You have a shiny new idea brewing in your brain and yet you have a beloved manuscript that demands revision and editing.
Do you research shiny new idea while revising/editing?
Do you let shiny new idea stew in the back of your brain, saying you'll research it when you're done revising/editing?
Do you shelve revising/editing in favor of shiny new idea?
Don't forget that there's still time to enter the giveaway!
OMG, I'm dealing with this right now. Just writing notes on the new project can clear my head so I can head back to revisions...
ReplyDeleteI take notes on what I've got in the back of my head, maybe even write the first little bit, just so I can make it be quiet.
ReplyDeleteIf it gets really insistent, I try to divide my time. Work on the one in the morning and the other in the afternoon or evening.
Depends... is the piece you're revising good enough? I've gone through this before... I've shelved 3 novels that were completely written and partially revised. They just weren't good enough and no amount of revision could change that. I knew the shiny new idea was stronger and better so I moved on.
ReplyDeleteIf the revision piece is the bomb-diggity and has potential, than I normally start research/plotting while I'm revising. It also depends on how much time you have. :) Just give more time to the revision and do the other piece a little here and there.... :D Good luck finding the balance!
I'll do both in one day: a little revising, a little writing, or else I'd go crazy!
ReplyDeleteI've had the same problem lately. What I usually do is do an hour or so (more if needed) of free writing to get all the cool new ideas down so I don't forget them and the "voices" will leave me alone, then return to the WIP and finish it up. That's what works best for me.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, by the way. I'm a new follower and will definitely be back.
Write notes for new idea, and go back to revising! (Psst, that's what I'm doing, LOL!) I just won't be able to focus on new idea if I know I need to work on MS polishing. ;)
ReplyDeleteI totally hate this part of writing! This happened to me last time I was editing, and I let myself start on the shiny new idea, but then ripped back out to finish up the one I was working on. So far, I have yet to find the time to finish the shiny new idea :( I'd say do what you need to do, but I know that doesn't help. Good luck, either way.
ReplyDeleteI have to have 2-3 projects going on at once. One sitting, one being written, and one being revised. I have to write, so long periods of straight revisions doesn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteIf you have to focus on one, I'd take notes of the shiny one when things come to you, but focus on revising. :)
Well, I'm in the same boat. I'm at Chapter 5 of revising my fantasy and am seriously dying to start my YA. I keep telling myself I get to start it after I finish so many chapters of revisions, plus it gives me more time to think about my new shiny idea! =D
ReplyDeleteI scribble down the new idea, then get back to editing. I like to have one ready to query before I embark on something new, if at all possible.
ReplyDeleteLydia, good idea. I'll have to try it.
ReplyDeleteKayleen, I wish I had the time to divide between two projects like you. But with school in the way I think I'll just have to take your and Lydia's suggestion to take notes.
Valerie, thanks. I don't know if the revising manuscript is worth the effort or not. But I'm taking the time anyway.
Aubrie, I'm so jealous!
Christine, thanks. I should do some free writing. If I ever find the time. Maybe tonight before bed. Thanks for swinging by the blog.
Laura, notes are a good idea. I'm seeing a trend here. Must take under advisement.
L.T., I did this back in September with another shiny new idea but ended up going back to the manuscript I recently finished.
Danyelle, how do you do it? I can't devote time to more than one project at a time. (As is evidenced by the unmoving progress bars for my other projects in the sidebar.) Notes, again. I think I'll start a binder for the new idea and fill it as I can.
Sara, I know that feeling. I am dying to get to other projects but I know I need to just follow through with one for now. Good luck with your revisions.
Roni, how I envy you being in the query stage. I just wish I had a magic wand to wave over my manuscript so I never had to spend time in revisions and I could dwell in happy-first-draft land all the time.
ReplyDeleteIf we're talking about putting my current project aside, then the new project would have to wait. In fact, I have an idea for a new project brewing right now, and I've written down a few ideas relating to it just so I don't lose the initial concept, but until I'm done with my current project it's waiting its turn. I can't work on two things at once. Great questions! :)
ReplyDeleteAbby, I'm in agreement. Especially as I realize how much research and work shiny new idea will require.
ReplyDeleteScribble the idea down and set it aside for more pressing work. I'm having to do this right now. I have tons of ideas brewing, but I have editing work that is piling up. Ugh!!!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I jump on the new story but that's just me. And the reason why I have five complete first drafts (since last May, i should add) and they are badly in need of editing
ReplyDeleteI love revising so it's hard for me to even think of leaving a project before it's totally done. The thought of leaving those characters to collect dust is just so sad!
ReplyDeleteI'm far too scattered at the moment. Two drafts to revise, a third in outline stage and a couple of other ideas I'm tempted to dive into. I think I have to pick one project and stick to it...
ReplyDeleteI plan on starting the binder for new shiny idea today. It will just be notes and research for now until I finish revising Oracles Promise. (This round at least.) At the moment I'm thinking that I'll continue researching it while I write Lodestar. Which is what I'll get to hopefully in a month or two.
ReplyDelete