Attack of the Blob
Yep, a blob. That's what chapters 1-11 of Con & Conjure look like. A mess, a convoluted collection of quasi-chapters and scenes -- the beginnings of a book. Yet, it's not like any first draft I've ever written. My normal modus operandi is one orderly chapter at a time, no skipping around, no summarizing so I can move on, no moving on before that chapter is as perfect as I can make it.
This is a completely new way of working for me. With me being a control freak, this should scare the crap out of me. But it doesn't. Why?
I know I can do it.
By writing sketch-style, for the first time, I can see a nebulous form of the ENTIRE BOOK taking shape. I've never been able to capture the entire thing in my head -- too complicated and simply too much. I don't think that what I've written is any less complicated plot-wise than what I usually write, I've just written it so quickly that I've managed to keep the entire plot in my head. A sketch is easier to see everything in one look. It's incredibly cool to me.
I do believe I'm on to something good.
Tomorrow: Sketch writing -- working the brain faster.
This is a completely new way of working for me. With me being a control freak, this should scare the crap out of me. But it doesn't. Why?
I know I can do it.
By writing sketch-style, for the first time, I can see a nebulous form of the ENTIRE BOOK taking shape. I've never been able to capture the entire thing in my head -- too complicated and simply too much. I don't think that what I've written is any less complicated plot-wise than what I usually write, I've just written it so quickly that I've managed to keep the entire plot in my head. A sketch is easier to see everything in one look. It's incredibly cool to me.
I do believe I'm on to something good.
Tomorrow: Sketch writing -- working the brain faster.
posted by Lisa Shearin at
6:56 AM
4 Comments:
Will you still contiue to write at a Nano pace so you finish by January first? I also for the first time saw my book as a whole. And it was so amazing crossing the finish line!
Another question: Will you still write a post about what us pre-published authors should do with our Nano Novels? I mean, how do we prepare for such an extensive revision? What kinds of things should we look for in a revision, how do we know what needs to go, what should stay and what needs work? I know, more than one question, but I do remember you telling me to remind you to blog about this scary revision thing.
I am happy and sad that Nano is over. But at least I know that I am capable of writing a crazy amount of words a day. I am not finished with my novel but the ending is in sight!
Yay for the new technique working for you! It's the opposite case for me :) You can do this...plus it's good practice for when you have multiple series on the go (which you will).
I'm glad this works for you. I'm not surprised that it's turned out a bit blobby, but youre right: that's what revisions are supposed to fix. {Smile}
Good luck with writing the rest of it. {SMILE}
Anne Elizabeth Baldwin
Thank you, ladies!
Yes, Tori, I still plan to write that blog post. Thank you for reminding me. : )
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