Sunday 14 April 2019

Multi-tasking...

Are you a multi-tasking writer?

Although I'm concentrating on my novel at the moment I'm thinking about two other projects in-between all the home-life.

More than one
direction...
I've started thinking about a research trip sometime in 2020 for the next novel in the queue, whilst a scene idea for another novel (further down the queue) popped into my mind while I was out in the sunshine.

Maybe it's Spring that has been the inspiration...

Having got over the recent bug that stuffed up my sinuses and then moved to a bad cough, I've also been running errands for a close relative who's recovering from major surgery so I've not been at the work in progress as much as usual, so that's probably why my brain has allowed me to think about two of my other future projects.

I found this article, How Many Books Should You Write at Once? by author Debbie Young, interesting. There was such variation in the answers each writer gave her.

A couple of years ago I did try doing two novel drafts but it didn't work for me; I needed to concentrate on one at a time. But I did then complete two first drafts one after the other...

I am a slow writer, but Scrivener has definitely helped me make better progress now I'm used to it. I know where I'm going with the current rewriting and new scenes so I'm not stopping and starting when I'm writing, like I used to.

Thinking time.
I've discovered I need to do this at the end of the writing day before the next new scene is written- which surprised me as I thought I had it worked out in my head already, but it does help.

(It may just be this particular story, but I'll be prepared and allow extra time for it with the next book.)

So do you write more than one book at a time? Or a mix of books, short stories, articles or other writing?




image from Pixabay.com


























12 comments:

Bea Charles said...

If inspiration is coming your way, even if it’s completely off target to the current project, then I would say run with it. Good luck with all that you are working on.

Carolb said...

Thanks Bea. I'm aiming to have my current wip ready for the RNA's NWS critique by early August, mid August at the latest.

My current novel was one of those 'I need you to write this now' moments, taking over from my Dorset novel, now it's that one intruding at odd moments.

Julia Thorley said...

I'm currently writing two books and researching two more; I'm also working on various competition entries and have just signed up to a poetry project. I suspect I might be spreading myself too thinly.

Carolb said...

Julia- wow, I'm impressed; my head would explode if I tried that at the moment!

Though I do do some research for other projects in-between working on the current novel and smaller items for the writers' club when needed.

Patsy said...

I like to have several projects under way at once. It means I can take a break from one, yet still keep working (although admittedly I sometimes take a break from them all!)

Carolb said...

Patsy- We all need a break sometime and it can lead to inspiration. :D

I must admit it's easier to do lots of different things if I'm not concentrating on the novel.

Alex G said...

I think I caught your bug! Just shrugging it off now.
I have several books on the go to some degree - several writing ones, several health ones - and I'm not sure from one day to the next which I'm going to open up and work on, assuming I have the time free from other commitments.
I like it that way for now, but not sure this is really sustainable .... !

Carolb said...

Alex G- just when we think the better weather is here the bugs strike back! Glad you're recovering.:-)

If the way you're working still gets the writing done then it's okay. It's when you don't achieve a finished product at the end that change is needed.

Keith Havers said...

I have several short stories plus longer stuff on the go It helps if I get stuck with one I can switch to another until inspration strikes.

Carolb said...

Keith- that is the very useful aspect of writing short stories. Congratulations on your latest People's Friend successes.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Just got back to my own blog and others at last! As I'm sure you'll know, I have lots of projects on the go at once - I enjoy flitting between types of writing to stop me getting bored.

Carolb said...

Rosemary- I'm always impressed how many projects you can work on without difficulty. But with all the wonderful inspirations you have available to visit, it's understandable.x