In the spring of 2009, my agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette, sold my first series, The Underworld Chronicles, to Sourcebooks Publishing. The first book in that series, ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR, would be released in the fall of 2010.
Which left me approximately eighteen months forwell, I wasnt sure what. I wrote the second book of the series, but didnt want to start on the third and be too far ahead. I worked on pre-pub promotions, but felt creatively bored. And I got the idea for a new series that grabbed me by the throat I had to write it if I hoped to breathe again.
So I spent the fall of 2009 immersed in writing. In January of 2010, I submitted a new manuscript to Joan, which she very quickly sold as a trilogy to Scholastic. That series, The Ascendance Trilogy, would begin with THE FALSE PRINCE, to be released in April 2012.
But 2012 was soooo long away, and the idea that this might one day get very complicated was only theoretical.
Fast forward to early fall of 2011 when the vague concept of writing multiple series became a reality. The second book in The Underworld Chronicles had just been released and I was working on promotions for that. I had copyedits due for the third book in that series. I had the second book of The Ascendance Trilogy written and was working on rewrites from my editors letter. Buzz was beginning for THE FALSE PRINCE, pulling away some of my attention. And I was formulating early thoughts for the next series I planned to pitch to Scholastic.
OF COURSE I wanted to write book 6! That was a no-brainer of an answer. Besides, the idea that it might one day further complicate my life was only theoretical.During all of this, I got a call from Scholastic. Was I interested in participating in another series with them? As 39 CLUES was winding down to its final books, they had a plan for their next multi-platform series. This would be called INFINITY RING, a time travel adventure. Did I want to write book 6?
Okay yes, by then I had a much better feel for what was coming my way. I quit my part-time job, dropped my role as director of the school musical, and decided that house cleaning was mostly optional. However, everyone is crazy busy not just me. And all writers have to adopt certain survival skills in order to meet their deadlines. Here are some of the tactics Ive adopted:
* Commit to Meeting Deadlines. I feel very strongly about meeting my deadlines. I currently have three editors at two different houses, and believe the responsibility for meeting deadlines belongs to me. Its not fair to make one editor wait while I work on something for another editor. So I try to build my schedule around deadlines first.
* Form a Long-Term Plan. I have 2012 carefully mapped out so that I know where my focus should be for the rest of this month, then what Ill do next, and after that, and after that. Some parts of the plan are more flexible than others, so when necessary I can bend, but my focus always remains on that overall map.
* Fill the Empty Spaces. Empty spaces are those times when nothing purposeful is happening, or when I could multitask. So if someone calls to chat on the phone, thats when I empty the dishwasher. If Im waiting at the dentist office, Ill pull out some printed pages to edit. While Im driving alone, I can turn down the radio and play out a scene in my mind. Luckily, I love what I do, because I spend most of my waking hours either writing, or hurrying to get something else done so I can get back to writing.
* Reserve Play Time: Ill be honest I dont play as much as I did a couple of years ago. My stack of books to read gets taller, I watch less television, and I head to the mall only when I absolutely need a new outfit. Thats a tradeoff I am happy to make for the privilege of being able to write books that I love. But I also try very hard to balance that with family time, an occasional lunch with friends, and allow myself to unwind in the evening with a game of Word Monkey on my iPhone.
* Stay Grateful, Stay Humble: I did a recent guest post for another blogger who declared THE FALSE PRINCE the next HUNGER GAMES (squee!), then asked how I keep my head with all the buzz surrounding that books release. I responded that it really wasnt so hard. Every book contract deserves celebrating, so there are plenty of people to cheer for. Besides, Im not so far from the aspiring writer three years ago who was hoping for even a nibble from an agent on the first Elliot book, and so I am thoroughly grateful to be where I am today. And I stay humble by remembering that THE FALSE PRINCE has yet to be released, which is when it will really be tested.
And I stay busy. After all, Im on a deadline!
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