: Re: Variations of the same story? I have a story I'm writing, and since when I started, it changed many times the route and focus, and in some of those changes, I found two possible paths for

@LarsenBagley300

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For once, I'll say if both sound good and interesting, write both.

Since you've already chosen one path, go with it. Then, when you finish it, if you're still excited about the other path, write it too.

There are some advantages about writing both:

you won't feel bad about dropping an idea that calls to you
you'll get the idea out of your head for good so you can concentrate on other ideas
if you happen to have a change of heart, you can easily swap an ending for the other or, (if you become indecise later on) you can have a few betas reading and voting for the ending they prefer

There are disadvantages, of course:

you may be wasting time on a piece that won't leave the drawer (though every written piece is practice and, therefore, not a waste)
you may end up getting indecise again and don't know which to kill
it may hurt even more to kill a long text rather than just its idea

There is also something else you can try, though it's all but traditional and has drawbacks of its own. Write and publish the novel with your favourite ending, then publish the other ending online. At the end of the novel, invite the writers to read the alternative ending and send you feedback.

Those who are satisfied with the ending may not bother to go and read the alternative, while those who are less satisfied are more likely to take a look. Of course, anyone who's curious will take a look.

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