How Well Do You Balance?

Wednesday, August 3, 2011 - Posted by Shelley Sly at Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Before I ramble on about today's topic, I'd just like to say that I appreciate your comments on my last post. I apologize for not responding personally, but I did read each and every one. The coma cliché is more common in TV and movies than in books, as some of you noted, so I guess I was just talking about clichés in general. (Translation: I don't know what I'm talking about.) I plan on posting another "Cliché Explained" next week, for those interested.

On to today's topic - balance.

I currently have two short-term goals (and a plethora of long-term goals, but that's another post.) I aim to finish my new WIP and edit my most recently finished MS ~~by the end of the summer~~ (okay, that's unrealistic) as soon as I can, preferably getting the bulk of it done before the school year starts.

I only started my WIP a week ago. I haven't felt like tackling revisions on my last book, so I figured I'd dive into a fun new project. Now, after a weekend away visiting the fabulous E. Elle (*waves*), I've given it enough space and I'm ready to revisit my beta reader's notes. But... how do I balance the book I'm writing with the book I'm editing?

Both are important. The book I'm writing needs my attention now because I have momentum. I'm already on the third chapter, baby. But I'd really like to pursue my latest completed MS and attempt to have it published. I'm frequently asked if my books are any closer to getting published, and the answer is no... because I keep focusing on writing new ones instead of editing the old.

If you're the type to manage two projects at once, how do you do it? If you focus on one project at a time, how do you make that decision? What are you working on right now? What are your plans for the upcoming months?

Labels: balancing, editing, getting writing done, WIP

12 stories from friends:

*Waves back* I work on one at a time. I choose which one based on what's most occupying my mind at the time. I need to get those thoughts out so I can make way for new thoughts. I am writing a new novel right now *cough*rewriting*cough* and I just hope to get something substantial accomplished in the coming months. *Reviews questions* *Satisfied smile*

E. Elle on August 3, 2011 12:22 PM

hi Shelley!
So glad you dropped by my site, as it led me to your own awesome blog. :) thanks for following! i'm following right back.
nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

nutschell on August 3, 2011 1:13 PM

Hi, Shelley,

Even though I know it's not always possible to do so, I prefer to stick with one manuscript until I have it at a point where I'm ready to shop it with editors and publishers. Of course I've written only one YA book. :) Still, I tried not to let myself get distracted by my other ideas, afraid I'd lose the connection with the one I was working on.

I'll need to learn to be more like you once I have a contract, because I'll need to be able to switch between editing the first book and researching and writing the second one.

P.S. I've left a reply to your comment on Bird's-eye View, http://michellefayard.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-blog-comments-to-work-for-you.html, and am delighted to be a new follower.

Michelle Fayard on August 3, 2011 1:35 PM

I'm probably weird in that I try to have at least two things at once, but usually more. I always WANT to write, but maybe one set of characters isn't feeling chatty, so I go work on another one. My hardrive is chock full of uncompleted things, finished things that need editing, and the prized 'things I might try to publish someday.' Unfortunately, there's also the two 'nobody wants me' MSS as well :-( But I'm querying my third very, very slowly.

Christi Goddard on August 3, 2011 2:01 PM

I'm getting better at working on 2 at once - 1 writing, 1 editing - but I'm still not great. I tend to want to work with whichever is flowing better ... which is usually the writing one because 1st drafts are my favourite parts!!

Jemi Fraser on August 3, 2011 2:27 PM

I can't manage more than one project at a time or I'll pull my hair out. Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

Michael Offutt on August 3, 2011 2:44 PM

You have a fabulous blog! I want to award you the Brilliant Writer Blog Award for all the hard work you do!

Go to http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/p/awards.html and pick up your award.
~Deirdra

Deirdra Eden-Coppel on August 4, 2011 11:07 AM

Oh that's hard. I try to do one at a time. I work on one till I'm tired of it and then jump to the other. I just have to remember what I was doing in the first, so I don't get confused. =)

Carolyn V on August 4, 2011 11:37 AM

Well, I am far from being the most balanced of writers. But what I've done in the past is write for a set amount of time every day and then spend the rest of my writing time working on edits. Or vice versa. At the time, I was trying to focus on the edits, so I would only give myself half an hour to work on the new MS. Long enough to get some thoughts and new plotlines down, but definitely a limit so that I actually got some editing done. :)

Melody on August 4, 2011 1:24 PM

Thank you so much for your visit and follow. I would like to do the same. I seem to go in spurts with my writing. I have written some Children Picture Books hoping to get published. The new post I just put a is certain not a CPB, more YA. Hope you visit and let me know what you think.

Choices on August 5, 2011 12:55 PM

I work on one thing at a time. I like get a manuscript edited and query before beginning the next one...

usually.

Good luck with your new manuscript! It's important just to write.

Theresa Milstein on August 5, 2011 10:06 PM

I'm terrible at balancing two writing projects. I tried, and now I've decided I just can't do it. When I'm immersed into the world of one novel, I need to stay in that world.

Talli Roland on August 7, 2011 10:03 AM