Abundance

Sorry for the prolonged absence. I have been going through some family stuff and my writing time is suffering a bit. I hope everything is well with you all! Here is today's post:

Okay, I have a question for you all. How many of you suffer with an abundance of ideas for novels? How many of you seem to conveniently get one idea at a time?

When I first started writing a couple of years ago, I fell into the latter category. When focused on my first two novels, I didn’t even think about what else I “might” write. The novels consumed my thoughts, the character’s voices were loud enough to drown out most everything else in my writing world.

Over the past year, though, I find my mind wandering.

Now, being a stay-at-home mom with two toddlers, my days are beyond busy and finding a moment to myself is rare. When I do manage some time alone, or when my husband lets me go upstairs to write, my focus is on my current WIP. But sometimes…sometimes I get distracted.

Novel ideas and obnoxiously loud characters have begun filling my head. They come pouring out of the woodwork and dance in the window on sunbeams. The world of stories in my head is wonderful. I am fascinated by the characters, enamored with story ideas, and often find myself daydreaming.

And I’m supposed to be working on my novel.

I’m down to approximately thirty days until my WIP needs to be finished, at least the first draft. I want to pitch it at the ACFW conference at the end of September. But how will I get it done when these other stories and characters are vying for my attention?

I’ve started allowing myself a few minutes with each story or character to get them written down. A general outline, a back cover blurb, or a character sketch—and sometimes, if they are loud enough, a couple pages of a first chapter or random scene. This seems to appease them long enough for me to focus on my WIP.

What about you? How do you handle the constant din taking over your mind? What do you do to help train your focus?