What are you working on?
How many projects are you juggling?
I have five on the go, at various stages of completion and possessing different degrees of urgency.
- fugue – my first completed novel is out on query with my third batch of five agents. Until their replies start coming back in this one is enjoying a lull.
- Quarter Square – the first book in my Wild Times urban fantasy series about an immortal, her reincarnated lover, and the werewolf who hunts them through time. I’m ploughing ahead with the first draft on this one, working from a detailed outline and writing fast to inject pace. Almost finished chapter 7 (of 10).
- Sudbucket – a collection of linked short stories set in a town filled with strange events and strange people discovering strange connections. I’m working on the first story and letting this one grow gently in my mind. I have an idea to publish this one freely over a wide variety of social media platforms, in sections related to individual characters and events, when the time comes to promote fugue or Quarter Square.
- social networking – I’m loving this adventure in making and getting to know new friends. And, yes, I do consider online friends to be real friends. When I make a friend, I mean it. Warms my heart to see blog posts about online friendships by two of my new Plurk friends, Teeg and Allan Cockerill.
- critiquing - there’s a small queue of work waiting for my crit over summer. I can’t overstate the benefits of critting other writers’ work, and I consider myself to be very fortunate to be in three critting groups that are friendly and active.
How about you? What are you working on now and what’s in the queue? Like to tell us about your works-in-progress?
Karen Mahoney said,
July 24, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Wow… you’re a busy guy.
I know I’ve said this before, but I really do like the sound of Quarter Square. (Great over-arching series title, too.) Ten chapters? You must have long chapters… Interesting to see different styles.
Ok, me? I have:
The Iron Witch – (YA contemp fantasy) with my agent. We’ll be working on revisions and then submitting it in September (I think).
Daughter of Lies – (YA dark urban fantasy) I’m about 3/4 of the way through major revisions before it goes to my CPs.
Second Chance – (short story) Set in the DoL world. 500/5000 words complete. Just writing this one for fun.
And yes, I’m in the middle of crits too. I love reading other people’s work! Halfway through a YA science fantasy, and am expecting an adult urban fantasy/paranormal romance to come in soon.
Phew! Us writers are busy…
David Bridger said,
July 24, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Hi Karen.
Well, it looks busier in a list like this than it is in real life. I’ll stay focused almost exclusively on Quarter Square and social networking, until this first draft is finished anyhow.
Thanks. I’m glad you like the sound of it. I’m having great fun writing it! Pretty sure the number of chapters will grow to 15 or 16 once I start adding 2nd-draft researched material. The challenge then will be to maintain the fast pace. I want this one to rock!
You’re busy, too!
Cliff Burns said,
July 24, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I can’t multi-task, so I work on a project exclusively until it’s done, it has all my focus and energy. Over three years with my novel SO DARK THE NIGHT and only 7 months with a sort of followup, which I’ll be posting in mid-August. I envy people who can juggle different projects, it just isn’t possible in my case..
David Bridger said,
July 24, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Hi Cliff.
I don’t think I mutli-task, really. I just have a group of works-in-progress that I work on in series. When I’m working on one project, I dedicate my attention to it. So we ‘re probably not so different.
Joan Kremer said,
July 24, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Hi David,
You’ve inspired me to make a high-level list of my projects so I don’t feel so overwhelmed by them all! Sometimes it seems like there are zillions zapping around the atmosphere of my life, taking all my attention. So here’s my list:
+ Polishing my novel manuscript in preparation for sending it out to agents.
+ Finishing the manuscript for the nonfiction book I’ve been hired to write.
+ Writing regular updates for my blog (Writers in the Sky).
+ Developing programs for my Second Life writers’ center, Story Mountain.
+ Completing the training projects I’m doing as a freelance contractor.
+ Updating the websites I’m responsible for.
+ Staying on top of my social networking (so I can enjoy the great online friends I’ve made).
Wow! No wonder I feel overwhelmed!! That’s two-and-a-half full-time jobs! Better get busy….
(great post, by the way!)
Joan
David Bridger said,
July 24, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Hi Joan.
Wow! You are busy! I’m impressed!
j3black said,
July 25, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Everyone’s projects look so interesting. Good luck to all, and keep on truckin’!
My projects –
Novel: I’ve been working on a draft for the past year. Thought I might finish it this summer, but I need to do more research. I’m about halfway finished. I did send a small excerpt to a contest a few months ago, but appears nothing’s happening with that.
Networking: Connecting with other artists. Blogging. It’s a been an effective use of time and energy.
Submisssions: I’ve nudged myself to finish up some almost-finished pieces and sent them out.
Response: I’m involved with a group of writers; we meet weekly to share/respond. I am doing the same with a few friends online.
Backburner: I do a lot of writing that begins without category. I let it simmer on the backburner. Sometimes it burns beyond recognition. Sometimes it makes it to the table.
David Bridger said,
July 25, 2008 at 4:33 pm
You’ve a few eggs in your basket, too! We’re all pretty busy people.
Joan Kremer said,
July 25, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Hi David,
No wonder I don’t get things DONE, though!!
David Bridger said,
July 25, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Hi Joan. You are getting things done, of course. It’s just that your projects are in various stages of completion (like mine) and sometimes that feels like nothing is gettng to its end. Here’s a (((hug)))!
Claire (aka Hoshikaze) said,
July 26, 2008 at 1:59 pm
My official list of writing projects: http://www.clairegoverts.com/writing.html
Though I haven’t added my random fantasy idea on there, or the new SF one (which I posted the first line from). Plus I generally haven’t been working on my writing as much over the past few months.
For the rest of July and part/most of August I think I’m going to concentrate on getting my Access Database up to date with all my writing projects, and figure out a schedule of when I’m working on what. I would like to focus on my alt romance edit, and do some more planning for the various planning projects.
David Bridger said,
July 26, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Sounds like you’re making use of the summer to get all your planning done, Claire.