Coffee Lounge

What do you think of writing multiple novels at the same time? I see a lot of WDC members with different, unfinished novels in their port. I have tried this before, but it always distracts me. I get in the habit of running with every idea, and not sticking with just one. I'm working on one novel right now. It's historic fiction, so there's a lot of research needed. I've purposely made myself do a lot of planning to be prepared and as ready as possible. I haven't actually started on the chapters themselves yet.

Though I'm passionate about the idea I'm working on, tonight I was randomly skimming through my writing folder on my laptop. There was one idea that I was just playing with, sorduv as an indulgence, not a serious endeavor. I don't want to take on another project, since I'm already working on one novel and have a couple other larger, writing projects on my plate right now (not to mention "real life" obligations) ..... But I don't know if I could just "play with it" as a sort of "guilty pleasure," so to speak.

I'm wondering what other writers' opinions are on this subject. Have you attempted to write more than one novel at a time? Was it successful? Do you think this could grow into a distraction? Is it best just to focus on one story at a time?

I'm very curious to hear your thoughts!