Writing Two Books at Once: Sketching Stories for the Future

One of the aspects of my writing process that surprises many readers is that I often work on more than one book at the same time. It might sound chaotic, but for me, it’s a natural way to manage ideas and ensure that each story has the attention it deserves.

When a new story idea comes to me, I don’t always dive straight into writing it. Instead, I let it sit and develop in my mind for a while. I’ll create a sketch of the story. An outline of characters, key plot points, and the general arc. This sketch is a kind of seed. It captures the essence of the story and allows me to return to it later when the timing is right.

Sometimes, this means I’m actively writing one book while another exists as a series of sketches or notes waiting for its turn. This approach helps me respect the pacing and emotional weight of each story, while keeping my creativity flowing. It also allows ideas to mature and evolve naturally, giving me a clearer vision when I finally start writing the full manuscript.

Writing multiple books simultaneously is a balancing act, but it keeps my imagination active and ensures that no idea is lost. Every sketch, every note, is a promise to a story waiting to be told, and the freedom to revisit it later often leads to a richer, more fully realized book.