At the beginning of each year sci-fi and fantasy author Maurice Broaddus creates an ambitious list of writing goals. Some of these goals are outside of his comfort zone and may be a bit unrealistic, but if he can get through even just half of his list, he feels accomplished. By setting these long-term goals early on he is able to focus in the short term and it provides him with multiple opportunities to keep the creativity flowing. Rather than discontinuing the writing process if he is stuck on one project, he moves on to a different project to redirect his brain, while still keeping it primed. Broaddus advises other writers to challenge themselves and exercise their minds in this way. He also recommends finding a way to have fun with words while continuing to hone their craft.
I agree fully. If you stick on one book, work on another....but.....don't make my mistake and work on too many. Work on 3, preferentially different types of books simultaneously, max.
You said it and I'm so happy. So many other guides and author talks said to stick to one story at a time because it will divert you away from finishing. Now that I have completed my first manuscript and am working through the next steps I'm thinking about what's next but have been afraid to jump ahead to start and lose my focus. I am ready to work on one of my 25 outlines. But then, I'm afraid I will never finish or have anything accepted if I don't focus on this first attempt at novel writing.