Thursday, June 21, 2012

WIP Thursday: Where to Begin (or End)?

I hope you enjoyed this week's interview with Lucienne Diver. Next week, editing guru Mick Silva is on tap. So don't miss out Tuesday! (By the way, Mick didn't ask for the "guru" moniker but I think he deserves it anyway.)

Have you ever found yourself flip-flopping between projects? Have you ever been torn between finishing one project while another is pestering you "write me, write me?" Well, that's where I find myself this week. On the one hand, "Big Joe" should be my focus. I'm feverishly attempting it to get it prepared to query but the opening still has me scratching my head, based on feedback I've received.

So we come to project #2, which I've been talking about off and on here: Sarah's story. It's the story that will not leave me alone. I can't walk, read, sleep or eat without thinking of it the past few days. Maybe it's my mind being clouded over for a week with the onset of bronchitis. Or maybe, this really is THE story I should be focusing on in the present.

The difficult part for me is Sarah's story is such a personal one that it takes a lot of energy just recounting some of the events. I have no doubt non-fiction has the potential to toughen me up as a writer. Good Lord, just writing a book proposal will do that! At some point I think I need to make up my mind. Or do I? I've heard some writers who work on drastically different projects at one time, and certainly as a writer we're equipped to juggle our workload as deadlines and circumstances dictate.

I've always been a person who focused on one thing, finished it, and moved on to the next. With my writing, I've found that much more challenging. Anyone out there have trouble juggling different projects? How do reach a sense of accomplishment with both projects?

4 comments:

  1. Can't say I've done the non-fiction and fiction at the same time, Kirk. Tough go. I've juggled three ongoing novels but am focusing on one in particular right now. In your case you already had the basic story finished except for editing, and then the Lord put Sarah's Story on your heart. I would only suggest IF you can, work on both. You have a wonderful opportunity with the fantasy, but Sarah's Story is just as or more important. (Big help, huh?)

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    1. Thanks for the input, Nicole. I'm going to do my best to take your advice and work on both. We'll see how it works out.

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  2. Kirk - if Sarah's story will "not leave you alone" - start jotting down notes that come to you regarding it. It may not mean you are to jump full board into it right now but as you weave in that direction, let the Holy Spirit lead you with some notations. You'll know when the time is right to put all your attention into it.

    I have never worked on two projects at the same time so I cannot address this from personal experience but I do know the expereince of being nudged!

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