Within the past few months, I've had all of these awesome story ideas floating around in my head. Should I work on novel X or novel Y? Should I revise novel X or re-revise novel Z? But wait! Look at the shiny new idea C! That would be great to break into. And, of course, there's some old faithfuls A, B, and D waiting on the back burner for their chance at revision too. But the worst is actually writing my current WIP and feeling the pull so fiercely for another novel that it tugs me out of the one I'm working on.
What to get submission ready has been ricocheting around in my head, instead of leaving me alone to be steadfast and focused. Argh!
I previously read an e-book called 70 Solutions to Common Writing Mistakes by Bob Mayer. I got it some months ago for free after signing up for Writer's Digest's e-newsletter, and the second mistake he mentions is Not Finishing (the first being, Not Starting, if you were wondering). Now, I've totally been waddling through this WIP since about half-way through November (when the other story idea kicked my feet out from under me), and I feel like I'm so close to nearing the story's end (although, not necessarily the word count I want). Yet even saying that, in some ways, it still feels so far away. Especially considering all of the thorough revising and patching of plot holes to be done.
But as I mentioned before, I've been bouncing around like a chicken with my head cut off having all of the new ideas and thoughts of what to revise next. It's interesting since I've gotten in my way more than having an external distraction like TV.
A couple key pieces of advice he said: 1.) If you don't finish the project, you're not going to get a contract for the work. 2.) Don't move onto another project unless you finish your current work-in-progress. That sounds simple, but those words are timely for me. It gives me a shot in the arm to help me regain focus.
How about everyone else? Have you had trouble focusing on one project (or however many you're juggling)? If not, what tips do you have to staying with it to The End?
Hunky WOLF SEALs by Terry Spear
23 minutes ago
My tactic is to use those new projects as motivation to finish my current WIP. Surprisingly, it works! I make firm plans: "When I'm done with this manuscript in January, I'll start on such and such." It makes finishing seem like a reality *and* it focuses me.
ReplyDeleteI've been struggling with the same thing. The shiny new manuscripts are singing to me while all the WIP I've been working on a YEAR just grumbles and drags its feet. It will be finished by January 1...or else.
ReplyDeleteI've got two projects I'm juggling at the moment and a third that just whispered in my ear. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI prioritize. Although project number one was started first, I have interest being shown by my publisher for project number two wanted sooner. Project number three? I'm gonna take notes but not even going to start it until project nunber two is done!
And who knows when something could throw a monkey wrench into it all? Like the final edit on the soon to be published work!
Deep breath. I will be flexible!
I'm going through that now. I'm finishing book 1 in a series, but books 2-6 keep being obnoxious. I'm trying to write... then the way the hero and heroine meet in book 5 pops into my head. So I have to make notes. I just figure it's all good if I have the whole series planned out before I finish plotting the first. :-) I'm pretty excited about this one.
ReplyDeleteDarcy, Thanks for your comment! Yeah, I have a goal of getting my WIP's first draft written by the 18th. Then I'm taking a vacation until the end of January! lol But then I'm basically going to get editing on the WIP in January and February. So the delight of working on shiny new after this isn't there. lol =( Although, I'll also be working on a cyberpunk romance novella in January, so who knows? lol That'll give me a taste of something different.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, Yes! Exactly! I'm glad I'm not alone. It's crazy because part of me has wanted to just throw this one down and work on the other manuscripts, but that totally wouldn't do me any good. lol Just gotta muscle on. Thanks for the comment!
Maureen, wow! I'm totally not sure how you juggle projects so well. I'm not sure I'd be able to focus on more than one thing. Although, I'll have to in January. lol Just today I had another idea for a story while I was taking a nap. Gah! lol But at least it was just a cool idea instead of flogging me to work on it. Thanks for your comment!
Hi Kinley! Thanks for your comment! That's awesome! I wish my head was at least productive enough to focus on one series. But nooo! It wants to flit around to several projects and cool ideas. I think I'll definitely start making notes. Maybe that'll help calm the thoughts. =) Oh, and I'm excited about it too! I can't wait to read it!