Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers

Multiple Works in Progress

How many of you have multiple works in progress? Are they all the same genre? How do you divide your time between them?

Currently, I have 4 WIP's.... sounds like alot huh? Right now I am thinking that too! As my second book just went back to my publisher for the formatting (after 13 hours of editing, my eyes are still crossed) I find myself looking at all the projects I have in the works.

One project is about half way through - but I had come up with a snag in the plot and I got frustrated so I put it on the back burner. Recently, as I find myself mulling over the issue, I think I found the way to work through my snag... but.... There is a more recent project that I started that I was working hard on. As soon as I figured out how to work through the other issue, I lost my train of thought on the new one.

Then there is the other book that I am working on with another author. Now that one is a huge project that will be in the making for a long time, but we are throwing ideas back and forth and running plot ideas and twists back and forth.

Then there is book 3 of my series (the second book is about to be published). After reading book 2 - and coming back to those characters I find myself running that plot hard and heavy in my mind. Conversations and characters building....

I'm at a loss right now as to exactly what I should be working on. I think I have so many things in the works that I am befuddled as to which one to go to next.

Anyone else get themselves in this situations? How do you work through them?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Borislava Borissova on October 14, 2011 at 8:22am

Welcome, Dennis! We are a fantastic group here!

Dennis P McGeehan said:

Short answer is Yes ! I'm recently retired so you would thimk I have lots of time to write. Well I have about 20 years worth of projects for our home to get to. Add being the father of 8 kids and time becomes precious. I have one novel I been working on for 5 years, a Spiritual Warfare plot, with about 30,000 words so far, another Paranormal novel that I had about 10,000 words in when I lost everything to a computer crash. A third book I am working on that is non-fiction that I hope to finish up in about 3 weeks, I need to get photos for it done, and a fourth that will be a long term project and at least a Trilogy when it is done. I also have just put up a blog page. I am a total novice as an author, trying to learn the ropes as best I can. I just came home from a writer's conference, it was great.

So yes, I can relate to drowning in different projects, but I think it is better to have to much to do than nothing to do.

Dennis

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on October 14, 2011 at 12:25pm

Dennis - That is awesome! Glad you joined us!! 8 kids!! WOW - I have trouble with 2 and they are 13 years apart!

Dennis P McGeehan said:

Short answer is Yes ! I'm recently retired so you would thimk I have lots of time to write. Well I have about 20 years worth of projects for our home to get to. Add being the father of 8 kids and time becomes precious. I have one novel I been working on for 5 years, a Spiritual Warfare plot, with about 30,000 words so far, another Paranormal novel that I had about 10,000 words in when I lost everything to a computer crash. A third book I am working on that is non-fiction that I hope to finish up in about 3 weeks, I need to get photos for it done, and a fourth that will be a long term project and at least a Trilogy when it is done. I also have just put up a blog page. I am a total novice as an author, trying to learn the ropes as best I can. I just came home from a writer's conference, it was great.

So yes, I can relate to drowning in different projects, but I think it is better to have to much to do than nothing to do.

Dennis

Permalink Reply by Borislava Borissova on October 18, 2011 at 9:13am

I like this article and that the old-fasnioned way of publishing is broken at finaly:
http://www.slashgear.com/amazon-pursuesauthors-18188568

and the opinion at the end that only writers and readers will be necessary one day...

Permalink Reply by Steve Norris on October 18, 2011 at 10:17am

Good spot Borislava

It's an interesting challenge. The publisher empire will eventually have to change but I wonder what that means for writers. Yes you have direct access to the market, but making enough to live on is a different thing. Probably still be doing the day job for sometime yet.

It's refreshing though for new writers trying to break down the walls of the empire

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on October 19, 2011 at 7:32am

Sorry I didn't make it Saturday. When I got home there wasn't much time left. I hope you had fun. Did you guys get a lot of people???

Borislava Borissova said:

I like this article and that the old-fasnioned way of publishing is broken at finaly:
http://www.slashgear.com/amazon-pursuesauthors-18188568

and the opinion at the end that only writers and readers will be necessary one day...

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on October 19, 2011 at 7:46am

Where is everybody this week, hopefully writing...Me, I've been spending money on car troubles... That's always fun...

Permalink Reply by Borislava Borissova on October 19, 2011 at 8:02am

Hi Robert!

I post a message on "Write a piece on your book here. We all like and comment on Facebook." It was an amazing time:

The chat Catherine Green and me co-hosted was wonderful experience. Actually in the first hour I felt a bit confused but in the next two the time passed very quickly because the discussion became very interesting. I think I would do it again in future. Catherine was fantastic. Now I have relaxation and time for some chores, and even for writing till the end of the weekend.

Robert L. Allen said:

Sorry I didn't make it Saturday. When I got home there wasn't much time left. I hope you had fun. Did you guys get a lot of people???

Borislava Borissova said:
I like this article and that the old-fasnioned way of publishing is broken at finaly:
http://www.slashgear.com/amazon-pursuesauthors-18188568

and the opinion at the end that only writers and readers will be necessary one day...

Permalink Reply by Borislava Borissova on October 19, 2011 at 8:23am

Hi Robert,

I have a question to you. My situation with the second published book is a bit strange, men like the novella "The Last Secrets of The Ancient Island" while women prefered the other novella "A Love In Time of War". I feel a kind of sadness that my book cannot touch all. I wonder why it happens, both of the stories are love-stories. Do you have any ideas? Do you read love-stories sometimes? Of course, there are elements of thriller, mystery etc.

Robert L. Allen said:

Where is everybody this week, hopefully writing...Me, I've been spending money on car troubles... That's always fun...

Permalink Reply by Borislava Borissova on October 19, 2011 at 9:34am

Hi to all!

Another interesting discussion:

http://www.authors.com/group/freebookmarketing/forum/topic/show?id=...

Permalink Reply by Amy Manemann on October 19, 2011 at 12:29pm

Welcome back Robert, sorry to hear about the car troubles. We had that here a few weeks ago and are $300 lighter in the old checkbook.

Permalink Reply by Catherine Green on October 19, 2011 at 11:00pm

Hi Guys! Just a quick message, I'm watching a program called The Fades in 5 minutes. It is a ghost story with elements of demons and angels I think. Young adult but I did get into it after the first few episodes.

Anyway, this week my husband is off work, which is lovely but he's thrown my schedule all out! Me and Elliot (my daughter) have a routine, where I can usually fit in some writing and networking, but so far I've barely been on the computer all week! Tomorrow we are meeting up with some friends we haven't seen in a while, and yes, our car was in the garage the other day as well, not good!

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on October 19, 2011 at 11:19pm

Been busy marketing my new book and working on two others... not to mention working the job that pays the bills. I got rid of my car a few months ago because it was costing me a fortune - my new one is great!