Since finishing (hopefully) a rather large, cumbersome project, I’ve had time to breathe. Only just though, for there was work pushed aside for these critical edits and revisions that had to be done. And naturally, I’m feeling a bit under the weather. What I suspect is a sinus infection or inner ear issue is causing multiple aches. I’m tired. Maybe the body’s saying it’s time for a small break.
However, despite the onset of Famine Season (otherwise known as December), I’ve had contact from two brand-new clients who both want some very large project work (books) from me. I’ve learned not to get excited – often price will get in the way or make them rethink just how much they need to have their projects completed. I predict one or both will balk at price or get cold feet, so I’m not panicking about having large projects to start, or stress over, for the holidays. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m just limp with exhaustion and feeling a bit ill, but I need the next few weeks to be calm. I have a third client who’s wanting a book as well, but I’m pretty sure she’s not going to be in touch until at least January.
Why so many book projects now, I wonder? Moreover, I’m hoping to be able to work on these new projects simultaneously (not so hard to switch gears when you’re sporting a dash of ADD) and continue with my regular projects. I’m organized, thank God, and I’m sure with some tight deadlines and a large whip, I can corral both projects and clients into manageable timelines. The only unknown, beyond the entire scope of both projects, is the clients’ work ethics. How tight are their deadlines? Are they prone to slacking off or are they able to stay on deadline? I know I can handle these at the same time. What I’m not sure about is if I can handle any diversions from the schedules and maintain deadlines. See, I live for deadlines, even arbitrary ones.
Have any of you had multiple large projects at the same time? How did you organize your workload? What, if anything, did you forego in order to complete it all?
I often have large projects going simultaneously (right now I have two novels on deadline), but that’s different than writing a book for a business client.
I write myself out on one, switch to the other, and switch back and forth as need be. I break down each big project, working back from the deadline, to figure my word quota for the day, and I try to front-load — if it’s going well that day, I go over the quota, so on tougher days or days when life throws a curve ball, I don’t get too far behind.
Actually, I kind of do that with the business clients, too — work backwards from my deadline to see how much needs to get done every day, but try to do it early in the process rather than late. It works better for me to concentrate on smaller projects with undivided attention and work in complete drafts.
I’d like to do that for big projects, especially in the first draft, but I don’t have the stamina.