My writing work backlog is cleared. Now what?

This is tangential to the sci-fi and space-nerdiness I normally write about here, but as a creative, my output is a dominant force in my life. I love that the first half of 2026 has been unmistakably about space and science fiction for me (and for many of us through wonderful experiences like live-streaming the NASA Artemis II mission, to watching incredible movies like Project Hail Mary, etc.). I have also seen a massive increase in my output and reach over the past six to seven months.

But things are changing. My second poetry-photo book, Adventures On the Wild Side, was out in April (a year-long passion project on the heels of the first one, The Romance of Flowers); my new editions of my Rubicon Saga books were out the gate and in the wild at the beginning of July; and now my fourth novella, Vega One, is approaching the finish line. I just ordered author copies, and the only thing that remains with that is to do marketing, and a few events and signings. I also redesigned my websites and started this Substack. I have checked a lot of boxes lately.

The huge backlog/bottleneck/to-do list of work I had over the past two years is cleared, and I am staring down a rather empty funnel right now. This is an intimidating place to be for someone who is easily bored.

I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not as if I have NOTHING to do, but I do have significantly fewer demands on my writing-related time.

I wonder if this would be a good time to switch to art or photography mode again? Those are great as hobbies, I’ve realized, but whenever I try to make them a work focus, I struggle to reconcile what that means and I find my creativity waning. It’s as if my brain is trying to tell me I should keep those activities recreational. Does that ever happen to you?

Fine. Okay, so, I’ll leave those for my downtime, but as far as writing goes, I have exactly one project on the go into the final turn of the year. I don’t have anything in later stages, so there’s nothing to keep tinkering at that lies between now and the end of that next novella. I can’t always work on that project. Anyone who’s done this sort of thing knows stories need to rest; our brains need to rest. That’s when we are able to bring our best work.

There is the option to develop and submit work to publications. That is a way to work the writing muscle without overworking the novella’s story. Or, you never know, you might see more from me here because I’ve discovered how much I enjoy writing these articles.

Perhaps what I need is to find alternative spaces to occupy that are related to writing but aren’t the exercise of writing itself, like teaching a class, or volunteering at a library. Or maybe I should start a reading challenge or create a true-crime podcast . . .

I can feel my brain already protesting the tiresomeness of ramping up a new experience/activity . . . hahaha!

Oh, bother, as Winnie the Pooh would say.

If you’ve ever been in this position, I’d love to know what you do as a way to keep moving forward through your quieter writing activity periods.

Thanks in advance.