Juggling
For the past month or two, I’ve felt like I’m struggling more than usual to keep up with everything. I’ve felt more stressed and frazzled, and I’m having a harder time making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Then this weekend I stepped back and realized I’m currently juggling four different books in different stages of production. Rise of the Spider Goddess comes out in eight days, with Unbound being released a month later. I’m trying to finish up the first draft of Revisionary, and there’s more revision work I need to do on Secret Unnamed Project of DOOM.
Oh. Well, that would explain it, I suppose. It doesn’t make things any less of a struggle, but it’s helpful to realize there’s a legit reason for feeling frazzled, and it’s not all just in my head.
I’m thinking for 2015, I may need to step back and take a good look at my priorities and time management and such, because what’s worked in the past doesn’t seem to be working quite as well these days. I have some thoughts on that front, though I’m not ready to get into details publicly just yet. (I will note that million-dollar movie or book deals are always welcome, and would simplify certain things immensely. I’m sure they’d add complications of their own, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.)
On the bright side, we did make time yesterday to get out and see Big Hero Six, which was a lot of fun. A few plot questions, but still fun.
Anyway, things should calm down a little bit over the next month or so. And in the meantime, I hope you’ll bear with me if I’m taking a bit more time than usual to respond to things.
Fraser
November 24, 2014 @ 8:26 am
I’ve been suffering the same thing lately. Partly because one project I’m working on is large (and won’t pay off until later, so I can’t do less paying stuff) and partly because we’ve adopted puppies and one of them needs some extra care, and I work at home, so …
Jim C. Hines
November 24, 2014 @ 9:28 am
The first time I read this comment, the only thing my brain held on to was PUPPIES!
--E
November 24, 2014 @ 10:02 am
And do you still have your dayjob where you were somewhat recently promoted, or have I missed something?
This thing, where you have so many books going at once…this is why I don’t really want to be published. Even if I didn’t have a dayjob, that would not be something I can do. I remain in awe of you folks who write fast enough for even one book per year, let alone more.
Jim C. Hines
November 24, 2014 @ 10:23 am
Yep, that too. And November is deadline season at the day job. Whee…
Fraser
November 24, 2014 @ 11:29 am
I have the same reaction being around them, which is another reason i get less work done. 🙂
Allison
November 24, 2014 @ 1:39 pm
It’s a terrible relief, to discover that you are REALLY busy, because it’s not going to change, but at least you know why it feels like there is always one more thing that needs doing.
So, Um, good luck. And your books make me happy. So thanks for spending the time and energy writing them.
Sally
November 24, 2014 @ 6:02 pm
Large project (not currently providing money) vs. puppies? No contest as to what’s more compelling.
Karen
November 24, 2014 @ 6:06 pm
Reading your post I’m remembering my juggling days…I got fairly good at juggling four balls (two balls in each hand), but never mastered the five ball cascade.
Oh, and my time management is lousy too, especially since computerizing.
Carpe Librarium
November 24, 2014 @ 7:56 pm
I am waiting for The Stepsister Scheme to be turned into a series of movies or a TV show. (Only after feverish negotiations on rights somewhere in the range of millions of dollars.)
Jim C. Hines
November 24, 2014 @ 9:11 pm
Heh. I got pretty good with three balls in college, and could do some tricks with clubs, too. Never figured out how to do four or five, though.
Jim C. Hines
November 24, 2014 @ 9:11 pm
You and me both! 😀