Atlanta Symphony guest conductor Donald Runnicles (Photo by Jeff Roffman)
You may find it hard to believe, but I’ve discovered the best remedy for overcoming those moments of author terror known as writer’s block. It’s called working on multiple projects at once, and it works.
It keeps my creative juices flowing.
If you’ve tried it but, like a lot pf people, struggle with simultaneous creative efforts, here are some keys that could help:
Get the right tools
I use specific programs when I write, but what they are is irrelevant. Instead of listing things you may not like, here’s my challenge to you – if you want to be a professional, act like one.
Start by investing in yourself. Don’t let another day go by without getting your hands on whatever tools help you focus on ideas … and stop struggling just to capture them.
Find natural places to pause
At any given moment I’m working on fiction books, blog posts, and how-to articles for my online column. But I’ve discovered I often need a bit of closure on one before I can switch gears.
That’s why I complete a rough draft of this blog or one of my column articles, or get to the end of a chapter with my fiction, before I stop one project for another. Finding that natural stopping place really makes a difference when I pick it up later.
Know what time of day you’re at your creative peak
When you understand how your own internal clock works, you can better prioritize your projects. For instance, fiction books and long blog posts are the most challenging for me, so I work on them in the morning when I’m at my creative best.
I find short, factual articles for my online column are a bit easier, so I can do them in the afternoon or evenings.
From time to time, I’ll have an unexpected creative burst that changes some of that timeline, but I never forget real creativity isn’t about inspiration, it’s about routine.
Create a “parking lot” for your ideas
Managing multiple projects isn’t as difficult as you think. In fact, it could be one of your greatest techniques. I find managing multiple creative projects often means that, as I work on one, ideas for another will suddenly pop into my head.
That alone scares some creatives and causes them to feel they have to stick to a single project, so they don’t lose those ideas.
But the solution is simple – I create an “idea file” where wild, out of context, or momentarily unworkable ideas can be recorded, so they’ll be handy to work with later.
Never forget that ideas are the most fragile things in the world. Sadly, I can speak from experience. If you don’t write them down, you’ll likely lose them forever.
Keep the momentum going
Multiple projects can help keep your momentum going. Cross-pollination can often add depth and new insight to your projects, and help you avoid the feeling you’re never going to finish. Daily momentum is easier to maintain than sporadic progress.
Most people tend to be overly optimistic about what they’ll actually get done in a day. They assume more time will equal more progress. In truth, you’ll still have the same peak creative hours regardless of how much time you’ve allocated.
Many long-term projects need as much downtime for reflection as they do time spent in active development. That’s because our minds have a way of working out one problem subconsciously while we’re working on another project.
So, go ahead and tackle those multiple ideas. Just remember to be as creative with your time as you strive to be with your words.
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Gentle Readers, my own books have garnered some terrific reviews. In fact, my novel REICHOLD STREET just received another award.
You can see all my books by using the Amazon link below. Check them out. Better yet, buy one and read it. You just might like it.
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You’re invited to visit my author’s website, BROKEN GLASS to hear the remarkable radio interview about my novel “Blood Lake” on The Authors Show. You can also like my Book of Face page, find me on Goodreads, or follow some of my shorter ramblings on The Twitter.
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On March 1, 2018, Rochester Media started publishing my articles about writing. The column will update twice a month. Come on over, take a look, leave a comment and let me know what you think.
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On Sunday, April 29, 2018, from 11:00am to 5:00pm, I will be with a host of other local area writers at the Books & Authors book-signing event at the eclectic Leon & Lulu store on Fourteen Mile Road in Clawson, Michigan. Drop in and buy a book…there will be lots to choose from.
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Comments posted below will be read, greatly appreciated and perhaps even answered.
Painting With Light 
April 25, 2018 at 5:47 pm |
Great ideas for staying motivated. Your idea of jotting down ideas really rings true — I often think of things while I am at work and because I am on my computer all day I will send myself an email with the idea as a subject line.
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April 26, 2018 at 3:25 pm |
Thanks, Grace. It works, doesn’t it?
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April 23, 2018 at 7:36 pm |
I particularly like your idea of finding the ‘peak creative times.’ I have difficulty finding a regular schedule that works for me, but the idea of finding the right time to write makes a lot of sense- otherwise I try to cram it in and just end up staring at the screen! Thanks for your insights. 🙂
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April 23, 2018 at 7:54 pm |
You’re welcome, Anne. I only discovered the idea of special times for my writing after many long years of effort, so I’m delighted to be able to pass along that insight.
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April 23, 2018 at 12:37 pm |
That’s great you can do that. I do have two novel WIPs, but I’m only focusing on one at a time. I’ve always tended to be a one-project-at-a-time kind of person. But if I suffered writer’s block, then I agree multiple projects would be a great way to approach it.
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April 23, 2018 at 7:58 pm |
Thanks, Carrie. Multiple projects can be difficult to manage, but I’ve discovered it really helps me to overcome those periods when the muse seems absent.
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