilemma or the “do I want pizza or Chinese food for dinner” type (although let’s be real,
those can be tough too). No, this is a writer’s dilemma. I have two stories in my head fighting for dominance. It’s not necessarily a bad dilemma to have—in fact, it’s kind of exciting—but it is a dilemma nonetheless.
I’ve been plotting and planning out a certain story for quite some time. It’s a great story and I’m super excited about it. I have outlines, notes, random scribbles in notebooks, and even voice memos on my phone because sometimes ideas hit me at the weirdest times. I’ve been living with these characters for a while, and they feel like old friends. But somewhere along the way, another story crept into my head and it just won’t go away.
When I used to write fan fiction, we called this a “plot bunny.” Unfortunately, this plot bunny has taken up permanent residence in my head and refuses to let go. It’s chewing on wires, hopping across my imagination, and basically demanding attention.
Story 1 Consanguinity
Here’s the first story—the one I’ve been nurturing for months. It’s about four teens who discover they’re descended from an ancient civilization. Not only 
that, but they’re on a quest to find the center of their society’s knowledge, which has been lost for centuries. Along the way, they’re trying to piece together who they are, where they came from, and how this discovery will shape their lives. Of course, nothing is ever simple. There are “others” descended from the same civilization who want to seize this knowledge for nefarious use. Think secret histories, hidden legacies, and high-stakes chases mixed with friendship and identity. It’s got drama, mystery, danger, and plenty of heart. Honestly, it feels like the kind of YA adventure I would have loved as a teenager—and let’s be real, the kind of story I still love today.
Story 2
And then there’s the second story—the newcomer, the loud roommate who barged into my brain and won’t stop talking. This one’s about a woman “of a certain age” who is facing a dilemma of her own. She loses everything in her divorce. Just when she thinks she’s hit rock bottom, she gets a letter from two great-aunts she never knew existed. They invite her and her kids to move in with them and start a new life. It sounds like a dream come true—family, stability, and a fresh start. She packs up her children, heads out to this new town, and discovers (surprise!) that she comes from a long line of witches. It’s part second-chance women’s fiction, part magical realism, part cozy fantasy. It has intergenerational bonds, mother-daughter drama, sibling dynamics, and of course—magic. It’s warm and whimsical, but also grounded in real emotions about loss, identity, and starting over.
A Dilemma
So here I am, stuck between two stories. I just don’t know which one to write. I know enough about myself to know I am not the queen of time management. I’m more like the jester of procrastination. I can barely focus on one story at a time, never mind two. I’ve read about other authors who juggle multiple projects—switching back and forth like literary gymnasts. That is not me. I can just about plod along with one story, maybe two blog posts, and still keep my coffee cup from going cold. Trying to write both novels at the same time? That feels impossible.
But here’s the kicker: whichever story I’m not working on, that’s the one that screams louder. If I sit down to work on my ancient civilization teens, suddenly I’m flooded with ideas for the divorced mom and her witchy family. If I focus on the cozy fantasy, the teens start shouting, “Hey, what about us? We’re supposed to be saving the world here!” It’s like having two kids calling “Mom!” at the same time. Which one do you answer first?
Writer’s Dilemma 101
Part of me wonders if this is just a classic writer’s dilemma. Writers everywhere face it—too many ideas, not enough time. I read an article in Writer’s Digest on how to decide what to write next, and it made me feel a little less alone. Apparently, it’s not unusual to have a parade of characters fighting for attention in your brain. The trick is figuring out which story has the stronger pull right now. Which one makes your fingers itch to type? Which one keeps you up at night?
And maybe, just maybe, “a dilemma” is actually a good sign. It means the creative well isn’t dry. It means my imagination is still sparking, even if it feels a little overwhelming. After a long stretch where writing felt impossible (hello, pandemic and breast cancer), maybe this is my brain’s way of saying: you’re back.
So What Do I Do?
Honestly? I don’t know yet. Maybe I’ll flip a coin. Maybe I’ll write a few exploratory chapters of each and see which one sticks. Maybe I’ll even create a poll and let you all vote on which story you’d like to read first. Stranger things have happened. What I do know is this: I’m not giving up on either of 
them. Both stories are staying with me. They’ll get written, one way or another. Honestly, I don’t know if I can handle having a dilemma like this. I mean, I’ve been dealing with a lot of stress in the past year or so. This is just one more piece of stress on the stress pile of life. Granted, it’s just a small dilemma, but right now, I just can’t deal with it.
For now, I’m calling this a good problem to have. Having too many stories is infinitely better than having none. And while it may feel chaotic and confusing, it’s also a reminder that I’m a writer with more than one world to share. That feels pretty darn good. And while it may feel good, it’s still a dilemma, darn it!
So stay tuned, because whichever story wins the battle for my attention, you’ll be the first to know. And in the meantime, if you’ve ever faced your own writer’s dilemma, drop me a comment. I’d love to hear how you decided which story to write first. Maybe your trick will help me, too.
