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I write straight through from beginning to end. I've had moments where I had to stop and write a scene that just wouldn't leave my head, but I tend to really try and keep it in order if I can. It's just what works for me. Probably has something to do with the whole Pantser thing!
I'd say there are two controversial subjects when it comes to the rough draft.
- Editing on the spot.
- Writer's block
Most people say not to edit as you go. It's true that doing that means that you may never get to the end because you are going for perfection. However, I find it difficult to move forward when something is really bugging me. So I actually do edit a bit as I go. One time I was probably about ten chapters in and realized I didn't have the antagonist! Yikes. Yeah, I kind of had to go back for that one to get the right groove. If you can start from there and pretend like you've written him in all along, great for you! But it doesn't work for me. I guess that proves that we all have individual differences in process and it's best to do what works for you.
As to Writer's Block, I've experienced it. But the best cure is always the same. Butt in Chair. Make yourself write. If you do that, even if you think it sucks, it ends up working. And chances are it's not as bad as you thought when you actually look at it. Any writing time is good. It all helps and contributes to better craft. Actually sitting down to do it can sometimes be tricky, but if it's important enough to you, you will find a way - even if you have to take a break because of circumstances out of your control.
So that's it! I love rough drafts. It's the exciting, what's-going-to-happen-next stage that gets my adrenaline pumping. It's all fresh and new. What's your process? Do you love this stage as much as I do?
Yes I love writing the first draft. I'll rewrite if it's something major but I try to just leave notes in the margins of the chapters in Scrivener for the first major revising/rewriting session. I love the first draft until I'm done and realize how much work I ahve to do!
ReplyDeleteI do so agree with you. Get the thing down first. I tended to keep going back and editing with my first novel. It took me ages because, as the novel advanced, so circumstances in the past often changed - so back to editing! Best to write it down and then go back at the end to edit.
ReplyDeleteI do have that tendency to edit as I go, which can be both helpful and detrimental. The longer I write, the quicker I am at those edits, though. I've realized that once The End is written, I'll have to go back to the beginning anyway to start my true edits. I don't want to waste too much time during the first write-out.
ReplyDeleteI also have to edit as I go, for the exact same reason: it really bugs me if I know there's a problem. I must say that I'm not a big fan of first drafts because all those problems clash with my control freak self. I try to draft as fast as possible so I can get to revising (i.e. "the fun part").
ReplyDeleteI loooove first drafts now, but I used to hate them. Once I got over myself and realized that it didn't have to be perfect, I started to have fun with them! I usually go back and do a little editing. It bugs me too much to let something sit, and I'm always afraid I'll forget what it was I wanted to change.
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite stage! I love when I get into the groove and I can't stop writing. I can't sleep, I can't do anything. I just want to get the words out. For NaNo, I made notes of changes I wanted to make so I could just keep going, but normally I like to get big changes done before I move on because they might affect something later on. I'm not going for perfection, but clarity and cohesion. For me, writer's block means I'm not happy with the draft or I'm bored. So I either get to know my characters a little better or make an unexpected change to get all the juices flowing again.
ReplyDeleteI love the BIC reminder. And don't edit as you go. Pshaw. I am always amazed at writers who can do that. On the other hand, I don't have your amazing talent. No wonder you get through a draft in the time it takes me to do a chapter :D
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Martina
I do love this initial stage of the process for the reasons you've given. Excitement, challenge to find out what will happen next, what the character will turn out to be like.
ReplyDeleteThose first drafts are seldom as GREAT as I think they are, but they are fun.
I do love the first draft stage--it's so exciting because sometimes things I think will end up happening don't and new things pop up along the journey. I also find that I HAVE to edit as I go, but I try not to be obsessive about it. Constantly I keep reminding myself that first drafts can suck. I can make it better later.
ReplyDeleteThe don't edit-as-you-go advice always bugged me. I agree that you need forward propulsion, but I'm like you. If it bugs me, I've got to fix it. My advice is always do what works best for you, as long as that includes writing!
ReplyDeleteI'll admit, this is NOT my favorite stage. I'm a plotter, so that part is fun for me. And I love revising, especially in later drafts when the whole thing starts to gel. And I never go back and edit as I write the first draft. I leave it be, in all its first-draft-ugliness :)
ReplyDeleteI try not to edit as I go when I'm writing a first draft. But, if my eye catches up to a typo, I'm not leaving it!
ReplyDeleteI've only skipped ahead once in my current WIP to write a scene that just begged to be put down before it disappeared. I'm glad I did it, although I did have to change a few items to bring the story to that spot smoothly.
Butt In Chair is the cure for block, but oh what a painful pill to swallow some days. ;)
Writing first drafts is my favourite part of the whole process! I write straight through too - probably a pantster thing!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy rough draft stage, but the first one or two revisions is the most fun for me. That's where I see the first real improvements in the story, and also I get the chance to laugh at the crap I find, and admire the good pieces that might stay the course unchanged.
ReplyDeleteChallenging all along, each stage is different, which only makes it better.
Although I plot ahead of time, my drafting process sounds a lot like yours. :) I'm getting ready to finish up this book and start a new one soon, so I'm getting that first-draft excitement going! :)
ReplyDeleteI love writing a first draft. I live in my bubble of that world for months on end. It is paradise. I much prefer that to revising.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE rough drafts because there's so many possibilities open with them. You can cut and paste, throw away all together, or carry on!!
ReplyDeleteThsi is great as always Lisa. Drafting is my favorite part of the process too. I agree, BIC is what gets you past the writer's block. With drafting, it doesn't have to be good--it just has to be DONE. :)
ReplyDeleteHope everything's going well--I've been so busy lately and haven't gotten around as much as I'd like.
Angela
I used to beat myself up because I edit as I go, until I learned that just works for me. But I never let it keep me from moving forward. And I have to admit the blank page used to terrify me. But you're absolutely right - butt in chair does the trick. I've learned if I just write 'something,' I can edit it later. I like to 'have written' so I can revise!
ReplyDeleteI rough in the three acts and then go crazy with the first draft. I love being completely surprised as the story evolves.
ReplyDeleteI do NOT love writing the first drafts. It helps that I allow myself some editing as I write, but I am happiest when I have the story or something that resembles it is down. I much prefer revising.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Since my WIP is with beta readers, I'm planning on starting a new book soon. It'll be the first time in a while that I've started a book from scratch. With my last book, I edited the first half as I went, but then wrote to the end without revising. It'll be interesting to see what happens this time around. :)
ReplyDeleteI love rough drafts too. I love getting a writer's "high" or "rush" but the flip side of that is the writer's "despair" - (I have a severe form of writer's block)
ReplyDeleteHey I like your blog. You should check mine's out, It's one big fantasy story and I've just began. So there's not much catching up. It's called Traveri.
ReplyDeleteI have to write straight through the first draft too. I will go over and polish what I wrote the previous day before charging ahead with the new day's content, though. It helps me to get my head back in the story. When I'm in First Draft Mode, I'm in a constant state of Story-High. I love that. But I love the editing that follows too. The secret for me (when I first started writing) was to realize that every first draft is *shitty* (Anne Lammont's term, which I love). In Anne Lamont's book BIRD BY BIRD, there's actually a chapter titled "Shitty First Drafts". :-D
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