WRITING TWO NOVELS AT ONCE

ishtar'sgate · Mar 10, 2008

I am thinking about writing two very different novels simultaneously. I notice that some of you seem to be doing that, too. As my historical is likely going to take some time to complete, I thought I might work on a more contemporary idea also. For those of you who work on more than one project - how do you divide your time? I was thinking about writing a day on one project and the next day writing on the other. Does this work or is it better to do a bit of both each day? Or something else? I've never tried this before and I'm afraid one or both novels will suffer from lack of undivided attention. What do you think?
Linnea

Calla Lily · Mar 10, 2008

I'm 8 chapters into a thriller sequel and 2 chapters into a vampire stand-alone. I also keep a file open to toss in ideas fora mystery sequel.

What I'm writing depends on mood, or time, or getting the outlining bug vs. getting the creative bug (because the thriller is already outlined and the vamp isn't). I seem to work 3-4 days on one, then 3-4 on the other. I don't think I'd shorten these periods, because when I get in character, I like to stay there awhile.

All that being said, when my agent sells either the thriller or the mystery, I shall immediately drop what I'm working on and go all-out on the sequel to what she's sold.

Soccer Mom · Mar 10, 2008

I usually have two WIPs going at once. I write for both kids and adults and usually have one project of each going on at a time. Switching back and forth keeps my feeling fresh and interested. One one stalls, I work on the other. And for those wondering, yes, I actually end up finishing both books. It's what works for me.

Shadow_Ferret · Mar 10, 2008

I used to write several novels at a time, but never finished any. Since I started concentrating on one at a time exclusively, I've managed to finish 2 and am nearing completion of a 3rd.

V.W. Singer · Mar 10, 2008

I usually have one main WIP, but I like to start work on one or two more at the same time. As for time allocation, I set a target for the prime and work on the others afterwards.

Susan Breen · Mar 10, 2008

I just cannot do more than one thing at a time. I feel like all my energy, subconscious and otherwise, has to be directed to that one thing.

Claudia Gray · Mar 10, 2008

I usually write one book at a time, in terms of dedicating my full-time writing energy. That said, I work on other things by outlining, brainstorming, researching, etc. I may dip in and work on another manuscript for a day or two, as a kind of break (or while figuring out how to resolve a difficult bit in the main WIP).

Cranky · Mar 10, 2008

Well, I am writing several at once. I haven't finished one yet, but that's because I haven't finished a novel yet, period! What I will say is that when I focused on one exclusively, I found it very easy to get burnt out. I felt a great deal more pressure (from where? who knows!) to have X amount of words done per day, etc. The MS would, without fail, fizzle.

Writing these together is a different experience. It's a slower process, certainly, but both stories stay fresh to me. I usually write about 1000k between them at least every other day. I usually get far more words on one than I will the other, but it balances out.

With the addition of another MS, I have no idea how that will work. Gotta try though. Curse you, Soccer Mom, and your FAD challenge! It kicked off another book for me...LOL!

Danger Jane · Mar 10, 2008

I have two going right now--first it was one finishing the first draft, the other editing. Then it was one editing, the other rewriting. And now I'm rewriting them both at the same time.

I seem to have about 5,000 to 10,000 word spurts on each, so it works. I'm trying to be as disciplined as possible and trying to finish both of these, then go one at a time...I'm young yet, plenty of time (I hope) to figure out the best method for me.

lucky8 · Mar 10, 2008

I tend to have to projects going at the same time but never both in first draft. I write fresh copy of one project in the morning and tend to work on a rewrite in the evening. Don't think I've got the right brain to work on the first draft of more than one thing at a time.

stormie · Mar 10, 2008

Yep, I have several things going at once. Two middle grade novels, one essay, two short stories.... It keeps me from writer's block. Or should I say, it keeps it at bay. When I feel I'm getting nowhere or burnt-out on one, I go to the other. It's worked for me for several years now.

DWSTXS · Mar 10, 2008

being as how I'm ambidextrous, I am writing two at once

stormie · Mar 10, 2008

Writing different genres at the same time=Multiple Genre Disorder or MGD.

reenkam · Mar 10, 2008

I tend to have three 3 that I'm actively working on at the same time, and then 1 or 2 that I'm thinking about in the back of my mind, but don't have documents open for.

When I'm nearing the end of a WIP (let's say getting to the last 10k) then I'll focus on one and finish it up, then I'll edit on that one while working on the other two actives...

The one time I worked on a single book was while doing a major rewrite. It was honestly a terrible 1.5 months because I couldn't work on other things. One project at a time just doesn't work for me...

KTC · Mar 10, 2008

I can't work on just one thing. I have several things on the go at once. They all finish when they finish.

Stew21 · Mar 10, 2008

I'm editing one and have started two. I'm not confused because they are different. Sometimes they require different amounts of attention. I don't make promises to have them complete at any particular time, I just write on the one that I'm drawn to at the time.

reigningcatsndogs · Mar 10, 2008

I usually work on a couple projects at a time, as well as editing some. I work on whichever one is tapping on the inside of my head, but they all get done.

joyce · Mar 10, 2008

I tend to work on one main project at a time. I will start thinking about the next project and write down any ideas though. I can't seem to work of two big projects at the same time. One or both always suffer. I've been able to throw in a short story here and there, but that's about it. It would be nice if I could work on two at once, but I haven't figured out how to do it yet and succeed.

ishtar'sgate · Mar 11, 2008

Thanks so much to everyone for sharing their experiences. I've never felt like writing two at once before but then two really different ideas have never hit me this strongly. Usually I have one idea that I run with and another that just edges in on the corner of my subconcious until I'm almost completed and then I devote more time to it. But this time I have two ideas fighting for writing time and I'm so confused I'm not getting anything done! Maybe it's a sly procrastination tool

Linnea

Soccer Mom · Mar 11, 2008

Well, it seems that 2 projects works for some of us, but not for others. I say the only way to find out if it works for you is to give it a go. Try both projects and then if it's not working out, set one aside and finish the other.

JimmyB27 · Mar 11, 2008

Two at once? Pfffft, amateurs. I do one with each hand, and a third with voice recognition software. As soon as I learn to write with my toes, I'll be up to five at once.

stace001 · Mar 11, 2008

I've found working on at least 2 projects at a time really works for me. (Although having said that, I'm working on 3 at the moment and its kinda doin my head in.)

I write childrens books and adult fiction. I currently have a mystery on the go, a romance and a childrens chapter book. When the ideas slow for one, I duck over to another until the ideas slow on that one, and around and around I go until the projects are finished.

ajkjd01 · Mar 12, 2008

I'm not sure I could actually write two at once. I am working on several at once, but they are all at different stages.

#1...queries out
#2...writing draft 1
#3...outlining/researching
#4...simmering in my brain, occassionally playing the what if game to help flesh it out a bit.

This seems to be the absolute limit of what I can do at once. I can't write two at once, but can absolutely be working on multiple projects if they are all at different stages.

WRITING TWO NOVELS AT ONCE

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Calla Lily

On hiatus

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

V.W. Singer

Susan Breen

Claudia Gray

Cranky

Danger Jane

lucky8

stormie

storm central

DWSTXS

Mr Mojo Risin...

stormie

storm central

reenkam

aka cupcake

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Stew21

reigningcatsndogs

Too sad for words.

joyce

I'm really shy...

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

JimmyB27

Hoopy frood

stace001

Look into my eyes

ajkjd01

I just have to be faster.