I’ve always been a one-project-at-a-time writer. Start a book, plot it, write it, edit it, finish it, on to the next book.
I’ve noticed, however, that in the past few months I’ve been slamming on the brakes mid-book and having to start another project. For someone with a linear brain like mine, this is damned hard! But it’s become a necessity and so I’m forced to learn to adapt to this new style of writing.
Now I’m a firm believer in the ‘there’s nothing I can’t do’ concept, so given enough time and some semblance of organizational skills, I know I can do this.
The problem is that if I put a book aside for a few weeks, I almost have to re-read the entire book up to the point I left off once I get ready to start again. Otherwise I forget important plot points and where I am in the grand scheme of things. Plus I don’t want to confuse one set of characters from one book with another. (Yes, I’ve done this before.)
I can see it now. Futuristic alien bondage master inadvertently switched and ending up in contemporary werewolf/vampire book.
Futuristic bondage dude: Where’s my sub?
Female werewolf: Your sub sandwich?
Futuristic bondage dude: No, my sub. My submissive. The woman I was flogging.
Female werewolf: You were flogging a woman?
Futuristic bondage dude: Of course. It’s what I do.
Female werewolf: Not in my book, you don’t. (eyes glowing, really pissed off look)
Futuristic bondage dude: She was enjoying it.
Female werewolf: (snorting) Yuh huh. I”m sure you’d like to think she was.
Futuristic bondage dude: You do not have my permission to speak! Lower your eyes and speak only when spoken to.
Female werewolf: I’m going to kick your ass, mister!
Uh huh. This might require a little more attention to organization on my part. Some of my characters from different books should NEVER have the opportunity to meet.