IWSGWelcome to today’s Insecure Writers’ Support Group post.  Today I bemoan having too many books on the go, both reading and writing. Don’t forget to visit the other #IWSG participants and our wonderful hosts. Welcome to March as well.

Not that this has anything to do with my IWSG topic: too many books getting me stressed again … a twist on Too many cooks spoil the broth, of course.

I think I’m suffering from trying to do things with too many books at once

I’m trying to edit three books; well, I’m working on a rewrite of one, an editor’s commented one of Willoughby the Narrator, now listed for April 27th launch; and Princelings 8 is waiting for me.

My first rewrite of The Perihelix made me relax, then I thought, no, it’s not there yet. I made some more amendments and sent them to my best beta-reading buddy, and then had another idea….

I keep having ideas to go into Princelings book 9 or 10. I’m anxious to get on with these, since the events in the world are overtaking the madness I thought I was inventing in the books.  If I don’t move soon, what I thought was over-the-top will be the norm in this mad world.

But I also have too many books on my currently-reading list, with reviews scheduled for the near future.  Near as in this week, next week, April…  I know some people read a book a day, but I can’t do that.  Books I enjoy can take two days, but Sanctus, my bookclub’s February read, had too many short chapters, darting from one of the many protagonists to another. It was far too easy to put down. I haven’t finished it, and the bookclub meeting was on Monday! Instead of reading it I picked up Lockwood & Co #2 which I got from the library, because I have book 4 from Net-Galley. At least that went more quickly.

Net-Galley is my downfall.  I’ve picked far too many books to read and review to tie in with their imminent publication.  I got a shock because I hadn’t started the one I’m reviewing on Saturday, but I had a power cut which kept me off the computer and glued to my kindle. That’s cleared three up!

A to Z Challenge action

I’m also starting to put together my April A to Z posts.  But this year I’m only doing AtoZ as I would blog normally, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve had to add, or bring forward, three books scheduled for autumn, to get my letters right for the five Saturday book reviews.

Too many books, and I’m in a froth.

As in the kitchen, I must take a deep breath and do one thing at a time, step by step, following the recipe.

I must make a plan, and stick to it.

How are you doing this March?

 

#IWSG | Too many books spoil the froth
Tagged on:                             

19 thoughts on “#IWSG | Too many books spoil the froth

  • 1 March, 2017 at 8:04 am
    Permalink

    Hi! It sounds like you’ve got your more-than-capable hands full, Jemima! I’m thinking ahead to the A-to-Z Challenge and am going to continue my series on Nebraska Avenue. It’s been kind of hectic because I spent all of January in Japan and it feels like it’s taken me forever to get back into my rhythm, but I’m slowly getting there. It just all feels like half-speed when we were going at the speed of light in Japan, making our gigs! Anyway, looking forward to reading your posts and thanks for kicking of my #IWSG reading this month!

  • 1 March, 2017 at 8:58 am
    Permalink

    I hope you’re making notes for your books as the ideas come to you! I’ve found that writing down my ideas, ticking off things on my to-do list and allowing myself to breathe through it all helps productivity. Even if it feels a little overwhelming some days, finishing something always lightens the load. Good luck! I’m looking forward to your AtoZ posts in April 🙂

    • 1 March, 2017 at 5:16 pm
      Permalink

      Many thanks, Milady! Yes, I think writing things down helps… although if I write snippets down I get diverted into writing more of them!

  • 1 March, 2017 at 11:12 am
    Permalink

    Jemima,
    Maybe you need to slow it down and concentrate on one task at a time. I hope you get things together the way you want them and good luck with A to Z. I have decided not to participate this year. My priority is finishing my manuscript and getting an agent.
    All the best to you.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat

    • 1 March, 2017 at 5:18 pm
      Permalink

      Yes, I try to segment the days, but there’s a little imp on my shoulder that keeps reminding me of other tasks 🙂 Good luck with your MS and with agent -hunting.

  • 1 March, 2017 at 11:42 am
    Permalink

    I love this –>> “If I don’t move soon, what I thought was over-the-top will be the norm in this mad world.” It’s strange how things we dream up come to pass in reality. Sometimes that’s a good thing, other times not so much.

    • 1 March, 2017 at 5:19 pm
      Permalink

      I read someone else decrying this situation, too. Dystopias are becoming harder to dream up…

  • 1 March, 2017 at 1:39 pm
    Permalink

    You’re busy! But sounds like you’re coping well. I tend to have various projects on the go too. Good luck with your projects 💗

    • 1 March, 2017 at 5:19 pm
      Permalink

      And good luck with yours, too, Luccia. Thanks for stopping by.

  • 1 March, 2017 at 2:18 pm
    Permalink

    Hi Jemima – you seem to have lots going on in life in general – so this doesn’t really come as a surprise – and you are dealing with things … I guess it’s better as Pat says … one thing at a time, and then move on … but good luck – the A-Z is just around the corner .. cheers Hilary

    • 1 March, 2017 at 5:21 pm
      Permalink

      Thanks, Hilary. At least I got one long-overdue task finished and sent to the person who needed it… and then yesterday I wondered if she was still waiting for something I’d forgotten! I don’t think so…

  • 1 March, 2017 at 4:33 pm
    Permalink

    Hi, Jemima! From my perspective, editing on two books at once is a non-starter. I can read six books at once, but at most can edit one and draft another, and truth to tell, I’m better off to focus completely on one book at a time (well, I will work on two, but alternate, working on one while the other is out to editors and then switching). Might be helpful to focus on one thing (Princelings?) and see it through before returning to the other.

    I’m still intending to do A to Z, but haven’t even started, so we’ll see…I’ll be on the road/trail for a week this month, which makes it all the harder. Better get moving!

    • 1 March, 2017 at 5:22 pm
      Permalink

      I think you’re right, it’s just that the problems with the POV scenes in the Perihelix keep emerging with new ideas for solutions. But it can wait. Finalising Willoughby is both important and urgent!!

  • 1 March, 2017 at 5:59 pm
    Permalink

    Sometimes I try to put too much stuff on my plate and then never get anything done as a result. I have to make myself step back and pick one thing.

    • 1 March, 2017 at 10:51 pm
      Permalink

      Yes, it’s a bit like ‘analysis paralysis’! I don’t know which to do first, so I’ll do something else while I decide…. 🙂

  • 1 March, 2017 at 6:00 pm
    Permalink

    So many books and not enough time! I do know that feeling. I try to just work on one at a time (along with some shorter pieces) and only read one at a time. I don’t always stick to that, but I think I make more progress when I do.

    • 1 March, 2017 at 10:52 pm
      Permalink

      I’m sure that’s the best route, Patsy. Good luck!

Comments are closed.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers: