Meaning -- anyone else out there only able to work on one project a time? I say "project" because I'm currently working on a trilogy, and I am able to think about all three books, even as I write the first one. Because really, it's all one big story. That's about the extent of it, though -- I don't have anything solid written down for the next two books, just a mishmash of random infodumps and all the details floating in my head, waiting patiently for me to finish book one.
I guess I was compelled to post, as I have a tendency to see far more "How do you decide what to work on!?" threads and they leave me feeling a little inadequate. Now, I'm sure I could use the lovely search bar to dredge up a bunch of old threads on this topic, but the truth is, I'm in the market for some fresh commiseration. Aren't we all?
It's not that I don't have other ideas -- I do. In spades. It's that the thought of entertaining them all at the same time is overwhelming to me, when it seems to take all of me to stay focused on my current project and give it the attention it deserves. Along similar lines, I basically always have to write my drafts chronologically (I can edit them out of order, but I have to write fresh content in order). Maybe I'm just more linear that way. Or this is super common and nobody told me.
Back to multiple projects... it's just that I know in my gut that if I stop working on this, it could sit on the shelf for years. And I don't want that. I want to finish... I need to, come hell or highwater. But I have to say... those other ideas are getting mighty impatient with me, and sometimes I wonder if I'm just too afraid to try branching out.
I'm interested in other people's experiences, even those who are able to juggle multiple projects. How do you do it? Are you more productive. Do you prefer it? Or do you just end up getting nothing done?
And for those of you who are like me, how's it working out so far? Do you have to write your drafts chronologically, too (I guess that question applies across the board)? Do you go nuts trying not to succumb to the other ideas floating in your head? I know I do, even as I feel grateful that I've only got one thing to focus on at a time.
I guess I was compelled to post, as I have a tendency to see far more "How do you decide what to work on!?" threads and they leave me feeling a little inadequate. Now, I'm sure I could use the lovely search bar to dredge up a bunch of old threads on this topic, but the truth is, I'm in the market for some fresh commiseration. Aren't we all?
It's not that I don't have other ideas -- I do. In spades. It's that the thought of entertaining them all at the same time is overwhelming to me, when it seems to take all of me to stay focused on my current project and give it the attention it deserves. Along similar lines, I basically always have to write my drafts chronologically (I can edit them out of order, but I have to write fresh content in order). Maybe I'm just more linear that way. Or this is super common and nobody told me.
Back to multiple projects... it's just that I know in my gut that if I stop working on this, it could sit on the shelf for years. And I don't want that. I want to finish... I need to, come hell or highwater. But I have to say... those other ideas are getting mighty impatient with me, and sometimes I wonder if I'm just too afraid to try branching out.
I'm interested in other people's experiences, even those who are able to juggle multiple projects. How do you do it? Are you more productive. Do you prefer it? Or do you just end up getting nothing done?
And for those of you who are like me, how's it working out so far? Do you have to write your drafts chronologically, too (I guess that question applies across the board)? Do you go nuts trying not to succumb to the other ideas floating in your head? I know I do, even as I feel grateful that I've only got one thing to focus on at a time.