I envy the people who can work on a single project and just get it done. It would probably make my life a lot easier – and simpler – if I could focus on a single book at a time, but that’s not my style. I have this nature where I have to be doing something, working on something.
You see, in between drafts of whatever project I’m working on, I’ll jump into another. The further along a WIP I am, thew shorter these gaps, so I’m likely to work on a short story or two rather than another book, but, early on, it’s another draft.
You might wonder how I keep it all separate, how I don’t get my stories mixed up. We’ll get to that, but first…
So, what am I working on?
Well, as you probably know, I realised book 1 of the Weight of the World series, Reality Check, in October 2021. That means, my first priority right now is book 2! This novel is already well on the way to completion, and – assuming nothing drastic happens – be out later this year. I’ll follow this up in 2023 with book 3 in the series, so there’s plenty for you to get your teeth into.
Beyond this series, there are two projects I’m working on. I have a standalone speculative fiction story that is planned and ready to be drafted later this year, however, you’re more than likely to see the first book in a fantasy series I’m also working on. Three stories are planned, with the first already drafted.
As you can see, there’s plenty of stories coming your way in the coming years.
Let’s not forget Introductions: Volume One is also available to buy – although you can get a free digital copy by signing up to my newsletter – and you can get a taster of all three of these projects by reading the stories inside.
Working on multiple projects
So, I said before that I work on multiple projects at a time, but usually not side by side. I won’t write a page of one book one day and then the next work on another book. At least, not often. It would take a large flash of inspiration to make me switch like that, but it has happened before.
Being able to jump into different projects, different worlds, can be confusing, definitely, but it’s also refreshing. It makes sure there’s variety in what I’m doing and that’s something I enjoy.
I’ll work solidly on a book draft from start to finish, but when I’m done with that version, and I take a break to refresh and recharge, a different project lets me keep doing what I love while bringing fresh eyes to each draft I create.
The important thing for me is to still take time off from writing at times, too. It’s a labour of love, but it can be draining both creating and editing – never mind publishing and marketing.
How do I stop myself getting confused with the different projects?
Plans! All the plans, and the notes on characters, subplots, worldbuilding and so much I more. I scribble things down a lot – anything that can be useful. Eventually, I move those notes to a digital platform, so I can refer back to them with a simple tab change.
That transference also makes for a great procrastination task. Those days where you want to do something productive but you’re not sure what, or don’t want to do anything to heavy. You’re welcome.
With these plans and notes, I can switch between stories very quickly. Some people prefer to make things up as they go, and that’s fine – I do like a bit of creative freedom, too – but it makes it harder to pick up each character’s style, their speech and even how they’re feeling within a situation. Some of the notes I have might be excessive, but you never know what they might lead to in the future.
Staying on track
While it can be hard to work on so many projects at once, deadlines can really help me stay on track. This means some level of pressure comes with every project or draft I work on, but it means there’s accountability (with myself).
If I miss a deadline, it pushes back the next one – and the one after that. Now that I’ve started self-publishing, these deadlines not only matter to me, but to readers, too. If I constantly move them, they’re not going to trust me anymore, and that’s going to harm my future books.
Sometimes it can’t be avoided, and most people understand that, but by putting in so much work already to get various books at different stages, I’m hoping I can supply a constant stream of books that people will buy, read and love.
After all, that’s the reason I’m doing all of this. This journey is just beginning, but there’s plenty to come. Make sure you stick around to see how it all works out.