Productivity

After a week of implementing this 3-project strategy, I can officially say that, at least for me, it is working. Not perfectly. Not exactly. Project 3 has definitely fallen short most days this week, but it is moving forward and that’s what matters. More importantly, the mini blockage it was giving me started to crack last night.

The important distinction I want to make here is that I am firmly and vehemently opposed to this one-size-fits-all mentality when it comes to just about everything. Like with all things, you have to find the method that works for you. For me, what I’ve found works best is this. By having these multiple projects running simultaneously (each with a different target release date) helps prevent full blocks. Struggling with Project 1? Pop over and give Project 2 some extra love. Project 3 making me tear my hair out? Oh look! Project 1 is cruising. Apparently, Dame Agatha Christie had a similar approach. So, good company?

Right now, Project 2 (the dark YA urban fantasy) is on pace for a February release. Forget knock on wood. Point me to whole forest! I’ve been mentally locked on what I want for its book cover since at least 2012, so it’ll just be a matter of getting my cover artist to understand my terrible sketch. But at least that’s one fewer hurdle for future me to deal with.

As for Projects 1 and 3, 1 is almost half complete against an October 2027 release, and 3 is rapidly approaching its first 10,000 words (of a planned 95,000 ±5,000) with a view to release June 1, 2027, provided all goes well. Like with Project 2, I have clear visions for what I want of the book cover. The question, however, will remain if I can correctly convey what I’m thinking to the artist(s) I commission. Future me problems.

Thanks to this new (to me) strategy, I think it might feasibly be possible to finish my entire 2027 catalog (I have 5 total titles planned for 2027) by May. And I’ll see myself back to the forest to continue doing my woodpecker impression. In addition to the aforesaid Projects 1-3, I also have mothballed a sequel to The Origami Earth: Tir na nOg waiting for me to get back to it to be a second June release, and I want to go on another adventure with Michael and Roni for a sequel to The Secret of Hidden Creek. Admittedly, I’m not quite sure what I want to do with them beyond tinkering with Roni and the Davis Family (especially Mom!) adjusting to life together. Imagine the havoc of having a… her in their house hosting Thanksgiving dinner!

But, at this point, I’m just procrastinating. I have a busy day and weekend ahead of me. I only have so much time to work with, and this is hardly time well spent against my other responsibilities.

Until Monday!