tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post1624683655051521885..comments2024-03-10T00:26:33.241-08:00Comments on <strike>Muse Riding Shotgun</strike>: The One-Book MindMason T. Matchakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-91890466689224028182015-07-29T08:59:05.204-07:002015-07-29T08:59:05.204-07:00I'm trying. >_< But even a week later,...I'm trying. >_< But even a week later, it's still not working. Gah!Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-15804276090618034462015-07-29T05:35:01.675-07:002015-07-29T05:35:01.675-07:00You're so hard on yourself, Mason. You are SO ...You're so hard on yourself, Mason. You are SO productive and so many projects going and get so much. Cut yourself a giant, relaxing break. It's good to focus on one thing and get it in good shape - and give it the attention it needs :) Liz Blockerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16160510626027597666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-19277446941041404372015-07-27T20:55:44.429-07:002015-07-27T20:55:44.429-07:00At least you've figured out that's how you...At least you've figured out that's how you work, though. From everyone's comments here, I know I'm not the only one, and I can accept that. It was just another case of seeing people who aren't like this and wondering if I'm doing it wrong.Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-86148256320239023852015-07-27T20:54:46.614-07:002015-07-27T20:54:46.614-07:00I don't know if that would change anything, th...I don't know if that would change anything, though. Giving up the things I enjoy to try to make myself work on multiple things at once, when it's hard to pull myself away from that one project? Sounds like a recipe for frustration to me.Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-26120901657024709082015-07-27T20:53:35.224-07:002015-07-27T20:53:35.224-07:00I don't know if I'd be able to work on any...I don't know if I'd be able to work on anything even if I was stuck on a WIP. >_< As I've said, I can switch around while plotting, but when I'm actually writing something, that's the only project I can even think about.Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-45975424176718738812015-07-27T19:14:21.553-07:002015-07-27T19:14:21.553-07:00I have a really hard time focusing on more than on...I have a really hard time focusing on more than one project at a time. Right now, I have revisions/edits due for a contracted project, 3/4 of a rough draft of a long-shot project written, and vague,swimming ideas for a future project that is probably a better thing for me to work on than the long-shot one. But heaven help me, I just can't give it my attention until I finish that first draft, no matter how small its chances. I guess I am a one-project gal!Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-17426124130692745752015-07-27T05:31:44.669-07:002015-07-27T05:31:44.669-07:00As a teacher, I have to find time wherever I can, ...As a teacher, I have to find time wherever I can, so I'm often in the middle of drafting, editing, and plotting various projects -- short stories, novellas, and novels -- at the same time. My only advice: sacrifice. I don't watch as much TV or surf as much as I used to, and I never play video games anymore. But I wouldn't change a thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-52434588784332013632015-07-27T05:22:04.950-07:002015-07-27T05:22:04.950-07:00When I'm stuck on a WIP I can work on somethin...When I'm stuck on a WIP I can work on something else, but that's about it. I usually have to pick a book and stick to it until it's done, otherwise I'd probably drive myself crazy trying to go back and forth. I don't know how some writers do it. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06317095707905133969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-75011052585077861072015-07-25T10:49:27.771-07:002015-07-25T10:49:27.771-07:00I'm learning that I'm like that too, when ...I'm learning that I'm like that too, when I'm working on a specific project. If I'm just plotting different things, I can jump around, though.Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-14363574334393069212015-07-25T10:48:55.353-07:002015-07-25T10:48:55.353-07:00Thank you. ^_^ And we're writers. It's ...Thank you. ^_^ And we're writers. It's a word if we say it is. :P<br /><br />I don't know if I'd say I'm stuck, I just know I'm in the middle of a long process. But it's all necessary. I know the book is much better now than it was when I first finished it, all thanks to editing. So it's worth it.Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-67427722869644005662015-07-25T10:47:35.336-07:002015-07-25T10:47:35.336-07:00Fanfic still counts. It's practice, obviously...Fanfic still counts. It's practice, obviously not something you can have published, but I know I've learned from writing fanfic before.Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-85945942294157721492015-07-24T11:25:14.023-07:002015-07-24T11:25:14.023-07:00I get ideas and jot them down for future use, but ...I get ideas and jot them down for future use, but I'm a one-story-at-a-time writer. <br />Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-92006236659917638082015-07-24T07:37:30.854-07:002015-07-24T07:37:30.854-07:00Like you I'm stuck in the editing process. Gon...Like you I'm stuck in the editing process. Gone is the first feeling of awesomeness when I first wrote the story. And though I know the edits must be done to turn this pebble of a story to a diamond, it is just so 'strugglesome.' See, I'm not even sure I'm even using a real word. But that's the writer's life. And I really want to see this story to completion, beta-read and polished to the best of my abilities. And hopefully, by this winter. Good luck with BOLR.Lidyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04185947128989933152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-7091004816048630272015-07-23T23:45:03.775-07:002015-07-23T23:45:03.775-07:00I feel all inspired so I re-plotted out one of the...I feel all inspired so I re-plotted out one of the few things I've got that actually has an ending (probably sucks but at least it's an ending) and I'll attempt to actually finish the thing. It's a fanfic (why can i only ever think of endings to shitty fanfics) but at least it's SOMETHING so yay. Thanks for the encouragement :D no idea if I'll post it anywhere but it'll be something to finish. Tambaloneushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11973551751322266799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-28616339760117537712015-07-22T22:19:34.836-07:002015-07-22T22:19:34.836-07:00I don't believe that you absolutely must finis...I don't believe that you absolutely must finish everything you start - I've abandoned projects for good reason and I will do so again. But finishing *something* is really important. I have a bunch of half-done stuff too, but the only way to get better at telling stories is to actually complete them, so you can figure out how they work and how to make them better. Keep at it, I know you can do it. ^_^Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-69384998857400424942015-07-22T22:18:17.379-07:002015-07-22T22:18:17.379-07:00That's what I'm doing. ^_^ I have been a...That's what I'm doing. ^_^ I have been able to get down some sequel notes, as I said, but little else. It's oddly comforting to know I'm not the only one.Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-11707585642770869442015-07-22T22:17:28.404-07:002015-07-22T22:17:28.404-07:00That's kind of what I'm trying to do. Whe...That's kind of what I'm trying to do. When I get ideas, I write them down, as per usual, and don't try to do more than that. I can't force myself to work on stories that aren't ready, and doing so only frustrates me. It is good to see that this seems to be a pretty normal thing, though.Mason T. Matchakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382636658554302699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-31759240686523400662015-07-22T16:40:39.873-07:002015-07-22T16:40:39.873-07:00I'm a pretty bad example but I usually have li...I'm a pretty bad example but I usually have like a dozen or more things I'm gradually adding to - but I do tend to find I do big chunks of one while it's in my head, when I'm in the 'zone'. The problem is getting back into that zone when I've gone off to some other zone for another story - that can be really hard for the un-disciplined and i'm about as undisciplined as they get. Which is why I have a half a million half done stories. I love to start them and ride that wave of energy but once it peters out having the persistence and dedication to keep at it, to polish it, that's what makes an author - which is why I admire your ability to do so, because it's nowhere near as easy as even ya'll make it look :DTambaloneushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11973551751322266799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-82723168867517251092015-07-22T09:59:32.053-07:002015-07-22T09:59:32.053-07:00I'm the same way. I can only work on one proje...I'm the same way. I can only work on one project at a time. I can't even start a new story until the current one hits publication. Yes, if I was smart, I've be working on one before that point, but I guess some of us just aren't wired for it.<br />Just keep jotting down ideas for now.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6667260282067472646.post-51690142665661705022015-07-22T09:43:56.705-07:002015-07-22T09:43:56.705-07:00I know how you feel. I should be working on novell...I know how you feel. I should be working on novella, but another shiny venture with book 1 (already done) pulled my attention away, but even then my thoughts stray to books 2 and 3. I have no good advice, because I just go where my mind tells me and write what I feel like writing, or draw what I feel like drawing, or plan what I feel like planning. I'm not good with deadlines or homework...Loni Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126958230703180761noreply@blogger.com