Why I start a new writing project before I finish my current project | Words Count

I find having a gap between writing projects is a terrifying place to be.

Feb 24

I’m often admonishing myself for not living up to some idea I have of how I should write or be a writer.

However, I recently did something that I’m pleased about: I started working on a novel two months before I finished my story collection.

In January, I began doing daily word counts for a new horror novel, and while I had to pause that book so I could finish up the edits on the story collection, I’m already 5000 words in on the new book!

I find having a gap between writing projects is a terrifying place to be.

An open notebook beside a pen and a coffee cup on a wooden table.

The pressure of what to work on next haunts me, and I can’t relax. I can’t enjoy the accomplishment of having finished something unless I know what I will be working on next.

Part of the problem is that I work on many different projects and genres at once, so picking the next one feels insurmountable. I’m mean it’s a good problem to have—so many ideas you don’t know what to work on next, but also it’s overwhelming and can lead into a writing block.

Now that I know what I’m working on, I can take some time off in order to recharge but without the stress.

What is your writing process? Do you take a break between projects or do you jump right into the next one? Let me know in the comments.

Issue #24 of Send My Love to Anyone

February 2023 Gatherings

Who Knows? by Sheila Murray

On Writing and Word Counts by Alex Leslie

Why I Start a New Writing Project Before I Finish My Current One by Kathryn Mockler

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