We really do like each other despite the differences. We've been together for so long... through all the ups and downs. And although things have been crazy lately, we are trying to sort through our problems.
But these last few weeks have truly been a test to our relationship. Nothing seems to be going right... I'm finding issues that never existed, things I overlooked in the past because I was blinded by the love...
And... the thing is... there's someone else...
...Someone who's been lurking in the background, just waiting for their chance with me. Someone who's been filling my head with all sorts of ideas, and fancy notions, and exciting twists... trying to monopolize my time and pull me away from the one who needs me the most right now...
Sigh. Book 2... I want to... I really do, but edits on Book 1 HAVE to come first. All of our plans will have to wait. I promise, you'll have my full attention soon. Maybe when Book 1 and I are on another little break ;)
I may be weak, but I do have priorities.
How do you ignore the pull to work on something else while you're in the middle of edits/revisions? DO you ignore the pull?
Hope everyone had a FANTASTIC Valentine's Day :)
(sorry this post is late - it should have gone up yesterday, but Blogger hates me)
55 comments:
Is there no way you can work on both?
I have trouble prioritizing too, so you're in good company!
There is one positive thing to be gained by jumping to book two. First, it helps you distance yourself from book one. In addition, you gain perspective on book one by continuing the story in book two.
Oh I really want to jump into the Beast's sequel, but I know that there will be a lot of confusion, because a lot can change in Doorways between now and it's total completion.
:-)
Well said, Michael.
OMG, I'm so with you. My current WIP needs a LOT OF WORK. But I've got something that I'm just dying to write. The problem is, I don't think I can pitch my current WIP, but I think I could pitch my new idea. So I'm going to put my current WIP on hold and focus on the new WIP. I'll still come back to it between revisions of Book 2, but I'm going to focus on the book I think I can sell. I love both ideas equally.
How do I avoid the pull of somethiing new? Easy - my brain's void of other ideas.
Sometimes I do work on two projects at a time. That way when I get stuck with one, I can go to the other.
If that's not possible, jot down notes on what's coming into your head so you'll have them for later!
:)
I've been doing a pretty good job lately at staying with one. I do indulge in short pieces and brainstorming though for other things. But no first draft writing until the current WIP is complete.
SO hard to ignore the call from book 2, but I agree with your methods. I allowed myself to write a picture book or short story when it got to be too much, but finishing is important.
Best of luck!
I know exactly what you mean!
The best way to deal with it that I've discovered is simply to make a note of all my thoughts regarding the next project. I just write it all down so it's no longer running around my head. Then I get back to the book I'm revising/editing. Have to finish what I start because otherwise it's like a relationship with no closure.
Jai
As you know, I end up with OBD (which I just posted about.) It can be very frustrating at times but at other times, I get lots of things done, a little here a little there….
Oh I love this! I am 5K into #2, when #1 still needs volumes (pun intended) of work. I think I'll get back to #1, but my last look at it gave me the willies so I let #2 come swooping in. In the long run, I think #2 might become a better piece of work, but I feel sad about leaving my first baby hanging.
Ahh, that floozy, book number 2. She is a demanding mistress. Just gotta have priorities, and strength...
Hi fellow Crusader! Nice to meet you and your blog. LOL--you and your ms are in love. That's great. :)
Have a great week, enjoy the crusade!
I love this post! It's so funny and so true. I'm tweeting a link to this.
I resist the urge. I jot down whatever ideas come to me and save them in a file to be explored later on. I will not give in to temptation. I'm way too easily distracted and, for me, I'll end up with 50 WIP's and nothing finished.
Great Post! :)
I would actually LOVE to be in this predicament. I wish ideas were just pouring out of me onto the paper so that one book was rushing into the next. That would be so awesome.
I would try to give project 2 a little time each day - if the ideas are coming, don't lose them. Maybe a half hour for brainstorming, lists, etc?
Oh boy, do I have a problem with this! That's why I have about 50-100 stories waiting to be written. Seriously. I used to cheat on my MS incessantly when the road got tough (and it always did)or when I got some new flashy idea (which I always do)but enough is enough. I've gone so far as to hire a writing coach to help me organize my mind and my writing life. I want to finish this MS this year so that I can finally say I've finished SOMETHING. THEN I can move on to the next love of my life (which is probably the sequel to this MS).
I may be the wrong person to ask. I wrote 2 1/2 sequels after a 1st manuscript.
When the pull of something else, I write a page or two plus a query so I don't forget. In fact, I just did that recently. When I'm done with this one, I have the next WIP lined up.
OMG yes! Tempted by the fruit of another! I'm SUPPOSED to be working on Book 2 per my agent, but secretly, I've been flirting with a whole new concept that I'm DYING to put into words. I even already made a playlist on my iPod for it. Is that...adultery???
Is it adultery even though I AM working on Book 2?
I don't resist. I have in the past, but just recently I've decided to give in to the temptation. I'm still revising the first WIP, and I make that my priority. But then I like to get some words on the other one too. It seems to be working so far.
Writing multiple books is normal for me since mine is a trilogy. I'm actually drafting a fourth book too LOL!. Just can;t help myself.
I read your post earlier today and forgot to comment! Eek!! Haha, this reminds me of how I felt before I was finished with the first draft of my WIP. Maybe you can sneak in a nice first chapter?? Just for fun??
I write notes down for the book that's nagging me. I find that satisfying until I get to it.
Blogger hates me too, I don't understand why?
I can completely sympathize with you, I too am feeling the pull of another book while revising the current one. You can do what I did (jot down the ideas for book 2 so they don't fly away).
Are you a fan of FRIENDS? This reminded me of the time Rachel and Ross..."We were on a break!"
My ms and I are fighting right now, and perhaps couples therapy is needed. I think I need to step away.
Shiny ideas are popping in my head during this revision, and I've been writing all those ideas down. My next book is marinating in my brain right now.
Good luck with your revisions..we're totally in the same boat!
Yeah, I get that. Soemtimes it's a sign of needing a break. You can always come back.
Hi, I came to your blog via Rachna's Scriptorium (one of my favorites. This was a wonderfully funny post. In my own case, I actually took a break from a rewrite to write another book, since I was stuck. It kept me writing, and the absence gave me distance, helping me see the first book more clearly when I returned.
I completely give in to the pull. I think it's okay to work on several projects at once.
I hope your Valentine's Day was fun. :)
Oh, man, do I identify with what you've said. I have been doing character journaling for my next project, but the editor in me won't quit on revisions on the finished novel. I want to be done with it, but I also want it to be the best it can be before querying starts. So I tell myself a few more weeks...just a few more weeks...
Hi fellow fantasy Crusader! I do a little bit of both. Then you don't have to cheat!
Ignore the pull, ignore the pull! :) Jot down the idea, then go back to revisions!
You are a cheater, aren't you? This hasn't been too much of a problem for me. For me, it's inertia. I have a book two planned and ready, but I'm still tired from book one. It's been hard to commit.
Oh my gosh! I totally feel the same way! I'm about 12 chapters away from finishing the editing stage of my current MS but I've been itching to start Book#2. It's taking an enormous amount of willpower to finish Book#1.
Hey I'm sorry I haven't been commenting in awhile. I have just recovered from a week long bout of flu. Hopefully once I get caught up on work, I'll be able to leave more blog comments. :)
By the way, maybe you'd be interested in joining my first ever blog contest. I'm giving away some awesome writing tools for creating great characters! Check it out! http://www.thewritingnut.com/contest/characters-count-contest/
Oh do join! I'd love for one of my fellow bloggers to win the prize!
warm regards!
Nutschell
I pay attention to the pull. Sometimes a break from the current MS is exactly what's needed and the editing flows after a little attention elsewhere.
I think you should try polygamy.
Hello, fellow Crusader,
I hopped over from Rach's list to introduce myself and follow.
Today the first challenge was posted.... YAH!
Congrats on 300 followers...
Michael
February 18, 2011 2:40 PM
Torn between two lovers, eh? Or more like not ready to leave the first...tough situation. Nice meeting you fellow crusader!
making crusader rounds. Nice to meet you, now following!
Nikki
I dropped in to say "You've been gifted with the Stylish Blogger Award." Drop by Saturday blog post (http://www.kristalleeromances.com/2011/02/stylish-blogger-award-thanks-heather.html) to pick it up.
Have a great weekend!
~k
Hello fellow crusader! I'm already a follower, but I just came by to say "hi!"
I've been hearing other writers talk about this problem quite a bit lately. It almost worries me, because I've been working furiously on (hopefully!) final edits on my wip, and there's no Book #2 lurking in the backgroung. Hopefully one will present itself by the time I'm ready for it!
I saw Michael said this, too: having another book in your heart helps you put distance between you and book one. That's so ideal while submitting! I usually focus on one at a time, BUT I think you should write down those ideas, fancy notions, and twists. Then you won't lose them for whenever you decide it's time to dive in.
Totally been there! Go with WIP #2!
By the way, just dropping by to introduce myself as a fellow crusader and new follower. I'm off to tackle challenge #1 now. =)
I came back because I have a blog award for you.
Oh yes, the adulterous idea! The temptation!
Fortunately, our WIP isn't going to divorce us over a new idea! You never know, the two might even benefit each other (love triangle!)
Following back. Yay for crusaders. You are my 300th - special thanks!
Loved this! Am similarly conflicted between two books. Good luck!
I say write when you are driven to write and revise when you are stuck on your writing....
I jump around (I realize this is a horrible strategy). I can't shut my brain off, and so when I have an idea for a newer project, I jump on it. I always get back to the edits (oh, how I hate them). But I don't see much problem in giving in and letting yourself write a scene or two to give yourself the taste. It gives you encouragement to finish the edits and move on :)
Good luck!
Oh yes, definitely been here. I draft a rough outline of the #2 story that can't wait, and then I make it wait. ;-)
Hav a lovely week!
I feel your pain! Folders...definitely, folders. I bundle up my ideas and stick them all away. I live inside an ADHD brain, with other jobs and things that pull me away. Tucking it away helps me to focus, and keeps my brain on a leash! Best of luck with your E & Rs!
If I have a completed first draft, I'll take the time to work on something else if it's really starting to weigh on my mind. Revision and editing take a long time and involve a lot of soul searching and feedback from various sources. Might as well keep things alive with a new 'flame';)
That's tough... I try to stick to the current book until I'm done with a round of edits and need time to gain perspective. But I'll create a Word doc and jot down all the plot points and ideas that come up for other books. They each have their own little folder so I keep them organized.
Ok ADHD checker inner here - LOL - I work on one thing - research another - get lost in some old legend I don't need - read a book, still edit - open the other book and write for 3 hours, click back to book one - remember I have pills for this behavior - hunt for them, check my blog, smoke, get a soda, sit back down - read that cool history bit again, remember my pills - go back down & take them - write that cool history bit into book three - remember I was editing and then someone asks if I am going to bed? I smile and say in a minute .....you mean thats not how you all do it? grin
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