As a full-time author, I’m often juggling multiple projects at once. I might be drafting a new novel, editing a manuscript from a few months ago, and reviewing page proofs for a book about to be published. It can feel like spinning plates, and the risk of one (or all) of them crashing down is very real. Over the years, I’ve developed a few strategies to keep everything in motion without burning out.
Compartmentalize Your Time
The most effective technique for me is time-blocking. I dedicate specific days or parts of a day to a single project. For example, Monday and Tuesday mornings are for drafting new material when my creative energy is at its peak. Afternoons might be for less creatively demanding tasks like research or responding to editor feedback. This prevents the mental whiplash of switching between different worlds and different stages of the creative process.
Know the Stage of Each Project
It’s also helpful to work on projects that are in different stages. It’s much easier to switch from the generative, free-flowing mindset of drafting to the analytical, critical mindset of editing than it is to switch between two first drafts. The change in mental gears can be refreshing and can actually prevent writer’s block in any single project.