Two at a Time

I generally have several going at once. Of course I only physically write one at a time or I'd get awfully mixed up.

When I'm stuck on one, or a little bored with it, or just feel like I need to give it a little extra time to brew, I'll pick up one of the others. And at the same time I usually have a few ideas bubbling in the back of my mind, and sometimes while I'm writing one novel an idea will ripen enough to get some of it down as prose. You'd think with all this going on I'd be amazingly productive but I'm actually a tortuously slow writer. (Of course, part of the problem is my lack of consistency when it comes to BIC.)

I can't recommend this method to anyone else, but it seems to work for me. It's not so much a juggling act as a way to keep me interested when I sit down at the computer, but other people might find it distracting or confusing.

Akuma said:

I know some writers have written two novels at a time. Would you reccomend it?

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Only for the ambidextrous.

If your interest in #1 sags to the point that #2 elbows in, #1 probably doesn't deserve to be written. At least not right now. If you are moving on to #2 because of a blockage in #1, you've just let that little devil win. And, he/she isn't satisfied with just one victory.

Vomaxx said:

Only for the ambidextrous.

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LOL! (Actually, I really am ambidextrous)

Anyway, I personally wouldn't do it, don't have the focus for TWO stories. Write whichever story is pounding on your brain, begging for you to bring it to life on the page. If you get ideas for other stories while working on one, great! We all do. Just write them down and tell those ideas to wait their turn.

In response to that last post, i was writing a book, when ideas for another got so packed into my brain that I had to stop writing that first one and start prying the ideas of that other onto paper. I have not yet gone back to that first one.

And it's been like a year

I only write one at a time. Of course, I'm only on my third one now.

Another note: it's fine to edit one while you're writing another. In fact, this is probably the best approach, because you won't lose the edge on your writing skills while you're revising.

I was going to say what alaskamatt said... I usually have one complete through the first draft, let it sit and start another, then go back to the first for a second draft and work on the second.

While the first draft of the current "finished" book was going on, I had ideas for openings of the next book and the one after that. So I wrote them before they jumped out of my head. Just the openings.

Usually by the time the first one is really done, all cleaned up, the second one is about halfway through the first draft.

It's a constant process that keeps me sharp.

Of course, every now and then I need a day off. So I'll write a short story or something.

Well, in planning out my writing schedule for the next few months I've also discovered there are three novels I want to write after completing the one I'm currently about 30,000 words into. I am finding myself brainstorming on ideas for all three of these future projects, scribbling down notes for when this "primary" novel is finished. I've never worked this way before, and I'm finding it keeps me on my toes and the words seem to flow better than if I concentrate solely on one project.

That said, I don't think I could actively write two novels at once.

I'm brand-new here, by the way. This is a great message board!

There seems to be a forgotten piece of equipment for "jotting" down notes about primary (being written) or secondary (planning/brainstorming) stories--a hand-held, voice-activated tape recorder. It's a wonderful tool for commutes or long drives, or for any other time paper or computers are unwieldly.

I wouldn't do it. It's hard for me to focus on two. I usually end up going nowhere on any of them.


David

Contrary to Neurofizz, I have gone back to a novel I dropped when another one started clamouring too loudly to ignore. (In fact, I've done it a few times now). And some people suggest editing one novel while writing a rough draft of another.

At this point, I'd rather work on one at a time. But I do find ideas for others come in and try and get my attention. I will spend a day or two writing notes or outlines or the like, when I feel I need a break from the main project.