Hi all. Does anyone else out there have more than one storyline going at the same time? I have about four at the moment, all different genres, and I'm managing to write a limited amount on all of them. I've tried to put three away and concentrate on one at a time but scenarios for the other stories jump into my head. Just wondering if anyone can give me any advice on how to keep my concentration on following one story at a time, I'm finding it a bit difficult. Thanks
Another suggestion is to go with the flow. When you think of a development in one story, go with it until you want to make changes to another one. If aren't working to any deadline at the minute, you've got plenty of time to bounce from one to the other.
P.S sorry for the essay!
Not sure if you mean multiple stories in one book, or multiple projects you want to do? Either way I get the same problem.
For me characters come before story line, and while writing one story another character will pop up and be like 'Hey! Write my story, me next! me me me me me!'
I would just keep trying to be brutally honest with yourself and ask:
(if multiple stories in one book)
Is it vital for this story?
Is it really relevant?
Does it move this story forward?
Does this belong in another novel I do in future?
(if multiple projects you want to accomplish)
Which one is the most developed?
Which one have I done the most on?
If a professional asked to see ONE piece of my work, which one would my instinct tell me to choose?
Because my guess is, you keep moving onto another project when you have writers block on a current project... am I right?
You need to push through those walls rather than hopping on another obstacle course.
Map everything out on paper. Because then you can start to visually see what material you have that's solid and well developed, and which ideas can maybe be put aside for another project. You may have a couple of story lines that work together, and some that are a sentimental idea to you but just maybe not as powerful or developed when entwined with the ones you already have?
And if you have multiple projects in your head at one time, putting them on paper can make you feel like you can file them away but you haven't forgotten or lost anything. Because from my experience, when I was trying to write multiple projects, nothing got finished for about 5 years. I had to choose. It was hard but I chose my most developed idea. Now I am second draft on one novel because just had to wise up, and tell my other characters to be patient. I'll get to them another day.
And even I still have a long long way to go, so I would say be harsh on yourself and try and make some cut throat decisions because otherwise, you may not get round to finishing anything.
You're not alone, but the truth is most creatives are burdened with so many ideas that they never end up finishing anything! So prioritise!
Hope this helps.
Good Luck
Amy