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So yesterday, I was traveling to a picnic and thinking about the book I’m editing — it’s not going well. Oh, the EDITS are going fine. It’s my children who are interrupting. Two days out of school and already I fear the top of my head’s going to come off.
That’s okay, we’ll work it out.
So while I was driving and NOT editing, and thinking about how I really want to be finished with this next book so I can move forward with all the other things I have to do, I got hit with the plot stick.
BOOM BOOM POW.
And now I am in danger of being swayed by the bright and shiny. Writers, you know what I’m saying. The bright and shiny new idea is ALWAYS more exciting than the half finished one that’s become a chore. So I was talking with Superman about it, and then the kids chimed in (this book would not be erotic, I’m not sure I even need to point that out) and by the time we got to where we were going, I had really started to get excited.
So it’s the next day and I’m thinking, well, I really need to do laundry and clean my house. But I could get in a few hours of editing. Because the sooner I finish the project I *have* to do, the sooner I could write this BOOMBOOMPOW. On the other hand, the other book’s not due until September…I could sneak in a chapter or two…
You see the danger?
Get sucked into the BOOMBOOMPOW and you don’t do what you’re supposed to. No cleaning, no editing, no nothing.
But what I’m going to do today is clean my house. So that I don’t feel bad about it being disgustingly filthy and I can actually WORK tomorrow morning on edits. Then in the afternoon, take the kids to the pool and write a few pages on the BBP. How’s that for time management?
Let’s not mention the short story, or the revisions I would like to do on a book that’s already finished but needs some work before it can go out into the world. Or the next four books I actually have contracts for that I should be thinking about (they’re not due for a long time, but still.)
It’s all about the BOOMBOOMPOW and the good thing about that is: it reminds me of why I do this in the first place. Not that I’m not grateful for my job every day, because let’s face it, I LOVE what I do, and it rocks and I’m very fortunate to be able to do it. But also, let’s face it, it’s a job and sometimes it’s more work than others. But when something like this happens, the excitement, the OMG! The bright and shiny, the “and then, and this, and then that…”
Well, I’m well and thoroughly reminded that I love what I do, and it’s exciting and shiny and fresh and lovely and I really really can’t wait to just dig in.
So, I’m off to clean my house and make it *my* bitch instead of the other way around, and it will be cathartic, and then tomorrow I will launch myself into this new summer routine. Oh, and I think I’m going to force my kids to go to some sort of bowling camp. BWAHAHAHAHA!
M
June 7th, 2009 at 10:58 am · Link
already done it. the shiny project keeps taunting me. from afar. sigh. back to the other
June 7th, 2009 at 11:07 am · Link
New idea’s for books I bet are great. I’m sure it’s hard to resist the temptation to let it take over your current projects. Sounds like your time management is right on.
You’re coming to do my laundry next right? I just got back from a SHORT trip to Colorado Springs and I swear I have more laundry from the trip then I do in a week!
June 7th, 2009 at 11:23 am · Link
Oh boy can I identify with your situation. This happens to me waaay too much, which is why I’m neck-deep in first drafts that I’ve decided *need* to be finished this year. But better too many ideas than not enough.
Best of luck taming your Muse!
~R
June 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pm · Link
I SO hear ya. I’m better now at jotting the new idea now and filing it away but I used to be one of those writers that had 2 or more stories going at any one time.
Really though, was it necessary to guilt me into cleaning my own house? (laughs) I guess if Megan’s doing it, I’ll feel the wagging finger of doom if I don’t.
Very well.
June 8th, 2009 at 12:14 am · Link
I know how you feel!
I’ve been working on a novella for about 6 months now. I had the outline for it and for the sequel. But I got a BOOMBOOMPOW idea, and just jotted down the basic idea so that I didn’t lose it… and promptly lost all interest in the novella that I was writing. I finally finished it, but have zero desire to write the sequel now because I want to write the BBP so badly.
Hope the cleaning and editing went well/better.
June 8th, 2009 at 1:08 am · Link
The shiny. It’s always the shiny. For readers it’s the new book you just bought sitting on your bedside stand when work and/or a dirty bathroom have got to be taken care of. Blech! I try to remind myself balance is good, but it’s so hard with the shiny new book calling to me.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:28 am · Link
Oh the bright and shiny! Thank you for labeling this.
I fear editing with an unholy passion, and the only thing that makes me think I can make my book better is the bright and shiny. “and I could add this… and I could add this…” And then I think of all the work I have ahead of me refuse to do any of it.
But now I know – I don’t have to give in to the bright and shiny. The story I’ve written could use some tweaking, but it’s probably already shiny enough. I don’t need to add more bright copper pennies and strings of tinsel. It’ll shine on it’s own.
Relief.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:30 am · Link
Oh wait. I totally read that wrong. You’re talking about the NEW bright and shiny.
oops.
That one gets me too, but thus far I am (wo)manfully resisting.