Writing Two Books At The Same Time...is this possible???

I have two YA book manuscripts which first drafts are already written. They both have been sitting to one side for a few years as I tried to decide which to work on further. Both books are chattering equally loud for my attention and I'm afraid if I try working on only one I wonder if the other will try to disrupt the editing/revision process for that particular book. Then I began to think perhaps I should try to work on both at the same time; alternating back and forth (one book for the month of June, the other one for July, and so on) until the second draft is completed. Am I insane or completely wrong? I'm open for any advice and suggestion!

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Permalink Reply by Lorena Bathey on May 19, 2011 at 10:09am

I believe you have to go with your gut and follow what the work dictates. If one day you feel one manuscript calling louder for your attention, then go with that. But you might want to create a week long working process since getting into the writing can take some time to hear the voices.

But I have nine books in my writing queue and the order of the books is up to the inspiration. In-spirit -that's what inspiration is. It's letting the muses, work, words, or whatever it is have the power to give you what you need to create. So trust that.

Lorena

www.LorenaBBooks.com

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Permalink Reply by Carrie A Golden on May 21, 2011 at 6:08am

Nine books? Wow. :) Thank you for your encouragement. Personally I work best when I am inspired or when my muse gives me no choice but to work on a given book/story. Then the words just flow. Later when I read over what I had written, I have a difficult time believing that I had actually wrote it. It feels like another person had wrote it instead of me! :)

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Permalink Reply by Michael N. Marcus on May 19, 2011 at 11:49am

Since my third book, I've always had at least two "in the oven." Right now, there are five (or maybe six).

I like being able to switch among them if I need fresh stimulation, or some days I'll feel like editing or designing more than writing. Also, often something that I write for one book, ends up in another where it may be more appropriate. Sometimes one book may suggest another, and it may become more important than, or even replace, the original. Sometimes books that were originally independent, get combined.

In short, be flexible, and don't be afraid to experiment.

If you have two incomplete books that have been sitting around for years, maybe there's a third book imprisoned in your head that needs to be typed before the others are published.

Michael N. Marcus
-- http://www.BookMakingBlog.blogspot.com
-- http://www.Self-Pub.info
--Create Better Books, with the Silver Sands Publishing Series: CTRL + Click to follow link"">http://www.silversandsbooks.com/bo...
--"Stories I'd Tell My Children (but maybe not until they're adults)," CTRL + Click to follow link"">http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981661750

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Permalink Reply by Carrie A Golden on May 21, 2011 at 6:13am

I actually have two other books in my head :) You're right though in that I need to learn to be flexible. It is better to be constantly working on something (whether it's two or four projects) rather than not working on any at all because I'm unsure of which book to focus on.