Saturday, July 14, 2012

Whatever....

At the beginning of the month, I posted about how I developed a project plan for writing for the remainder of the calendar year. 

The plan included editing 22 chapters of my latest WIP for my CP, typing up the chapters I hand-wrote during vacation, and doing final (and perhaps painful) edits on my other two manuscripts, editing the current WIP again, and starting a historical fiction piece that I think is going to be awesome but will definitely require a lot of research.  It sounds like a lot, but my project plan says it's possible if I work on it persistently until December 31.

The plan is going very well.  I've checked off seventeen items and have stayed focused on one project at a time...until this morning when my Muse showed up - the one that wants me to write and not edit. 

Another story that I started a year ago, but didn't plan to finish any time soon if ever, settled in the front of my mind.  The story is sad and funny.  It's about a single mom with a baby and a five-year-old and a full-time job.  It requires zero research because I've been there. 

I feel compelled to write it now and push everything else aside.

Plans are made to be changed, right?

The logical part of me knows this is procrastination - I'm doing anything to put off doing the final edits on those three manuscripts.  If I don't finish them, then I won't have to risk getting rejected, right?

If I ignore my Muse, she will go on vacation (as is her habit), and I'll be done.

Instead of throwing away the plan, I may try multi-tasking, working on what I had planned in the morning and add on a new chapter of the new ms in the evening.  I'm not sure how long I can work at that pace, but it's worth a try.

How is your writing going?

14 comments:

  1. If the new story is motivating you, write it! Plans are never set in stone.

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  2. Yeah, if my muse wants to write I let her. The editing is for when my mind is in more of an analytical mode, which I can force, but not always with success. Nothing wrong with being flexible about what you work on, though, editing in the morning, writing in the afternoon. Sounds like a plan. :)

    I had to toss an entire scene yesterday. Wasn't working no matter how much I tried to force it. Have to start from scratch today, but I know it will be better in the long run.

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  3. Sometimes you have to go with the flow. It may be the best writing you've ever done if your muse is speaking to you now.

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  4. I think you should pay attention to the Muse when you can. Unless someone is breathing down your neck for those edits, you're the boss, go with the gut feeling. Too often, we push back on the creative; be flexible.

    I like your multi-tasking idea - that's what I would do.

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  5. Wow! You have done so much already to go off track is just fine to me!

    My manuscript editing and new novel research is NOT going as well as I would hope. I am still unemployed and it's getting to me and my ability to be creative and write. The stress is just wearing me down. I hope to pick up speed once I have stable employment, but I'm so weary lately.

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  6. Sometimes multi-tasking works for me -- sometimes it doesn't. But I do draft new words better late at night, while I can edit any time of day. So if you are similar in that regard, I'd go ahead and try working on both.

    But, as everybody above said, when the Muse shows up, you've got to take advantage of it. Write!

    As for me, I just finished my first draft. Elation was quickly followed by depression, because I miss working on it! (I go through this everytime.) But you've now given me the idea to take out an old project for some editing until I'm ready to start work on something new. Thanks!

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  7. Plans, regiments, and the discipline to carry them out spring from the left brain. Creativity is a right brain function. They don't always play well together, but you need them both to be successful. I'd say be mindful of the plan, but you'll be unhappy if you don't amuse yourself with new idea's from time to time. :)

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  8. I feel like if life (and writing) always went to plan it would become predictable and boring. Follow your muse and go with the flow. Its only important that you are moving forward with your writing. If you try to do double duty you may end up burning yourself out. Although if the mood strikes you, go for it!

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  9. good luck! I would love to write someday, so you are way way ahead of me.

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  10. Hard decisions. It's definitely worth a try if you can pull it off. Good luck on that! I also think changing plans is just fine. Maybe you can make a bit of a new plan that mixes up writing the new story and editing the others?

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  11. Mine is going must better now. I think it's because I've been working out & releasing some stress that's been stifling my muse!

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  12. I agree with going with the flow and following your muse. Mine has gone on vacation at the moment and I know how frustrating that is, so I think you should go ahead and follow your inspiration right now. Plans are definitely made to be changed. Good luck!

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  13. I've done the writing/editing different stories at once trick before. It's difficult, but possible. Of course, it's different for everyone, and it probably depends on the tone of the stories. Good luck, though!

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  14. Everyone - thanks for all your great comments. I obviously took a few days off. My muse and I got distracted and didn't write or edit a word. Oh well.

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