Second novel vs. First novel?

[dreamsofnever]

To those who have made it past the second novel, I'm curious-

Did you find it better to completely and totally finish your first novel and then move onto a second. Or instead, did you move on to your second novel, applying what you learned from the first and learning more in the process and THEN go back to the first and edit it and improve it?

My problem is that I can't focus on more than one writing project at a time. At least, not at the moment. And, the more I edit my first 'completed' novel, the more I find it needs editing (if that makes sense) so I'm wondering if it's best to take a break, write something new, learn by applying methods from the start that I've learned since finishing the first draft of novel one. Or if I should just keep plugging away until I have the completed project. (completed meaning ready for submission, which unfortunately it is not)

Or maybe I should wait until after I'm done with the craziness that is wedding planning to tackle anything else :)

[WriterInChains]

I find I can only edit for so long before I start to lose sight of things -- before I get a little burned-out on the story & feel like I'm in danger of losing/corrupting the voice. So, then I let the ms sit & work on another. Getting some distance from our own work is necessary, at least it is for me.

The first ms I finished, I spent a looooong time polishing w/out a break. It didn't turn out great, but it was my first. I'm about to start editing my 4th complete ms, but I don't think #3 will be finished for another year or so. Letting them sit after a few weeks of full-immersion editing does me a lot of good. It used to bother me that it takes a couple of years to finish a manuscript, but the two years will pass whether I write or not, so I'll write. I'm a slow writer (with a demanding day job), and that's okay. It's art, not a race. Just be sure you go back and finish the projects you're taking a break from, if that's what you decide to do.

[job]

Tough call.

Is the first manuscript salvageable?

Salvageable does not mean --
There are some scenes you love.
And characters you love.
And some great language you love.

Salvageable meanss --
The plot and pacing pretty much work.
And the 'story' hangs together.

If the plot and pacing work, if the 'big picture stuff' is good,
then you should probably grit your teeth and clean up the details and submit it.

The process of submission is, in itself, educational.
And you can write MS Two while you are submitting MS One.

If you have major plotting, pacing or story problems with MS One ...
then go ahead and work on MS Two right now.

But if you leave MS One because it has overall story issues
you will probably never return to it.

[Elodie-Caroline]

Hi,
I started a novel near the end of 2004. I wrote at it here and there over a year and a half and it's three quarters done. Then I suddenly had the inspiration for something else last Summer, that is now finished and being edited. I will go back to my original novel, eventually, but that is going to need a whole lot of rewriting to it after doing my last one. My writing has really grown with me over the last year or so.


Elodie

[ORION]

Each writer/novelist I talk to does it differently. You find the path that works for you.
For me? On the first draft I work to the exclusion of all else. When I am finished I let it sit and edit a previous work. I am always continually editing until the work is submitted to the editor. With Lottery I have finished copyedits and first pass pages so it is essentially "done" but I get pulled back into it when I have to be interviewed or work on a readers guide for instance.
I try to edit a work in progress fully and then do a bit on a brand new work.
Some writers (like Paul Theroux) are constantly working on articles
& other books all at the same time but I think that is more to do with the fact he has been doing it for over 40 years. I am STILL impressed.
Hope this helps.

[herdon]

It's important to remember that there is no 'right' way to go about the process of writing -- there is only a 'right' way for you. Some people find it easier to write just one ms at a time, others find it easier to work on multiple projects.

Personally, I waited until I was pretty much finished with the first to start on the second but, since then, I've found the best process for me was to work on multiple projects at once. In this way I can give myself time between drafts so that when I go back to work on them I do so with fresh eyes.

This process works for me, doesn't mean it would work for everyone. I'd suggest doing whatever feels natural for you, what your impulses are, but also not be afraid to experiment a little. If you have the urge to write something new then write something new and find out how you feel about it and how it effects how you look at your first ms.

I think one of the key aspects to learn during the writing of a first novel beyond just the writing is the personalized process -- how you write best.

[Gillhoughly]

My first novel's query & fifty pages was making the rounds while I worked on the second book.

Each time the first came back I'd do a rewrite or tweak things. I'd pause work on the second, then go back after mailing out.

I was part-way finished with my third (2 years later) when the first sold.

They wanted to see the 2nd book and whatever I had of the third.

I got a 6-book contract based on all that effort. They knew I was serious about a long-term career as a writer.

Work on your next book to keep from going nuts while trying to sell the first. It is neither easier nor more difficult to write a second book--it's just different. There is always something new to learn as you get better at the craft.

Besides, it can work out in a most cool manner!

[dreamsofnever]

Work on your next book to keep from going nuts while trying to sell the first. It is neither easier nor more difficult to write a second book--it's just different. There is always something new to learn as you get better at the craft.

Besides, it can work out in a most cool manner!

Very good advice. In fact, everyone so far has given me some great perspectives.

I know I have to figure out which was is best for me, but it's nice to hear the experiences of others.

While I'm enjoying the editing and I know my story is improving and will be marketable, I think maybe the second (and third!) book premises might be easier to sell initially.

Hmm... we'll see! Thank you again for the insights :)

[jpsorrow]

As already stated, you have to find what works for you. For me, I need to take a break after finished a work. So I move on to something else and work on that, if possible for a couple of months. Then, when it's had time to settle, I go back and do editing and revisions.

The bad thing about selling a novel is that the editors want it done as soon as possible, so sometimes you don't have a few months to let something sit. For my current book, I've been pushed from finishing the novel to final revisions with only a few weeks in between. Usually my editor doesn't get around to reading it so fast, but this time. . . . I never had a chance to start a second book.

I'd suggest you ignore the first book in favor of the wedding and a second novel. Once the wedding is over, go back to book 1 and see where it's at.