My quest for Nanowrimo has hit a snag.
I received really useful crit on my MS and that has been distracting me. The MS is calling my name. Imagine it in a closed drawer, shouting at me. Though in reality it's 0s and 1s saved on a hard drive, being in a drawer feels more visual. The corners of the pages lift up and form a mouth, in my head.
I thought I could focus on both - at least, to let the MS sit, while I drafted anew. I have had two ideas going for a while - planning and roughing out bits of one while drafting the other. It's been good. Work on one while the other sits. I've found it helpful.
However, now I'm at editing stage, I can't do it. I can't now draft the other. Though I should let MS 1 sit while I draft MS 2, probably, so I can return to it fresh. Perhaps after this edit, I will feel more able to set it aside. Maybe I need to set it aside and just read others' work, not try to draft anything new.
Either way, I am not going to finish Nano, but I don't feel bad about it. You spend the time doing what's most useful. If my brain can't finish MS 2, I won't force it.
I ask you: can you focus on two MS at once? Let one rest while you draft another? How do you spend the time while you let an MS rest?
How is your Nano going?
Hey Vik,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you won't be able to win NaNo this year, but you're right - you have to focus on what works for you, and if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't.
Actually, working on my current MS has given me tons of inspiration for Evermore. I think I'll return to that one after finishing this one. You may have more inspiration for MS 2 after finishing the first!
Hey Majanka - happy to hear you have Evermore inspiration ;)) Look forward to that and do ping me when you get back to it?
ReplyDelete& thanks I hope I do feel more inspired!
I can only focus on one at a time. So that manuscript would not sit for long.
ReplyDeleteVik, it's all about doing what you gotta do. If MS1 is your top priority then hey, NaNo will still be around next year!
ReplyDeleteI agree, you need to do what feels most urgent and important to you. As long as you're working, it's all good!
ReplyDeleteI can't work on more than one project at a time. Once I'm working on one thing, I have to see it through before I can move on.
NaNo is going okay for me - still on target which is great! :D
Good for you for making the decision to do what's best for you! It can be hard to set a goal like NaNo aside, but I'm glad you feel better about it now. I'm still plugging away at my novel, even though I am behind :)
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
Hi Vikki,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry. While oyu may not be finishing the NaNo project, you are still working, And that's the important thing.
I have been working on edits for one WIP, a NaNo project, the workshop on my blog, and PiBoIdMo. It's been driving crazy. (sshhh! Don't tell anyone, please:)_
I find I work best with two projects, but 4 has been too much.
Best wishes with your edits. Stop letting it tease you, and pull it out of the drawer...
I can only work on one project at a time, too. I get too distracted but sometimes, I drift off to work on another project and it just messes me up.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your editing! :)
ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Good luck with editing!
ReplyDeleteI am not doing NaNoWriMo, but I did do JuNoWriMo where I started a new project. I just work on whoever won't get out of my head. Good luck, you can do it!
ReplyDeleteYou gotta do what you gotta do, as the saying goes, Vik! Since you've already got a novel to edit, NaNo isn't as important for you as it is for those who have never written a novel before. Of course, the work that needs editing is the one you should focus on. If I was in your situation, I'd do the same thing.
ReplyDeleteAs for working on multiple mss at the same time, I don't do well trying to write two novels at the same time. One will invariably grab my attention more than the other. Now, if I'm resting one, I will certainly start another project until I'm ready to go back to the first ms. But I wouldn't try to write both simultaneously.
you know me, wanted to edit & write a new one at the same time. but when i got going on the edit, i couldnt start the other (and i'm still waiting on those forms i need to fill out from publisher...hmm!)
ReplyDeletedo what you want! i know the editing is closer to a pub! i'd do that too!
You have to do whatever's best for your writing. Sometimes it's pounding through on NaNo and other times it's polishing up based on helpful feedback. I think you made a wise choice! ;)
ReplyDeleteI think you made a good choice. If all you can think about is MS1, MS2 would probably suffer if you tried to continue. Personally, I can't work on two at the same time. I was working on a new one, but now it's on hold while I'm doing some revisions on the other. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI agree that you should work on whatever your mind is directing you towards. (Or, in other words, whichever MS is screaming for attention louder!) I've never tried to work on two books simultaneously. I thought about giving it a try, but then I became so engrossed in the one I started, I focused on that one!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to do NaNo, but I don't know if I really can. I juggle manuscripts. I'm working on 2-3 at a time or have them in rotation while they're resting.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you don't force yourself. I can work on two at a time, but it depends on how vivid the scenes are in my head for either book. My muse usually takes over and when her focus dims...that's it. Poof. Gone. I usually can't force her either. =)
ReplyDeleteKind of sounds like where my WiP is at, got caught in a snag over a negotiation scene. Take your time and let the story speak to you ... or bash it over the head and take it hostage, whichever works for you. :)
ReplyDeleteAlex - thanks, that's kinda how I feel!
ReplyDeleteRandi - thanks, yes, that's true, better luck next year!
Kyra - glad you are on target ;)
Allison - good luck with your novel!
Ink - 4 projects?? OMG I am not sure I could, I totally admire you!
Livia - Thanks for the good luck!
Prerna - Thank you
Jenn - I think working on whatever's in your head is a good plan!
Colin - Thank you, that's kind of how I feel, the edits have to come first.
Tara - thank you for the encouragement!
Nicole - thanks, it's nice to have reassurance I did the right thing ('write' thing?!)
Charity - that's true, the MS wouldn't get the attention it deserved if I forced my focus on it!
Thea - thank you, I do feel 1 is screaming louder!
Medeia - that's great that you can have them in rotation, I admire you being able to do that!
E. Arroyo - hee you can't force muses! They are a tricky business!
David - hee, taking my story hostage, I'll try! Nice image!
Thanks for the encouragement everyone!