Been writing... ;-)
During my free time, I've been working on the first three chapters of a new book. This is a spec novel, and just something I needed to get out of my head because it was distracting me from writing what I'm supposed to be writing.
I don't have many rituals, and often times I'll do different things for different novels (some I write long hand, some on the PC, some both... Some I outline, some not at all, etc..). But one thing that remains consistent with every novel I write, is my need to make the first chapter absolutely perfect (or what I think of as perfect at the time) before proceeding. I cannot, in fact, continue with the rough draft of a new novel until that first chapter shines.
I say all the time to write through the crap, write through trouble areas, and just get that rough draft down on paper because you can always go back -- then, at least, you have something to work with versus a blank page. And I do this as well. All except for that first chapter. I realize this is a ritual for me. A constant. To fine tune, revise, edit, polish many, many times before I can then go ahead and write the entire rough draft.
So what constants do you guys have?
6 comments:
So is it a spec novel because the heroine wears specs? O.o Or maybe because it's spectacular? Ooh, I know, because it's special. tee-hee
I must be in your head space. Don't ask me how many 1st chapters of a new novel I have! Combined, it could be be several books :)
This is going to sound odd, but I need two things when I write, no matter what I'm writing. One is I really do need silence to write. No distractions, especially my own. The second is that I need to be on my bed. I'm not sure why, but I write the most and the best when I'm sitting cross-legged, propped up on pillows on my bed.
LOL, Zita. Yes. All those things, haha!
Jax - me too. I'm afraid to count them. :-)
LeeAnn, from someone who often writes on the bed, that doesn't sound odd at all. :) I went through a period where I could only write after dark. Kind of glad that one passed!
Seems I can only function as a writer if I am sitting in my favorite booth at my favorite coffee shop (I know, for a screenwriter this sounds sooo L.A.).
Tried writing at home -- can't do it. Can't explain why, either. I guess what matters most is not where you write, but how productive you are when you write.
Keep Writing!
I loved your first book so much. I'm wondering what you're coming up with next (besides your sequels). Hope you get to publish this one that's appearing in your head! :)
Post a Comment