Have you written a book that wasn't wanted?

[KimMH]

. . . maybe we should all genuflect before entering this thread . . .

 

[James Swallow]

But have you ever had a pitch shot down, an idea that you were so enamoured with, that you went and wrote the novel anyway, just for yourself (or are in the process of writing whenever you can find the spare time)? Are there masterpieces lying in boxes or loose leaf binders that will never see the light of day?

I have loads of story ideas from back when I was pitching episodes to Voyager, and then again to Enterprise, but nothing that I just had to write; and I don't think I'd ever write a tie-in on spec, no matter how much I liked the idea, just because if it doesn't sell, it would be a wasted effort. I earn my living from my writing, so I couldn't justify penning something that wasn't going to pay for itself.

As for re-using ideas, a writer should never throw anything away - you never can tell when something might be a good fit in a different milieu.

 

[RoJoHen]

I believe this concept is referred to as "fanfic."

 

[Arya]

I always think about writing something.................. but i never seems to happen, it is really good in my head!