Wednesday, June 2, 2021

IWSG & Marinating Stories

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.


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Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

June 2 question - For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

I NEED some time away from my draft. It has to marinate for a good while (about a month) before I set eyes on it again.

I have a bouncy brain that is often working on (worrying about) multiple stories at a time, so this is pretty easy to do.

At the moment, I have:

  • Bloo Moose #8 - awaiting final polish
  • New series #1 - awaiting a rewrite after a critique on draft 1
  • New series #2 - first draft about 1/2 complete
  • Bloo Moose #9 - making planning notes in Scrivener on plot & characters
Of course, there are also main characters for Bloo Moose #10 and New Series #3 & 4 who are walking around in my head letting me know who they are and what their stories will be about. That doesn't count Future Series characters knocking on my skull.

An author's head is never lonely!!!

So, with my Tigger Brain, I focus on one story's needs at a time. Then while that sits and waits for the next step, I do the next round of work on the next story. That gives me the 3 or 4 weeks I need away from the first story to see it with clearer eyes.

So far, my pattern has been pretty consistent - basically 3 or 4 stories in various stages at a time.

How about you? Do you have a Tigger Brain? Or, does you brain let you focus on one story from start to finish (I can't even imagine how that works!)? Anyone else have a head chock full of characters?

Reaching For Family is up for preorder at most retailers.
Google Play & Eden Books will be up soon!


Jenna learned early that family wasn’t safe. As Bloo Moose’s vet, she’s determined to find her patients loving homes even if she knows the same isn’t possible for her.
 
Noah Washington promised his adoptive parents he’d save their farm and now he’s bought almost all of it back. Only one acre to go but it belongs to a woman who makes his owned guarded heart seem vulnerable.
 
After a decade as an Army Ranger, Noah’s alpaca are supposed to ensure him of a peaceful life but someone is targeting them. Or Jenna. Or him.
 
As the danger escalates, Jenna and Noah build a wary trust, but they’ll need to learn the true meaning of family if they want the farm—and themselves—to survive.

53 comments:

Stacy McKitrick said...

The MOST I've worked on at one time is 2 books (one in revisions, one in first draft). Any more than that and I'm lost. My brain can only concentrate on so much. I envy those who can spit out multiple books in a year.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Jemi, looks like you are writing a lot. I've worked on a maximum of 2 books, that too one middle grade and one picture book.

Jemi Fraser said...

It's so interesting how all of our brains are so different!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's been difficult during this pandemic, but the writing often helps

Pat Garcia said...

Hi
That's great focusing on one story at a time. I do the same but I have to admit that sometimes a character appears in one of my books who doesn't like to wait and I have to pull the manuscript from the shelf.

Wishing you a loving month of June.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G

cleemckenzie said...

"An author's head is never lonely." I love that. Also I'm very impressed by all the stories you've got lined up to edit! Amazing.

Jemi Fraser said...

That sounds about right here too! I currently have 3 Scrivener projects open on my laptop :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks! I'm having fun with all my imaginary friends!

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's great that you can work on more than one project at a time. I wish I could. And you are so productive! Please send some of your fast energy my way.

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - consider it sent!
Although this current draft is trying to kill me - slowly and painfully!

Carrie-Anne said...

I used to be able to easily work on more than one book at once, but now that I'm older, it's a lot harder. Even doing two at once can feel like I'm splitting my attention too many ways.

Jemi Fraser said...

My brain's always been bouncy so that definitely helps!

Elephant's Child said...

Colour me awed, impressed and grateful for your bouncy brain.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'd still be so confused bouncing around like that. Have at it, Tigger.

Astrid said...

So true that an author's head is never lonely. I also applaud you for how many stories you have in progress.

Jennifer Hawes said...

It's nice to have several projects to work on at a time. I think that is the way to do get something done!

emaginette said...

That's awesome, Jemi. Are you a mutant or did you run into a spider/meteorite, or build a super suit? This woman wants to know. hehehe

Anna from elements of emaginette

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Wow! Look at you. You are so productive. I'm thrilled for all the writing you've been able to do. And way to go for working on numerous projects.

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - thanks, but it can be little terrifying, too!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - I often say it's a Tigger Brain!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Astrid - it makes it fun! A little wacky but fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

Maybe it's best to keep switching it up - go with your gut!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm never stalled with writer's block, that's for sure!

Jemi Fraser said...

Teehee! Love it! My folks often said they don't quite know where I came from... :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Sheri! I love the multiple stories - it's fun to mix it up!

Olga Godim said...

I can't work on several stories simultaneously. I need to finish one story (or at least one draft completed) before I can try another story. Usually, my interruptions in fiction writing come from my journalism. When I must finish an article to a deadline, I have to put my fiction aside. No choice.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh my gosh, I'm so impressed by how much you're achieved!!! It's wonderful! And I love your books.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Sounds like you have a great process to work with. Good luck with your ongoing projects!

A Hundred Quills said...

Wow Jemi. I cannot quite think of doing so many stories together. I usually make a planner in the beginning of the month and go by it. It's a different thing every two or three days.

Toi Thomas said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes, I like your wording- marinating is just the thing for a good story.

Jemi Fraser said...

Definitely no choice in that situation! Deadlines first!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you so much, Lynda! I'm. having fun writing them - although series 2 is kicking my butt at the moment!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Shannon! It keeps my bouncy brain happy and busy!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's a neat system! I'm not nearly that organized - mine's all led by my heart and my gut :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank goodness for marinating time!

Mason Canyon said...

I don’t know how you do it but I’m so glad you do. Can’t wait to read all the stories you’ve got going on in your brain

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

I do rather like to have multiple projects. I’ve often drafted one novel while letting the previous one steep. And I’m trying to do more with short fiction, which is always a good place to go when the novels need to rest.

Chemist Ken said...

I like to work on one than one story at a time, but for the last year or so I've had to stick with just one in order to always have something to submit to my critique groups. It will be nice to jump around again as my muse sees fit.

M.J. Fifield said...

I definitely have a Tigger Brain. It's always such a treat when it actually focuses long enough on a WIP for me to get some writing done. But on the rare occasions when I do manage to finish a WIP, it goes into the metaphorical drawer for a few months before I start the next step.

I'm in awe at how much you accomplish! You're AMAZING!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Mason! I'm having a blast with the next Bloo Moose stories.
Döva is a little tougher while I find my feet with it, but it'll get there!

Jemi Fraser said...

Yes! Totally agree. Those shorts are a great rest for the brain!

Jemi Fraser said...

I agree - deadlines aren't good for my brain. Wandering at will is much better!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - not sure about that, but thanks!
I still think about a couple of stories I shelved years ago. I'd love to dig them out again one day. But they need ALL the work so it will be a while!

Michelle Wallace said...

Stories do need to marinate...

Your bouncy brain sounds amazing!
Sounds like you're quite organised with your Bloo Moose series!
It sounds like you're having fun! Go, Jemi!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm definitely having fun - and fairly well organized thanks to Scrivener! Otherwise I'd be out to sea without a paddle!

Nick Wilford said...

It sounds like you're never short of something to work on! I might go back and look at a previous draft of something after working on a different WIP - but that's as far as it goes. I'm never really actively working on more than one thing at a time.

Jemi Fraser said...

From experience, I know it's the only way to keep my bouncy brain happy!

Romance Reader said...

Oh you sound so busy!

Chrys Fey said...

So many series! And you're so far on Bloo Moose. That's wonderful!

Jemi Fraser said...

Alway, RR, always! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I love Bloo Moose - and have many more stories to come!

Deniz Bevan said...

Yes! I love the idea of having different stories to jump around to. Tigger Brain is a good way of describing it :-)
Amazing that you're on Bloo Moose #9 already!
Also, I just realized, you've got a WordPress landing page but still link to the blogger blogs, that is a really good idea. I've been wanting to start a Wordpress page for a while, and this seems like a good way to do it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Glad to know someone else has a Tigger Brain. :)
I don't know how to switch the Blogger blogs to WP so I just linked over. Seems like too much fuss to change!