I’m always trying something new with each WIP. I don’t know why I can’t just find a process and stick to it, but I’m always tweaking.
I’m going to try my hand at working on two separate WIPs at the same time. I’ve never done this before. I used to write half a novel and then move on to a new idea, but then I rarely went back to that old idea. Since figuring out that I could in fact write a complete novel, I have done the one by one approach.
What’s different this time? I have two very different ideas. One is the second in a series I’m writing. The other is something outside my comfort zone for a competition. Both are ideas I’m currently in love with and I thought… why not give it a try?
I generally don’t read about a lot of people doing this successfully. Maybe it’s a terrible idea, but I think I’ll need a break from the outside my comfort zone one, and I’d like to keep my head in the series I just completed the first book for. Of course, I’m also going to be trying to do some more agent submitting and a workshop and… right now it feels like I’m just piling things on.
But, the worst thing that happens is I have to put something aside for a while. And, really, there’s nothing bad about that. Might as well try, and if it doesn’t work… I learned my lesson. Right now is the time to experiment, to try and push myself to do different things and stretch myself to go further than I have before.
(After I do the dishes, of course).
(Edited to add: I wrote this post over the weekend. It is now Tuesday and I have written three times as much in one WIP as the other. I think I’ve already reached the put aside point).
Nicole Helm 