Between Projects

There's nothing more satisfying than wrapping up a big, long-term project. My favorite example is typing the final scene of a novel and tacking on "The End" for good measure. It's a great feeling to have finished something important - the sense of accomplishment, and relief, just can't be beat. A short while later, though, comes this yawning moment of possibility - what to work on next?

Sometimes, in the world of assignments, tasks and deadlines, the answer comes easy. You can move on to the next item on the to-do list and start all over again. Other times, what's next is far less obvious.

I happen to be caught in such a moment now. My work is largely self-directed, so there's no boss looking over my shoulder and inspiring my priorities. Sure, I have agents, editors and publishers to please, but at this particular instant, I've done what I need to do for them, so the balls are in their courts, so to speak. Which means I can turn my attention toward anything I want. Hmmmm.

The lack of direction is simultaneously exciting, confusing, and nerve-wracking. It's liberating to be aimless for a while, but it's also an important choice, which project I dig into. Because for an author, work now means money later, and it's not always so easy to determine what type of book will serve me best a year or more from now.

So I try not to think about that. I try to run after the ideas that tease and interest me today, not worrying about tomorrow. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but most days at least it keeps my fingers flying over the page!