I still pick what I want to do and when, but I pretty much always need to do something.
Fortunately, there's a lot to do. To illustrate. This is a long term list of everything I want to get done so far:
Concept
StW
Wo6C4
Wo6C5
ES2
ES3
ES4
ES5
ES6
ES7
ES8
ES9
BvB2
CiC
DD
CaA?
HM
SS1
SS2
Draft
VD
P
MDtS
RH
Rewrite
Wo6C3
BvB
ES
O
Edit
Submit
Publish
Wo6C1
Wo6C2
In the past six weeks, I've added three more ideas to the list of concepts: HM, SS1 and SS2. SS1 and SS2 are two books in a series. I dreamed something that's kickstarted a concept the night before last. Usually I just ignore my dreams, but for some reason, the more I ignore this one, the less I can think of anything else. So I gave in and SS is now a concept I'm trying to actively work on. In between my rewrite to BvB.
At least, now that I've decided to put more thought into the concept right now, it feels like it's letting up enough for me to finish the rewrites. Phew.
Since I know some of you will want to know what the abbreviations stand for:
Wo6C is for The War of Six Crowns. So Wo6C1 is in fact the book I'm in the process of editing for publishing. (Remember to help reveal the title! I even made it easy for you.)
BvB is for Birds vs Bastards, which is just a working title for my high concept urban fantasy.
O is for Otto, the main character in the dystopian I wrote for last year's NaNoWriMo.
The others... well... Guess you'll have to wait and see. ;-)
Do you also keep track of what you've worked on/are working on? Do you also feel the need to shift some priorities around as you go?
I'd just be happy to have more than one idea at a time!
ReplyDeleteIt's a blessing, it's a curse...
DeleteMisha, this looks like my list, except yours is more organized and has pretty colors. Pretty! (you must say that like an airhead).
ReplyDeleteI rearrange furniture all the time, and need to settle on a floor plan. It gets done...just want a little less hectic and a lot more smooth.
Have a great day!
M.L. Swift, Writer
Seriously, I'm so glad I'm not the only one seeking a good floor plan. :-D
DeleteSome ideas that creep their way into my mind sometimes steer me away from whatever my current project could be. However, I can keep track of what I'm during due to my constant notes that I keep. Sometimes seeking a good floor plan for some stories can be a good thing, depending on the person!
ReplyDeleteI guess that's my problem. I'm pathetic at keeping notes.
DeleteI have my folders, but I always write several things at once or I go crazy. That was what made Ashes so hard for me, having to focus on one. I probably need to organize it better.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to know what the rest is, curious minds want to know...lol.
Hahaha if I get working on them, you'll get a chance to figure out what the others meant. ;-)
DeleteI have a spreadsheet of my projects. Just the other day I got confused about what I submitted to whom, so that spreadsheet straightened things out for me.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah I definitely need to keep a spreadsheet once I'm submitting multiple projects. It's bound to happen...
DeleteThat looks like my growing list of blog post notes.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha you're lucky. I almost never have a blog post idea ahead of time.
DeleteI'm a true pantser so not as well as you are doing now.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a pantser, but it's good for me to keep track of what I want to do, or I'd forget half of it. ;-)
DeleteThat kind of list is a great idea! I should do something like that. Having more than one idea disturbs my ability to focus at times.
ReplyDeleteYeah same here. Especially if I have to juggle remembering a new idea with working on an old one.
DeleteI know exactly how you feel! So many projects and ideas, and the schedule that worked so well for me last summer doesn't fit at all this summer.
ReplyDeleteIt *is* nice to have more than one idea to jump around in, isn't it?
Oh yeah definitely. Working on more than one rough draft means that I don't need to freak out if I get stuck on one. :-)
DeleteI don't have my list arranged and colored like yours, but I like the spreadsheet idea, as Medeia said, and I will tackle that.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Let me know how it goes. :-)
DeleteOh my gosh, more organized than me, that's for sure. I think you just inspired me!
ReplyDeleteYay! I like inspiring people.
DeleteGetting organized is good, and keeping track of your goals. My hubby made me put deadlines on my works. That's where my organization comes from--necessity. But, along with that things are constantly shifting because I homeschool the kids, and plan as I might, the day might take a different angle than I'd hoped. There has to be flexibility if we truly hope to achieve, eh?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah definitely. That's why I have a countdown timer for the five years.
DeleteCan't plan when I want to publish what...
I usually work on multiple projects, too. The audio came in for The Backworlds, so that's what I'm doing right now... listening to give final approval. Priorities have to shift some times.
ReplyDeleteMid September, it will all be about Backworlds #4.
Sometimes a gut feeling settles in, and I have to go with that.
Definitely. It's kind of the same with me. I'm prioritizing the Bird vs Bastards rewrite at the moment, but I shelve it as soon as I have to edit Wo6C1. :-)
DeleteThat's a lot of books! It sounds like you've got the right idea in terms of organisation though. Far from a spreadsheet, I basically have a drawer full of scraps of paper. Something to think about for sure.
ReplyDeleteI used to try notes, but put them down all over the place. And those I can find are perpetually out of order. :-D
DeleteI'm not even going to lie. I laughed so hard when I say this because...I do the same thing. Up until now I thought I was a freak. Nice to know you're one, too, Misha. (if you don't mind me pointing out.) xD I'm in good company.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I also add fanciful publication dates too. Don't ask. It helps me keep myself on track if I know what and when I'm writing the first draft of my current project(s).
I don't mind being pointed out as a freak. Normal people are boring. :-P
DeleteAnd you know what? I actually thought of adding fanciful publication dates today.
Misha, and this is why you probably will reach your goals! You're very ambitious.
ReplyDeleteAnd in Jack Sparrow's immortal words: "Good thing I'm insane, or this would never have worked."
DeleteHey Misha,
ReplyDeleteGood grief, my friend! Another illustration of your organisational skills and your determination. Although, I haven't got a clue what all your symbols mean. Something about books :) And no, I'm not going into acronym overdrive. Personally, I could never be as structured as you. I just do what I do whenever I want to do it. I did mean writing, by the way.
Happy, fulfilling writing, Misha
Gary :)
It's not as structured as it looks. I still do what I want, when I want. But I like knowing what I've been achieving.
Delete