A Question for My Readers — What Should I Write Next?
Hello, everyone!
Today I would like to discuss something important with you and ask for your opinions about my future writing plans.
First, I want to explain the situation with my current novel. I have been working on Reborn as the Hetman: Skoropadskyi for quite a long time, and, to be honest, I have become very tired of writing this story. Recently, it has become increasingly difficult for me to return to the writing process. The last chapter I wrote was about three weeks ago, and I still have approximately nine more chapters to finish before reaching the proclamation of the Ukrainian Hetmanate.
I do not intend to abandon the novel. I plan to finish these chapters, and even after that, the already written chapters will continue to be published for another two or three months. This will give me some time to rest, recover my motivation, and decide how to approach the next part of the story.
However, I am considering two possible directions for my next project.
Option 1: A Naruto Fanfiction
The main advantage of this option is that it would allow me to take a break from historical writing and work with a completely different setting.
I am a much bigger fan of Naruto than I was of Jujutsu Kaisen, for which I previously wrote a short fanfiction. That experience also came during a period when I was struggling to continue my main historical novel. Writing something different helped me switch my attention, although I eventually decided not to continue that particular fanfiction because I simply did not have enough motivation for it.
This time, the situation is different. I already have a much more developed idea for a Naruto story. I have planned approximately 8–9 story arcs, worked out the abilities and the general direction of the plot, and currently have material for what could become a story of approximately 150–200 chapters.
I believe this project could be a good opportunity to recover my motivation and return to writing without constantly working with historical material. It could also potentially bring new readers to my profile, some of whom might eventually discover my historical novel.
Option 2: A New Historical Novel About Ivan Mazepa
The second option would be another alternative-history novel, this time about Ivan Mazepa, the Ukrainian Hetman who lived at the end of the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth centuries.
This project would follow a similar approach to my current novel: a realistic alternative history, without supernatural abilities or fantasy elements, with considerable attention to politics, economics, military organization, diplomacy, and the historical circumstances of the period.
I have already collected a substantial amount of historical material — approximately 45 pages of notes covering the administrative, political, economic, and military structure of the Hetmanate, as well as its foreign relations and historical events.
I have also thought about how the story should begin and how it could end. However, unlike the Naruto fanfiction, the intermediate plot has not yet been fully developed.
Another important point is that this would be a serious historical project, potentially comparable in length to my current novel, perhaps around 300 original chapters or even more.
My Personal Opinion
At the moment, I am personally leaning more towards the Naruto fanfiction.
The main reason is simple: I need a break from historical writing. I am concerned that if I immediately start another historical novel about Mazepa, I might encounter the same problem again. I could write 10–20 chapters, lose motivation, and find myself unable to continue.
I would rather choose a more moderate approach, work on something completely different, and give myself a better chance of returning to the Skoropadskyi novel with renewed motivation.
My current plan is to finish the remaining chapters of the current arc while the already written chapters continue to be published. During that time, I would also begin working on whichever project we choose.
Of course, I will take your opinions into account. Although I have my own preference, I would genuinely like to know what you think.
So, what would you prefer to read next: a Naruto fanfiction or a new historical novel about Ivan Mazepa?
Please leave your thoughts in the comments. I would especially appreciate it if you explained why you prefer one option over the other.
Thank you for reading my novel and supporting my work!