If you ever spend any time in online groups where there are a lot of early-stage writers, you will find a few common threads. First, of course, they are constantly looking for reassurance. Will someone read through the first paragraph of my novel? Or, I want to write a book about an alien invasion, but they turn out to be cute little bunnies. Will anyone buy that book? Another common malady is what I call First Chapter Syndrome. Writers will have first chapters done for twenty-six books, but have exactly zero chapter twos.
I’ve always thought I might be susceptible to that same syndrome, so I’ve always made myself finish one project before starting another. Oh, sure, I had the “idea file” where I stockpiled future ideas, but I never allowed myself to actually begin to write any of them until I was done with my current project. That way, I figured, I’ll never be one of those guys. Continue reading “Juggling Multiple Writing Projects”
In the dream, my new release hits number one on the bestseller charts. Readers burn through my back catalogue and buy everything I’ve ever written. And someone super-important (after they beg profusely) pays me a large amount of money to get me to complete my next project. I have the same dream prior to the release of every book. The day I don’t have that dream is the day I’ll stop publishing and only write for pleasure.
I’ve never felt so at home in life as I do now, surrounded by other authors. It’s a good, comfortable, nurturing feeling to be in the company of others with like goals and souls. I thought that would give me what I need to feel validated, and for the most part it does. But there was something missing.
There’s a word out there, I can’t think of what it is. It’s not necessarily narcissism, but it has a similar yet less abrasive connotation. It’s a word authors want — need in their lives. It’s a word that we long to hear or see. But far be it from me to remember what that word was! I even asked my editor and she drew a blank. So you’re asking, what the heck is she on about?