I've "finished" Draft 1 of Con & Conjure
I've "finished" the first draft of Con & Conjure. And yep, the word "finished" is in quotes for a reason. Technically, I didn't reach the end of the book. I remembered yesterday that I never can write to the end of a book on the first draft. There are too many plot holes in a first draft to support the weight of an ending, too many unknowns in those rough chapters that have to be finalized before I send that story rollercoaster down that last big hill.
I estimate that I have about six chapters left to go to get to the end (I'm on Chapter 18). So I'm doing now what I always do -- go back to Chapter 1 and start cleaning up and filling in. I'll get to the end on the second draft. And then the third run-thru will be to add all the details that make the book come to life.
So . . . when I remembered that I can't write to the end on a first draft, that means that I "finished" it in the two months I had allocated. Woot for me. That gives me two months on Draft 2 and two months on Draft 3. Then I immediately dive into writing Book 6. Which, by the way, I'd like to go ahead and name soon. So after the "Name Raine's world" contest is completed, I'll be announcing another contest to name Book 6. I have to have a title before I can start writing a book, but I apparently didn't need a name for the world it's set in. Hmmm. Odd. Yep, that's me. ; )
I'll be starting to blog over on The Magic District on January 12. My fellow bloggers are a great bunch of authors; pop over and join in.
Over the holidays, I've had time to come up with some future blog topics. Here they are in no order whatsoever:
Hard work leads to inspiration
From unruly ideas to focused novel
Feed your muse
Butt in chair and write
What if? What next? What now?
Notes to novel: The busy subconscious
Why I outline
How to be goal-oriented
Never give up, never surrender!
Stay true to your voice
Drive, Discipline, & Desire
Growing your characters
Writing real people
Hooks & Cliffhangers -- Keep your readers turning the pages
Where you write affects how you write
Why you can't force plot or cajole characters
Setting writing goals
Write what you want to read
Drafts 1, 2, & 3 -- What I do for each draft of my books
Whew. That's it for now.
Lisa
I estimate that I have about six chapters left to go to get to the end (I'm on Chapter 18). So I'm doing now what I always do -- go back to Chapter 1 and start cleaning up and filling in. I'll get to the end on the second draft. And then the third run-thru will be to add all the details that make the book come to life.
So . . . when I remembered that I can't write to the end on a first draft, that means that I "finished" it in the two months I had allocated. Woot for me. That gives me two months on Draft 2 and two months on Draft 3. Then I immediately dive into writing Book 6. Which, by the way, I'd like to go ahead and name soon. So after the "Name Raine's world" contest is completed, I'll be announcing another contest to name Book 6. I have to have a title before I can start writing a book, but I apparently didn't need a name for the world it's set in. Hmmm. Odd. Yep, that's me. ; )
I'll be starting to blog over on The Magic District on January 12. My fellow bloggers are a great bunch of authors; pop over and join in.
Over the holidays, I've had time to come up with some future blog topics. Here they are in no order whatsoever:
Hard work leads to inspiration
From unruly ideas to focused novel
Feed your muse
Butt in chair and write
What if? What next? What now?
Notes to novel: The busy subconscious
Why I outline
How to be goal-oriented
Never give up, never surrender!
Stay true to your voice
Drive, Discipline, & Desire
Growing your characters
Writing real people
Hooks & Cliffhangers -- Keep your readers turning the pages
Where you write affects how you write
Why you can't force plot or cajole characters
Setting writing goals
Write what you want to read
Drafts 1, 2, & 3 -- What I do for each draft of my books
Whew. That's it for now.
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
6:12 AM
4 Comments:
Whoohoo on finishing the first draft! Now, glue yourself to the chair and create draft 2, including that elusive ending. Go!
:p Really excited about the upcoming posts, and am currently bookmarking The Magic District so I can read all your posts :)
Congrats on getting the first draft done! That's so awesome!
Loving the sound of the upcoming posts!
I've been trying to think up a name for Raine's world, but every time I do, "Midkemia" overrides any other thought. But it's been taken by Feist! I've read too many books, coming up with something original may be difficult.
Congratulations! Getting it done is a big accomplishment! {BIG SMILE}
Anne Elizabeth Baldwin
Thank you, ladies!
Yea, Jo. I'm a Feist fan as well. Midkemia's pretty much stuck in my head, too.
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