Every writer should build a backlog.
Have you ever enjoyed a little
break after finishing a first draft? That nice little space between finishing
and editing where you can take some downtime to be proud of your accomplishment?
Good. You deserve to! But what comes after?
Usually, it’s a panic of “What do
I write next?!”
Backlogs can help with that.
It’s recommended that you
continue to work in between manuscripts and that is something I strongly
believe in. Once I’m done with a draft, I’ll start outlining a new novel or
editing an older story. Having a folder or list of ideas, having those previous
manuscripts to work on, that’s a backlog.
It’s just works-in-progress to
fall back on that you can easily pick up and start in on. It’s important to be
consistent and build up your collection of first drafts and outlines. By using
this method myself, I usually have a novel ready to submit by the time I have a
book release.
This is also a useful technique
if you’re planning a series. It makes it easier to publish if you get the first
book done as well as outlines or even first drafts of the others before
publishing, that way you can not only stay on top of deadlines, but stay ahead
of them!
Now, how do you build a backlog?
This is the hard part – you have got to grind. You have got to work
consistently to build your backlog, work on your craft, and get those ideas and
first drafts onto the paper. It isn’t easy, trust me. At this time, I only have
a couple of manuscripts on standby, but it’s something.
The takeaway? Work hard. If this
is something you really want, you’re going to have to put that time into it and
try your best to stay ahead of the curve. And, in the spirit of NaNoWriMo, what
better time to start than now? I believe in you!
Love always,
Lori Fayre
