Today's topic comes from the lovely Mirka, who asked: "How many first drafts can you do simultaneously?"
I will be the first to admit that I can only draft one book at a time. That's just how my mind works. I need to focus on one story. Now having said that, I can revise one book while drafting another because I find revising and drafting don't tax my brain in the same ways. I can also plot one book (jotting down notes) while drafting another. Yes, those are similar, but I'm not actually drafting two books at once, so I can pull that off.
The issue for me is that I need to immerse myself in the world I'm creating in order to draft. This is also why I fast draft. I let the story fully consume me, and as a result, I can't fully focus on much of anything else. ;)
For those of you who do draft multiple books at once, how do you do it? Do you have any tips to share for those who would like to multi-draft? (Did I just make that word up?)
*If you have a question you'd like me to answer from the other side of the editor's desk, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll schedule it for a future post.
So that's how you remain productive! I wish I had your brain power when it comes to writing, or is it stamina? Either way, you go girl!
ReplyDeleteLOL You've got to do whatever works for you.
DeleteI've done multi-drafting in the past, but I'm far more productive if I work on one book at a time. With as quickly as you work, I can totally see why you work that way.
ReplyDeleteI'd be snail slow if I tried multi-drafting.
DeleteI'd be more inclined to draft one book at a time.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya.
DeleteMulti-draft makes me think of a bunch of draft horses all harnessed together at once, lol!
ReplyDeleteAnd pulling in different directions. ;)
DeleteI always look up to your immense productivity, so it was reassuring that you only first-draft one at a time. I'm unable to even read books in the same genre while creating a first draft. It's a matter of *voice,* or narrative personality. I can't have "leaks" or "foreign infusions."
ReplyDeleteOh, see I like reading in the genre I'm currently writing. Everyone is different though.
DeleteI'm drafting a story now, but have others I've written a few chapters for and will go back to when I finish the one I'm on. I also have notes for possible stories. My brain's on overload, I think. :)
ReplyDeleteI bow down to you, Beverly. Good luck!
DeleteI can't draft multiple things at a time, but I do like to work on multiple stories simultaneously. When I get stuck on one, I jump over to the other. Increases my productivity.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Karen.
DeleteI need to immerse myself database sql books in the world I'm creating in order to draft
ReplyDelete