Is It Possible to give myself too much work?

Question

I've been writing for a few years now and I'd like to get something published, but I always get beaten by the same problem. I get one piece going, and then a ways into it I get ideas for another and start working on a new story, and so on. At the moment I've got anywhere from 4-6 pieces of writing going at the same time. I'd like to know if there is a way to fix this so I can actually get something finished. I've tried just taking notes, but those notes tend to quickly turn into a story with me. Should I just ignore the ideas?

Answer 1

Sounds like you need to hone your dedication abilities. The next time you work on a story - just plow right along - get it all down. It's quite agonizing at times, but that's writing. If my laptop did not cost so much - I would have thrown it out of my window during the writing process.

In the words of William Faulkner: "Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good."

So follow through with your next story. Then go back and edit it.

Answer 2

Are you talking about short stories or novels here? At this point, you need to start learning that a huge part of the writing process is discipline. Pick your strongest idea and work it. Do not even touch anything else until you have exhausted what you are working on. Choose your ideal working time and the length of time that works best for you at one sitting. Then spend the same time every day in the same place working on the same piece. That is how you develop discipline as an author. Unfortunately, once you get your writing career, you won't always have that luxury. I am a novelist, but also a ghostwriter for a well known sports figure (NO he was not named by the Mitchell Commission!) So sometimes I have to stop what I am doing to work on a book project for him. I have written 6 children's books for him thus far plus I write press releases and such. I also do a little freelancing and occasionally write a short story for an anthology or something. But when you are starting out, developing a good strong set of work habits is essential.
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They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 3

That depends if you are writing for a living or not. If you aren't, then there's no need to, as you say, "ignore" ideas. I am only fifteen, so I have no deadlines for my work, but I like to have as many different stories going at once. I have yet to completely finish anything over 30,000 words, but I have about six or seven started novels, all from a few scattered notes to over 150 pages of details. I think that having more going at once completely prevents any chance of writer's block, as when you get stuck on one, you can just go to another story. However, if you are writing to put bread on the table, I would advise you to prioritize and force yourself to work on one until it is finished. I, on the other hand, prefer the freedom of being able to jump around between novels.