"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." --Robert Heinlein's character Lazarus Long in 'Time Enough for Love'

Sunday, October 3, 2010

On Multitasking

At one point I decided it would be a good idea to move on from an old project to a new one. At first the shift was slow - I would continue to query the old project while I worked on the new one. Keep a lot of pots on the stove; stick a few more irons in the fire. Shoot a hundred arrows into the forest - surely one would stick!

But I have decided that I'm not a multitasker when it comes to passion. Not to say I can't. I don't like to say that I can't do anything. But when it comes to creative endeavor, I've finally determined that I prefer focused, precise action on a singular project. At least where writing is concerned. I can still paint and dabble in other areas - but a professional project slated, in my mind, for publication - requires the laser heat of all my excited passion and creative energy. It's difficult and counterproductive for me to jump between ships - even from a novel to a short story. When I do that, I am officially 'taking a break' from one project to favor the other.

I have to be obsessed. Physically, mentally, spiritually so obsessed and focused and bent on the future of a single project. I can do multiple aspects of a single project - the writing, the thinking, the planning, the market research - but thinking about another book? No. Not until the time comes - and it might - to let a project go.

I've come to terms with it.

How about you? Are you the kind of person who feels better with multiple projects, or do you prefer to focus on one?

Either way, happy creating!

~*~
Posted by at 9:33 AM
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1 comments:

  1. I, too, feel like the time has come for focus. Once upon a time, I had all the attention in the world - and all the energy. No longer. School has become my focus and I enthusiastically eliminate anything that competes with it for attention. I happen to know now that I require a lot of time to refuel so a large swath of buffer time is carved out to do absolutely nothing. All in the interest of being able to maintain my energy level for school.

    I do my reading a week ahead of time, my papers are written 3-5 days ahead of time, my week is planned out on the calendar - because I know that the unexpected happens. (Like extra reading mid-week...)

    I think it's very important to be able to put all our energy into our passions so that we can capitalize on opportunities as they arise. When a prof invites me to participate in a research program or an editor asks for the latest version of your book, we'll be right there. (I think that way the Universe knows which efforts to reward, too..)

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