Short story writers - do you work on one story at a time, or several?

[Naomasa298]

The question is in the title.

I find working on multiple stories difficult, especially if they're in different tones or genres. It's a lot of work to switch between mindsets, and re-inhabit characters and voices I haven't visited in a while. Plus, I prefer to concentrate on one story at a time, so I can maintain my train of thought on it, and keep it consistent. I might break off if I'm stuck, so I can come back later with a fresh outlook, but that's about the only time.

How about you?

 

[Hammer]

I haven't submitted any short stories for consideration for publication but have written plenty of shorts for practice (and for the competitions in the OG) so will allow myself to assume the mantle of short story writer... For me the big advantage of short stories is that the first draft can be completed in a relatively short time, so I would complete that stage before starting another piece. I have multiple works in progress being edited or revised; I tend to pick them up and try to read as a reader to see what works, so don't have any trouble hopping in and out once they're past first draft. If I was going to submit I would try to focus and polish.

Longer works - at the last count I have five WIPs, but they are multiple month, multiple year projects, so it's worth the effort getting back into the headspace, and I will pick one according to mood, sentiment, even season...

 

[Stuart Dren]

I have written short stories, so I guess that makes me a short story writer, though I've never submitted anything professionally. It's like a reverse heist: I get in, spit it out, then backflip into the getaway convertible before the red correction ink has even dried. That said, I'm willing to revisit an old story and completely rewrite it.

For my preferred format of novels I stick to one at a time. I've been able to beat the neurowanderlust, coveting of thy new project, by writing out any daydreaming and shoving it into a doc for later.

It's a lot of work to switch between mindsets, and re-inhabit characters and voices I haven't visited in a while. Plus, I prefer to concentrate on one story at a time, so I can maintain my train of thought on it, and keep it consistent.

Same. I'm one-track on this stuff, and worry that certain characters would bleed into each other or the whole might lose some cohesion if I have a creative affair or two. It's just how my brain is.

 

[Naomasa298]

That said, I'm willing to revisit an old story and completely rewrite it.

That's what I'm doing at the moment, but the temptation to switch to another story is high.

 

[Sandor]

I'll work on multiple stories or poems, some longer or shorter - novel or novella length, short or flash length, and poetry. When I feel good about something I'll try and finish it, get it edited, and submit it. I have a novel I'm working on but it's stalled because I don't know how to plot mysteries.

 

[defaux]

It's a lot of work to switch between mindsets, and re-inhabit characters and voices I haven't visited in a while

I typically concentrate on a single short piece at a time. Depending on time pressure, I may switch to a different project before returning to edit, sometimes the gap is helpful, but generally I push through until each is "ready".

I keep a scratch file for any other ideas that come up, so I can note them down quickly and return to the current project. Very occasionally, a new project occupies my thoughts to the extent it distracts from what I'm trying to write. In that case I might switch in order to get it out of my head.

I also have a novel I'm working on, and certainly switching gears between it and short stories can be difficult. I found it particularly so coming off of the NWT, when I had primarily focused on the novel for 4 weeks straight.

 

[X Equestris]

It's a lot of work to switch between mindsets, and re-inhabit characters and voices I haven't visited in a while. Plus, I prefer to concentrate on one story at a time, so I can maintain my train of thought on it, and keep it consistent. I might break off if I'm stuck, so I can come back later with a fresh outlook, but that's about the only time.

I’m pretty much the same. While drafting, I have to focus on one story or else my mind will run off in a bunch of different directions and my creative energy gets stretched too thin to get anything done.

I do try not to set stories aside even if I’m stuck on them, because I’ve found that if I do, I’m rarely able to come back and finish them.