Writing multiple stories at once

I tend to stick to one major piece (novel), but often write a lot of short stories between.

Whatever works for you really.

I'm really bad at this myself so i guess I'm not qualified to ask this, but do you plan? Do you come up with a plot outline at the beginning? I have to admit I don't but I've heard it helps. The thing that works for me is to focus on major plot turning points or moments when I know characters are going to meet. I come up with a really juicy conversation or fist fight or whatever, something that I really NEED to write down, but I know it has no context unless i can write the bits in between, the plot steps that get the characters to that point. If you can think of three or four of those, and one of them is the climax of the story, then you might find the motivation to get to the end...

Do you want to know my definition of a "Work-in-progress"? 3 series made up of 3 books each & 2 standalones. All unfinished but complete in that my outlines are to my liking, listing out important twists & turns in each and every book. My character profiles are perfect & all my first chapters are done. Only problem is...I can't seem to move on from there. So I definitely get where you're coming from! **gives you a sympathetic pat on the shoulder & sighs**