One thing about begginer writers, like me, although more new than me, have a tendency to want to do everything right the very first time.
You end up editing the same paragraph for the next 30 minutes, then move on to writing the next paragraph, get that perfect then keep writing. Then if you realize you forgot an element to your story, go back 10 paragraphs and make your changes right away.
One thing I have been thinking about, and Steffi pointed out, is that when you write, just write. Your first draft should just be a brain dump. Write your story. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
When you come back to edit it, this is where you add the missing elements. Make sure you suspence and tension are where they are supposed to be, etc. I’m thinking of putting a checklist of things to verify when you edit. For example:
- Make sure the tension is correct.
- Emotion needs to exist
- Make sure that there is some real world elements like smell, sound, sight, touch.
- Maybe you want to add some foreshadowing.
Each edit should include one or two of these element that you want to fix, but keeping an eye out for the rest. The edit for a few more elements the next round. I’m not at this point yet, but so far it seems like a good strategy.
4 responses so far ↓
Lisa Damian // April 18, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I rewrite as I go, but I am trying to find a better balance between getting everything out onto paper as an initial draft and fine tuning along the way. Because it’s been on my mind lately, it was one of the questions I asked authors of “How Not To Write a Novel” in my recent interview. Once I finish a first draft, I could potentially get caught up in the rewriting and editing process forever. I never quite feel “done” and am always thinking up new ways to make it better (some of which would probably never be noticed by your average reader).
Laurie Cosbey // April 18, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Thanks Don,
What a good reminder. I don’t know if a book can ever come out exactly as I see and hear it in my head. I have to spew everything out before I get into critique mode or I would never finish.
nymeria87 // April 19, 2008 at 12:04 am
Yay, someone’s actually taking my advice. That just made my day (or should I say night).
Maybe Nanowrimo taught me that as well as my friends telling me to just keep writing and to finish the first draft before starting to throw it all over again. Of course there are always things that you want to change or even cut out entirely, but at first there’s your story idea that needs to be put down on the paper (or into the laptop). The rest goes from there.
Your first draft is just that: a first draft that is the basis of your book, but by no means the completed work. Honestly, after finishing the initial draft the real work just begins. This is probably the main reason why I’m looking rather doubtfully at authors saying they can write a number of novels a year. Of course you can write a first draft in a relatively short time, but after the initial rush the editing kicks in. It can be a pain in the ass or it can be fun.
I’m actually looking forward to the editing process and am working at getting done with my first draft right now (in about 60-70k words or so which will put the whole thing somewhere close to the 150k….*cringe*).
What I really love about the first draft is that it’s such an outlet for all kinds of ideas that you want to include. It gives you so many possibilities to try out all kinds of ideas. After you’re done with that THEN is the time to think about theoretical aspects. I personally feel that I’m coming a little short on descriptions, whereas inner monologue and dialog are my strong points.
Of course I’m taking those things into consideration while I’m writing, but I’m also very spontaneous and just like to keep the story flowing, even if it tends to be a bit long-winded at times. But for now: just keep on writing guys
Keep on writing! - Finish your first draft first! « In the Shadows // April 19, 2008 at 12:31 am
[...] then I’ve though a lot about the functions of the first draft of a book and today this post on Don’s blog made me write some of those thoughts [...]
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