Warning: Quicksand
Oh well, holidays are over and my sequel is out for final proofreading. I'm completing my citations and bibliography page now and I'm forcing myself to finish writing my next book in the series. I say forcing since I've a hard time changing hats from researcher-writer- revisor- queryer-editor-designer-publisher-promoter then back to writer. I tend to get stuck in the phases.
When I was writing, I just kept writing. I actually finished the first book, the second, 2/3′s of the third, and 1/3 of the last book all in one straight streak. I couldn't stop creating. I worried that I would never want to stop writing to get any of the books out. I made myself stop and start to rework the first book. Then I got caught up in all the other stages.
Why do I have such a hard time transitioning?
So now, I really don't want to start researching the next life I'm delving into. I keep trying to convince myself that it's a better idea to start reworking the lives I've already completed in the third book. I think a part of me feels like I haven't written in so long that I'm afraid I can't do it anymore. I have this great momentum in the book up until this point and then I stopped to do all the other phases and I'm scared to pick it back up again.
What if the momentum is ruined?
I think a part of me is scared to see if I can still write this series. I feel so much more comfortable to do what I've been doing for a year now. Plus, I have to isolate myself so much more during the writing process. I can revise, edit, design, promote all while watching Thundercats, shaking a baby toy, or keeping an eye on my son's ninja attempts. But when I write, I need to focus and fall into the world inside me. Once the words start pouring out, it's torture to stick a cork in to do something else.
But I don't have a choice. I'm a full-time mother and writer, so I must try to juggle as best as I can. I realize that I just have to quiet those fears and throw myself into the writing. I hope it will be like riding a bicycle. I hope the series will keep up it's pace and intimacy I created previously.
Who knows? Maybe all this professional editing will rub off during the first draft!
Do you have a hard time changing between all the different phases? Which phase to you enjoy the most? Which one do you dread?
