Mandy, from Taos, New Mexico asks,” do you work on more than one book at a time?”
The answer is yes, but in a complicated fashion. At the present moment, I am working on six books. Here is where I am in order of publication date:
Catch You Later, Traitor (March 10, 2015, Algonquin) I just reviewed the final comments and questions by a very sharp proofreader.
Old Wolf (August 8, 2015, Atheneum/S&S) My work appears to be finished on this novella, but I will be reviewing the illustrations being done by Brian Floca.
School of the Dead (fall 2016, HarperCollins) I am awaiting the first proof reading, after which I am sure there will be some work to be done.
Short Stories (2016, Candlewick) My editor and I agreed to take out two of the stories originally submitted, and had me write two more. Now I am making revisions on all seven stories. Need to agree on a title, and the sequence of stories.
A Medieval novella (No title. No set date. Atheneum/S&S) I Have only written about a third of this one and am still doing research.
Untitled historical fiction (No date, Algonquin) I am still in the research stage for this one.
Notice that each of these books is at a different place. All have different deadlines. It is that, more than anything, which makes this kind of work possible.
9 thoughts on “More than one manuscript”
I know that this is a much asked question, but I really want to know. Just how do you budget your time. Connie Currie
It has mostly to do with publication schedules, and editorial schedules. (I send a MS in and may not hear back from an editor for a few weeks) I don’t work on all of these on a given day, but within a month I will. The last project I mentioned is in a research stage, so that’s searching for info and reading. Think how, when you were in school, you took more than one subject. Same.
Great to know that you are working on multiple projects at one time!
question for you: what are your thoughts with respect to NaNoWriMo where you have to write 50,000 words in a month? Do you think that feeling obligated to write and to put it up on social media would be a hindrance or a help?
I’ve had stories floating around in my head and have shared many of them with my sons but have not put them to paper but am not sure if doing it and sharing it immediately on social media would be the way to go. Just curious as to your insights related to this. Have a happy day! 🙂
For adults I think it’s fine if it motivates you to work at a high level of energy. For young people, I have my doubts. Counting words is not writing, as I know it. I’d rather they read 50,000 words a month. Their writing would be better.
You’re making me feel like a slacker. :)) xx
quality, not quantity .… right?
My head is spinning!
So is mine!
Thanks for sharing! It’s great to see what a first-class professional author does on a regular bases. 🙂