Today is a work day. I decided that this week will be devoted to website work and partials. I’m going to try to put together one more, so that I have three proposals out the door and sitting with my agent. Next week I begin the last book in the DEAD WORLD trilogy. I’m still shooting for a rough draft by the middle of June. I need to get in the mood, so I plan to watch a few post-apocalyptic movies this weekend (ie Reign of Fire, Aeon Flux and Mad Max). The latter should be particularly good for setting a tone. *ggg*
Other than that, I have no big plans this week. They don’t announce the final television cut until next month. I’m hopeful, but still a little worried since they’ve gotten rid of a lot of good shows lately.
While I’ve been putting these proposals/partials together, I’ve been thinking about writers and their styles. There are many different types of writers (ie lazy, type A, ambitious, territorial, manic, plodders, etc.). I realized that I’m not sure where I fall in those groups. I mean I’ve certainly been lazy (my exercise schedule can attest to that), but I can also get a lot done in a rather short period of time. Yet, I can’t go balls to the wall for months on end or I start repeating passages in my books. And worse still, I don’t even realize that I’m doing it until I read through the manuscript during edits. :/ I think the schedule I’m currently keeping is about right for me. I’m writing two to three single titles a year and a novella. What type of writer are you?
April 9th, 2008
I think 2-3 single titles and a novella are about right. Or 2 single titles, two shorter books. More than that and it’s not really the work that suffers, but I do. Getting really sick has been a cosmic smack telling me to slow down and take better care of myself.
by Charli April 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pmAlso: 1 book a year used to be considered really prolific. So it’s not like we’re huge slackers aiming for 3 pages a day or so.
by Charli April 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pmCharli, Yes, it’s important to build buffers into ANY writing schedule or you’re a trainwreck waiting to happen. :-O
by Jordan April 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pmCharli, Yes, I remember those days. I never got to write during them, but I do remember hearing about them. Ah, the good old days.
It’s sad that two singled titles coupled with a couple of shorter books feels like slacking. LOL!
by Jordan April 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pmI figure with a full time job and kids, 2 books a year and a novella (and maybe a couple shorts for Cobblestone) are about the best I can do and I’m good with that. I’m finding more and more that writing in spurts works best for me. I’ve got a ST to finish but I can already feel that proposal I worked on last month starting to call me *sigh*
by Amie Stuart April 9th, 2008 at 4:59 pmAmie, That’s a LOT with all the other things that you’re juggling. You and me both, sister. I’m trying to concentrate on the book that’s due and let go of the one that is screaming at me.
by Jordan April 9th, 2008 at 6:05 pmA hobbyist. Going balls to the wall will probably not work for you, by the way.
by BernardL April 10th, 2008 at 6:16 amI’ve definitely been doing more personal and promotional writing (freebies, books for the family, friends, experimental) lately, and it’s been good for me. Sometimes you need to take New York out of the equation and get back in touch with why you actually do this gig.
Given the state of the biz, and how difficult it is to sustain a series after book three, I’ve been considering moving toward shorter series, interconnected standalones, etc. Trilogies, as much as I enjoy writing them, tend to be bad luck projects for me.
by Lynn April 10th, 2008 at 7:04 amBernard, You’re probably right. *ggg*
by Jordan April 10th, 2008 at 10:19 amLynn, Wise words indeed.
I hope I have better luck with the trilogies. Gulp!
by Jordan April 10th, 2008 at 10:20 amThe bad luck with trilogies is my personal jinx, Jordan; I don’t think you have anything to worry about. At. All.
by Lynn April 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pmThanks Lynn. I had a panic moment there. *g*
by Jordan April 10th, 2008 at 10:13 pmI’m that crazy writer. You know, one day 5000 pages, next year, zero. My inspiration seems to be rise and tank with the stock market. So strange….
Jordan, sweets, you’re riding the wave and doing so great! I have your new book on top of my pile. Guess what I’ll take with me for the plane ride next week?
by Gennita Low April 12th, 2008 at 8:14 pmGennita, Yes, I know that writer.:) It’s really easy to fall into that flow if you don’t force your butt in a seat. Believe me, I know.
As for riding the wave, I’ve wiped out at least a half a dozen times. LOL! I just keep getting back on the board. *g* I hope you like the book. Have fun at RT. 
by Jordan April 13th, 2008 at 10:06 am