The Juggler
Are you a juggler or a tightrope walker?
I’ll bet you never heard THAT one before. Well, that’s because I just created it. Oh, sure, every writer is familiar with Plotter and Pantser. For those of you non-writers unaware of these terms, let me explain:
A Plotter is the kind of writer that creates detailed outlines of chapters, story arcs, character development, character biographies, etc. The Plotter follows the outline immaculately. The Pantser, well, writes by the seat of their pants. There is also the hybrid, which I tend to fall into. This is where you create a synopsis, write down your character names, and then just let the pieces fall where they may.
Those describe methods of actually writing. My new example, the Juggler and the Tightrope Walker, is more about personal approach to writing and less about craft itself. To me, as the name implies, the Juggler is the one who has multiple projects going on at once. Whether they have the tendencies of a squirrel or simply want to “keep things fresh” and avoid so-called writer’s block, they may have detailed notes on their projects and work on them as time and schedules permit. The Tightrope Walker is singularly focused. They have to be. One false step and they fall (hopefully into a net.)
I am most assuredly a Juggler. Right now: I’m working on the fifth draft of a new historical crime fiction series while trying to pitch it to several publishers; outlining the second book of that series while editing the first book and pitching it to several publishers; working on a stand-alone historical crime fiction piece for my current publisher; and just starting on an experiment in writing as pure a piece of 50’s pulp fiction as I can.
And keep in mind, my wife and I are house hunting as we seek to downsize and make our way slowly into retirement (where, I imagine, I will become even more of a Juggler).
So, where do you fall into the mix?
