Author update: Juggling five novels at once

I’ve got a lot of literary balls up in the air at the moment. 

1.     I’ve recently made the suggested changes to the proofread of Everything I Am. This novel is about to release date and is having final touches made.

2.     The Falconer (Book 2 in The Dawnland Chronicles series) is currently in the hands of my editor, undergoing a copy edit. Scheduled for release in the first half of 2021

3.     The Lark’s Call (Book 3 in The Dawnland Chronicles series) is written but needs to read by beta readers. It’s scheduled for release in September 2021

4.     The Hummingbird and the Sea (Book 1 in The Dawnland Chronicles series) has also been groomed, including its gorgeous cover, for release.

5.     I am 10,000 words into a new project that is tentatively titled Frankenstein Summer

It’s five manuscripts at five very different stages. 

The problem

The dilemma I find myself facing is that I’m only focusing on one of those balls - the new project, Frankenstein Summer. I suppose this is because the manuscript is bright and shiny. It’s a brand-new pair of shoes. I’m excited because my head is bursting with ideas and I need to get them out onto the page. My characters are new friends whom I’m getting to know, and the storyline is like an undiscovered, enchanted path. I have an idea of where I’m heading, but I keep being led down fascinating little byroads and laneways. What’s more, the world of the novel is entirely new to me – the Regency and Victorian eras. The research has me gripped and I find myself spending too many hours reading about women’s fashion of the time, working conditions in coal mines during the Industrial Revolution and the rise of suffragette movement. When I emerge from the research wormhole, it’s five hours later! Everything about Frankenstein Summer is like a fresh baked loaf of bread just taken from the oven. I just want to sink my teeth into it! 

I’ve been living with the other novels for a long time. I began work on The Dawnland Chronicles in 2014 and Everything I am in the following year. The stories are just as strong as when the manuscripts where started and the characters are just as engaging; however, I have read the words so many times, edited, fiddled and polished so much, that those novels are simply too familiar.

This is the dilemma that all authors face.

How do you return to projects when there is something more interesting blocking your path? 

The solution

The cold, hard truth is that you have to be disciplined and stick to the self-imposed deadlines. That’s why from today, this moment, I’m going to close the file on Frankenstein Summer until the proofread of Everything I am is complete. There are also a few details I need to sort out regarding independent publishing. These are boring details, the nuts and bolts of indie publishing, so I’ve been avoiding them. But if I don’t get them done, September will suddenly disappear into October.

The action

Like everyone, authors need to write a to-do list to ensure all tasks get completed when they need to. 

Here’s mine …

1.     Complete changes to Everything I am so it’s publish ready ASAP

2.     Get on top of the boring details around independent publishing

3.     Complete final touches on to The Hummingbird and the Sea

4.     Reread The Lark’s Call. Send to beta readers

These four tasks will be interrupted when the edit of The Falconer is returned. I’ll have to slot that in somewhere. 

Why am I telling you this?

I need to be held accountable. 

Getting all this down on the page has helped me focus. I no longer feel dazzled by the bright lights of my new project. 

Thank you for listening.