I have to compartmentalise so keeping as many projects on the go as you would be fun but stress me out I think. We all have a unique way of working that’s for sure. I’m expecting an email shortly that will either give me two extra projects over the book I’m writing, or none, and I’m excited and dreading the extra work if it comes. But challenges are good aren’t they?
It is quite stressful. I'm about to ask at least one of the publishers for an extension. But as you say, I'm all for challenges - if I'm not busy, I have a tendency to get a bit idle.
I have never managed to master the slump that comes after a big project is "done", to the extent that I now try to build in a couple of weeks of down time, or at least no pressure admin time afterwards. Even so, I am terrible at compartmentalising things.
Yes, it can be quite a strange period. I did a lot of drama at university and felt quite depressed for a week or so after a show had finished. At the moment this is not an issue as nothing seems to be coming to a conclusion.
I've only written one book - Successful Article Writing, way back in 1999 for the Writers' News library - but I always have several article projects on the go at once so I'm Queen of the Lists! Lists of deadlines. Lists of ideas to pitch. Lists of trips and interviews to arrange. Even the domestic jobs to fit in around them. And there's only one way to make lists - with pen and paper. Then I have the daily thrill of ticking jobs off as I do them - or carrying them over to tomorrow's To Do list!
Yes, I'm still very much pen and paper (though I transfer notes to the laptop as belt and braces approach). I like to keep my To Do lists very short so I don't feel bad at close of play.
I have to compartmentalise so keeping as many projects on the go as you would be fun but stress me out I think. We all have a unique way of working that’s for sure. I’m expecting an email shortly that will either give me two extra projects over the book I’m writing, or none, and I’m excited and dreading the extra work if it comes. But challenges are good aren’t they?
It is quite stressful. I'm about to ask at least one of the publishers for an extension. But as you say, I'm all for challenges - if I'm not busy, I have a tendency to get a bit idle.
I have never managed to master the slump that comes after a big project is "done", to the extent that I now try to build in a couple of weeks of down time, or at least no pressure admin time afterwards. Even so, I am terrible at compartmentalising things.
Yes, it can be quite a strange period. I did a lot of drama at university and felt quite depressed for a week or so after a show had finished. At the moment this is not an issue as nothing seems to be coming to a conclusion.
Never finishing anything is a strategy I've considered.
Surely that's a bestselling t-shirt slogan right there?
Millionaires by Christmas of course!
I've only written one book - Successful Article Writing, way back in 1999 for the Writers' News library - but I always have several article projects on the go at once so I'm Queen of the Lists! Lists of deadlines. Lists of ideas to pitch. Lists of trips and interviews to arrange. Even the domestic jobs to fit in around them. And there's only one way to make lists - with pen and paper. Then I have the daily thrill of ticking jobs off as I do them - or carrying them over to tomorrow's To Do list!
Yes, I'm still very much pen and paper (though I transfer notes to the laptop as belt and braces approach). I like to keep my To Do lists very short so I don't feel bad at close of play.
Concentrating on one project and not thinking about the others at the same time is quite a skill to cultivate isn't it
It probably is. Certainly beyond me. I just flit about like a 1920s Bright Young Thing who's had too much champagne.
It's a strong look