I can work on one book and promote another, or write one blog while writing a book, but I can’t seem to work on two books at once. And of course that’s what I’m trying to do. I think this may be because it’s hard to get into a character's head, and so moving to another character in another story means starting all over.
You might think (I did) that you should be able to pick up wherever you left off. But it doesn’t seem to be so. I want to get a lot done on two projects, a deep revision of Chasing Happiness (formerly The Happiness Connection), and the first draft of food critic mystery number 11. I’ve spent the past week switching from one to the other and feeling stuck with both. And yet I have a fear that if I move ahead with one I’ll forget the other.
Once we’d finished the washing up and stored the leftovers in the freezer, Miss Gloria insisted on pouring us another finger of whiskey to sip in front of the telly. We watched the end of the BBC news, and there was not a word said about America or her policies or politics. Honestly, it was nice to have a breather from the problems that dogged us at home.
Deep into an episode of a TV series based on Ann Cleeves’ Shetland, I heard a car outside in the driveway and then somebody crashing into the garbage cans. Before I could panic about a possible intruder, Nathan and Warren clattered into the room, wearing kilts—the full dress version with what looked like animal pelts hanging from their waists and swords tucked into their skirts. This time, Nathan looked completely comfortable in his costume, as if he had grown up roaming the Scottish moors. For the first time, I could really understand why Claire went all wobbly seeing the redheaded Jamie in his kilt in Outlander.
I stood up to kiss him hello. “Who are you, you gorgeous hunk of male flesh, and what have you done with my husband?”
“It is I, Nathan the conqueror, and I’ve come to sweep away a wee Scottish lassie,” he said, sounding a little tipsy and absolutely giddy. He grabbed me by the waist and swung me into an embrace.
I couldn’t help giggling once he’d released me. “And how much whiskey have you two drunk because maybe Miss Gloria and I have some catching up to do.”
He flopped down on the couch beside our friend. “We’ve had the most amazing day. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be playing the same course where Tiger Woods won the British Open? Of course, my drives aren’t quite as long as his.”
Warren cackled and brandished his sword. “No comment, my friend. Nothing you’ve got is as long as his.” They both howled with laughter this time.
Then Nathan gazed around at Miss Gloria and me. “You all look a little glum. How was your day?”
“Kind of brutal,” said Miss Gloria. “There was a death at the wheel.”
Meanwhile, if anyone has any tips about juggling more than one project at a time, I'm all ears!
On another note, if you are a Netgalley reviewer, THE KEY LIME CRIME is available. I can't help looking at what folks are saying. This one gave me a real thrill:
Peter Mayle!! Only four months until THE KEY LIME CRIME, book 10 in the Key West food critic mystery series, will arrive in bookstores everywhere--I can't wait for you to read it! THE KEY LIME CRIME (July 2020) is available for pre-order now...
Meanwhile, if anyone has any tips about juggling more than one project at a time, I'm all ears!
On another note, if you are a Netgalley reviewer, THE KEY LIME CRIME is available. I can't help looking at what folks are saying. This one gave me a real thrill:
Peter Mayle!! Only four months until THE KEY LIME CRIME, book 10 in the Key West food critic mystery series, will arrive in bookstores everywhere--I can't wait for you to read it! THE KEY LIME CRIME (July 2020) is available for pre-order now...
I generally just jump into things, so I’m afraid I don’t have any answers about juggling two writing projects at the same time, but your story excerpt made me chuckle . . . I’m looking forward to reading the book.
ReplyDeletethanks so much Joan!
DeleteI can't read more than one book at a time, and I'm in awe of the writers who can juggle two books. I completely understand where you are coming from.
ReplyDeleteI can't read more than one novel at a time either, Mark. I can read a newspaper or magazine plus book, but not two worlds!
DeleteNo juggling advice from me either. I’m trying to picture a tipsy Nathan wearing a kilt and bouncing off of garbage cans. That Warren must be some influence! I can’t wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI know--he's really lightened up, hasn't he Pat:)?
DeleteShalom Reds and fans. I think had I been born 30 to 40 years later, I would have been one of those kids who are medicated for ADHD. I liked movies; so I could focus on them sufficiently to remember them scene by scene to tell my mother when I got home. I liked to play and to win at chess; so I could keep focused four or five moves ahead to plot strategy. However, school work, not so much. I always had much more interesting stuff going on in my head.
ReplyDeleteI’ve discovered late in life, that not only am I no good at multi-tasking, but I have difficulty keeping to one task sufficiently. Sometimes, reading only one book, I have to go back and re-read some portion of what I’ve read already. I suspect I was always like this. I just accept now, that it’s a fact.
So interesting David, that you could remember a movie and think about a chess board! Our brains are wired so differently and we are wise to know and accept and develop what we've got...
DeleteLucy, I write three books a year, more or less, and I can't work on more than one at a time. Even when copyedits or proofs come in on a different book (and usually, different series), I have to set down the WIP, get the other thing done, and then resume. Yes, sometimes it takes a while to get back into it, but I have to immerse myself in one project to move it forward. So I have no helpful tips.
ReplyDeleteI love Nathan in a kilt and getting loose and funny - that seems like a real switch for him!
That makes me feel better Edith!
DeleteThere is definitely "something" about a man in a kilt!
ReplyDeleteI find I can draft one book in the morning and revise another in the afternoon, but until now, they've always been of the same series. And that's confusing enough. Good luck. I hope you find some good tricks to accomplish the 2-at-1-time feat.
that makes sense Annette! I think what I'm going to find is the trick of choosing one, finishing it, and then going back to pick up the other...
DeleteGod gave kilts to men--for women! I'm convinced. Sounds like the gang is having quite the adventure, dear Lucy/Roberta.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I would not be able to head-hop between projects, either. I need to focus entirely on one, and not get distracted.
Roberta/Lucy, I agree that it is funny how our brains are wired! I can follow many series at once, including reading more than one book from different authors. No problem, though I don't do it very often. But if I really have to concentrate on something, I cannot have any other voices around, not the tv, for sure, not music with words, certainly not Audible. I close the door, basically on all other voices. Even if it is only baking a new recipe. I need to read the directions, sometimes out loud. Yeah. Weird.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I can't listen to something while working either!
DeleteMe, either, Judy!
DeleteAnd the excerpt from the new book is enticing. Nathan in a kilt. So many possibilities, if you ever go in that direction!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going in that direction, it will just take a little longer:)
DeleteLOL! Actually, pretty glad to hear that!!
DeleteI find myself wondering why you would even want to write 2 books at the same time. Seems to me that you use the same part of your brain to write each book. Why do it? Concentrate on one and get it out of the way.
ReplyDeleteI have tried reading 2 books at a time and it just does not work well. When I am reading a book and then put it down to do something else I like to keep thinking about the characters and what might happen next. Too confusing for me to have another book going on at the same time.
And oh I just cannot wait to read about Hayley and the gang in Scotland! I am rather curious about how Miss Gloria got to go on the honeymoon.
That's a good question Judi! I want to really move on both projects, but I think I'm resigning myself to one at a time. And You'll find out about the honeymoon in THE KEY LIME CRIME:)
DeleteWhat a wonderful review - and snippet!
ReplyDeleteI'm like you. I can't draft two books at the same time, but I can write one and revise another (which is what I'm doing right now). I guess I'm no help at all, huh?
Thanks so much Liz! You are helpful, because I'm feeling a little more normal...
DeletePeter Mayle!
ReplyDeleteAnd Lucy, I read somewhere that Isaac Asimov solves the multiple-book problem by using different typewriters, and facing a different direction for each book. He said because he was in a different environment, he could separate the books. Hmm.
THAT is fascinating...I think he had more brain power than I do:)
DeleteWhoa. That is fascinating! And maybe explains why I have different books on the go in different parts of my life/world -- bedtime reading, bathroom reading, bus reading; and in the summer -- city reading and cottage reading. All different books in the different places and I enjoy each one as much as the other. Different reading contexts help keep things straight in my mind, I'm guessing.
DeleteYes, that sounds like a similar process. Except that writing is harder for me than reading...
DeleteOF COURSE you have as much brain power! You have as much as you need!
DeleteI am looking forward to reading The Key Lime Crime. Also thinking about Nathan in a kilt makes me anxious to read #11. I don’t really have a problem multi-tasking at work, but that’s about the only time I’m good at it. I can only read one book at a time. Because I’m not a great cook, I have to really concentrate on the recipe when I’m cooking.
ReplyDeleteLots of us with those one-track minds it turns out! and thanks for the kind words...
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming release and WIP. Both look like fun reads.
ReplyDeleteI concurrently read books and watch concurrent British crime DVD's (though I do need a plot refresher for some). My difficult transition is from writing short stories to full-length mysteries, though the books could use a good short-story editing (fewer characters, shorter time frame).
I can not read with any distraction, any noise, any music or another person in the room, which is why I go to bed at eight and read until eleven or so, with only Toby and Penny for company.
ReplyDeletebut oddly, I can read on a plane. Somehow I erect this capsule around me that cuts out everything. I wonder if it would be effective against COVID-19?
I often have two or three books going at a time, though. I can move from one to another when I need a change of pace, particularly when one of the mysteries gets too lurid, and I have to have a break from flood and gore.
It is as Margaret said above. Reading multiple books isn't any different for me that watching multiple tv series.
Lucy/Roberta, I don't think I'd worry overly much about losing one book if you concentrate on the other. As someone who has put down one writing project to concentrate on another, I can tell you that you aren't going to lose the first one. It's still there, and chances are, while you're focused on the second, some part of your brain is still working on the first story. You'll come back to it, re-read what you've written, and fingers will start racing across that keyboard. And can't wait to catch up with Hayley and gang--especially in Scotland. Whew!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your confidence Flora!
DeleteLOVE THE EXCERPT! Love these characters!
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, I'm having trouble writing ONE book at a time, so don't look at me. I do find that, when I'm in the groove, I can write one book and edit another.
Yes editing feels different than coming up with a story from scratch. thanks Hallie!
DeleteLucy, I LOVE this! Nathan in a KILT?? The only thing is that I'm afraid reading this book will make me homesick for Scotland... Love the comparison to Peter Mayle, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't multi-task well at all, although I can read two books at once. I've never tried writing two books at once but suspect it would not go well! What's funny is that although I can't write at home with any distractions--no music, no TV in the background, etc.--I love writing in cafes. The background activity is energizing rather than distracting. Our brains are indeed interesting.
I don't know if I could work in a cafe, but I can work on a plane. (Not these days thank you!) I used watch how much John got done on a long flight, and then decided why not me too? It is a little pod without distractions.
DeleteI'm with everyone else here -I'm not a natural multitasker, other than my ability to make dinner and listen to Kai Ryssdal at the same time. It's enough of a challenge for me to work on ONE book, let alone two.
ReplyDeleteLucy, I think you need to let go your anxiety about "losing" the second book if you put it aside to finish the first. As someone who has stalled manuscripts for a LONG time, I can assure you it all comes back after a few sessions immersed in the world you've created.
excellent advice Julia!! thanks
DeleteI don't see how you can invest yourself well in two books at the same time. You need to live in one world. My advice--work to finish the easier of the two, while jotting down any ideas that come for the other book.
ReplyDeleteI'm a good multi-tasker but not in writing!
Good advice from an expert in the business. Especially important to jot down good ideas because I know I won't remember them weeks or months later!
DeleteI really loved this! I work on two projects all the time, it's the way my deadlines go. Luckily I don't have any trouble switching gears.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it! Your books just keep getting better and better. KEY LIME is great! (Dang now I want pie. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI can read one book and listen to another in the car IF they are two different genres; otherwise, I get mixed up. Hugs <3 and stay safe.
Late to the party again! Just returned from the LCC conference in San Diego yesterday and I was tired!
ReplyDeleteLucy, your new book sounds fantastic and I look forward to reading KEY LIME, especially because it is set in Scotland! Unfortunately, I cannot multi-task! I was just saying to a friend in San Diego yesterday that when I drive, I need to focus 100% on driving and I cannot talk while driving. If someone needs to talk, I pull over and stop the car.
Diana