2/27/10

Too Much Too Fast

What dreams may come...

Those of you who know me also know there are many times my job takes me away from where I’d like to be. That is here on my blog connecting with everyone, and writing my romance. If I'm absent for a few days, most of  you know why and understand.

This week has been particularly long and intense. I barely had time to catch any sleep. But when I did sleep, I dreamed about a story I’ve been turning over in my head. It was as if  I appeared smack in the middle of the drama taking place as it unfolded in a full color adventure. Cool! Unfortunately I had to put the ideas on hold because of the focus my work entails until I returned home last night.

Today, as I tried to pull together the story, I realized it contained so much plot, sub plot and action I had no idea where to begin with it. I also realized it would take a lot of research to make it happen. So I did what I usually do. I sketched out the hero and heroine first. Soon the ideas started flowing and bits and peices from the dream emerged. It was nice.  But on the other hand I now have another new story to add to my growing WIP pile. If I thought my TBR pile was big, let me tell you it is nothing compared to WIP one! I'd love to have the time to give each and every story the attention it deserves. But I can only do so much, eapecially with my lifestyle...

So here's my question. Is you WIP pile growing so fast it's hard to keep up? If so, how do you deal with it?

Kaye  

9 comments:

Shelley Munro said...

Oh, yes! The writer's demanding WIP pile. The newest story idea whispers in your ear "write me". They're very seductive and before you know it you have several ideas on the go and in progress. These days, I try to focus on one or two and open a file to add details of new ideas. I also have a lot floating in my head. It's amazing how many get entangled and eventually become one story instead of several different stories.

Good luck with keeping those ideas under control, and I hope your life settles down soon.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Yes, my WIP pile is constantly increasing. I'd love to be able to focus all my time on writing and somehow keep up with all that I want to write.

I'm in the middle of a new WIP and loving it. The others are being kept in notebooks for the timebeing, despite them nagging to be worked on.

Unknown said...

Absolutely! Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get to all my WIPs. I normally have two going at once so that if I get stuck on one I can work on the second.
I think it's cool how you dreamt about your latest. I have another writer friend who does that. I find it fascinating.
Good luck with the new WIP. :)

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

I have odd bits of WIP everywhere - just wish I could concentrate long enough to finish something.

:-)

Cari Quinn said...

I understand exactly, Kaye. I have a million WIPs, but I can't seem to stop myself from coming up with more!

I think it's great you dreamed a story - I did that recently too! Such a neat plotting tool. ;)

Unknown said...

Mine keeps growing too but I find I can only work on one at a time and really do it credit. So, when the new idea comes I take down notes in my notebook. I'll either eventually get to it or move on to a better idea when the time comes.

Helen Hardt said...

Right now my brain is overflowing with ideas, but I lack the motivation to get them down. But March is going to be my month, baby! It better be, since January and February flew out the window. I know you'll get your idea under control and get it on paper!

J.A. Saare / Aline Hunter said...

I, too, have tons of WIP's. I think it's the nature of the beast. ;) I try to write things down, but it's tough when new ideas keep popping into your head!

Linda Banche said...

Oh, join the club, Kaye. We all have too much to do, and unfortunately, the day job has to come first.'

But if you have a great idea, don't lose it. Write down what you have. You can always go back and research the things you don't know. Facts enhance a story, but they aren't the story. So go with what you have now, the rest will come as you think about it.

I have an Ideas folder on my computer. Whenever I get an idea, I write it down. I have a lot of one page files there, but I have something to work with