My writing style, right for me, or too 'distracted' ?

[Naruzeldamaster]

No I'm not talking about what goes into the actual stories (not that form of writing style)
I mean how I'm handling keeping myself from feeling burnt out on any one story at a time.
Currently I have four stories 'cooking' right now, used to be 5 but I put one of those on the back burner.
Thing is, I don't always want to work on the 'same' project all the time, but my brain wants to write, so having multiple projects going keeps me from getting writers block.

Some here have said four is too many, but the whole point of having four is to give me options, but to limit those options so I'm not starting up a new idea every time I get a spark. I used to have it really bad with that, especially when I was writing on one single project for any length of time.

 

[pmmg]

Where is the love? What is your master?

If you find them boring and easy to be distracted from, what should others think? These are your babies. Do you want them or not? Until you find the discipline, and give the one you feel most strongly about the love it deserves, it will never be done.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Where is the love? What is your master?

If you find them boring and easy to be distracted from, what should others think? These are your babies. Do you want them or not? Until you find the discipline, and give the one you feel most strongly about the love it deserves, it will never be done.

When I'm working on multiple, I actually CAN focus down and work on them, one at a time, one chapter at a time, to make some progress.

I'm the same way with games, I'm usually playing 2-3 at a time, though usually no more than that. Usually longer ones (or one long one and two short ish ones) with beefy content so if I'm not in the mood for one I can play a different one.

It's just kinda how my brain works. Kind of half way between SQUIRREL and 'must stay focused'. And yes I am more than aware of my progress overall being a bit slower.

If I try to focus down one singular idea, the initial spark of interest wanes, with multiple projects (currently two original and two fanfiction) if I'm not in the mood to work on one, I can shift focus and work on a different one. As I'm working on a different project, my brain starts going 'oo can't wait to work on that other one again'

It's been working so far, it especially helps because all four of them are a wildly different genre. And most of the characters aren't similar to the other stories either, so no getting them confused.

 

[Karlin]

Hi, I am often tempted to start another project, in parallel to my current one, but I manage to resist. Maybe you have some attention issue (I do), so it works better to have several going at once. It isn't The Standard Way to do Things, but if it works for you- why not? As long as you're not making a liviing doing this.

 

[TheKillerBs]

How long have you been working like this? Has it actually allowed you to finish a project?

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Hi, I am often tempted to start another project, in parallel to my current one, but I manage to resist. Maybe you have some attention issue (I do), so it works better to have several going at once. It isn't The Standard Way to do Things, but if it works for you- why not? As long as you're not making a liviing doing this.

I'm not planning on making a living (Tho I might publish my two original fictions, can't publish the fanfictions because you know, copyright) on it yet. I'm taking it at my own pace.

How long have you been working like this? Has it actually allowed you to finish a project?

I was in a writing slump for a long time (no interest in writing at all for a good bit) until recently where I said 'you know what, fine, multiple projects, but I'm not allowed to play 'favorites' and I have to actually finish them.' I've been making slow but steady progress on all of them since.

One of the Fanfictions is at chapter 1 (But it's rather long) The other fanfiction is Chapter 1 (But that chapter is complete.) One of the original fictions (Hound and Fox, which I've talked about a lot here) is partway into chapter 3. The other Original Fiction is on the tail end of chapter two. So while it's not 'Fast' progress, it's still progress.

Once I get all three stories 'caught up' to Hound and Fox (And Hound and Fox itself) to a finished chapter 3. I've made a rule that I'm not allowed to 'play favorites' and I have to finish a chapter of one project before I 'switch it up' this has gone swimmingly in keeping me motivated writing said chapters. I know it's a bit of an odd way to do things, but hey, it's working, and I'm not constantly picking up new ideas as they come to me anymore.

 

[Prince of Spires]

The simple truth is that you don't need our permission to do this. If you think this will work for you, then go ahead and give it a try. The only way to find out is to sit down each night (or whenever your preferred writing time is) for the next 30-60 days and see if you make progress. That's all that counts.

I know there's at least one best-selling author out there who has a similar process (though I forgot his name...). He just sits down each day, thinks about which project he wants to work on and does that. Rinse and repeat.

As long as it gets you finished stories, then it's a proces worth using.