Over the weekend I determined that I don't write like other people. This discovery threw me for a loop actually because I was very afraid that I might have wasted the last ten years of my life on a novel that won't get published because I chose to write differently than the established norm.
Yes, I know what you are thinking... Does it really matter?
Well, after a little research (i.e. a poll posted at my local writing hole), I have decided that I am not doomed to failure (whew!)
The crux of the matter was that I do not do multiple drafts of my novels. I write several chapters and then go back to revise until I feel like I have achieved the effect that I wanted. Apparently, many writers write a full draft, and then go through and revise multiple times, each time resulting in a new draft. That concept makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry.
One writer pointed out that some people try to write a near perfect first draft while others like to write a "garbage" first draft just so they can get everything out of their heads. I belong to the former category (while my husband belongs to the latter, interestingly enough). And now that I think about it, I HATED writing multiple drafts in high school and college. I found the exercise pointless since I had poured myself into getting it right the first time. Ah, the pitfalls of striving for perfection!
In the end, I did find two other writers who operate in the same manner that I do. I was quite excited to find out that I'm not an anomaly. Of course, I stressed so much about being different that I totally blew a good weekend to get some major writing done.
I think I need to work on that.
I used to write that way, but I suffer from minor OCD. If I don't move on to the next part of the story and ignore the imperfections, I'll never get past chapter one.
ReplyDeleteI don't personally think it matters HOW you write, as long as WHAT you write turns out to be the best product you can create :)
I think everyone writes a little differently--I tend to build, slowly. In pieces.
ReplyDeleteAnd then polish and buff the whole thing :) At least, I hope I it's polished!
Hi Caroline! I'm here through a referral from Giles. :)
ReplyDeleteI am of the drafting kind, but I think I've improved my process over time. My first novel went through 3 major revisions, and that's not including the first set on the first half when I thought it was a standalone work... long story (literally). My second novel probably could use a second round, and my third novel only needed a single tune-up before I felt it was ready to submit (...still waiting to see if my publisher/editor agree on THAT point).
I think as Rowenna said it's a matter of finding your own course through it. If editing-as-you-go works for you, great. I know how terrorizing it can be to look at a 150k word project and wonder how you're going to edit it all at once, but I just keep the mantra of "How do you eat an elephant?" (One bite at a time)
Also, I'm not 100% sure there is an "established norm" either with writing or getting published.
Hi Caroline! I've actually tried both ways. On my current WIP, I am writing a few chapters, editing and then moving on. My first novel, I wrote all the way through without editing and now I don't want to go back and edit it. Of course, first novels are often a trial and I may never even try to publish it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to blogging. Stop by my blog and feel free to visit some of the fellow authors that follow. http://www.yourjen.blogspot.com/