That writing prompt about the multiverse took me 6 hours to figure out

I saw this prompt about parallel universes where every choice spawns a new timeline. Thought I'd write a short story about a guy who can see all his other selves. Simple right? Then I spent like 4 hours just trying to decide if the main character remembers the other timelines or not. Then another 2 hours on whether the other selves can interact with each other. Ended up with 3 pages of notes and zero actual story. Has anyone else gotten stuck on a seemingly simple prompt for way too long?

3 comments

3 Comments

quinnm772h ago

So are you trying to write a story where the main character only sees his other selves or actually interacts with them? Because that changes pretty much everything about how you'd even start the first scene.

quinnm775h ago

The prompt said multiverse, not parallel universes, those are different things.

emma963h ago

Wait, isn't that like saying my laundry pile is a "tidy collection of worn garments" instead of a "mountain of regret" - technically correct but missing the point entirely? I mean, I barely understand regular physics so the whole multiverse/parallel universe thing just makes me feel like I'm back in high school staring confused at a whiteboard. Truth is, half the time I can't even keep track of which universe I'm in when I walk through my front door, let alone debate definitions with people who actually paid attention in science class. So yeah, I'll just nod along and pretend I know the difference while secretly hoping someone brings up the version of me that remembers to take the chicken out of the freezer.