How many WIPs at once?

[Madison]

I'd just like to get some opinions:

Should a writer stick to one WIP until it's done or have two or three or a million others going at the same time?

[Madican]

-cough-

-points to member title-

In other words, don't ask me. I'm trying to focus on just one right now, though.

[BlueTexas]

I can only do one of each kind of project at a time - one novel, one article. Actually, I think it's one fiction and one non-fic. Otherwise I get lost in character land.

[scarletpeaches]

I stick to one at a time. That way I get it finished quicker. I edit it sooner. It becomes ready for submitting sooner.

[Sandy J]

When I first started writing, I focused on one project at a time. Of course, I never expected to write more than one story, so I'm constantly amazed that I still have good ideas. ;) Now, I find it easier to work on at least two at a time. If I get frustrated and/or bored with one, I can switch off and not lose the time altogether. The honest truth is that the stories guide me more than I guide the stories. I know that sounds goofy...

[johnzakour]

I like to have 3 novels going at once all at different stages of course.

[NiennaC]

It depends on my mood. Whatever I think I can handle at the time. I'm usually doing more than one (but not more than five).

[seven41]

I currently have three projects in the works. A western mystery, a spiritual awakening, and a non-fiction self help book on dream interpretation. Of course, I'm retired and only work on what I want to with no immediate need to finish and sell my work.

[san_remo_ave]

I have three in various stages of First Draft, but only one I'm actively writing. The other two I'm letting some plot point holes stew a bit, so when I come back they'll be nice and tender and ready to munch on.

[ClaudiaGray]

It depends on how you work. There are people who really must concentrate on only one project at a time to make progress; there are others who need to vary it up in order to stay energized.

I personally fall between the two extremes. I am never actively writing more than one novel at a time, but right now I am also outlining a second and doing preliminary research for two others. Most of my attention is on the writing, but I feel good knowing that I'm looking ahead, too.

[BlueTexas]

I personally fall between the two extremes. I am never actively writing more than one novel at a time, but right now I am also outlining a second and doing preliminary research for two others. Most of my attention is on the writing, but I feel good knowing that I'm looking ahead, too.

I'd never be able to keep them straight if I had as many different novels in progress as you do! Wow.

You people who can do this all impress me.

[Chasing the Horizon]

Right now I have 5 novels I'm actively working on writing the first drafts of, one novel I've completed that's in revision, and am outlining 7 more novels. Having that many projects does get frustrating sometimes because I write and write and write and never seem to finish anything, but I figure if I just keep writing 3,000+ words every day I'm bound to finish stuff eventually. Writing is too much fun to just have one story at a time. :D

[Danger Jane]

I have two WIPs right now--one is in editing and the other is about 1/4 done in the first draft stage. I try not to start writing any other WIPs until I'm through with the first draft but I get a few pages in sometimes before I peter out :tongue

[triceretops]

Got to be one at a time for me. I delute myself if I'm bouncing back and forth. I really have to concentrate on the complexity of my storyline.

Tri

[MelodyO]

I always assumed I could only write one book at a time, the end. But here I am well into my second novel while making revisions to the first novel...and last week I got the best idea ever for a third novel. Just going to jot down a few ideas outlines chapters, I swear!!

Now I live in fear of another new idea. ::twitches::

[althrasher]

I have one MAIN project that I work on, a couple lesser going on in my head (Jericho and Cassie right now,) and about TEN THOUSAND smaller ideas that I occasionally make notes on. I don't count other works in the same series, though.

[Ali B]

I have about 5...then the dozens of articles I write every month...IDK I guess it depends on if you can muti-task.

[thethinker42]

I have around 20 WIP's right now, in various stages. I like it better that way. :) At least then if I get frustrated with one, I can work on another, so SOME writing is getting done, and by the time I get back to the one I was frustrated with, I have fresh eyes.

So...I'm on the "as many projects as humanly possible" side.

[reenkam]

I have 1 in the last stages of revision, 1 in the first stages, 1 in complete revision planning, 1 nearing the end of the first draft, 1 in outlining and developement stage, 7 of a series being outlines, and several others at various stages of pre-work and first or second chapter. I like having lots of different works I can do different times, though I tend to write one at once. I won't switch between books daily, though. Then I'd screw up characters...

[Andre_Laurent]

I have three in different stages.

[reigningcatsndogs]

ditto -- three in different stages. One first draft near completion, one first draft about 1/4 way through, one in outline stage. Please tell me, though, that there are others who are working on one WIP and then another one just sort of butts in to derail that train of thought -- kind of like the bratty little kid that keeps tugging at your hem until you pay attention. It's happened to me several times now and drives me crazy, but you gotta shut him up!!! (notice I used the masculine there for obvious reasons ;)

[plaidearthworm]

Usually I can just work on one project at a time, but in the last few months, ideas have been raining down on my head like crazy! I have three novels worked out in outline form, and I'm writing the first of the three now, but bits of dialogue, scenes, etc. for the other two keeping popping into mind as well. It's really weird for me, but exciting at the same time.

[reigningcatsndogs]

So you have lots of sticky notes all over the house with the ideas as they pop up because you know when you sit down to commit them to paper they will be gone? Please tell me you do!!! Most people have pictures of their kids stuck to the fridge. Me -- post-its!!!!

[deathwizard]

When it comes to writing, I am definitely a one-at-a-timer. But when it comes to reading, I usually have several books going at once.

[BlueTexas]

When it comes to writing, I am definitely a one-at-a-timer. But when it comes to reading, I usually have several books going at once.

You made me realize that I write the way I read - one fic and one non-fic at the same time. Neat.

[Chasing the Horizon]

I write the way I read too. I have five novels in progress as a reader, the exact same number as I have active WIPs. That's funny.

[Alana Mortensen]

At the moment, I have 3 novels going, a song lyrics), and a poem. Although I am a multitasker, sometimes poetry does distract me especially when I write one for someone.

[reenkam]

So you have lots of sticky notes all over the house with the ideas as they pop up because you know when you sit down to commit them to paper they will be gone? Please tell me you do!!! Most people have pictures of their kids stuck to the fridge. Me -- post-its!!!!

I do...I looove post-its.

[plaidearthworm]

So you have lots of sticky notes all over the house with the ideas as they pop up because you know when you sit down to commit them to paper they will be gone? Please tell me you do!!! Most people have pictures of their kids stuck to the fridge. Me -- post-its!!!!

Absolutely! And I keep a stack of Post-Its by the bed--the side of my dresser, which is within arm's length, is usually covered by sticky notes. I think 3M's stock goes up a little every time I head to Office Depot.

[reigningcatsndogs]

Absolutely! And I keep a stack of Post-Its by the bed--the side of my dresser, which is within arm's length, is usually covered by sticky notes. I think 3M's stock goes up a little every time I head to Office Depot.
I'm not sure what this says about me, but I keep my laptop by my bedside (much to hubby's disapproval!!;) ). You never know when inspiration is going to hit!!!!!

[Carmy]

Two WIPs in progress, two in editing, two in marketing. One forming in my mind.

[Britchik]

When it comes to writing, I am definitely a one-at-a-timer. But when it comes to reading, I usually have several books going at once.
I'm the same way. I've found on the rare occasion I have two WIPs, the one I began first tends to suffer. I can't keep the storylines straight in my head, and I start mixing them up or trying to change them. But I can read three or four different novels at once. Go figure. ;)

[Selimthegrim]

I usually only write one at a time, but I always have two or three more that I'm taking detailed notes on in the meantime.

[ChaosTitan]

I'm more productive when I have one novel WIP going at a time. I can give it my full concentration, and I tend to write faster. More than one novel at a time makes me crazy.

Right now, I have one WIP sitting at 25k, another novel in beta/edit mode, a third waiting for beta/edit mode, and a handful of in-progress short stories.

[christinex]

I almost always have more than one going, although they're in different stages. One's a full-on WIP (about 65K out of 100K), while the other one I'm editing and tightening up. That doesn't count the third one that I'm in the beginning stages of researching, or the fanfic I'm writing. (Oops, sorry...we're not supposed to confess to writing fanfic around here, are we?) :tongue

[Anthony Ravenscroft]

How many WIPs at once?

Depends how many you've sold, thus far. If it's a big fat ZERO then I'd suspect you're just screwing around in order to avoid having to face the criticism of the marketplace.

IMNSHO.

(Oh, all right, I'll make it easy: replace "sold" with "completed." But if it's still zero, then you're really in deep weeds.)

[Sean D. Schaffer]

I usually do one-at-a-time, but not lately. I have two novels going, in different stages of the process, and I just finished a short story, as well as being in the process of another short story.

Then, I have a blog to attend to. And the idea for a third novel or short story, depending on where the new plot goes, and we have (including the blog) 6 projects going on at once.

This obviously does not include the two short stories I have out on submission.

I guess the point I'm making is, if it works for you, then that's what matters. Sometimes you will only have one WIP going; other times you might have a bunch more.


There's no real rule as to how many you should have going at once. Do whatever you're comfortable with.

[NeuroFizz]

I'm with Anthony, but I'll soften it a little (not much). The only way to finish a story is to write to the end of it. This requires probably the most important character trait of a developing writer--self-discipline. Anyone who claims to work on twenty projects at once, and says they'll eventually finish one or the other, is either toying with writing, or is showing a lack of self-discipline (for finishing). Of course, exceptions exist. There are some people who can juggle multiple projects and still exhibit good self-discipline. Do you know how to spot those exceptions? They have finished works, in addition to their list of in-progress ones. And if you check back with them a few months later, they'll have another finished project or two. Anyone who has a long list of in-progress projects, but can't fit into that "exception" category, might want to take a hard look at the self-discipline shown by the person they see in the mirror.

[Robyn]

I generally work on one novel at a time but jot down ideas/plot outlines for others as i go. I just prefer to focus my attention on the one specific work to get it done and ready for the next stage.

[DragonHeart]

I try to focus on one WIP at a time, but I'm also not completely adverse to taking on multiple projects if a new story forms. I have two going at the moment in different stages of progress. One is a novel I'm outlining and the other is...erm, I'm not quite sure what it is. For the moment I'm classifying it as a short story. I've already started the rough draft but I'm not sure if it'll go further than my initial idea.

I figure if it's strong enough to wake me up in the middle of the night and demand attention, it better be a hell of a good story. Whether I can write it accurately to reflect this has yet to be determined.

~DragonHeart~

[Sunny7L]

One main project plus 4-5 on the back burner.

[stormie]

I usually have at least three WIP going on at one time. Keeps writer's block at bay. And I am the type to carry a good project through until finished.

[MMWyrm]

I have about four WIP novels, but I only work on one at a time. I am dedicated to getting last year's NaNo ready for submission by this November, so I'm working on it exclusively.

I also write one short story per week.

[ccarver30]

I have a re-vamp (for a "completed" novel that needs some heavy retooling) and 2 WIPs. I can't overload myself or I will go crazy.

Like Islaitha Frost!

[Azraelsbane]

I'm currently working on 3 fantasy novels, a biography, and several short stories. I also have a paranormal romance series and a couple surrealist fiction novels outlined in the event that I ever finish what I'm doing. :Shrug:

At the beginning of every week I sit down and tell myself "This week I'll only work on X." I admit that lately I've been working doggedly on one novel, but only because it's so close to being done I can taste it :)

[BardSkye]

A mystery being shopped around, an historical being actively worked on, a fantasy in a permanent state of rewrite and a couple of note collections for two other possible mysteries when I get time.

[catephoenix]

Numerous short stories, plenty of beginning and middle with no end, at the moment. One novel in its first draft, with ideas piling for two more, plus I need to upload novels I have already completed onto my computer and do a read through/edit. But mostly I spend my time playing on the web.

[Dave.C.Robinson]

I have three novel-length projects "on the go" as I write this. WIP #1 is complete at 100k words. I'm currently giving it a polish while making notes for a new synopsis/query to set off my next round of submissions on this novel. WIP #2 has a first draft complete at 84k words. It's currently in a holding pattern while I wait for enough distance to properly edit it. This one looks to need a lot of work still. WIP #3 is nowhere near complete at 7k words. Once I get WIP back on the market I'll be pounding away at that one and editing WIP #2.

I do take breaks for short stories and the like, but consider novels my real WIPs.

[Izunya]

I tend to live with about eight or ten WIPs---that's "Works In Procrastination"---except when one of them catches fire unexpectedly. I do have times when I write exclusively on one thing, generally ignoring husband, cat, and household chores in order to do it. But after that happens, I generally have a crash period when I write very slowly and unproductively, if at all. I'd almost rather do it in my usual scatterbrained, piecemeal sort of way.

Oh, and at the moment, I have two novellas in rewrite and one that's just about ready to be sent out.

Izunya