I just read through all fifty-some comments for my last blog entry.
Wow! I see a lot of angst here. Which is good, because a writer without angst is a pretty shallow and boring writer. So angst on and be proud of it!
You’ve given me enough to blog on for about the next week! I’ll start with the comments by a few of you about getting tied up in knots over the “rules.”
Well, drat it! Fergit those pesky rules!
I mean it. Never, ever, ever worry about the rules when you’re writing. When you’re writing, just write the blessed thing. There will come a time to worry about the rules, of course . . .
That time is called “editing.” The very worst thing you can do to yourself is to try to write and edit at the same time. Oh, sure, a few people can do it. Some people like to drive with one foot on the gas and one on the brake. Some people can dance the tango while they’re balancing their checkbook.
Some people can. I can’t.
When I sit down to write, I just write. I usually edit the previous day’s work, just to get myself rolling. When I run out of stuff to edit, that’s my cue to switch into writer mode and start drilling it out. And my goal when I write is to jam out 1000 words per hour. I can’t do that if I’m going back and fixing every little thing.
My friend James Scott Bell likes to say, “Get it written, then get it right.” He stole that from some famous writer, who stole it from some other famous writer.
I know some of you are scared to death that if you don’t fix that typo you just made, then it’s going to be there forever and your career will be ruined.
Poppycock. If you see that typo today, you’ll see it tomorrow. Editing is one of the things that most people will do the exact same way 9 times out of 10. I’ve sometimes mistakenly edited a piece of work twice–usually because I couldn’t find the original edits, so had to do it again. Then, by chance, I’ve found the original edits and compared notes.
You know what happened? I edited it almost the exact same way both times! Editing is a highly reproducible activity.
Whereas creativity isn’t. When you’re in creative mode, when the juice is flowing and the words are flying, whatever you do, DON’T BREAK THE MOOD to edit yourself. Forget the rules, forget spelling, forget grammar. Just let the words blast out.
Like Scarlett said, tomorrow’s another day. Fix it then. Just for today, give yourself the freedom to blissfully, happily, joyously, royally screw up.
Easier said than done. But I’m trying.
Thanks, Randy for this wonderful release. Now if you could just clone me so the other gal can go to my day job, I’d gladly sit right here and create all day.(sorry, that sounds more like whining than angst.) Your blogs are really helpful.
Jenny
I’m getting better at writing now and editing later. I used to edit as I went, but when I tried to just write the story and go back later, it really did flow better. I ease my mind by doing what Randy does: editing what I wrote yesterday before I go on today. It reminds me where I am and helps me get excited about continuing.
I also read from the beginning now and then to keep the small details straight.
I don’t know if I’m repeating good advice or not but here goes.
I think in terms of two drafts of any piece. The Downdraft and the Updraft. For all I know, I’m ripping this idea off of someone else but, be of good cheer, at least I’m only stealing the good stuff!
The Downdraft is when you need to just get it written down! You have to put all your effort and attention into letting the story down from the heights of your imagination to the mundane page. Frequently, this process leaves you feeling “down” about all kinds of things: the story stinks, you are a lousy writer, why won’t the world leave you alone? Just persist. Get ‘er down.
The Updraft is when you fix it UP! Pulling out of your tailspin, you catch your breath. You survived the first draft! You see that things aren’t as bad as you thought and, by golly, the piece is fixable with your edits. Your spirits lift because the thing can be modified to come closer to your vision. You’re putting up the lines of communication here from your idea to your reader’s mind.
If you quit in the downdraft, you’ve robbed yourself of the best high that writing can give you. Press on! For maximum pleasure for you and your readers, you NEED to ride the Updrafts!
I think you just nailed one of my biggest problems, Randy. Today, I’m going to sit down and just create. I’m going to try not to look back at anything. I’m going to kill the perfectionist in me that kills my creativity. And if I’m back here tomorrow, you’ll all know that I made it and that I’m still alive – living proof that it works.
Dittos to Jannie. But for me, easier said than done.
Of course, there is a direct correlation between a person’s personality and the writing process. Some might find it immensely more difficult to let a preposition dangle or a modifier bonding to the wrong antecedent go. For these people, there is hope, because as we age, the perfectionism of the first draft seems less critical.
I know. The editing vortex is a hard habit to break. When I was younger, I was so hard on myself that I would perfect one paragraph, only to have that very paragraph scrapped in the final revision. This obsession doesn’t do much for the reader either. Heavy editing in the first draft often debilitates the creative flow and enthusiasm of the storytelling process, as Randy aptly points out.
Thanks so much for your comment about the rules, Randy. I completed my first Christian mystery/romance novel earlier this year and was totally chuffed, only to stumble on your wonderful blog and discover how much I don’t know about writing and getting published.
I’ve even been too intimidated to comment, up to now. Your description of your writing process is so close to what I have been doing that I feel much more hopeful.
Thanks so much for this window on the world of successful writing. Bless you.
Oh, I’m one of those types that has always just “gone with the flow” when I’m writing a first draft. I do the same thing–edit a bit of what I wrote the previous day as I’m reading (but it’s never heavy editing) to get back into the groove of the story, but otherwise, I leave it for the second draft.
BUT–I used to work on a fairly daily basis with a few writer’s who had perfectionism down to a science. They kept asking me how I could write so fast (when I shared I had written 10K in one day, though it was all really rough) and wanted to know how they could do it too. So, I figured I’d create a little workshop/exercise sort of thing to help them get through it. We had a lot of fun doing that together and to this day, I still schedule these sort of events.
One of the things I suggested to them though, was to turn off the monitor while they’re typing. If you truly can’t get past that internal editor to just write, try it a few times, just to get comfortable with the practice of letting your creative juices flow uninhibited.
Just a thought 🙂
Another great topic!!
Warmly,
Jenny:)
I’m somewhere in between here. I guess I’m not far enough on the “go back and edit” side that I ever really thought of it bothering me. I think I’ll still try this though, just to see if it helps me at all. Who knows, maybe I should try tangoing and balancing a checkbook 😛
OK. I feel frumptious, flabbergushed and frustrated. I’m writing my first novel, so my experience level for this is low. I’m a sort of SOP that’s in need of some organization.I’m not enough of an SOP to sit and write 10K and like it. But I’m not organized enough to project what’s going to happen. So I’m about half way through this thing and can’t figure out where it’s going. So I keep going back and trying to edit what’s there with the Scene/Sequel/MRU ideas in mind, hoping that I’ll figure out what happens next. So far, I’m just muddling around in my own angst and digging myself a deeper hole. Sorry, enough complaining. I did voluntarily decide to start this project.
So Jenny, what’s that 10K exercise look like?
My problem isn’t going back and editing spelling/grammar errors. My problem is, I’ll write a few pages then go back and re-read it only to decide the scene(s) might be more interesting if I did this or that. Which, of course, changes what I had planned a bit further ahead, which changes something further ahead than that…etc.
My current story idea is the *only* one I’ve ever had where I actually thought up a beginning, middle and end. I just can’t stop myself from changing the route via which my characters get there.
The only time I go back over material I’ve already written on a WIP is when I have written myself into a plot corner, or I think the storyline has veered from where it should have gone, and I’m trying to get my mental wheels back on track. Even then, I just read through what I’ve written…sometimes I lop off a scene or chapter and start over, but I that’s only for the sake of the story moving forward. Otherwise, all changes come once that first draft is done.
Phew! (Wipes sweat from brow) Thanks, Randy! I needed to hear that.
Hi Doraine:)
I don’t want to post links on Randy’s blog (not sure what the protocol is for that) but, I guess it’s all right to suggest you visit my website and check out the exercise in my “Articles” section 🙂
As to your individual dilemma on plotting, I can only offer some suggestions:
A) Try working backward. If you’re having trouble with the middle, think about how the book might end and then plot backward from there, sort of sketching out what might have to take place to get there.
B) Try just writing to see what happens. Sometimes, our characters already know what needs to happen and we can just let them dictate it for us. Of course you have to be careful not to let them too far off the leash, but this could at least jumpstart you from a ‘plotting’ rut.
C) The “sagging middle” is often a pitfall. I heard once (can’t remember who was quoted, Leonard?) that if the middle/scene sags, introduce a gun. (Or something to that effect.) I tend to blow something up, because that’s the genre I write. A house fire, maybe a car accident, or even just a surprise party could work. In other words, throw in some ‘action event’ that will propel the book toward the end.
Hope that helps!
Warmly,
Jenny:)
Randy, you are so right. Creating and editing are two very different processes. I’ve tried to follow the advice of unknown origin, “write hot; edit cold” but I tend to cool off and slow down. That’s when I read what I just wrote and usually want to fix it. Right now. Then it is hard to get back into the story. I’ll work on that.
Thanks for all the other comments. Good to discover that angst is a normal condition among writers. I just want to add that sometimes the fastest way to get out of a muddle of words and ideas is to take a break. Though it may seem irresponsible, it helps me to get away from the whole thing for awhile so I can see my work with fresh eyes.
This also works for sewing, by the way. Yes there are sometimes words involved. I won’t go there.
I do my most important writing when I’m driving in the car alone. It is a discipline of mine, like prayer: no radio, no audiobooks, and no wandering mind. I focus on the next part of what I am currently writing. How should the story be presented? what do I know about the place, the setting, the characters? Who are they like that I have known?
It takes practice, but associating a place with a given function really helps me use the ‘dead’ moments in my day. Then when I sit at the keyboard, be it to create or to edit, there is something in there to work with.
Enjoy the ride! MLE
I’m sending you a cyber hug right now. Thanks for addressing this. I’ve been paralyzed since Mt. Hermon, wanting it to be perfect–yeah, right–I’m still on the 1st draft!!! I needed to hear that I MUST give myself permission to make mistakes–for goodness sakes, it’s the 1st draft! Perfection on the 1st draft? So glad you have said it’s ok to put the editing aside and just enjoy the writing of it. I’m going to allow myself that pleasure. I’m delirious at the thought of it…hee heee!
So true, Randy. But I would add this:
The more you write, the more you polish, the more you make deadlines, the cleaner your prose will be the first time out of the gate. It is possible to spit out clean copy and be creative. But it takes lots of BOC time (butt on chair) to get to that place.
Randy, I’m dealing with a muddle that goes beyond just writing.
Can you suggest any books which describe the concept of “spin” within particles.
I understand that spin isn’t spin but has to do with the acceleration being at right angles to its path and this is one of the qualities of angular momentum; however, although angular momentum is one of the features of “spin” it isn’t solely spin.
It seems there is a huge gap in logic between a macro model and intrinsic quality of relationships based upon outcomes.
Perhaps this idea can be used in our writing fundamentals. We need to determine the larger relationships of what we’re writing before we micro manage what is written in smaller packets as is the case of editing.
Blessings,
Joleena
I like MLE’s associating people and places with your characters. I draw maps of each of the locales where my stories take place, and floor plans for the houses my characters live in. I’ve lived in a number of places and houses, and find that without intention a certain story line seems to fit the shape of a village or town or city with which I’m familiar. The maps are different from the actual places, but are so familiar to me they ground the story locale. Same way with the houses. Detailed floor plans help move your characters realistically and without directional goofs. The maps and plans aren’t described in detail, but snippets give flavor and realism.
Same way with characters. I have collections of photos, drawings, paintings for each of my characters–some are real people (photos), some are artists renderings (portraits, greeting cards).
Excelsior!
Thanks, Randy, hearing from you that we don’t have to get it right first time is reassuring. And then “relevantgirl’s” comment that even first drafts can become better with practice really made my day. That’s exactly what I want to hear!
Sometimes, no matter what I do, I still can’t write quickly – but I have found giving myself permission to write “rubbish” has made a huge difference to my output. I have the chant going around in my mind “You can’t edit what you haven’t written” and forge on, rather than spending an evening on one or two paragraphs.
I’ll often type at the top of the section I am working on something like: “Aim: Just write. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I can fix it later. Just get the ideas out.” What is surprising is that when I do that, and come back to edit the section later (almost frightened of what I’ll find) it isn’t really that bad after all. And if it is … it doesn’t hurt nearly so much to drastically overhaul (or cut) something I have written fairly quickly.
My quote of the moment is Katherine Patterson’s:
“I love revision. Where else can spilled milk be turned into ice cream?”
Interesting discussion and one I need. In response to Cori’s comment, “As we age, the perfectionism of the first draft seems less critical” – My response is, “How old do we have to get?” I determined when I started my third tween novel that I would just get it down and edit later. Just about drove myself crazy. I’m so addicted to editing that I edit my everyday conversation! I think I’ll go to J.R.’s website and check out her article on the workshop exercise she mentioned.
This is my first post, but I get a lot out of reading Randy’s blog and the comments. Thanks.
Neva
Wow Lois, floor plans too? And here I thought I was the only one! Hey, check out google earth, I also go look at the satellite pictures of terrain where all my characters travel. If they get there in two days, I want to be sure you can do that with whatever transportation method they must use. (How fast does an elephant walk?) Nothing like truth to drive good fiction.
Enjoy the ride –MLE
Well, I wasn’t planning on an elephant walk, but it might just be fun.
I had an elderly aunt who was thrilled to take a ride in my Corvette (the very first year there were such animals), and I remember delighting in her zest for life. Don’t think I could ride either an elephant or a Corvette these days.
I’ve had fun with google earth, but hadn’t thought to use it for developng the surroundings. Great idea.
Where are you checking in from (just so I can pictue where you are)? 🙂
California. But I write the 16th century all over the world. And I go there first. Next stop, Pakistan. (I have a friend who is a retired Pakistani army general, so I’ll probably be as safe as anyone ever is in that country.)
Thanks Randy, I just made a similar comment in an earlier note that I sent. I agree, for me anyway, it is so important not to stifle the creative part of my writing that I don’t worry about the editing until later. I keep the two seperate. So I am glad that I am on the right track.
I’ll chime in to remind us that we are each unique and will not write or edit the same way. For me editing parts of the wip restores creativity and prompts story development.
Of course, I don’t take time away from when I’m on a roll writing, but if I’m bogged down or haven’t worked on it for a while, going back over an earlier portion improves both that section and the one to come.
Do what works best for you. Give yourself permission not to edit or to edit when that suits. It doesn’t have to be all one way or the other.
Re whether a first novel will be good enough to be published. I’ve written and published short stories for years, but this is my first novel. Will all I’ve learned over the years improve my chances?
Mary
I forgot to add, if I followed MLE’s advice about mental planning while driving I’d probably run off the road. I have to listen to something that doesn’t require too much engagement of my mind while I drive so I can pay attention to the road.
Mary