The Write Focus

I mentioned on twitter last week that I sometimes have trouble focusing on which project I should be writing or finishing first and received a few replies from fellow writers, empathising and agreeing that it happens to them too. Maybe it goes with the job, or perhaps it depends on personality type and that old question if we are we plotters or pantsters. I still can't plot or plan in advance, much as I think it might help at times!

Perhaps it's more to do with the seasons. Summer is my least favourite season because I don't like too much heat, or the expectation I should be outside more often, so I find it more difficult to concentrate on a writing project at this time of year. Conversely, I actually get quite excited about the thought of autumn arriving soon (though it's quite autumnal here today) and I'm sure my eagerness to work will increase as the days and nights become darker and cooler.

Right now, I have the following to finish - these are all at various stages:

Middle grade time-slip book to Ancient EgyptContemporary novel set in ScotlandTwo contemporary novellasVictorian crime novel (eventually)
This is not including the half dozen or so other ideas (at least) that have a few paragraphs here and there, or all the short stories, articles and poetry that I want to go through and try to use, or all the ideas that are only a title and line or two in my notebook. You can see why I need to organise my writing time more effectively!

So that's my aim for the middle of September onwards: finish what I've started and find a consistent way of working. Meanwhile, I'm waiting for news of one novel's fate and, strangely enough, that's also interrupting my concentration, as this one is important to me.

If anyone else is struggling with writing focus, you might find this article interesting, How to Create a Writing Schedule that Works for You.

Rosemary