I attended my first book festival a few weeks ago and at the end of one of the panels had the chance to talk with a writer who was starting out on her first book. I listened to her discuss how she’d found a critique group and had worked through the first few chapters. She went on to describe that she had the general idea for the book but was still working details for other chapters. And while I was tempted to jump in and give some advice—this thought lasted a mere half a second—instead I sat back and soaked in her enthusiasm, tried to give positive encouragement, and drifted back to story struggles of my own that I haven’t considered for a long time.
Now, I’m not saying I don’t struggle with writing, plotting, editing, etc. I do. For every book and afterward during professional edits. Then again later during reviews. It’s a never ending process, and doubts are part of the trip.
What this energetic writer brought to mind was how I used to approach starting stories, and how my process has evolved in the years since I first started.
I’m not going to go into my process here. Suffice it to say, that I’ve tried a lot of different methods and techniques. I love being distracted trying out new things. I was never a seat-of-the-pants writer, but frankly plotters can get just as mired just as easily as pantsers can get lost. I have the spreadsheets, Word tables, and character sketches to prove it. I’ve adapted my approach over the years and, finally after six books and a dozen more waiting with plot points waiting to be written, I can say that I have a process that works for me. It won’t necessarily work for someone else.
Even so, I still get stuck, still wonder if anyone will like the stories and characters, still have days where I’m not that thrilled to tackle a scene. In a solitary business, even one with critique partners and friends, it helps to have tools to keep going. The key is to focus on the long term goal not the short term problem. Trust me, there’s a reason Stephen King writes every day, even on Christmas. And it isn’t because he doesn’t like his family or his life. He’s staying with his process to keep his writing flowing. In order to get the story down, polished, and finished you have to keep going.
So here are my reminders that keep me going. I’m sharing them because I think there is something here for every writer:
- I’ve written words before and will again (simple, yes – start small)
- There’s nothing that I can’t fix ** Nothing! That includes plot, characters, setting, anything (first write then change)
- Be prepped for every scene before I sit down to write (whoa, every scene but some are just filler!) There are no filler scenes. If I don’t love the scene I’m writing then no one else will either. And here’s a great blog post to address this fix (pay attention to Side 1- Know what you’re writing before you write it):
- Start with the end of yesterday’s work. Polish, look at word choices (don’t get pulled into deep edits, just consider this warming up before a workout)
- Finish the day with the beginning of tomorrow’s work (If you can start the next scene, or have a thought, put it down – it will kick-start the session).
- If distracted by other stories that seem more interesting than what I’m working on, I’ll break to jot those plot points in another file and then head back to work. That story can wait, this one can’t
Feel free to let me know what works for you.
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12 comments
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Tricia Clasen
10/05/2011 at 4:47 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I loved this list. Such important reminders for me right now. Thanks!
KH LeMoyne
10/05/2011 at 10:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m glad something resonated here for you, so I’ve succeeded for today!
Nicki Elson
10/05/2011 at 4:49 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
These pionts are fabulous! All of them. I particularly like your suggestions for starting and ending each session—getting warmed up is most difficult for me, and starting by working on simple edits will get the writer brain going as well as me into the mode of the story. I shall apply all of this to my insecurity for the day.
KH LeMoyne
10/05/2011 at 10:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Actually the prepping for the next day has been a big help to me. If I don’t do it I find it’s a little harder to dig in the next day.
Marian Youngblood
10/05/2011 at 9:50 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great list, succinct outlining and thank you for reinforcing my feelings about writing preparation, beginnnings, endings… and Stephen King — whose daily devotion is clearly intrinsic in his genius.ay May I perhaps connect with you on NaNo? Good fortune for that btw. I sensed your certain je-ne-sais-quoi which comes across as ‘experience’, even before I knew of your six books! Thanks also for connecting on my little blog effort & delighted you are another wordpresser…
KH LeMoyne
10/05/2011 at 10:32 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Marian, first I loved your blog and post. And several more that I read there. Would be happy to connect for NaNo. I should be at KHLeMoyne on the IDs there. If you have problems finding me, just drop me a note and we’ll figure it out. You should be able to add buddies now.
Marta Szemik
10/05/2011 at 11:53 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Such great points to keep in mind. And I love that you keep going, keep writing, and writing, and writing. I’m only done my first novel. There is a big difference in my writing at the beginning and at the end. Now, I have started writing two new novels, and have plots ready for another two. The thought of continuing and enjoying what I write always keeps me going. Thank you for such a nice post.
Marta
Alex J. Cavanaugh
10/05/2011 at 11:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Written words before and will again – now that is something we all need to remember.
Thanks for joining the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!
Ella
10/06/2011 at 4:23 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I loved your list! This is good stuff, “Written words before and will again” we need to maintain some humor to press onward! ;D Thank you~
Eve
10/06/2011 at 1:42 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hey there,
Great blog. I am a latecomer to the insecure writers group, just thought I would pop over and say “hello”.
Keep up the good work.
eve
Jennee
10/07/2011 at 1:47 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That list is great! I might just print it out and put it on my desk. I’ve found myself surrounded by the “dreaming” writers that won’t do anything to further their dream. Most of them won’t even finish a story but are so obsessed with the dream, they consider themselves to be working hard at it. I agree, you don’t want to kill their enthusiasm, but at the same time, I always wanna ask, what are you actually going to do about it?
S. L. Hennessy
10/09/2011 at 5:39 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hey, I’m a new follower and fellow insecure writer. Just wanted to say I love your list at the end of your post. Very helpful to other writers who struggle with their work every day (like me and everyone else in this blogging group haha). Especially the last one – what I call writers ADD. I’m definitely going to print this list out and post it above my computer!
So thanks, and I’m so glad I stopped by!
- http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/