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I have a problem at the moment staying focused on one project. I've just had a quick tally and I'm writing 4 books at the moment and redrafting 2. I wish I could just stay on one book until it's done or at least at the next stage, but I can never wait to start something else! Any tips on how to stay working on one project at a time? I think if I could just keep going on one thing for a while I'll make more progress.
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Well...glad I could help :S
If you find an answer to this let me know! :P
Me too. I just feel like I have so many ideas and things I want to work on!
If I hit a really big block, I'll abandon it and try something else. That usually refreshes me and then I can go back to the main project.
Interesting you should raise this topic, Lou, because this morning I was thinking I would like to start two novels in parallel: one the sequel to my debut, and the second another idea, more literary.
I like kateyanne's idea of having a timetable.
I was doing the same. It all seemed really untidy and hotch potch, not to mention unattainable, but, bit by bit they each grew and were eventually consigned to a dark literary cupboard where they each waited their turn until I was ready to deal with them again.It was as if I needed to get enough down in order to feel it was safe to let them stew for a while without losing anything.
If you have an idea or two or three, you can't help it. It's difficult not to get your teeth into something when you're inspired. There may come a time when you get drawn to one piece over the others and it might just take off. At the moment your brain's juggling lots of little balls whereas you're expecting it to get one big basketball through the hoop. Maybe it's just the way you work.
Discipline is required.
Better chasing one rabbit, catching and having it for supper. You wont go hungry.
No offence to rabbit lovers.
I agree. I think the indecision hasn't hit me yet because I have been working up until now on The One Big Idea.
With that one out of the way, I find I have three core ideas for novels, two sci-fi and one women's fiction, and I can feel myself dithering. I can't decide which one to start, but two of them I would like to write in parallel, alternating my time between them, or maybe all three.
So I think the bottom line is as TN says, go with what inspires you on the day. It's what your muse wants to do.
One way, is to simply tell yourself that you are going to stick with one novel and finish it come what may. This requires focus and a bloody mindedness. But the novel gets finished good or bad.
That way, when you see what you've achieved you will be encouraged to continue with the project to see it through.
Perhaps if you think of it in terms of a year's course of learning where various topics are sectioned in the different seasons of the year. So many weeks for this topic, so many for that. That's what you need to do with one project, outline what it is you need to do, decide when you want to finish it by, timetable yourself specific writing time, make a note of what is to be achieved in that writing time.
It's the same with losing weight, or any project where you need to keep focus to reach a goal. Plan, organise, then get your head down and work at it. :)
That's what I do. I don't beat myself up over anything.
I have four major projects - one is complete, one is being edited and two are yet to be written. I'm itching to start the other two but I know I need to complete the one I'm currently working on, then I have to be patient while I plan and research the next one before I begin. For me, that's like jumping from a bridge without the bungee. I need to be patient and disciplined because I know the finished product will be worth it.
Of course, everyone is different. There is truth to the phrase...'one step at a time.'
You need to focus on what you want for your work: if you want to get it out there, you've got to commit to it, and if you can't commit to it, is it really worth pursuing?
Or is it the knowledge that just finishing it doesn't guarantee anything that's holding you back? There is always something else to write; but make your notes now on your new idea, and it will still be there when you've finished one of the other projects - and you will give it more of your attention, and will do a better job of it.
Never a dull moment! I