How many books do
you have 'on the go' at one time? How many stories do you need to
keep in your head at one time, because you are part way through them?
For me, the answer
is usually 'too many' but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Reading, I have an
'upstairs book' and a 'downstairs book'. Even when we are away in the
motorhome (like now), I have a book I read in bed, usually on my
kindle, and another I am reading in spare moments in the day time.
Typically the 'upstairs book' is a novel, often written by one of my
many writing friends, and the 'downstairs book' is non-fiction,
possibly researching my next novel.
Writing, I often
have two books on the go. Right now there is the one I am revising in
line with my editors comments, and the one I am half way through a
first draft of. Beyond that, there are vague ideas beginning to float
to the surface for the next novel, and I've brought a couple of
research books away in the campervan with me to help get that one
started. I also have a notebook with some scribbled ideas for the
novel after that...
When you add to this
the TV series we've been watching, whose storylines I also need to
keep in my head, it's no wonder I get stories muddled at times!
Thankfully The Dublin Murders ended just before we left home
so I can forget about that one (started well, went weird,
unsatisfactory ending). I probably won't catch up with The Name of
the Rose (loving this adaptation of one of my favourite books)
until we are next home, around Christmas. We've brought a DVD box set
of Peaky Blinders to watch on this trip, and will probably get
started with that soon.
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| The Name of the Rose |
I know many writers
who only ever write one book at a time, and don't start a new one
until the previous one has been revised and gone to proof-readers.
And some writers refuse to read novels while they are first-drafting
a book. Maybe that's a good idea to help keep characters and
storylines straight in your mind... but I rather like the jumble of
ideas, the mixed-up dreams in which a character from my novel finds
herself in a medieval Italian monastery, my head always packed to the
brim with plots.
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| A view inside a writer's brain |
How about you? How
many storylines are you keeping track of at any one time?
I love the view inside a writer's brain! I print off ideas at varying stages of gestation and lay the sheets of paper on my writing room floor, so I can add to them when inspiration strikes. It also helps me choose which idea I should work on next. I also read three books at one time - the bedtime book, the research day time book and the car/ironing/ chores audiobook.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the inside of your head is a bit like mine!
DeleteI can only concentrate on one book at a time. I think it has more to do with time (I have difficulty fitting in one book to read!) and poor memory (I think I would just get muddled). You must have a sharper brain than me, Kath. :)
ReplyDeleteI do get muddled - have to go back a few pages and remind myself what's happening in whichever book I am reading.
DeleteI'm with Victoria and can only concentrate on one book at a time .... but you should see my to-be-red pile!
ReplyDeleteOh, mine too! About 30 beside my bed and another 50 or so on the Kindle...
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