An Anthem for Writers Working on their WIPs

Today's post kind of fell through, so I thought I'd share this video I made dedicated to writers working on their WIPs. I originally posted it earlier this week on the Scene13 blog, where I post every month on the 27th as part of a group of writers whose books come out in 2013. They're a great gang, and I've even met some of them in person.

Anyway, here's the video. Enjoy!

In Between Days

Most aspiring writers I've come into contact with have many coals on the fire. I'm talking about manuscripts and WIP's, of course. Either they have multiple works-in-progress, or a finished manuscript and one or more WIP's, or more than one finished manuscript and a WIP or two to boot. This is, as far as I'm concerned, normal writer behavior.

But how do you get into the right mind-set when you've got multiple projects?

What do I mean by mind-set? When I work on a story, I try to really get to know the characters. I get involved with what's happening to them. I invest myself in their lives. And when I'm finished with that story, although it's still with me, I have to let it go a little in order to move on to the next story. Not completely, of course, but enough that I can concentrate on my next batch of characters and situations.

So let's say, for example, you're querying your finished manuscript and working on one of your WIP's. Now what happens when you get agent feedback for that finished manuscript and you decide to make appropriate changes. How do you switch mind-sets from one story to the other?

You tell me. Do you find it easy to keep all your characters in check? Do you stop working on a new project for a while when you're faced with feedback on a project you're currently pitching? Or are you an expert at juggling these things in your mind? And most importantly, how do you keep from going crazy in the process?

Separation Anxiety

One of the things I struggle with when I write is separating writing from editing. I tend to correct as I go. I think it's something that was just planted in me, like a seed, and then grew and grew until it took over my thinking completely.

On the one hand, I like that I scrutinize every word I write, every sentence and every paragraph, wondering if there is a better way to convey to the reader what I'm trying to say. But on the other hand, it's TOO MUCH PRESSURE. Words will not flow like they should if I'm constantly changing a sentence around before I get to the next one, right? Not to mention how long it takes to get that story out of my wee brain.

I'm working on it though.

I've recently started a new WIP, and I will try to remind myself to just write, write, keep on writing, and go back through it later for editing and revisions. You realize I used the word "try," right? ;p

You tell me. Do you find it easy to separate writing and editing, or is it easier for you to correct as you go?

In The Beginning ...

Hello!

Here's the deal. I'm looking for aspiring writers who wouldn't mind being interviewed about what they're working on and how far along in the getting-published process they are. If you think this is something you'd be interested in, drop me an email at dorothyanndreyer [at] gmail [dot] com.

I look forward to hearing from you!