I've been working on a novel since August last year and I'm about half way through. But I came up with an idea for another novel and I've started writing that too! Has anyone else got multiple projects on the go? I don't think it's a bad thing. But I do feel like I'm cheating on my first novel :-)
Having read the rest of the comments in this thread, I have to say, I'm a little annoyed. The simple fact is this; If you're dreaming up other stories while writing one, you're not writing, you're dabbling. I've heard of authors shelving things in favor of others, but not “multitasking” their way through several projects at once.
This is strictly my personal opinion, but I would say, no. Serious writing is hard work and hard work, if it's to be worth your while and not just burn calories, requires commitment. I would say that writing two books at the same time is antithetical to the very idea of giving something your all. So as they say in the den, I'm out.
Currently I only have the one which has had good solid effort put into it.
I do still have my original draft (written from a different perspective) on my hard drive paused at 17000 words waiting for me to revisit it. Though the ideas in that particular draft are better suited to another of my characters whom I wish to develop further outside of my novel as a series of short stories.
At the moment though, I'm well and truly in the zone with my book and don't want to disturb the flow so I am sticking with that for the moment.
@Ralph good luck with #3, always nice to hear that someone is getting closer to submission just hope that I get to that stage at some point.