Does anyone work on many projects at once?

I have a note book that I use to write all my different ideas down in. I use it as a place to park ideas so I don't forget them. Sometimes they are quite developed and other times they are just a sentence or two. Then I know they are safe and I can come back to them later once the one that has my main focus is finished. I even find this sometimes helps with developing ideas. I can put an undeveloped idea in the note book and when I come back it in a few months of not having thought about it much it can spark new ideas.

 

This pisses me off. What is it about self-proclaimed "writers" that makes them take satisfaction in their lack of ability to finish anything.

 

Where are you seeing someone taking satisfaction in that?

 

I always have a few ideas rambling around, but if I'm working on a project, I stick with it and simply make some notes for the future. If I get really bogged down on a WIP, I might take a short respite and poke at an intriguing idea - sketch out a character or do some reading on the subject - but I'm careful not to stay away for long.

The project I've just recently started is a portion of an idea that I first had nearly 40 years ago. I did considerable research on it in my late 20s and early 30s. Then, after a pause of some years, I got impatient because two characters had popped into my head for a segment of what I'd conceived as an epic historical. I started to write just to flesh out the two characters and the next thing I knew, I was off to the races. When I came up for air, my "segment" was a 400,000 word standalone novel - my first.

 

Culling. Take the ones that don't work behind the shed, press delete, then attempt to bury the corpse and pray that it doesn't come back.

 

"Too many" is already defeatist talk. Words like that mean you either want to quit, or get some sort of masochistic feeling from getting beaten down. Nothing wrong with the second one there by the way, everyone could use a little naughty dress up time. The first one however just isn't productive.

What do you do with extra story ideas? That's a question I would consider.

 

I sometimes find when you are writing one story that it helps fuel ideas for more and more.

An ironic anti writers block.

 

I agree - eventually, you should write them all.

In terms of which one to start with? If you're a fairly new writer you may want to start with the one you feel is LESS likely to earn publisher interest, since you'll likely be writing at least one "practice" novel.

 

Personally, I would pick one and focus on it.

 

This is true. Its a gift and curse to have so many ideas floating in your head. You never run out of things to write about yet it can be hard to focus on one thing if you are always excited about the next. The only time I was able to finish anything was when I shut my mind of and didn't allow myself to entertain an idea but what i was currently working on.

 

I would say that anytime you're blocked on one story, you can be glad that you have two others to be working on

Figure out which one you want to write the most, but don't only work on that one.

 

Greetings fellow writers,
I am starting to find that I have multiple ideas that are vying for attention. The problem is, that I am already committed to a project that I am more than knee deep into, and I do not want to lose the momentum. Any recommendations out there for finding a balance to a dilemma such as this?


Many thanks in advance.

- Riverstash

 

This is merely from my personal experience.

If you have momentum in one project, you should keep going with it. Spreading out your attention on multiple ideas can be stressful and inefficient, especially when you start to confuse plots and characters if a few projects are of the same genre. I find it best to note down your new ideas and, when you have a writer's block for your main project, start on your next project until you either get a writer's block for the new one or find new inspiration for your main project.

I have moments where I get overly ambitious. I just wanted to start the new project because I am excited about what I can accomplish. I learned the hard way that, by being overambitious, you might get substandard work compared to what you envisioned.

Just my two cents.

 

Definitely sound advice. In this particular instance, my "eureka" moment hit me with this new idea, and is burning like the sun in my imagination. And while I am not ready to put it down in a story format, I have been busy writing notes, on overall concept, characters, plot line, everything I can think of that surrounds it as I don't want to miss anything. I still feel anchored in the main project that I've been working on, but the ideas on this other one are so fresh that I just have to get it down. Truth be told on the main project, I'd hit a bit of a dry spot, and think it was karma telling me that I needed a break. however, I am committed to it, and intend to dive right back in momentarily.

Fortunately, the plots and characters from each project are totally unrelated, even though, they take place in the same time period (sort of). That being said, I don't feel that I'm in danger of mixing them. But I agree with your observation that it can lead to a sub-par end product.

I appreciate your input sincerely.

 

Unless you are working against a deadline (imposed or elected), I wouldn't worry about taking a break from your project and working on your new idea. The project may benefit from it, even if (perhaps especially if) you have to re-read everything you'd previously done before you resume.

One challenge every author faces is putting them self in the shoes of a "cold" reader, who doesn't know everything the author knows about the world and the characters. The balance between under-describing and over-describing depends on being able to do that. Going away for a while and then coming back to the work can help place you in that reader's shoes.

 

My five cents: Stop doing that! Bundle the output of the new one somewhere you'll find it again (I always stick little coloured notes on my garden door) - and move back to your old project. But that's only my own opinion

Regarding a dry spot in the old project: When that happens to me (and it does, more often than you'd think) it is always a hint that I am not writing what I am supposed to be writing. Either I need a) more research, b) cut the scene I am stuck on and start differently or c) sometimes it's just a single sentence that disrupted the way the story was supposed to go and I have to slaughter the culprit. But I always persevered, and I always will. And then the story will get flowing again.

 

This is REALLY important. I write a couple shorts all the time, but most follow the same theme for my main novel. If I want to write a short I am usually in the same mood as if I was writing my main work, and this helps me develop and feel through my main work.

 

I had a moment like that earlier today but with three projects. What I try to do is focus on the one I'm closer to finishing so I can edit that one and submit it while I finish the rest. If they're all huge projects then just give them equal attention so they don't get jealous of the other. Right now I have my WIP novel and two short stories.

 

I was faced with this recently. Not that that makes me more qualified than others to shed light on this, but here's what I did...

I used two criteria to make a choice:

1. which was furthest along, development-wise (including dream invasion), and
2. which did I spend the most time thinking about when I'm not at my desk.

Also, the fact that I was trying to wrap my head around writing short stories and getting nowhere helped refocus my energy back on novel-writing.

Only time will tell if I made the right decision.

Hope that helps, at least a little.

 

What you're talking about is prioritization.

This problem is independent of writing, it's a common problem in business as well. My 'day job' until I shift to a writing career is Project Management, so I'm very familiar with it.

Basically, you can't prioritize projects until you identify your long and short term goals. Prioritize the ones that better support your goals.

 

Damn, if I knew I'd be as prolific as Stephen King. I have no problem coming up with ideas, plots, or characters. It's in the marathon run from that opening line to the end that trips me up. However, I admit I pushed myself and finished my winter story - Santa Claus and the Snowmen of Doom - two weeks ago - yah! And I have a reasonable cover.

There's no real magic answer to decide what to work on and what to cut loose. I've skipped from one boat to another on so many projects it's not funny. I started a novel a few years ago - Switch-hitcher. Got four chapters in and ditched it for a Nanomonthproject - Pecking Order. I got over a hundred and 20 pages in and dropped that. Then I wrote Not Pink and The Worms of Wicher Woo - finished them. Both novellas, though. Started a novel I was quite excited about - In the Pit - got 25 chapters in half the book finished and then I came up with another idea and started writing that - Falling Child Star. I'm writing out of sequence so it's harder to keep track of how much I've written.

It's become such a problem I have to take a stand somewhere. Falling Child Star has to be completed no matter what - that's my goal. What's scary is that I'm worried that maybe I'm not cut out for novel lengths anymore (it's not like I haven't finished them in the past) - am I only good at the novella? I hope not.

My advice would be to at least finish a smaller project even if bigger projects fall to the way side. Finishing a few shorts at least makes me feel like I've accomplished something even if it's not a novel.

 

Do you find yourself with too many WIPs on your hands?

Right now I have three. (I don't count backburner stories and sketches as WIPs)
Clearly if I want to finish a project to a publishable standard I need to think and breathe one WIP for a while, but I take all three equally seriously and equally 'being worked on right now'.

Do you guys ever find yourself torn between your WIPs?
It doesn't help that they have different strengths. One's got solid world-building, another's got some of my best prose and the other's got stronger characterisation.

So yeah. Thoughts?

 

Does a trilogy count as 1 WIP or 3?

 

I have a couple of premises and a full on WIP, I intend to make them stand-alone series in the same world, so they comply with the same rules, focusing on human themes such as love, personal and spiritual growth, and darker themes like abuse and where humanity starts and monstrosity ends.