Couple of Questions About Writing Process

Carla Hurst · Post by **Carla Hurst** » 20 Jun 2010, 19:20

I usually write forward and leave revising for the days The Muse just isn't there...and sometimes while going back I can get "unstuck".

the tiger fights · Post by **the tiger fights** » 25 Nov 2011, 19:45

You can always revise and edit . . . but you can't always get your story to move forward.

mouseofcards89 · Post by **mouseofcards89** » 18 Dec 2011, 10:43

joshuakrey wrote:First off, hi! My name is Josh, new here. I'm here, so I love books and I love to write. I'm going to school for journalism now, but my real passion is writing fiction. I have a few questions that don't necessarily have straight up answers, yet are a matter of opinion and style.

Drop out and focus on your writing. If you really care about finishing a book, you'll be willing to stake your life on it. Family, friends, whatever other silhouettes protest...they'll be the first ones to come scuttling back to you when you make it big. Those who support you during the process are your true friends, well worth keeping. To cite a popular example, upon being asked what sort of writer he respected, Stephen King said that he would suspect any writer who goes a month without paying the bills because they're working on a manuscript. Josh, you're young and (presumably) not tied down. Right now, if you decide to pursue a literary career, you won't have dependents who suffer for it. Take the risk. If you don't, you'll be one more twenty-something with a book in the closet who henpecks fifty words between essays and beer bongs. The only things worth accomplishing in life are worth taking enormous risks for...and, at your age, what difference is a year or two if this is what you really want to do? Don't let anyone talk you out of it.

joshuakrey wrote:1 - When you first start writing, how often do you look back and read what you have written, besides the occasional refresher?

Most mornings, I take a look at my work from the day before. It's well worth your while. That way, you stay well attuned to the big picture in relation to where you stand.

joshuakrey wrote:2 - What do you use to record ideas, plots, characters, themes, etc.?

A notes app on your iThing of choice would work well. If you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, download the Docs To Go app from the iTunes store. It's like a miniature version of Microsoft Word. You can sync documents to and from it. There's a similar technology available for Blackberries, though I have not used it myself. Most big SmartPhone companies probably have something similar.

joshuakrey wrote:3 - Have you ever started out with the intentions of writing in a series of stories (i.e. Harry Potter, Twilight)?

No. I take it day by day. Don't plan too much. You'll either end up with a portfolio of modest intentions and no book, or a book that reads like an instruction manual. Finish a project before planning sequels.

Jimrada · Post by **Jimrada** » 23 Dec 2011, 12:30

Hi, Josh, I'm glad you love writing, but I'm not sure if the newspaper business will hold much of a future for you. I used to be a newspaper reporter and circulation of newspapers seems to be dropping like a rock. In answer to your questions...

1. I do look back on my previous writing. If I'm starting my day, I'll look back a page to get a running start for the day's work. Now, if I'm stuck on the story, I will go much further back to do some editing

2. I keep a tickler file for ideas. As I start working on a book, I create a computer folder and everything related directly to the book goes into it.

3. I have started a couple of books with the intention on making it into a series. When I do, I tend to do a series overview in addition to that particular book's outline. I also make sure I keep a series bible while working on the book. It saves me the trouble of having to do it later if I decide to turn a book into a series.

Hope that helps.

Yee · Post by **Yee** » 24 Dec 2011, 05:26

Usually I've never look back once I started writing because I found that doing this, it will disrupt the flow of ideas. Sometimes the idea just comes to you anytime and anywhere even when you are in the bath tub, so I make it a point to jot it down on a piece of water (whatever I can find) and then work on it when I'm free.

perusaphone · Post by **perusaphone** » 24 Dec 2011, 09:43

It makes one wonder how the old guys used to use quills and parchment did it.....

Kenn_Baker · Post by **Kenn_Baker** » 08 Jan 2012, 16:53

1 - When you first start writing, how often do you look back and read what you have written, besides the occasional refresher?

I do not go back at all if possible. You will second guess yourself and the process will take so much longer.

2 - What do you use to record ideas, plots, characters, themes, etc.?

There is a great software out there called celtx. It is free and it has a note card section specifically for that purpose. Its a screen writing software, but choose book when starting a new project and it works just as well

3 - Have you ever started out with the intentions of writing in a series of stories (i.e. Harry Potter, Twilight)?

I feel that (Just like Harry Potter) every individual book should stand on its own, but if there is potential for a series, then that should be evident and all loose ends don't necessarily need to be tied.

JAJACKSON · Post by **JAJACKSON** » 12 Jan 2012, 10:50

I find that I write, read/review, then move on. About once a week or so I re-read a section/chapter. This works for me. I do find that I have to watch that I don't 'fix it till it's broke'.

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 13 Jan 2012, 07:26

This interview with experienced author Monica McInerney, compiled September 2010, explains her writing schedule for her novel 'At Home With The Templetons'.

“I spend about six months plotting in my head before I sit at the computer and start writing. There’s usually an overlap between my books. I had the idea for 'At Home With The Templetons' about three months before I finished 'Those Faraday Girls'. Similarly, I had the idea for what will be my next book halfway through writing the 'Templetons'.

I aim for 2,000 words a day minimum in the early stages of writing, getting very attached to the word-count button.
A day always comes when the word count is irrelevant, when all I want to do is be at the desk writing.

The final six months are usually seven days a week. I edit as I write, and also show the manuscript to two people in the early stages, my husband, who is a journalist, and my younger sister, who is an editor. I completely trust their feedback and their encouragement keeps me on track until the manuscript is as polished as I can make it before sending it to my publishers. I also love deadlines. They terrify me into finishing.”

bookmadgirlie · Post by **bookmadgirlie** » 13 Jan 2012, 08:56

Yee wrote:Usually I've never look back once I started writing because I found that doing this, it will disrupt the flow of ideas

When I get a writing project started, I just free-write, and after a while, like a month or so, then I look back over it. It is quite refreshing to do that.

JAJACKSON · Post by **JAJACKSON** » 13 Jan 2012, 10:12

Oh MY Gosh, Maud, If I showed my last eighteen months, it's almost a copy paste of that. I jotted notes on paper for months. I was not aiming at 2K per day as I still work

BUT 1K on work days and more on days off. I have a friend in the UK I trust, and he went over early revisions. Then I had a 'rough/quick edit done, printed it off for two folks to read as a 'story review'. Final edit and TADA. The interview mentions word count, when I started I aimed at 40K, that number was quite daunting at the time. I blew through that and hit 80K in no time (Seemingly). Edits (less is more sometimes) dropped it to its final 75.8K. I am trying to work on number two BUT Promoting the first one is taking a lot of time.... Just a note, editing took three months of revision and review... that was draining, but worth it. Would love to see how others fared when reviewing their works..

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 14 Jan 2012, 03:34

Way to go, JAJACKSON. I admire your stamina!

JAJACKSON · Post by **JAJACKSON** » 14 Jan 2012, 08:58

Well, I thank you , but MUCH of the credit has to go to Blizzard. lol - I was an addict to WOW (World of Warcraft) and played many hours each night. I 'converted' that time.... and suddenly discovered that I had time to write, and do housework <cough>

- Hey Maud - QLD... For a short time I lived in Townsville... !!! Now I am in Michigan and its COLD today = -8C with a WONDERFUL (can you feel the sarcasm) layer of ice on the roads. I am very new to the world of being a writer and will take any tips and pointers I can.... Maud - What are you working on?

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 14 Jan 2012, 19:10

The art of writing can be compared to the art of drawing. First sketch out the general story in outline form, then, break this down into 1) sections, 2) chapters, 3) paragraphs and 4) sentences. At each level you are adding layers of line, shading, texture and color. The key, for me anyway, is to work from the outside in. Now, that having been said, if you happen to be a naturally gifted writer the way some graphic artists are naturally gifted at drawing you could probably start anywhere and strike off in any direction, but few people are born with that level of ability.

Gfilm · Post by **Gfilm** » 27 Jan 2012, 01:18

joshuakrey wrote:First off, hi! My name is Josh, new here. I'm here, so I love books and I love to write. I'm going to school for journalism now, but my real passion is writing fiction. I have a few questions that don't necessarily have straight up answers, yet are a matter of opinion and style.

1 - When you first start writing, how often do you look back and read what you have written, besides the occasional refresher?

(I've heard from numerous sources this is a bad thing to do when you first start writing because you will always find things to fix and you won't really get to far along and I have found this to be true.)

2 - What do you use to record ideas, plots, characters, themes, etc.?

3 - Have you ever started out with the intentions of writing in a series of stories (i.e. Harry Potter, Twilight)?

(Not necessarily those types of series, but with the intentions of not having a definite ending and writing more books after that one? I personally would really like to do this, but I'm no sure if that would be the way to go for my first book(s).)

Glad I have found this place!

-Joshua

HI Josh, and awesome questions. I hope I can help. First, let me applaud your craft. Journalism can be rough but never give up, you can always freelance and write what you like, and then write what you need to write about to support yourself. Even though your main goal is to write, learn about what goes on from beginning to end either at a news station or at a newspaper. Technology has changed each of these in the last 10 yrs so need to know the process, as well as the old school process because editors appreciate this.

Regarding your questions...

1. Brainstorm. Write, write, write and write...and let those creative juices flow. Then when you've hit a wall or need a breather, go back and review AFTER you've had some fresh air. Then outline how you see the story going, and don't forget that you will probably have subplots and backstory so keep a sheet of paper for notes as well.

Keep doing this, and even if you stray from the outline, do what feels right for the story you are trying to envision, there are no rules, this is your story.

This may be a long process, don't get discouraged...when you find that you get writer's block, this is the time to read over grammatical errors and to try and fill holes in your story.

If you find the time, read portions of Stephanie Meyers first draft of Twilight. It's pretty ...illustrative of how the first draft is not a measure of a possibility, it's what you do with it that matters.

2. When you're on the road, out and about, a simple digital voice recorder is good to have, they are small and inexpensive and you can just start recording ideas....they don't have to mean anything to anyone else but you to make yourself remember what you were thinking.

Keep a notepad beside your bed, this is how Stephen King and James Cameron have both comes up with many plots. They wake up in the middle of the night and scribble.

As far as keeping everyone straight of who's who in your story...don't make it too hard, you want your readers to enjoy it without having to have a diagram. But for yourself, an outline should help you.

3. I don't think anyone starts out this way but finds that the story has a nature of it's own and wants to continue. It's hard to get the first book published, but after you do that, and also articles, and tidbits here and there, you need to keep yourself out there and keep your readers wanting more.

Hope this helps and good luck.