#162 Momentum v. Variety

Book 2 of my upcoming series is going through my process, which gives me some time to consider what project to start thinking about now.  So here is my dilemma.  I've been writing on one story for the last 7 months.  It is coming along nicely, and I have enjoyed it thoroughly.  My work has gained momentum, which allowed me to hammer out book 2 in just over 7 weeks.  However, a new story idea came to me in January, and I spent time organizing an outline.  The story is interesting and completely different from what I've been working on.

Should I continue with the story I've been writing, ensuring that I ride the wave until it crashes onshore?  Or should I change things up, bring in a fresh story with a fresh voice, so that when I return to Book 3 of the series, it will be something I've missed and am eager to once again pursue?

Or, am I overthinking this?  Perhaps it doesn't matter, as both stories will be written before this year is up...

#161 Misery

Today is an important day for me.  I finished the first draft of the second book in my upcoming series.  I still have a lot of work to do, but it is important to recognize the important steps taken along the way.  To celebrate, I am going to watch Misery, because nothing makes me want to be a successful writer more than watching a movie about an author interacting with one his favorite fans!

#160 Celebrations?

My younger brother, fresh out of school, dreams of being a writer.  I can understand that, as I have the same dream.  He writes comic books, primarily, but has recently ventured into the world of short fiction.  The other day we watched Romancing The Stone with our mother (I know, strange movie choice...) and the film begins with Joan Wilder finishing a novel, another installment in her romance series. To date the movie, she finishes it on a typewriter.  Afterward, she opens a can of fancy cat food, pours a glass of wine and enjoys a quiet evening next to the fireplace.  After the cat finishes, she flings the plate into the fire.

My brother finished his first short story this morning and texted me.  He said, "Can I borrow Doodle to have dinner with him?  LOL"  Doodle is my cat.

I called him and told him we need to come up with a better celebration than feeding our cat fancy food and flinging his empty plate into the fire place.  But other than drinking wine and eating good food, which I do most every night anyway, I do not have a good celebration in mind for my brother, or myself.  I need help!

So, what is a suitable celebration for finishing a novel?  When is it a suitable time to celebrate?  Once the final draft is complete, or must a writer wait for it to be published to celebrate?  Or, can we celebrate both?

#159 Work Space Follow Up

Just wanted to follow up on my previous post.  This sometimes happens in one of my three writing areas.  I wonder how many cuddling cats Hemingway had to deal with...