I'll start with my great news first and then explain how if fits into the group angst. I've been searching for a small independent publisher for the first book in my second epic fantasy series. As of a few days ago, First Dragon, Book #1 of The Morbunda Saga, has a contract. Crescent Moon Press Inc., offered me a contract I'm comfortable with and I'm thrilled to work with them. More about the book in a later post.
Those of you who read my blog know I've been flying through my WIP, over 40K written, as of this morning. Whether it's part of my personality or my upbringing, I like to work on one thing at a time. When I'm deep into a new book, I don't want to stop and check my email, look at facebook or even write a post for my blog. I'm trying to do better and have with my blog, but I've let lots of other things go.
Now I have lots of irons in the fire. I feel like I must finish this WIP. I have the third book in my self-pubbed epic fantasy series, Beneath the Mountain, on hold while I wait for my cover art, and I expect to be working on edits for First Dragon soon as Crescent Moon works pretty fast. Too many things going on for my single-minded writing process. Yet I know other people can work on multiple books at one time. Other authors keep up with all their promotion stuff and still produce loads of new material. I like to work on one thing, get it done, then move on to the next.
So my big insecurity is moving out of my comfort zone. I need to learn to juggle and manage my time between many projects. Does anyone else have this problem? Have you ever worked on more than one book at a time?
33 comments:
Great post and Happy Writing :-)
PS: Did you get food yet?
Congrats on the contract! Very exciting.
I used to work on multiple projects at a time when I had more time, but now try to focus on finishing one before leaping to the other. Working outside your comfort zone can be uncomfortable, but it's also great to challenge yourself! Best of luck, and I can't wait to see your cover art, too.
First of all, congrats on snagging a publisher. That's a huge accomplishment.
As for the problem with multitasking, I can so relate. Over the years I've gotten better at it, but definitely have a one track mind. I consider myself a linear thinker for sure.
I have started scheduling in times to blog, write and exercise. Otherwise, I'd be suffering from a "huge" case of middle-age-spread, because all I'd do all day, everyday, is write. Mixing it up helps keep the creative juices flowing.
Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate. Come up with a plan and the rest will follow. Best of luck.
I'm horrible with juggling - especially when it comes to writing. Each of these steps is so exciting for you!! Let me know when you crack the secret to managing it all. Good luck and congrats on the contract!!
Congratulations on signing with a publisher!!
I like working on more than one thing at a time. I get burnt out on only focusing on one thing. When it gets difficult to focus, I block out time or set a milestone for each project. When I get to the milestone or time limit, I switch to the other project.
Wow, I think you are doing amazing! Good job all around.
Bless you!
I always work on more than one thing at a time. I'm trying to tone down that tendency, so I guess I go in the opposite direction. Right now I'm actively working on three, which is better than the seven I had at the beginning of the year...
I had to learn to focus. Still working on that.
Lauren
Lauren-ritz.blogspot.com
I'm with you! I don't mind hopping around while I'm starting a project, but once I'm into the meat of it, I prefer just to focus on that one story. I bet you can get it all figured out!
Congratulations! I'm sure you'll figure out the rest. It's just a matter of getting used to it. :)
i do tend to work on several projects at a time--may be not a great idea :)
Congratulations on your contract. That's terrific news!!
I have not had to be in a position to juggle multiple projects which is probably a good thing because I'm a terribly juggler.
Best of luck with everything.
Wow! I'm not that deep into it yet, but I actually have one book I'm working on now, with one book waiting in rough draft form, and another idea book. Then there's this other project of short stuff that I'm compiling . . .so I feel your need to juggle.
Plus, you know there's this thing called life with a family and stuff. Lots to do.
Hope all goes well with your writing projects!
Ivy, I did get food and my daughter cooked brunch today for everyone.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes to concentrate on one thing at a time. Maybe our brains are built that way.
Asking the wrong person! I can't work on more than one thing at a time. Why I'll never be able to produce more than one book every year or two.
I am so there with you. I'm a list checker-offer...and it's hard to bounce from one task to the next, while leaving something undone. Perhaps though, if you give yourself a schedule with time blocked out to do each task, it will feel a little better?
I think the fact that you do work on one project at a time is a good thing, actually. I try so very hard to do just that because it's so hard to juggle too many things all at once. I get overwhelmed really easily, yet try to multitask nevertheless.
But, if you have to learn to do so, then you just do a little of each every day. Take the time spent on one project and half it to spend the remaining time on the other project. That's about how it works. Don't get too carried away like me, though!
Thanks for visiting my blog and good luck with everything. :D
It's been a while, but I did write my non-fiction book while writing on of my YA fiction books. Not sure I could write in similar genres at the same time though.
Congratulations on your contract!
I also prefer to work on something and finish it before I move on, but I've discovered that's impossible for me now that I'm writing a novel. I've been working on it for over a year, and in that time other ideas have come knocking. So, I've begun to adjust. Hopefully, you can discover a happy medium where you have uninterrupted time for your primary WIP and still manage to make time for the other projects calling out for a little of your time. Great IWSG post :)
Kim Lajevardi
I mainly work on one book, but will keep adding notes to the WIPs. I think whatever works best for you is the way you should go. If it's working, just tweak it to improve.
Congrats on the good news!
I am actually trying really hard just lately to write outside of my comfort zone... and quite enjoying it..xx
Gah! I'm so focused on just the one book in the trilogy that I ignore all else. I don't want to be like this though. I'm still in a limbo sort of phase as I am waiting for edits and have been for some time. I finally just threw in the towel and began revising my second book. I want to be working on something else, though. A short story, perhaps, that I can self publish and not worry about. But I can't even focus on that. Very good post and congrats on the contract!
Congratulations! That's fantastic news. :) I have a problem finding balance between my projects and adding networking in there too. Something gets ignored and I feel guilty about whatever it is. The trick is finding the balance and sticking with it.
Yay! I'm the opposite. I CAN'T focus on one thing at at time because I get bored too easily. You'll find a balance... just focus single mind-idly on finding a balance, and you're away!
I worked on all three of my trilogy books before finishing Breakthrough, I find it easy to do. And it helps break things up and keep the mind fresh.
Congratulations! Your hard work is paying off.
Yes, I work on more than one story at a time. I have my main WIP, but when I am stumped or need to back away, I have a secondary piece that I'm picking away at. Plus, I usually have one that is finished and needing my attention for something.
Stepping out of my comfort zone has sharpened my senses and caused me to focus in on what I'm doing. To me, it's a good thing.
i look forward to the crazy days of publishing & writing more! congrats!
as for how to deal, you can still focus on one thing at a time, but in smaller doses. it may be difficult to jump from project to project, but if you set a task schedule for each thing that needs doing, it will all get done. go at your pace!
I think if I had my way, Susan, I would just write and write. It seems like nowadays, I have too many other things that have to be done like cleaning and cooking, and marketing, and other jobs. There was a time, long ago, that I did just write all day and well into the night.
Congratulations on the book contract! :)
I try to avoid working on more than one book. I've tried it and it hasn't worked out so well; I tend to lose vision for all of them if I do too much switching.
Congrats on getting the book contract, Susan! That is a huge accomplishment, and it sounds like that should be the top priority right now.
If you are at a point when you can justify working on multiple WIPs, then that is a very good sign!
-A.M.
Whoop whoop on the contract!
I have tried working on more than one project a time. My mind just can't seem to function like that! I *can* do writing and promo stuff, but that's about as far as I stretch it!
Happy congratulations to your contract. That's really fantastic. And moving out of your comfort zone sometimes is a great move for inspiration. Best wishes!
Great news on your contract.
Balance isn't my speciality, I flux between procrastinating and overachieving.
Wonderful news on the contract. Congrats. I look forward to reading it.
Post a Comment