In a post on Writers in the Storm, Kris Maze examines the good and bad of managing multiple creative projects at one time.
First, let’s look at the good:
- Creates Lots of Creative Outlets. Working on different projects keeps the ideas and your creativity flowing. You can also use a side project to experiment with genre, POV, and tone while you focus on your main work. What you learn or research for one project can be used in another. Finally, when you hit a roadblock in one story, you can easily jump to another while you ruminate on solutions.
- Builds a Routine, Stamina, and Productivity. Like having a regular writing schedule, having multiple projects can help you develop your writing habit.
- Builds a Writing Portfolio. Having multiple projects ready can help you show off your skills to prospective creative partners, publishers, or employers. Using projects to explore genre, tone, and POV can highlight your versatility.
- Honors the Elusive Muse. “Sometimes you have to follow the muse,” Maze says.
But there are also pitfalls to avoid:
- Writing at Different Stages. Working on multiple projects can divide your attention and drain your creativity. Your ideas might converge or you might have a hard time maintaining the right voice for each story. Maze suggests working on different projects at different stages. For example, while you’re writing one manuscript, you can be outlining the next, and researching for your third. This gives you the advantages of having multiple projects going at once, without using the same skills for each simultaneously.
- Task Switching Downfalls. Task switching isn’t as easy as it sounds. In fact, research suggests that multi-tasking is less productive than focusing on one job at a time. Maze suggests breaking up your writing time to allow yourself to work on specific tasks. If you’re more creative in the morning, set aside that time for your main writing project, and work on edits or research for different projects during down time.
- I Never Finish Anything. If you get in the habit of working on multiple projects, will you ever finish one? Again, Maze suggests blocking off time for each. Allow the most time for your main projects and set deadlines for different stages.
- Fixing Tone and Voice Issues. Jumping back and forth between stories is a good way to mix up tone and voice. Consider taking breaks between writing sessions before switching stories or use a palette cleanser like music or videos to get you in the mood.
