What to do when you're muse is out of control. I'm suffering from the opposite of writer's block these days. I just started my detox today and apparently the detoxing hasn't slowed down my muse as I thought it would. So what to do? This isn't as much of a good thing as some people might think. I fleshed out notes on a 16 book superhero style series. I don't even have time to work on that, but it's shooting to the front of all my thoughts. This is probably because of all the superhero movies coming out lately.
I'm going to be focusing on two other series already. The shorter one I've already started with the Unforgiven series, book 1 called Devil Dog (Modern Day Action Thriller). It's written and is now going through edits and reader testing before its publication. Book 2's outline is complete and the temporary working title is going to be Rampage and Revenge. I'm pretty sure that title will change later.
The second series is a fantasy series that I've also conjured up enough material over the last 15 years for 16 thick novels. My brain feels like it's going to explode. No wonder I had a migraine a week ago. Tonight, I'm putting the finishing touches on the outline for the fantasy book that I'm calling The Warlord and then I will begin writing it tomorrow when I'm unable to edit Devil Dog.
I've heard some mention that you shouldn't work on more than one book at a time, but the question is, why not? I guess I'll find out the hard way. As long as I stick to my outlines, I have a feeling I'll be writing 3 or 4 books a year. I won't just rush them out, I would hate to sacrifice quality, so if editing a book takes another 6 months then, so be it, but if I can crank out the manuscripts and not require them to be rewritten, well, I ask again, why not? With the amount of detail that goes into my multiple page outlines that defines everything from constant themes, subplots, character descriptions and arcs and every single scene mapped out, it would be a task to actually get lost and mixed up. I guess we'll see.
I'm going to be focusing on two other series already. The shorter one I've already started with the Unforgiven series, book 1 called Devil Dog (Modern Day Action Thriller). It's written and is now going through edits and reader testing before its publication. Book 2's outline is complete and the temporary working title is going to be Rampage and Revenge. I'm pretty sure that title will change later.
The second series is a fantasy series that I've also conjured up enough material over the last 15 years for 16 thick novels. My brain feels like it's going to explode. No wonder I had a migraine a week ago. Tonight, I'm putting the finishing touches on the outline for the fantasy book that I'm calling The Warlord and then I will begin writing it tomorrow when I'm unable to edit Devil Dog.
I've heard some mention that you shouldn't work on more than one book at a time, but the question is, why not? I guess I'll find out the hard way. As long as I stick to my outlines, I have a feeling I'll be writing 3 or 4 books a year. I won't just rush them out, I would hate to sacrifice quality, so if editing a book takes another 6 months then, so be it, but if I can crank out the manuscripts and not require them to be rewritten, well, I ask again, why not? With the amount of detail that goes into my multiple page outlines that defines everything from constant themes, subplots, character descriptions and arcs and every single scene mapped out, it would be a task to actually get lost and mixed up. I guess we'll see.
The way I've heard things described, some folks can't handle working on multiple projects at once. Some won't finish anything, some get confused—but then some folks actually work best while leapfrogging.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to find out if I'm one of those leapfroggers. This is pretty much a test run to see how it goes. If it doesn't seem to be working, I'll go back to focusing on one at a time. I can definitely see how some people wouldn't finish things though. Bouncing from one project to another constantly could be a problem if you don't at least designate time for each and stick to the plan. At least that's what I'm hoping.
ReplyDeleteI think that structure and organization is the key to working on more than one thing at a time - and getting them done. When I was working on the NF tsunami book (very sad and emotionally exhausting stuff) I also worked on my 'fluff' YA urban fantasy romance. When one got too draining or annoying, i switched to the other. The NF was launched last year and then i was able to fin the YA which is coming out in Nov. Over the same period tho I've completed a collection of short stories and also continued to submit childrens stories to curriculum resources ( those make a little money thank goodness) So yes, writing different things works for me anyway!
ReplyDeleteYou give me hope Lani!
ReplyDeleteI've never been a great multitasker, but I am very organized (despite the randomness of this blog). My day job boss is a master multitasker (she's a woman) and likes to rub it in that I suck at it (she’s not really that mean about it). Something about the superior gender is wired to multitask and men are not, I don't know, I can't listen to her ramblings while I’m trying to meet all my deadlines.
She's right for the most part though. What I am is thorough and organized. No matter how many things I'm juggling, as long as I stay organized, I've always completed things on time or early. Often times at work I will put down one task and start another and then come back to the previous later.
I am working on two projects right now, but one is in editing and one is in world creation. The only thing I am having issues with is spliting my limited time between to two.
ReplyDeleteSo I think if you can handle it. Do it. Never ler others definition of normal hold you back.
Thanks for the encouragement. I have a feeling I defy a lot of the norms people define. I saw a blog earlier about not writing multiple genres, but that's as impossible as telling me not to read outside my favorite genre. No way!
ReplyDeleteGo for it! If you're one of those admirable writers who can stick to your outlines (I, sadly, can't) then use your talent. I'll be interested to read your books when they come out. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm looking forward to checking yours out as well. I wouldn't say I really stuck to an outline, but when I veer off track and decide to keep the alteration, I update the outline. I'm making myself not outline a book in a series that the book before it hasn't been written.
ReplyDeleteI say go with whatever works for you. :)
ReplyDeleteI usually stick to one novel at a time but often take breaks to write short stories (or something like the Flash Gold novellas). It's nice to have something else to switch to when you're stuck on a scene or maybe you're tired of editing and want to work on a first draft of something.
Thanks Lindsay. I'm surprised everyone has been saying to go for it. :)
ReplyDelete