After I sent off The Chaos Crystal at about 1:00 am this morning, I decided to make list of everything I have to do now, specifically the writing projects I've either agreed to undertake or would like to do get started on.

Just because, well, I can, I decided to do this list in Microsoft Project, because it will give me a very pretty Ghantt chart, allow me to schedule new jobs to start after others are completed, and give me some sense of how long all these many and varied projects are going to take.

The verdict?

Hmmm... Provided I do not have a single solitary new idea for the next four years, I should have everything on the list knocked over by August 2011.

Whoops... even as I'm writing this, I just remembered another project  (very exciting, very secret, ultra cool) that I forgot to put on the list...

Make that March 2012.

And the worst part (after swearing by all that was good an holy that I was taking six months off), I'm all bubbly with excitement to get started on the next thing. I can't wait... hence the reason I was doing this at one in the morning.

I'll be starting the next thing on Sunday. Thought I should clean my house first.

I can't believe how much I love doing what I do. You'd think, by now, the gimmick might have worn off, wouldn't you? 

I salute you for the life choices that you've made that have allowed you to do what you love most! You prove that it is possible to both find what you're passionate, and then do it.

It's ironic that this isn't in any way the easy path--clearly, your various tasks are time-consuming and require vast amounts of effort--but none of that matters is you're doing what you really, really want.

Thank you for showing us all what's possible!

You have fun with that xD You should -maybe- take your six month break, even though I would love to read more of your work asap. 2012 isn't that far away...

Why take a break from doing something you love doing? If you're excited and enthralled, go for it!

If you feel like you need a break, don't put any time limits on it.

Hummph,

Still at the doing what I like stage and not getting paid for it.

Nice to hear thought that after all the books you have written you still have the passion.

Nearly finished the Immortal Prince.

I say you work. Only lame people take time off... you don't wanna be lame, do you?

Hehe, of course I may have an alternate agenda than your peace and happiness. *blinks innocently*

Any hints about what the new series' might be about? You mentioned a possible sequel to the Demon Child once, I think...?

Oh no! Demon Child sequel... Second Sons sequel... Tide Lords sequel...

Make that 2021...

Face it, Jen, there's no way you wont have a single other idea about a cool story in the meantime. You're looking 2025 at the earliest.

second sons sequel/prequel/sidestory please!

I'm working on a series of my own. It never wears off. :)

Looking forward to reading anything you write.

I'm about to purchase the Hythrun Chronicles as I've read everything else. Just bought and read the first 3 of the Tide Lord series thinking they only came in 3's, only to be thinking at the end . . . 'there must be more to this. It can't finish there.' Glad to see there is a 4th book, but unfortunately I have to wait a whole 7 months or more before I can get it. (Many expletives) I'll be insane by then :)

Keep up the great work. You can always tell when someone really enjoys what they do. It shows in the end product.