So. I have a story.
And given the amount of stories I have waiting to even get
put on the backburner, this would seem a bit ridiculous. But I've learned that when a story taps me on the shoulder and says, "I have a few things I'd like you to look over," you grab it and run as far as you can. Eventually, that first spark is going to die, and if you have nothing but broken bits, you have nothing better than ashes.
What I'm dealing with now is a story that is part POTC, part Princess Bride, and part The Terminal. It's a pirate story, and the key image that comes to mind is along the lines of a pirate captain, proud and scarred and beautiful, and the wide, wide blue sky stretching out behind her.
The issue is, it can go two ways at this stage. What I've gotten from the story is light-hearted with a darker, somewhat serious undertone, but shallow enough to have only a sprinkling of morals mixed in with the fun. Where I can see it going, however, is a place that's much deeper, reaching out to touch on bigger themes (hopefully, of course, because what works in my mind rarely transfers well to paper), with far more serious backstories. Similar events would take place, but the scope and depth of their consequences, and the players in the events, would be dramatically different.
Think "Why is all the rum gone?" versus "Why is everything I've struggled to hold onto gone?"
Of course, the second story wouldn't be without it's more fanciful moments (
Pirates! Do you know how long I've wanted to write
pirates?), nor the first without it's meaningful ones, but they're completely different barrels of fish.
So, opinion time! (And also another mile-marker: first poll.)
Poll #1396579 Plundering Plot Polls
Open to:
All, detailed results viewable to:
AllShould I opt for a lighter or more mature story?
Would more details be helpful?
Does anyone actually read these posts (out of curiosity)?