Choices, Choices

Argh.

Argh, I say, argh.

Here I am merrily writing away on my Kepler/Brahe book -- this entry coming to you from the 47th floor in an apartment in NYC, by the way, where I came for the week to hide from responsibilities in DC -- and I get an offer to write another book from someone else.

Now, I keep telling myself that the time has come to stick to the big stuff, to go for the really great projects, to say no to the other offers that are merely distracting. In fact, two years ago, I was in a similar position, focusing on the Kepler book and was asked to write a book on Einstein. I told the publisher that I didn't have the time to do it alone, but would do it with a co-author. I convinced myself that I could easily do both books at the same time -- no big deal. Well, that was a lie. I had a lot of fun with the Einstein book, but it certainly put me a year behind in terms of the book I'm working on now -- the book that has my heart and soul and which I've been talking about writing for three years now.

So, here I am, excited about this Kepler book, actually getting some good writing done, and I'm offered the chance to write a short-ish, 25,000 word book on a theoretical physicist. "Think New Yorker article," said the publisher, "back in the day when articles took up half the magazine." Yes, yes, yes. I want to do that. The physicist in question is a big name guy -- someone I would love to spend some quality time with. In addition, it would immerse me back into the world of current science, as opposed to this historical focus I've had lately. That would simultaneously give me insight into the book I'm doing now, which also has a modern component, as well as help launch me back into magazine writing, which has been a goal for awhile.

And I am torn. I can think of all these good reasons to do this profile:

--it would be fascinating
--it would be quick, just a few months
--it would get me connected to modern scientists again
--the physicist in question lives in NYC, so I'd have an excuse to be up here all the time

But, but, but. . . there are these problems. For one, it doesn't pay well. Which I can live with, honestly. Second, it's not with a big name publisher -- which I can also live with, since it's such a wonderful project, and an ideal one for me. But put those two drawbacks together with the third: it's just the wrong TIME. And I think I have to turn it down.

I haven't decided for sure. This morning I had talked myself into doing it. This afternoon I have talked myself out of it. I could waver a few more times before making a concrete decision. . . but. . . argh.