I've figured it out...
Hey, I've finally figured out just what my problem is. And it only took me 30 years. Lately I've been reading a lot of webcomics and listening to a lot of podcasts about webcomics, leading (inevitably) to me wanting to get back to creating a webcomic again. Folks who have been with me for a while will no doubt remember how Ronee and I did one (Work in Progress) briefly a few years ago. People who have talked to me in person may know that my sister Heather and I have talked frequently about one we'd like to do together (Bixby), but she's pretty busy herself, and hasn't really had the time to work on it. As I was pondering this, though, it finally occurred to me just exactly what my problem is.
I've got too many things I want to do, and not enough focus to really drive home any of them.
Let's look, for the moment, at the things I have to do, my obligations: Work/school (which really are one and the same to me). Working in my capacity as junior class sponsor to help with the prom. (I know. Go ahead and laugh.) Rehearsing Rumors at the Playhouse. My assorted reviews and columns and podcasts for Comixtreme. And even though many of these are "volunteer" obligations, I have obligated myself nonetheless and take them all seriously.
Now let's look at the things I want to get done. A Long November -- I finally recorded the last episode today, now I've got to get it edited. The Last Portal -- my most recent book, which is still unedited and not quite finished, but that I've already decided I want to try as a podiobook as well. And I've even thought of what I want to do as Podiobook #3, before I even finish #1. Also, I've got no less than three comic book ideas I really want to push hard and try to find a home for -- Evertime, Miracle and Brainstorm. Remember those names, in case either I ever become rich and famous or because someone comes out from under me and swipes the name before I get to use it like Rob Liefeld did with Knightmare back when I was in high school. Oh, and also, I really want to work with Heather to get Bixby off the ground, if only she had the time to do it.
So with so many things vying for my attention, how do I choose? How do I narrow my focus long enough to really push any of them forward, to really make them successful?
I can't be the only one with this problem. How do other writers do it?