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Grechen
said...
My question deals with your genre, how
do you balance adult interaction with teens without having the adults become
underdeveloped absentee people?
A: Great question, Gretchen! Here’s a
blogpost where I talk a bit about that.
Dean
K Miller said...
How do I get my alien co-author to keep
the story in and earthly time zone, and also quit drooling his snarfly-slime
all over the pages?
A: That’s the trouble with aliens,
Dean. If you’re going to partner with someone, you should make sure you’re
compatible.
Jill Kemerer said...
How do I meet my word goals without
drowning in coffee? :)
A: I can certainly relate to this one!
The best thing you can do is bring a floatation device to the computer. Oh and
maybe switch to half caf!
Ebony McKenna. said...
How do I present myself as normal when
there are so many voices in my head?
A: That’s the great thing about being a
writer! We’re all crazy, so we GET it. ;D
Medeia Sharif said...
How do you prevent yourself from going
back and editing parts of a draft when your still drafting? It's such a time
suck, but I itch to do it. I'm getting better at not doing it, but I can't help
but go back.
A: You don’t! It took me a while to
figure that out. But here’s the thing. If there’s a “rule” that you know, but
you function better outside the parameters of that rule, I say break it. I edit
sometimes as I go. If I don’t fix something it bothers me, so much so that
sometimes I really can’t move forward without fixing it. Sometimes I follow
that same rule, but when it gets in the way of my writing? I don’t.
These are awesome, Lisa! And as for your last answer--THANK YOU! I get really tired of blanket advice, because so often, especially when I was first writing, I would find myself thinking, "that's not how I do it ... am I doing it wrong?" I've come to realize I'm just doing things in the way that works for me, but I wouldn't want other writers to feel that way, either. So--your answer was perfect (and I edit as I go as well, and that is the way I turn in really clean drafts to my agent). Excellent post, as always.
ReplyDelete'K, so these just made me laugh! This was great. I believe I can relate to each. And that last one is a heart-breaker for me. I know if I stopped editing so much as I write, I'd get done at least a month ahead of my schedule. Grr... Editing some is good, but sometimes it stifles me and prevents me from forging ahead. Guess you could say I'm stuck in the middle. lol
ReplyDeleteI agree if you function better editing a bit as you go, then do it. I think it's when someone compulsively rewrites the opening 20 times without moving forward that it's best not to!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I'm not the only one with the alien question. *runs off to fire alien co-writer* :D
ReplyDeleteOh, and that picture is totally me when writing a scary scene and I hear a noise but I'm the only one home.
ReplyDeleteI get that itch to revise too, and it's so hard not to. Doing multiple drafts takes discipline (for me at least)- I was much better at letting it be imperfect before!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post to get my writing gears grinding this morning, Lisa. I never thought about working with an alien co-writer, but maybe that's what I need! Had an idea for a space opera yesterday.... :-)
ReplyDeleteChocolate is a perfect coffee flotation device. Thanks for doing this series Lisa! I've really appreciated all your advice, especially your answer to the last question. Good to know I'm not the only one who breaks that "rule".
ReplyDeleteLOL, those darn alien writing partners! I'm with Lisa on the edit vs. drafting. I generally don't go back to edit, but I'll leave myself notes so I don't forget what I really really really want to change. And sometimes, I just have to make that earlier change before I go forward. Do what works for you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah, that last one rules! You've got to find your own way, and often the rules get in the way of accomplishing that.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank GOD someone says it's alright to edit as you go. I had to polish the first 6 chapters of my book to perfection (at least get it into good enough shape for submission to agents) before I could sit down and begin drafting the next part. I can't just sit down and write a quick draft of the entire novel before I go back and rewrite. I realize now that I write much better a section at a time, although I always know where I want the story to end.
ReplyDeleteThat picture cracked me up! Love these bits of advice, Lisa. Um, aliens? I must be writing the wrong types of books! And I love your point about the process...we each have our own way that works for us. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLol for the picture.
ReplyDeleteAll these are questions that I sometimes find myself thinking about. Oh and your answer for writing with an alien? right on :)
Love the advice, Lisa!! We just took a trip to the Crytsal Coast and I had waaaaay too many voices in my head the entire time! Historical towns do that to me. The best part? My husband didn't think I was THAT crazy. :) So glad he GETS me like the rest of you :)
ReplyDeleteWhen did you take that picture of me? You really shouldn't post those candid shots of this author on caffeine AND without makeup!
ReplyDeleteI'm off to see if I can find my PROCESS before it sneaks out the door. Thanks for the hints.
Now this was a great post to read mid-day! An unexpected pick-me-up for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteI always read your "how" posts, Lisa. Even if it's not a question I have (yet), I know it might come up in the future. It's good to tuck away those answers in advance.
Keep the "how" posts coming. (And thank you!)
It's been fun reading your "How?" posts. :) I like your last answer. I've learned that some writing rules are meant to be broken if it means you'll be more productive in the long run.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, but we are compatible, my alien co-author and I...Well okay, he's the only one who agreed to work with me. He's wearing a bib, I've got goggles and we're working in an anti-gravity chamber so his drool floats around, instead of sinking to the keyboard.
ReplyDeleteStina: give me call...if you've really fired your alien. I need a copy editor who knows glitzenbach text.
ReplyDeleteAh, flotation devices! I knew I was missing a critical writing tool. Good to know I'm not the only one with an alien problem, too. Goodness, you started my day out with a smile. Thank YOU!
ReplyDeleteYay for giggles and good advice. I went over my first chapter so many times last night it turned finessing into a beating.
ReplyDeleteI've been writing MG and trying to avoid the absent or stupid or under-involved parent. I'm checking out your post on that.
ReplyDeleteHahahahahah!
ReplyDeleteI'm still using the 12-step program you recommended, I think it's starting to take!
Great questions and answers! Especially Ebony's question about how to come across as normal with all the voices, and your answer. Also, hurray for rule breaking.
ReplyDeleteI love the question and answer to the voices in our heads. One time I told my dad that I wrote some dialogue for my main character, and she 'told me' she would not say that. True story, and she was right. But my dad? He just gave me that raised-eyebrow, 'oh Lord, my daughter is crazy' look.
ReplyDeleteAlso the editing. I have to edit as I go, lest I forget what I wanted to change and go mad. It's happened before. Now I just don't fight it. I have my daily/weekly word count goals, and they successfully help me move forward, even with my editing habit
ReplyDeleteHehehe I can't edit as I go at all, but always end up doing it, so I started drafting by hand in pen. Can't edit if you can't erase. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! I agree on the going back & editing. If the part is bugging me so much that I keep thinking about it, it's time to fix!
ReplyDelete