Thanks to the co-hosts for making this month's IWSG possible! J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria
Today, I'm choosing June's prompt for my post. It looks like fun. Alright, here we go!!!
For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?
Photo by Darkmoon_Art @ Pixabay.com
There are no set ways on how I handle my first drafts or subsequent. It's all based on how I feel in relation to my manuscript, my real-life circumstances, and how I am feeling.
In My Perfect Kiss series, I wrote book after book and, when I needed a break, I went back and reread each book and redrafted them. It gave me time away from feeling the pain of deleting parts that felt dead, fluffy, or redundant. It gave me a brand new perspective.
Also, when editing became mundane, I'd brainstorm book covers--that way it keeps my enthusiasm alive for the books to be born.
I've been writing for over thirty years (my, time is escaping me and I'm not getting any younger!) and have learned that my writing method varies from book to book. There is no pattern but only that it depends all on how I'm feeling.
As for experience, I do admit back in my younger days (haha!) I'd obsessed more with perfection. I wanted to do everything "by the book" as I read many how-tos for writers. Trying to apply every technique paralyzed me and cleaned me of my creative juices. While these books (and workshops at webinars and conferences) do have merit, I ultimately picked what worked for me and left the rest without any compunction.
Photo by Lacie Slezak @ Unsplash.com
Who can really put rules to creativity? It's a very personal journey. I'm stifled when I'm bound. And I'm not referring to the rules of publishing, rather, the rules to personal writing methods.
If anything, do what works for you!
What are your methods of creating a book from start to finish? Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
You started writing when you were two? Impressive.
ReplyDeleteRules should just be guidelines or they will squash creativity.
ROFL, Alex! I'm no spring chicken! xD But thank you! Yes, I whole-heartedly agree!
DeleteAs writers, we do seem to get caught up in perfection mode. You have an awesome system that works to keep the juices flowing. I also find that cover art is inspiring. I even do them for short stories, just to have a visual while I'm writing.
ReplyDeleteOh! How wonderful is that? <3
DeleteThat's awesome that you've been writing for 30 years. You have so much experience. I've heard other people say how long they wait to revise depends on the project too. That seems like wise advise. I'm only drafting my project #2, but I will keep the tip in mind.
ReplyDeleteI hope it works for you, Natalie!
DeleteI definitely get the idea that it depends how you're feeling in relation to the book. Sometimes you want to just dive right back into it, other times it helps to take a little break.
ReplyDeleteFor sure! Sometimes reading others' books or watching movies helps to break any bottle necks of potential frustration.
DeleteI have been tempted a few times to play with cover art instead of revising. Maybe I should let myself!
ReplyDeletePlease do! It's so rejuvenating. <3
DeleteWhen I revise, it is usually small stuff: words, sentences, sometimes paragraphs. I rarely do structural revisions - I usually handle it during my first draft.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful system you've got there!
DeleteThere sure are writing rules out there that can stifle our creativity.
ReplyDeleteI like your writing process, Elizabeth. I've never designed book covers.
ReplyDelete