Blog Chain: Multi-tasking

First off, I'd like to thank the lovely ladies of the blog chain for inviting me to be a part of the chain. I hope I do well.

Terri started this chain with the question: Do you focus on one project at a time, or do you have many irons in the fire at any given moment?

Yesterday we got to hear Elky's (or would you rather Michelle?) awesome take on this, and be sure to visit my Awesome Agent-mate Senshi's (Cole) answer tomorrow!

While it's difficult for me to settle down and pick a project from the millions that buzz around my brain and keep my from sleeping, once I put my head down and start to work, I become so focused that I can't even think about writing another book. It's been a real challenge recently to have to deal with revisions for The Deathday Letter because every time I get them I have to switch gears. Once I lose my focus on a WIP I have a really difficult time going back. This process has led to more than one aborted novel.

When I'm not focused on a novel, I'm pretty much a freak. I usually try to develop as many ideas as I can so that I always have a treasure trove to plunder should my idea well run dry. In that respect I usually have more irons in the fire than I can sanely manage. Ask my poor agent. Just when he thinks he knows where I'm at with a story I've jumped ship and moved on to another idea.

I compare it to me going into an electronic store. When I go to Best Buy, I usually go in with one thing in mind. I need a camera. When I get there, though, my head spins around. The possibilities are limitless. Oh the things I can do! A five minute trip turns into an hour, then two hours, as I play with all the shiny toys. Eventually, though, I have to wander over to the camera section and start realistically deciding what I want. Then, just when you think I'm going to get a nice digital camera, I end up at the register with a flat screen plasma TV and a Wii. But man is that plasma TV awesome.

It's also like this post: I began talking about multi-tasking and now I want a new TV.

So to close, I think it's good to cultivate a lot of ideas so that you have options, but when it comes time to put butt to seat and fingers to keys, I'm a one WIP man.

Don't forget to stop by Cole's blog tomorrow :)

And feel free to let me know what you guys think of all this? Do you work on one thing at a time or are you like that crazy, creepy ball-juggling Palm Pre commercial girl? Speak up in the comments.