Writing side by side?

totopink · Feb 26, 2012

Just out of curiosity, what is everyone's experience with writing one book side by side with another one?
I find I can't concentrate on just one plot line/story without hitting writer's block so I am always alternating between two different pieces of work.
Does anyone else do this or do you find you have to be focused on one piece to get anything done?

breaking_burgundy · Feb 26, 2012

I always do one piece at a time. In order for me to be invested enough in a story, I have to be focusing only on that story. But that doesn't mean I don't have other ideas running around in my head.

EzzyAlpha · Feb 26, 2012

I write several projects at the same time.

When I get stuck I switch.

mickeyDs4 · Feb 26, 2012

EzzyAlpha said:
I write several projects at the same time.

When I get stuck I switch.

I do that too! Be it a silly Power Rangers fanfiction or another WIP for publication I have to have something to work on when the plot bunnies go on strike.

EzzyAlpha · Feb 26, 2012

Yeah, it's really helpful. Especially when I can't figure out my characters anymore

soopykun · Feb 26, 2012

I can only focus on one work at a time. Though I wish this weren't the case! If I get really stuck, I'll do something light like blogging, or visiting a forum.

Becca C. · Feb 26, 2012

I can only work on one thing at a time, but I always have more ideas swirling around my head that I'm developing. By the time I actually write something, I've been thinking about it and working it out for at least six months.

Windcutter · Feb 26, 2012

I used to work on different projects at the same time, but now I'm finding myself unable to do it. It's like I don't get deep enough into either.

alainn_chaser · Feb 26, 2012

Ohhhhh interesting thread.

I typically work on one thing at a time but I'm also usually developing other ideas and will occasionally write a scene or two for another idea down. Any more than that and I tend to lose track of the voice for my first project.

Lineykins · Feb 26, 2012

I tend to work on one project at a time.

But I'm happy to have breaks from a bigger project (eg. my novel WIP) to work on a smaller project (eg. picture book story).

Debbie V · Feb 27, 2012

I used to do one novel and one shorter work, but revision ideas have come in the mail that I've felt a need to follow up on. That's had me working on two longer pieces and a shorter one at once. Of course, I can only type into one document at a time. (The shorter works give me something to bring to my writer's groups while the longer one is in too early of a stage. I also love the satisfaction of being able to revise completely in a half hour vs. days.)

JustinlDew · Mar 2, 2012

I like to work on a side job because it makes me less likely to do something like kill off a character who is bugging me.

Niiicola · Mar 2, 2012

I can't do it with more than one novel. I get way too obsessive. But I write short stories when I get bored with my WIP or just need a break.

Cyia · Mar 2, 2012

I work on at least two at a time for a focal point, and another couple in the background.

wampuscat · Mar 2, 2012

So far, I've found that I can't write (that is, the initial first draft) more than one project at a time. Depending on how quickly the writing is going, I can also outline or brainstorm another idea or do some edits of a past draft. In general, though, I like to write that first draft as furiously as I can to keep my momentum, which often means I don't have time to work on other projects.

It seems my process is always evolving, though, so maybe someday that will change.

Mandiloo322 · Mar 4, 2012

I'm about to work on two novels at once for the first time, and I'm finding that it helps keep writer's block at bay as far as ideas go.

Silver-Midnight · Mar 4, 2012

EzzyAlpha said:
I write several projects at the same time.

When I get stuck I switch.

Same here.

AutumnLeaves · Mar 4, 2012

I usually have to work on one thing at a time. I can plot, outline, etc., with other stories while working on my main WIP, but I prefer to stay in one character's mindset/voice. If I'm working on two things, I feel like it takes much longer to get a first draft down, and I tend to lose interest in both stories because neither are "going anywhere."

Writing side by side?

totopink

breaking_burgundy

EzzyAlpha

Unable to write straight females.

mickeyDs4

EzzyAlpha

Unable to write straight females.

soopykun

Becca C.

Windcutter

alainn_chaser

Kweh?

Lineykins

Debbie V

Mentoring Myself and Others

JustinlDew

Shortest Query Winner.

Niiicola

Twitchy

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

wampuscat

Recovering adjective addict

Mandiloo322

[Shhhh....I'm writing.]

Silver-Midnight

AutumnLeaves

:)