Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers

Multiple Works in Progress

How many of you have multiple works in progress? Are they all the same genre? How do you divide your time between them?

Currently, I have 4 WIP's.... sounds like alot huh? Right now I am thinking that too! As my second book just went back to my publisher for the formatting (after 13 hours of editing, my eyes are still crossed) I find myself looking at all the projects I have in the works.

One project is about half way through - but I had come up with a snag in the plot and I got frustrated so I put it on the back burner. Recently, as I find myself mulling over the issue, I think I found the way to work through my snag... but.... There is a more recent project that I started that I was working hard on. As soon as I figured out how to work through the other issue, I lost my train of thought on the new one.

Then there is the other book that I am working on with another author. Now that one is a huge project that will be in the making for a long time, but we are throwing ideas back and forth and running plot ideas and twists back and forth.

Then there is book 3 of my series (the second book is about to be published). After reading book 2 - and coming back to those characters I find myself running that plot hard and heavy in my mind. Conversations and characters building....

I'm at a loss right now as to exactly what I should be working on. I think I have so many things in the works that I am befuddled as to which one to go to next.

Anyone else get themselves in this situations? How do you work through them?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on September 21, 2011 at 12:56pm

Amy have you slept tonight. I went ot bed about four hours ago but didn't sleep a wink, so here I am again...A month. Boy, doesn't that beat all. If you have butterflies now just think what you'll feel like the night before. HAVE FUN with this...

Amy Manemann said:

The word is quickly spreading about the signing and it's only a month away! I'm furiously working on the bookmark and leaflet and yes, the bookmark will have a mention about the 2nd book in the series ;0) You guys are so great, lot's of love to everyone.

Robert L. Allen said:
I agree with Stacy and one more thing, put your next book on the marker. Maybe a couple sentence synopsis for the next book...I'm so excited for you...

Stacy Eaton said:
Amy - The book marks are a great idea - a think having a small leaflet would be good to - you could put your book information on it - plus you could add quotes from reviews that you have had on the book. List all the places your book is on sale, your website - your blog... The more the better!

Amy Manemann said:
Thanks for the advice Steve! I'm working on having some bookmarks made up, do you think that'd work in leu of a leaflet or would having both available be more appropriate?

Steve Norris said:
Amy you will be fine. Enjoy the experience of people talking about your work. Take some promotional material with you such as leaflets to hand out. People will take a leaflet more easily than a book and they do read them and think about it.

I've got a few lined up with local waterstones in the UK now. I am targeting the Christmas market now as an opportunity to boost sales. A nice Christmas present for the avid reader ' A Very English Revolution' lol

Amy Manemann said:

Yep, I just want to walk into any bookstore anywhere in the world and see my books lining their shelves or make a best seller list.

With that in mind I have a book signing set up at Barnes & Noble in Davenport Iowa, October 29th at 1:00. *Happy Dance!* I'm so excited and nerve wracked at the same time as this will be my first signing. Any advice?

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on September 21, 2011 at 1:00pm

Stacy, did you see your topic got 213 views WOW...

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on September 21, 2011 at 1:20pm

Robert - I was just thinking that this is topic has been hot! I think the little group of us that have been chatting have just kept it on fire! I love the fact that everyone is being so supportive to everyone!

Amy! I'm so excited to hear about all of this! I have 5 different B &N's near me - within 45 minutes drive all the way around me - so I think I need to start beating feet and get out to those stores and have a chat with them. I think I will go next week. Get my ducks in a row. Plus a local store that features local artists. Then there is the library.

Catherine - How freaking awesome to have your book in the library!!! I need to speak with my local library here soon to see if they will get my book in!

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on September 21, 2011 at 1:21pm

Steve - I think I am going to get some of those bookmarks made up and have them ready to go!

Permalink Reply by Catherine Green on September 21, 2011 at 7:47pm

Yeah get us, on the move! I never even thought about doing bookmarks, duh! I will see if I can get any done before my next signing but it's perhaps a bit short notice now. Never mind, there are plenty of other bookstores I need to get into, I'm just getting started (and so are all you guys by the sounds of it!).

I am loving having all of you to talk to on here, it has really cheered me up, and motivating me with my work.

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on September 21, 2011 at 7:58pm

Catherine - The whole motivation this is the key!!! It is very true!!! I love this website!

Catherine Green said:

Yeah get us, on the move! I never even thought about doing bookmarks, duh! I will see if I can get any done before my next signing but it's perhaps a bit short notice now. Never mind, there are plenty of other bookstores I need to get into, I'm just getting started (and so are all you guys by the sounds of it!).

I am loving having all of you to talk to on here, it has really cheered me up, and motivating me with my work.

Permalink Reply by Amy Manemann on September 21, 2011 at 10:43pm

Author Melissa Foster recommends a place called www.overnightprints.com From the looks of their site it's top quality work and the prices are low. I'm going to start there for mine :0)

WOW 213 views? Things are smokin' on here lol Great job everyone!!

Permalink Reply by Borislava Borissova on September 22, 2011 at 4:39pm

Hi to everyone,

I have something to say about bookmarks, I use them personally and find them a very good way to approach readers but I think the worthy bookmarks are expensive. Mine are just colored in the colors of the cover of my book but the paper has not very high quality so I wonder how long possible readers would like to keep it between the pages of their books if they could change it with something of better quality. Now I consider to make more bookmarks or to do something else for Christmas, a little calendar with the cover of my book, which I can send as a postcard to all friends and explore some websites to see how expensive 100 or 200 copies of such a calendar would cost. Another my idea is to participate in sites as www.webshots.com and to put there my cover so I can send it as a virtual post card for use around Christmas and New Year.

Would you think it is too aggressive promotion and I should not do it?

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on September 22, 2011 at 5:20pm

Borislava - Those are great ideas! You have to think about the costs involved - and if you are willing to put that cost. Now on the calender idea - I personally can't see doing a calender for just one book - and sending it to customers who have already read it, but I could see doing a calender that displays multiple pieces of work that maybe they haven't read yet.

I agree on the book marks - I throw out cheap ones - My publisher prints detailed good quality ones - and I have been thinking about investing in them.

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on September 23, 2011 at 12:23am

What about a printing shop. I had buisness cards printed back when I had a company and they cost under twenty dollars, of course that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth. But as far as bookmarks, sometimes I use toilet paper, depending on where I'm reading...Ha Ha... I think if their made colorful and catchy, the reader will look at them...lol...

Permalink Reply by Amy Manemann on September 23, 2011 at 1:27pm

lol Robert you crack me up. So, how was the dinosaur era?

Permalink Reply by Catherine Green on September 23, 2011 at 1:43pm

Too much information! Toilet paper indeed!

Anyway, on a serious note, with bookmarks they have to be good quality. I am collecting them, but they have to be decent so I want to keep them and use them regularly. I haven't tried anything like that yet, but am considering it. I'm not sure the calendar is a good idea. Personally I don't tend to keep promotional calendars unless they are really high quality. It's great to think outside the box for promotions though.