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What do writers DO between books?
I always have multiple projects in progress, and I switch projects when I finish a draft. (I usually have about 4 drafts per project.)
It is so enlightening to hear each of us are trying to balance the next book with promoting and exposure. I teach full time, 3 kids under one-8. I basically bang on my keyboard every spare second I get (about an hour a day). Just recently published my first book in Nov. I am more focused on getting a second book out than promoting. Maybe that's a mistake but it just feels right, to jump into the next project.
Between books? There is between books? I think I am doing something wrong. I am currently writing 3 books. Of course I am also reading 8 (because I just finished 2). Then there is promotion, blogging, promotion, writing reviews, promotion, vacation, promotion....and I also coach and am a professional speaker.
Okay, seriously, when I decided to make a writing business, I decided that I promote and write every day when not on vacation.
B.B. wrote:"I think the biggest mistake I've made so far is spending so much time trying to figure out the best way to promote and juggling social media and worrying about how to get exposure instead of focusing mainly on getting the next book written. I won't do that again." Perfect.
I've been writing for many years, and only now am starting to Kindle-ize my novels. I have been researching how to promote for months.
In the end, it seemed to me that everyone was promoting Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.
And I started noticing that I get tons of promotional stuff on social media for Kindle books, and I have never, ever bought a book promoted this way.
It may take me longer to break through to real readers--not just other folks writing and publishing on Kindle, who seem to review each others' books, buy each others' books, but people who find one of my books, love it, and press others to read it. It doesn't mean I'm not promoting, but I am trying to find ways that aren't these time-wasting social media mazes.
As you say above, my focus after finishing a book is on the next one. Eventually, the titles will pile up, and I'll keep using youtube, pinterest, Facebook--and sending out copies to reviewers who may like it--and I'll find some readers who will enjoy the work I enjoy.
The most enjoyable part is the writing. Why shouldn't I focus on that?
As Robert Silverberg said when asked what one should do to get published/be a writer.
Read, read, read.
Write, write, write.
From the quality of most Kindle books I've read, the first five words have been replaced with "promote."
Am having a brain block, but one famous writer (someone here will know who I mean) wrote a fixed minimum every day. If he completed a novel and still hadn't reached his minimum for that day, he took a clean sheet of paper and started the next book.The secret to productivity is that simple.
John wrote: " It doesn't mean I'm not promoting, but I am trying to find ways that aren't these time-wasting social media mazes...."Exactly! I do what I can, but I have a hard time coming up with blog posts on nothing important if I'm not able to spend enough time just writing. And important posts would take even longer. I try to be present on different platforms, but it's so distracting! It would be a little different if I wasn't working full time too.
As for what I do between projects, I have one published and the second almost finished with four more lined up in various stages of outlining and notes. And that's not counting other ideas I can't afford to think much about at all. No time in between!
What do I do between projects? I count my millions from my previous books, jet off to Monaco on vacay with my fam, drive my Loami...Lamborrogh...expensive car around, flaunt my wealth, and...Reality check. None of the above, darn it! I do what many others do: I work (teaching ESL) and edit other projects, use Facebook and twitter and Goodreads to try and push my published novels, research new ideas, and keep writing. If I have any extra time, I submit queries to various publishers on stuff I have written, but I don't stop. If I don't write for a day, I tend to get withdrawal symptoms. Seriously.
Well, I have a second job, so in between books I'm usually doing that, when I'm not hanging out with friends (or trying to). I also do most of my own PR and promotions. In addition to all this, I also blog about books on my reviewing blog.So yeah, I'm a pretty busy girl.
Got an idea for the second book as I was finishing the first, so there's no reason to feel lost. Also, I draw, so I'm always busy creating digital art about my characters (I post it on my blog http://engellmann.tumblr.com/tagged/s...)Add a full-time job, sport, and home duties - and you get a girl who has trouble choosing between another 30 min of sleep or reading a new book so she could improve her English)
I am working on three books at the moment having produced a small whitepaper for the first time http://amzn.com/B00RR63KSO. In my short experience is that I am speed writing multiple concepts, trying to come up with good covers, but most of my time figuring out marketing in general. additionally I have started a blog:
http://www.selfpublishingwriter.blogs...
facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/selfpublishin...
In my experience, writing requires conceptional thinking and approach (one of my first take-aways)
What do you mean between books? I'm currently working on two novels, editing a third, promoting all the books I have out, working a full time day job and trying to pay attention when my husband wants attention and have time with my three adult daughters. If I have a spare moment or three, I work on family history - there are some great stories there - and crochet. I listen to audio books while I crochet so I can slip in some reading in my busy schedule. There really isn't in between books for me.
I chewed ny figernails and wandered around the house while Dead in Dubai was in edit. Then I realized that the only thing to do was work on the next one.
What do retired educators with decent retirement incomes do between books? Travel and think about the next one.
For me there's no 'in-between' books, as I'm always writing, but I don't write all day. I spend time not writing on raising children, building headphones, doing groceries, killing people, making dinner, sword practice, taking my son to soccer practice, hacking secure websites, pretending at being a barista, taking my daughter to ballet, going to autopsies, making swans from apples, giving courses on folding people, listening to music, cultivating poisonous plants, watching movies...Frankly, I don't know where I find the time to write. :D
There's rarely a time when I don't have a few projects on the go, but once I complete a draft or finish an edit of one I take a couple of days to laze. Watch television, play games, clean the house. Then one day I wake up, usually about three days later, and realize that's dreary and delve into the next project.
What exactly is this "in-between" you speak of? I have never experienced this. Is it fun? Wait...do you have to interact with those "other" people? You know, the ones that don't have dozens of people talking in their heads? If you do, I'm afraid I would have to decline and stay firmly on my treadmill.Besides, my muse worries if I don't check in after three days. She's very possessive you know.
That's usually when I'm working on another short story. :-)
Between writing one book and the next I try to catch up with reading. What I actually do is snap at everybody, except the dogs, because not writing hurts.No, Ed, it isn't fun, and I know exactly what you mean by people talking in your head: they never stick to the plot... introduce others you didn't know you needed...
I am an Indie author who writes to help compassion based ministries. It is always a balance between working on the next book, promoting my debut book, and making readers aware of the needs served by the ministries my royalties go to support. For example, the debut book is going to help provide clean drinking water to those around the world without, by supporting Living Water International.
Between books? Write plays or other books. My 4th book is now published. Uplifting Friends with incredible photographs by my lifelong friend Santi Centner. Available on my website www.debbielannen.com as well as Amazon.
Sleep--Read--Give yourself lashings because if you only made that one tweak your book would have been better--Sleep--Start a new WIP. Repeat.
I think up other books and flesh out the universe of it with notes on Evernote.
Looking for any members of this group who were either born on August 9th or have family or friends born on that day? Why, you ask? My novel is titled August 9th and searching for readers born on that day. If so, please message me.thanks
R.F.G. wrote: "Work on another when not changing diapers"I take care of my little Grandniece and Grandnephew when I'm not writing, and I run.
I love running, I'm a little obsessed actually. :)
Many of the previous comments pretty much alude to the same thing, an obsession with writing.The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary provides the following definitions.
obsess - to preoccupy intensely or abnormally.
obsession - a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an idea or feeling - an emotion or idea causing such a preoccupation.
A lot of people enoy writing. I am one of them. That said; it just might prove beneficial, both mentally and physically, to occasionally consider other activities. Perhaps socializing (face-to-face with real people; not on-line), spending time with family and/or friends, dating (going out with your spouse counts), go biking, take a road trip, etc.
It's great to love doing something and wanting to do it well. However, once you feel that you absolutely have to do it constantly, it has become an obsession. Some might even call it an addiction, but that's another subject entirely.
Hi Jim...I do all of those alternative things you mentioned, and guess what? They all lead to new ideas for books.My friends tell stories that end up in books, parties are a source of new personalities that end up in books, family always ends up in the books, as do romantic encounters. Not word for word mind you...I've been married long enough to know what constitutes being cut off...but they end up in a chapter somewhere. Road trips are the worst...so many new things to process and assimilate into the books.
This is all in jest you understand. There has to be free time away from writing or the average person will suffer a burnout that will surely land them in either a hospital, a divorce court or a graveyard.
At least that's what 8 out of 10 voices in my head claim...
Ed wrote: "Hi Jim...I do all of those alternative things you mentioned, and guess what? They all lead to new ideas for books.My friends tell stories that end up in books, parties are a source of new personal..."
Ed,
It appears as though you have found a way to combine the best of both worlds. You've certainly set a great example for others to consider.
I especially like the examples you provide as possible (maybe probable) bad things that might result from being obsessed with something.
Jim,I have other interests too. It's just that I always have writing projects on the go, so there's no between books. Despite my joking above, I often spend time with my hubby - we go out for lunch at least once a week, often two or three times, cook dinner together at home, and often go on non-errand related outings together. Plus, I have a gang of pet rodents (4 degus, 2 gerbils, and 2 rats) who I spend time caring for and playing with. I also watch TV shows and movies (though more movies than TV shows, as I think a large amount of what's on TV these days is rubbish) and I also enjoy doing crafts, the odd bit of baking, and some gaming (though I admit I haven't done much gaming recently). That's without counting the time I spend reading; either for research or pleasure (mostly for pleasure). Oh, and then there's the time spent catching up with family members and friends; I admit that's mostly done over the phone or online, but since we don't live anywhere near any of our family and friends at the moment, that can't be helped. We talk to some neighbours face to face on a regular basis though.
However, since writing is my job, and since - as mentioned previously in this post - I generally have a head full of ideas, I always have a couple of writing projects on the go, which means there is no "between books" as such for me.
Having said that, if people want to call me obsessed with writing... Well, let them! I have a love for the written word that means reading and writing give me great pleasure, so I'll continue to do both as often as I wish to, whether people think I do it too much or not.
Is this the part where I should stand up and admit that - despite my other interests - I'm addicted to writing?
"Hello, my name is Victoria Zigler, and I'm a writerholic!"
*Smiles*
I write some more lol. But, I have other projects I do, drumming, updating my websites and pages, graphic art projects, then of course there's my day job. Plus I like to dabble in online gaming.Then there's the "honey-do" list...
;)
Lately I have edited mostly. I´m editing a novel that have been lying around for years and it needs a lot of work. It´s fun.I have started a sci-fi story too, but I´m not sure if I can pull it off or not. We´ll see.
Write, drink, dance and...sing?Netflix, as I understand it, is also a popular option.
In actuality, work is the more likely reality.
Jim wrote: " Some might even call it an addiction..."I've been addicted to worse things.
I can't speak for all obsessed writers, but for myself, when I say I am constantly writing I don't mean I am always at the keyboard tapping away. I average about an hour or two a day at that. Meanwhile I hold down two jobs, "father" three dogs and have a wonderful relationship with my wife. We do a little traveling when we can and go on "dates" and the like.
But, I am always on the look out for something interesting that could be in the next story, often working out how to approach my current projects, working on covers for stories... and on and on and on. The process does not stop.
Victoria wrote: "Having said that, if people want to call me obsessed with writing... Well, let them! I have a love for the written word that means reading and writing give me great pleasure, so I'll continue to do both as often as I wish to, whether people think I do it too much or not."Bingo. Preach it! I'm obsessed. I'll admit it! And I love it! Being in the mental health field, I have every confidence one of my coworkers will catch me if I go over the deep end. And then they'll be in my next story! That'll teach them!
I do some type of aerobic exercise that doesn't require any thinking such as spin, running, swimming or walking.
Dwayne wrote: "Victoria wrote: "Having said that, if people want to call me obsessed with writing... Well, let them! I have a love for the written word that means reading and writing give me great pleasure, so I'..."*Gives Dwayne two thumbs up*
G.T. wrote: "A.J. wrote: "Feel 'lost' when your book is finished? Latest blog:http://awaines.blogspot.com/2015/01/w...
A J Waines: author of Girl on a Train ..."
G.T. wrote: "A.J. wrote: "Feel 'lost' when your book is finished?
Latest blog:http://awaines.blogspot.com/2015/01/w...
A J Waines: author of Girl on a Train ..."
Hi GT - great comment!
Rayanne wrote: "I am either writing, thinking about writing, or feeling guilty for not writing. Oh, the writing life..."Agreed!
Andrew wrote: "I changed gears and directed a charity panto after my last one. We raised almost £3k for local causes into the bargain!"Nice one, Andrew.
The between-book transition can be stressful. Transitions have a beginning (looking back), a middle (a period of uncertainty), and an ending (look ahead). For this reason, I had to plan ahead to enjoy the time off without causing disruption to my publishing strategy. Because I blog, that meant pre-positioning enough posts (reflections from my book) to allow a couple of weeks focusing on other things.While there is no one answer to the question of what to do between books, for me the general answer is to unwind and spend time with the family. This past month I finished translating my book, A Christian Guide to Spirituality, into Spanish, I painted a bathroom and celebrated Christmas. The bathroom project was particularly helpful because it helped get my mind off the book. While I already had an idea for a new book and plenty of publicity ideas, I did not spend much time thinking about them--thankfully.
Good question. Thank you.
Stephen
A.J. wrote: "Andrew wrote: "I changed gears and directed a charity panto after my last one. We raised almost £3k for local causes into the bargain!"Nice one, Andrew."
Thanks! It was a fascinating experience... I'm going to stick to writing and acting in future, though!
Stephen wrote: "The between-book transition can be stressful. Transitions have a beginning (looking back), a middle (a period of uncertainty), and an ending (look ahead). For this reason, I had to plan ahead to ..."Really helpful reply - thanks Stephen.
Have any of you change genre? I love to write historical fiction because I don´t have to make it all up myself, I get inspired from historical events. But to just write a story from scratch so to speak seems hard for m.
I change up every so often. I did a historical fiction and loved doing it, but also experimented with styles and tried a dual first-person that was absolutely horrible. More people were confused by it than the ones that got it, but they all loved the characters so I'll have to rewrite it eventually.
What is your historical fiction novel about Ed?
Between books I breathe a sigh of relief, then read some books that have been piled high either on my nightstand or in my dear nook/kindle apps.
Helen wrote: "Have any of you change genre?"Yes. Often. I don't like to confine myself to one type of story all the time.
Go back to the day job :) And sleep for an entire weekend before you start the next one!
It's a fictional account of the mafia/CIA connection to the JFK assassination as seen through the eyes of a Philadelphia hitman.
Helen wrote: "Have any of you change genre?"Yes. Though most of the stuff that differs from what I write a lot of isn't finished yet. Some is, but mostly it's my typical genres I've got books published for at the moment.
Apart from much of my poetry, my work is usually aimed at children - though plenty of adults have enjoyed my books. But the genre varies. Mostly I write fantasy, fairy tales, or animal stories, but I also have a series that follows a little boy's adjustments after sight loss, and a story about a vegetarian zombie.
I've got some ideas for books in other genres (though still aimed at children officially) that will - I hope - be written eventually, but as they're so far from being finnished I'd rather not discuss them; I prefer to only go in to details about books I either plan to publish very soon, or have already published.
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But then book reviews & blogging is technically still writing, even if it's not the next novel.