I started out this morning to write a post about being between projects, but that's not exactly true. I might be between new projects - settled on no one new project and with several started - but I'm in the middle of several different things right now - not all of them writerly.
The between projects thing has me sitting at the beginning of a new dystopian project that may or may not be YA. It also has me at the start of a totally new thing I mentioned the other day - a fantasy project that also might be YA. (Neither of them has told me what it wants to be, so I'm letting them grow in their own way. If they want to grow up to be YA, so be it.) Both projects excited me enough to start writing, but neither one has taken the forefront. Also being between projects has me thinking about the sequel to Djinnocide - and yeah, I know you shouldn't start writing a sequel until you get interest in the first book, but I can't help myself. I want to be in that world again.
The in-the-middle projects also have me in a pickle. I have several outstanding unfinished manuscripts that I really would like to see finished. Bloodflow being the topmost, but I can't seem to get in the groove. I'm also inclined to give RTL a read-through because I found the perfect agent to query for it. I mean, she's looking for dystopian with unique plots and dark themes. Also, I'm not ready to admit defeat on RTL. I did get a full request on that one - even if the agent never got back to me. Maybe with the right agent I can finally see RTL in print.
On the semi-writerly front, I laid in bed last night mentally rebuilding my agent database into a format that would work for multiple manuscripts.
And in the totally non-writerly front, I'm in the middle of crocheting blankets for my sisters.
Add in the little things life throws at me (like hunting down the shits who threw a rock through my husband's truck window) and I'm a mess. Ah, I love the late winter malaise.
So, anyway, I feel like I'm playing Short Attention Span Theatre. Do a little here. Do a little there. SQUIRREL!
I guess this is my way of apologizing for not being on top of my game here on the blog or over at Facebook. To quote that insurance commercial "Life comes at you fast". I'm just not that awesome at shifting gears right now.
Thinking about it now, perhaps I'd have an easier time figuring out which project to settle on if I had some idea where my career was headed. Like if I had an agent bite on one of my projects, then I'd know which project to focus on next. If the urban fantasy lands me an agent, then I'd work on another one of those. If one of my dystopians snags me representation, then I'd be more inclined to work on that. You know what I'm sayin'?
I'll figure it out. Like I said, it's probably all part of the general malaise I get this time of year. Once I get past this, I should be fine.
How are things in your little slice of the world?
I'm sorry you're feeling so bleh. I'm sure it'll all work itself out soon =)
ReplyDeleteI'm doing alright. Only a month left of school (then exams). I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!
I know exactly how you feel, B.E. - regarding the agent and the next project. You want to be productive, but you also want to be prepared for when that representation comes (and with the question: What else do you have in the series?).
ReplyDeleteOne foot in front of the other - and if the Short Attention Span Theatre is on stage, just go with it.
This time of year always makes me restless!
I can SOOO relate about the whole agent thing.
ReplyDeleteSorry you're going thru this.
I am working on the second book in my series, too, even though that's a no-no. I say if you want to write it, write it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think polishing up the manuscript you got a full request on is a great idea! You know it's good if an agent asked for the whole thing.