November 09, 2015

Write Your Next Book


What should you do after you finish editing your first manuscript?

What should you do after you send it out to agent after agent, editor after editor, and wait for good news?

What should you do after your book is accepted and you’re waiting for it to come out?

WRITE!

Write your next book.

Don’t waste this valuable time.

WRITE!
While waiting for Hurricane Crimes to come out, I sent 30 Seconds to my editor (I was lucky to have this one finished) and started working on my next book.

Writers don’t take vacations.

After I finished writing the last book in my unpublished series, I told myself I was going to take a vacation from writing for a while. Did that happen? NOPE! I immediately started planning and researching my next piece (which is on the backburner), as well as editing all of my short stories. I just couldn’t turn off my writing switch. I think that’s normal for most writers. We are obsessed with writing, even when we aren't writing. Some would call it a curse, but I believe it is a blessing. :)

So what are you waiting for?

WRITE!

Write your next story.

Even if you change focus from one story to another, don’t stop.

WRITE!



QUESTION: What are you working on right now?


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73 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 9, 2015 at 8:52 AM

    Sadly, nothing. But I am busy reading the IWSG Anthology Contest entries.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 10:25 AM

      Well, at least your busy. And I can't wait for the anthology to come out.

      Delete
  2. Jeffrey ScottNovember 9, 2015 at 9:52 AM

    As you are probably aware, I'm working on my YA series that I've started to post online. Two stories are done, the other six are in the works. I really need to get back to it. Even when a writer decides they want to take a break, that never truly sticks. Once a writer, always a writer. As for vacations. I like to use the word hiatus for my stories.. It essentially means I'm working on other writing instead.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 10:26 AM

      "Once a writer, always a writer." You're right about that. Hiatus is a good word to use.

      Delete
  3. Julie FlandersNovember 9, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    I'm working on my next story!! I needed this little kick in the butt as a reminder to keep at it though. Great sale on Hurricane Crimes, will tweet about it. Hope it's a big success.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 10:26 AM

      I'm glad I could provide that little kick. :D And thank you, Julie!

      Delete
  4. Julie FlandersNovember 9, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    I meant great sale on 30 Seconds - yikes! It's Monday, that's my only excuse. :(

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  5. L. Diane WolfeNovember 9, 2015 at 10:02 AM

    I'm editing my next book now. But jumping into the next book is how I was able to finish my 5 book series so quickly. I just never stopped writing.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 10:27 AM

      Bravo! I'm editing my next one now too...and will be starting the one to follow that soon. :D

      Delete
  6. Sarah FosterNovember 9, 2015 at 11:59 AM

    Great advice! I should probably be writing right now, actually, especially since I've been avoiding editing for months. If I don't want to edit, I should at least be writing something else.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 12:11 PM

      Writing when you're struggling to edit is a good idea.

      Delete
  7. Rachel PattinsonNovember 9, 2015 at 12:10 PM

    Great advice, Chrys! I took some time off after writing my first book, but I was anxious the whole time about starting to write the second one in the series. I'm currently working on the second book (finally!) and I've got lots of other novel ideas for the future, so I doubt I'll be taking a vacation from writing again for a long time yet ;).

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 12:12 PM

      Good luck with book 2!!!! Enjoy writing it. I've found that writing a sequel is a special experience. :)

      Delete
  8. Arlee BirdNovember 9, 2015 at 12:16 PM

    Great advice that I should take to heart. I'm working on about a hundred things right now. I'm good at starting things and not finishing them. It's a very bad habit that I need to address. Someday. Yeah, I'm a procrastinator too.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 1:58 PM

      I hope the next thing you start (or the thing you are currently working on) you finish. :)

      Delete
  9. Roland D. YeomansNovember 9, 2015 at 12:38 PM

    That's my tactic, too. :-) Right now, I am writing on 3 books: MORE THAN A NAME (my next Victor Standish novel), RED LAND, BLACK DEATH (the 3rd book in my Egyptian Fantasy trilogy), and LOVE IS BUT ANOTHER WORD FOR DEATH (Samuel McCord and Heddy Lamarr and Hitler).

    I think I am getting writer's whiplash! But Mark Twain did this. But he was a much better writer!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. sageNovember 9, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    Well, I have a magazine article due the end of the week... So I better get to work on that, but I'm not currently working on any longer piece. But you're right, we can't just stop after finishing one work.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM

      I think this rule especially applies to articles and shorter pieces. Good luck with your deadline!

      Delete
  11. nashvillecats2November 9, 2015 at 1:09 PM

    I've just began on my fourth poetry book yet to be titled.
    Most enjoyable post Chrys.
    Yvonne.

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  12. M.J. FifieldNovember 9, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    I am writing. I'm not sure how I feel about what I'm writing, but I'm writing nonetheless.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 2:02 PM

      Well, that's good. Write even if you're not sure about what you're writing. :)

      Delete
  13. Carrie-AnneNovember 9, 2015 at 1:52 PM

    I'm working on the fourth volume with my Russian characters, and need to get back to my alternative history after November. I also have one book to prepare for publication in December, though at this point it just needs converted back into Word on my old computer, so I can make a hyperlinked table of contents and convert it into HTML for Kindle.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 2:04 PM

      That's a lot. Best of luck with all of your projects, Carrie-Anne!

      Delete
  14. Neurotic WorkaholicNovember 9, 2015 at 2:49 PM

    Stories about the mob are interesting; it's both scary and interesting that the mob exists today, especially due to the importance that they place on their "family" or hierarchy. It's definitely important to keep writing, especially because it can get harder to get back into the groove of writing after taking a break from it.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 8:33 PM

      Thank you! If you ever read 30 Seconds I hope it lives up to your expectations. I plan to come out with a prequel next year that delves deeper into the Mob.

      Delete
  15. Madeline Mora-SummonteNovember 9, 2015 at 3:23 PM

    I'm busy with NaNo! And I agree - this writing gift is a blessing. :)

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  16. Yolanda RenéeNovember 9, 2015 at 3:46 PM

    I've been writing my, well, what I thought was my next book, but the more I write, the less chance I see of this one ever being published. LOL
    I just don't think it will be and yet I can't stop writing - putting it all on paper. Maybe someday I'll explain all that in a blog. But it's also why I'm anxious to finish and start something that will actually have a chance to see the light of day.
    Yes WRITE!

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 8:32 PM

      I'm interested to hear why you think this story won't ever be published, but at least you're enjoying writing it. That's what counts.

      Delete
  17. bettyNovember 9, 2015 at 4:07 PM

    Not writing since I'm not a writer, but working on trying to buy houses.

    betty

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  18. diedre KnightNovember 9, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    Oh I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't write! But I am a little overwhelmed sometimes with the number of ongoing projects I have. On the advice of a wise fellow-blogger who said "Pick one and finish it!", I'm working on final revisions of a YA mystery involving a clash between the sinister and the senile in a fishing village off the Sea of Cortez.
    I'm determined not to think about the next one until the end of the month!
    You are so right about continuing. Besides, it relieves a lot of the stress of wondering about the one before, when you're busy with the next :-)
    Yes, we are blessed!

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 9, 2015 at 8:31 PM

      Your YA mystery sounds interesting, especially the clashing part. And you're so right that it does distract us. Writing is the best distraction. :)

      Delete
  19. BBNovember 9, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    I need someone in my ear 24/7 to say "write". I have a book in me but I just haven't done anything with it. I want to..I really do.

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  20. AnonymousNovember 9, 2015 at 7:19 PM

    You say write like it's a job. ;););)

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  21. Pat HattNovember 9, 2015 at 7:23 PM

    I keep on writing away after I finish. I do takes breaks though, just no one can tell lol

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  22. AnonymousNovember 9, 2015 at 8:17 PM

    Exactly.

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  23. Denise Covey November 9, 2015 at 8:51 PM

    Great advice Chrys. Writers never take a vacation. Like that. Even when on a real vacation, I'm always journalling for travel articles and settings for my fiction. Only adds to the fun. :-)

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  24. Tyrean MartinsonNovember 9, 2015 at 9:28 PM

    I agree. We need to keep on writing! Best wishes with all!

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  25. Liz A.November 9, 2015 at 10:57 PM

    When I let something sit fallow for a while, I'm working on a different story. At the moment I'm back to my first novel. Revising. Polishing.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 10, 2015 at 11:34 AM

      I do the same thinh. Good luck with your first book!

      Delete
  26. J.H. MoncrieffNovember 9, 2015 at 11:53 PM

    I'm working on three different books, but have shifted my focus to my NaNo project for the month, which is one of the scariest things I've ever written.

    I do take vacations, though. When I travel, I completely unplug from my computer, social media, and any pressure to write a book. Sometimes I come up with great ideas for novels during those breaks. But if not, that's okay too.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 10, 2015 at 11:35 AM

      3? Wow.

      Scariest things you've ever written?? Now I'm curious!

      Good luck with NaNo!

      Delete
    2. J.H. MoncrieffNovember 16, 2015 at 2:26 PM

      Thanks, Chrys! All will be revealed in good time. :)

      Delete
  27. BirgitNovember 10, 2015 at 12:33 AM

    I love it! I think anyone with creativity always moves on to the next one. Glad you continue to keep writing. I am working on my ability to put things off til tomorrow:)

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 10, 2015 at 11:36 AM

      You're right. My mom knits and quilts. Whenever she's done with one project, she moves on to the next.

      Delete
  28. Misha GerrickNovember 10, 2015 at 5:09 AM

    I'm the same. My idea of a break is working on something different.

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  29. PatsyNovember 10, 2015 at 5:33 AM

    You're quite right - the best thing to do is to get on with the next project.

    ReplyDelete
  30. LidyNovember 10, 2015 at 7:31 AM

    You're right. After I'm done with my current draft, I'm going to write a rough draft of my urban and portal fantasy novella. Let those stew and go back to polishing and editing my WIP (hopefully it'll be ready as can be to query and submit to agents). During that time, I'll be working on those two drafts. A writer's work is never done.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 10, 2015 at 11:38 AM

      Yes, I just finished the first draft of book 3 in my series and I sent my editor the first round of editing back for book 2, so now I'll be going over a short story before betas and starting book 4!

      Delete
  31. Beverly Stowe McClureNovember 10, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    Yes, keep writing. When I send a story off, I might take a day to clean, if the house is so bad my feet stick to the floor and I keep tripping over cat toys and such. But then the voices call to me and we write their stories. I'm working on three right now. Two are sequels. Can't stop writing.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 10, 2015 at 11:38 AM

      A day to clean will surely get the voices talking again.

      Delete
  32. emaginetteNovember 10, 2015 at 1:14 PM

    I'm writing my next book on NaNo and have a pretty good feeling about it so far. :-)

    Anna from Elements of Writing

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 10, 2015 at 10:30 PM

      Yay!!! I'm happy for you. Keep up the good work! :)

      Delete
  33. Nick WilfordNovember 10, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    I think it definitely helps us to produce our best work if we're doing it regularly. Keeps those wheels turning. Great post!

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 10, 2015 at 10:31 PM

      Yes, we have to keep the wheels turning and our stories coming.

      Delete
  34. SK AnthonyNovember 10, 2015 at 9:00 PM

    I absolutely took time off after my last completed manuscript went into publication . . . like a day. :P

    I'm with you, if the kids aren't demanding my time: write, write, write! And research, always research. It's like therapy lol

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 10, 2015 at 10:31 PM

      Haha. I think my break after finishing the first book in my series was a day...or 12 hours. lol

      Delete
  35. Michelle WallaceNovember 11, 2015 at 4:45 AM

    I'm here from the Realms Faire to drench-a-wench!
    *throws 5 pails of Realms Faire water*
    Consider yourself duly drenched! Hahahaha!

    Thanks for the wise words above, Chrys.
    The point is to just write... continuously.

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    1. Chrys FeyNovember 11, 2015 at 3:05 PM

      Thanks for the drenching!!! You were the first one to soak me. :)

      Delete
  36. CherdoNovember 11, 2015 at 8:35 PM

    I'm working on a pile of medical bills and trying to make sure I force the offending party to make full payment. Yeah...that's what I do for fun...

    Nice post - and great advice!

    ReplyDelete

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