Planning Ahead as a Writer

Writing books, I like to "go with the flow" and be a pantser. I enjoy not knowing what's coming around the corner. It pushes me to the end in anticipation, which gets me overexcited.

But, when it comes to deciding what book to write and when, I can get a little over-board lol. I like to organize, always been like that. Since I give full reign to my characters during the writing process, I like to take control over when and which book is next. I actually have the next 10 years planned for my books plus a group of books waiting to be planned beyond that or mixed in. And I keep it on my PC's wallpaper to remind me when I'm writing what book.

I'm a backwards-type author who enjoys creating the covers long before the books are written. I have tiny notes that tells me a little about the books so when it comes to writing them, I don't worry about the cover. I may tweak them here and there before the book is officially released.

I've hidden the covers here because many of them haven't been revealed in my mailer yet, so I wanted them to be a surprise. When the book is finished and I'm working on edits, I'll write "editing" over the cover. When I'm writing it, it will say "writing" over it. This keeps me busy and on my toes while I work on each book. Having a "deadline" also keeps me focused on the book at hand. I tend to daydream a lot. Staying focused helps me although it doesn't stop me from the dreaming part. I don't think anything can do that lol. As the ideas for more books continue to flood my mind, I create new covers for them and squeeze that new book in a place depending on how excited I am about the idea. If I'm not as exicted, it goes to the "dates unknown" area. When I'm ready to begin planning passed 2035, books on the "dates unknown" will be added to that date or I will reconfigure what I already have planned to mix things up. Not sure yet. I'm trying to stick with a ten-year plan.

Writers...

Do you plan your books ahead of time? How does the process work for you? I plan based on the excitement level, but I also try to keep series close together. Is your planning similar? Or are there other factors that go into it?

I'd love to know how you "plan" your books. You don't have to share "secrets", I'm just curious how other writers plan their books. Thank you!!