In some ways, I'm great at multitasking. I can actually watch TV and do complex needlepoint at the same time. Or read a book and have a conversation with my husband at the same time.
Some days I recline on the deck dreaming of new books or casually flip through some research material. I may even wonder what's happening with my writing career? Why the *!@$ isn't anything happening?
OK, now is not one of those times. Now EVERYTHING is happening, so I've learned to multitask. I'm trying to write a rough draft for a series my publisher is doing. It's due the end of October. While waiting for edits to come back on my currently contracted book, I started resurrecting an old manuscript, doing lots of polishing and researching. By the time I got really into it, guess what? The edits came back. And painful as it was, I had to put aside the project I was really into.
And the rough draft? I'll be lucky if I even remember my characters' names, much less their arcs. Oh, wait. That's right. I haven't even gotten around to naming them yet. (The heroine is not too happy about rolling in the hay with a guy who doesn't know her name.)
When writing was a hobby, I only worked on one book at a time and I polished to my heart's content until I was ready to let it loose. Now I have to keep all those plots and characters divided in my mind like sections of a grapefruit. I have file folders on the desk, on the floor, and in my tote bag. Thank goodness for file folders.
As long as I keep working, I may not finish anything but at least I'll get something done.
Afton Locke
www.aftonlocke.com
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6 comments:
Be sure to start a timeline on your series so you can keep the characters straight as to age, color of hair, etc. Have fun....Jean
Duh, girl, no sh&t! Suffering your syndrome right now. I feel for you!
Color me pea green that you can do more than one story at a time! I have ideas and I can write a synopsis or a pitch at the drop of a pin, but to write the ms., I go one at a time. Am I approaching senility? Should I try your way--and would I get more done?
Ouuuu. ADVICE, please!
I feel your pain, Afton. I'm experiencing the same thing right now. It's not easy, but it has to be done in some cases. Good Luck.
I'm glad I'm not alone. I don't have much advice, Cerise. It does help to work on only one project per day, though. And priorities come first (contracted stuff, deadlines, etc.)
Yeah, we tend to do more than one thing at a time. I'm working on a nonfiction book while writing a romance book...talk about different genres! I have to clear my head and remind myself that the nonfiction book is NOT about a hero and heroine!
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