Clash of the Innocents, my second novel, has started its way in the world and the inevitable question is, “what now?” I have a list of projects, all lined up like ducks in a row, that have been waiting patiently for me to have the time and the brain-space to attend to them. I don’t believe in waiting for the muse. I believe she exists, but I’m sure that if she comes aknockin’ on my door and my head’s under the pillow, I won’t hear her and that will be that. So I’m always thinking about the next project, and the closer I come to finishing one the more intensely I need to start pursuing the next.
But I know enough now about writers and artists to know that we all work differently, so I thought I’d ask:
When you’ve finished a project ( a story, a novel, a play, a poem, a painting, a composition, whatever), how do you decide what to work on next?
Do you sit down and wait to see what arises? If you work in several genres, do you alternate between them? Do you give yourself a break from creating anything at all in order to “recharge,” or do you plunge immediately into the next? Do you even think about it? Does it matter? Do you wait for the muse to strike or do you force her hand?
Please give a little think about this and place a comment in the box. I’ll report back on what I expect will be a very wide range of approaches. And in the meantime, and since we’re talking about the muse, here’s a little background music, from Muse, to help you along (and thanks to Juicyestates.com for the ducks image and Speedemon6 for the videoclip):
I don’t think I follow any one approach – I go with the moment. Usually though, I give myself some time out, often by taking the time to read a lot. I generally find I need to take a break between one thing and the next, so the dust can settle, so to speak, and fresh thoughts and idea are given the space they need to roam. But I’m not prescriptive about it – as it comes, that’s fine – so long as it does come!
Hmmm, I think I’ll just know. And I suspect that it’ll be different everytime probably and dependent on what the experience was of the one you’ve just finished.
I can’t remember who said they didn’t believe in the muse but if there is one, they sure as well want to be writing if it comes visiting. That’s how I feel. Got to sit down anyway, whether you feel like it or not.
What a fantastic book title Sue. I hope it makes it’s way onto the bestseller charts. I’ve ususally got several projects on the go at once and many more in a queue so I am never wondering what I should work on next.
I have an inspiration book which I jot stuff in all the time. It’s got snippets of overheard conversations, photo’s from magazines, names of artists I’ve come across, song lyrics…all sorts of things and when I’ve finished a project I have a nose though it and wait till I spot something that makes me excited and then off I go again!! Don’t know if that helps or not.
C x
I work in many different genres- adult novels, short stories, children/YA books, and educational writing- primarily. Ocassionally a TV or radio scripts will pop up and always the science freelancing when money is tight. Because of this I am anal about order. I have schedules, usually a whole week at least to a particular project unless deadlines dictate otherwise.
If I’ve spent too long on non-fiction stuff and I feel a tension building in me I have a folder of story stems I mine to pop out a story to relieve stress- my only concession to disorder.
Until this moment I’ve always had another big fiction project waiting in the queue. Right now I’m just about finished with an adult novel- two weeks left- tops. My plan was to move on to the sequel to a young adult novel with characters I fell in love with but last week I found out it is a finalist in a contest.
Somehow that has stopped me in my tracks. I don’t know why but I feel like I shouldn’t wake up those characters until the contest is decided and that is not until next year Feb. So I am without a big fiction project after six years of always having one. I’m finding that a bit scary.
As for the muse- in On Writing Stephen King said you must be at a regular place at regular hours so your muse knows where to find you. That’s why I keep regular hours.
I work in a variety of genre’s myslef (including romance, childrens books, fiction and non fiction) but I’m always working on a few things at once.
I usually have my main project (currently a novel called Candy Girl) and a side project (finishing up a book of short stories).
But whenever I get an idea for something (even if it turns out to be a story instead of a novel) I write it down and save it so that it will be waiting for me when my plate is clear.
That being said, I usually try to write what strikes me and calls to me the most. So even though I have ideas saved up, I always go with what calls to me most strongly.
Yay!
I write one line of each new idea in a notebook and then see which one I feel the most passion for.
I try to take a break into between projects but it’s almost impossible so I keep adding to the one liners:)
Thanks everyone. I’m about to put this together into a blog now. xo
Really interesting discussion, Sue (sorry I’m arriving at it a little late).
I’ve always got lots of ideas brewing and a number of different projects underway at once. Trouble is, my Muse gets very impatient – I don’t have to lure her but am forever battling to find enough time to work on all that she wants me to!