For most of us this article is a little late. We have our first draft of our novel completed or very near completion. However, if you are just starting your first draft then this article may put you ahead of the curve. Never fear you writers that have the first draft near or at completion; I believe this article will help us as well.
We, as new authors, tend to hang on every word written. We correct grammar mistakes as soon as we see them. We may even revise paragraphs while we are writing. I cannot seat here and tell you that these practices are bad; however, I can tell you that they may be a hindrance. What in the world is he talking about? He has finally lost it.
No, I'm not crazy yet. The first draft is meant to act as a receptacle for all the ideas we have for our story. Writing our first draft is the time to put the pedal to the metal and let everything pour out on the pages. If your first draft is coherent and you have not allowed yourself to make mistakes then you have also denied yourself the opportunity to give it everything you've got. We must be able to give away some control when writing in order for the story to truly come alive.
As we write our first draft it is very easy to start thinking - what should come next? Instead we should write - what comes to mind next. There will be time to add transitions and revise the order of the story later. Right now we are jumping on every idea that springs into our minds as we write. If we reach a place in our writing that can go in two or more directions then write all of them. Place the additional ideas in a box or different font. When you come back for revisions then you can decide which idea works best.
Most importantly, relax mentally and physically. Have fun! Don't worry is all the paragraphs don't make since because they are out of order. Allow your thoughts and imagination to flow through you onto the page. Do not be afraid to over write. In my opinion it would be easier to delete words then to write more. Your thoughts and the story could surprise you and take you on a ride you never thought of before.
How does this relate to authors with completed or near completed first drafts? Well, who said that is your first draft? Maybe that is your practice round instead. Either way, I believe the information in this article can be used during this revision. After you have allowed the manuscript to cool off a little and you take it out to read it allow yourself to be free with your edits. When you begin revising your manuscript make notes on the ideas that come to mind while you are reading. This is your time to put the pedal to the metal. Think of it as a creative revision. After you are done, go back and add your ideas and comments to the manuscript, print it out, allow it to cool and then do a true revision.
I have made this very mistake with my first novel. I was half way done with my writing, around the time I started the New Author, and decided to revise the first half. Why? I learned a lot from the articles I read and wrote here. I was not happy with the first half. In the end it was a good idea because in reading it I noticed that I was far to structured and the story did not flow. I was so focused on what comes next, grammar, spelling and structure that those things became a hindrance to the story itself. Everyone writes differently but just like in yesterday's article we must be flexible and allow ourselves to entertain each and every idea we get about the story. That is where the magic is found.
In closing, develop a strong story idea, think about it and write notes. When you are ready to start writing your first draft loosen up and allow the story to unfold before you. Allow the words to wash over the page. In the end you will have plenty of really good writing hidden in the bad to make for a good novel.
10 comments:
I agree with this article.
I know in one story I was flying high, racing through the words. I realized I had written a paragraph that wasn't correct. So, instead of stop and lose the flow, I simply highlighted it to come back to.
In another instance, I wanted a stronger, or different word. I didn't want to stop to look up the word in the Thersaurus, so I simply highlighted it to go back to when I feel stuck and need to re-read what I've already written. If the correct word doesn't come then, then I will look up related words.
I have found re-reading, or skimming when stuck on where to go can help you remember directions you skipped, or major errors (such as a character who uses a laptop in a house with no electical outlets for months one end).
Just those things can add new directions, either there, or elsewhere.
Thanks so much for your insight.
Great advice Brian, I try never to correct things as I go unless I rethink what is happening (which has to change then). I aim to get at least 5000 and more like 20000 more words out than I plan the book to be so I know I have everything I could possibly use, and when I do edit, I don't have to worry then about how much I trim or reshape.
If I get stuck (and I don't as a norm) I go onto another part of the story and I write it in wherever I am, and then I move it later. It helps the flow for me and I find I often go off on tangents, which I straighten when I do the second and third drafts.
No distraction is a good distraction when you want tog get your ideas down on paper and that includes editing and revision work.
That's how it works for me anyway.
BJR
A very sound post.
I recently looked back at some of my oldest manuscripts, I mean from waaaaay back, and truth told, though my writing now is tighter, more developed, and something to be proud of, that primitive, raw stuff from before I knew "the bones and rules" is some of the most profound stuff to ever come out of me.
Last month, I wasn't loosened up because I was letting a word count totally stifle my mind. Once I deleted the word count chart, decided to let the first draft flow as it would and worry about cutting whenever I FINISHED, my voice came right on back.
Great advice.
I agree with you completely: at first, let things flow. I suffer from edit-as-I-go syndrome. It's taxing. I'm trying to break the habit
Great points! I too suffer when I try to edit as I go. It is a very hard habit to break and you almost have to give yourself permission to do it!
WOW!!! I've missed a lot lately not being active in the bloggin' community. GREAT article Brian. As I sat and read each paragraph, I made mental notes of exactly what I was doing when I sat down to write a first draft. And you hit everyone of the points. I have to learn to just let the words flow. I write more structured and correct as I go. How freeing it would be to just "write". Thanks for such great information.
April - You have a really good method of writing. I agree, I re-read a few paragraphs when I get stuck or to start writing. That seems to get the words flowing.
Bernard - I have approached writing as you do from time to time. I sometimes get an idea that just will not wait and I have to write it so I do right then and there then move it later. This is a really good way of getting all your ideas on paper.
Stephe - This is a very interesting comment in that you point out that you are a developed writer; however, your earlier writing is more profound. You give a very clear example of how we can hinder ourselves in the effort of improving our skill. Thank you for sharing this.
Rebecca and Terri- Edit-as-I-go syndrome is very taxing and can often take the enjoyment out of writing. Give yourself the needed permission to hold of the editing until you are done writing. I bet you will be surprised with the outcome.
Ang - Habits can be really tough to break but you can do it. Start with a short story and let the words flow. Each time you feel the need to revise or correct tell yourself "no, not until I'm done." It will be interesting to see what you come up with.
This is so helpful. I have actually been seriously struggling with this exactly. I have re-written the same paragraph probably 4 times now and i was starting to get very irritated. I over check my writing all the time. Thank you very much for this. It really helps.
I am very new to writing. By that i mean, writing and letting others read it. I have been writing since...well...i could. I have just always been to chicken to put any of it out there. I have no formal education in regard to writing so i am starting from trial and error. Your blog is very helpful. Any other tips for someone as green as myself?
Lacy - Thank you. I am really glad that this article is helpful. The New Author is a home for us new writers. If you have a passion to write then by all means write. Write every chance you get and allow yourself to have fun. Do not be afraid to explore your ideas when writing.
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