How I (Try to) Manage Multiple Writing Projects Without Going Crazy

I think most of us know the feeling: your brain is juggling five different projects, all vying for your attention like rowdy kids. I get it. Right now, I’ve got three main projects on the go — because clearly, I thrive in chaos, right? 😅

Here’s the thing, though: I’m no expert at this. Not by a long shot. But I’ve found a rhythm that seems to be working for me right now. It’s far from perfect, and there’s probably a better way to do it — but hey, this is where I’m at.

1. Scaredy-Cat Reviews: A Fun Breather (That Still Matter!)

My movie reviews are a bit of a palate cleanser for me. They don’t take forever to write, but that’s not because I rush through them — it’s because they’re genuinely fun. I love diving into the horror films that shaped the genre, pulling out weird details, and adding my own daft fun sense of humour to the mix. The reviews help me connect with fellow horror lovers and bring new readers into the Short Shivers fold.

Plus, while they give me a break from the heavier lifting of fiction writing, they’re still a key part of what I do. Horror’s all about the love, and the reviews are my way of sharing that love in a way that’s entertaining for both me and (hopefully) you.

2. Cinder Hollow: Where the Real Fun Begins

This eldritch horror mini-series, “Cinder Hollow”, is the project I’m currently focusing on the most. I’ve been able to dive deep into it because the movie reviews don’t hog all my time. It’s going to be made up five parts, and when it’s all ready, I’ll release one part per week. That way, I’ll keep the momentum going while freeing myself up to work on other things (hello, novel draft).

3. The Novel: Slow and Steady

I won’t lie — this one’s been simmering on the back burner for a while. I’m now on the second draft, and my trick to tackling it without feeling overwhelmed is super simple: I committed to reading 10 pages of the first draft every night. That’s it. Ten pages. A small amount, but doable, and it helped me stay consistent without burning out.

Now that I’ve read through the whole thing, I’m giving myself some space before jumping into revisions, which is nice because it gives me time to focus on Cinder Hollow for a bit. It’s all about finding those little pockets of time that don’t make me feel like I’m drowning.

4. Notes: Staying Engaged (and Sane)

I try to post at least one quick Note per day. It’s not a huge time commitment, but it keeps me connected with you guys, which is important to me. I like sparking conversations and getting to know my readers, even though it’s getting harder to reply to everyone (growing pains!). These Notes give me a breather from the big projects, and sometimes, they even help me process my own writing.

So, yeah — this is what’s currently working for me. I’m definitely not saying it’s the best way to do things, but it’s helped me stay on top of things without feeling too overwhelmed. If you’ve got tips or tricks of your own, I’d love to hear them! How do you manage multiple writing projects? Let’s chat — I’m always up for learning new ways to stay sane while doing what we love.