(Image nicked off the internet.)It's done. The first edit is complete! Whooohooo!!!
A friend said to me it sounded like I was experiencing childbirth with this edit. Well, all I can say if this was childbirth - and it was pretty damn painful - then the original writing process was sublime sex.
I don't know about the rest of you but for me, the first write of a new story is one magnificent adventure - it's passionate, intense, exhausting but entirely wonderful. Erm... just like good sex...
This story, like everything I've written (other than articles) just flowed from me - I wrote it one in a month, last year. I'm not a plotting, planning kind of writer, I'm what I call a "just writer" - I just write - any shaping or smoothing comes later.
So... when I get to the editing process... well, that's a whole other matter. It's when I edit that I have to think and consider. I have to hunt out extraneous words, pulverise any adverbs that might have snuck in, check my characterisation, my plotting, structure and voice. After the thrill of "just writing", this, let me assure, is a massive pain in the butt.
Fortunately, I'm getting better about it - and I hope - better at it.
But at least the first draft is now done. I'll send a copy off to my critique and writing partner (waves to Penny), and meanwhile start thinking about the next manuscript, which has been composting away for the past few months... I don't know about the rest of you writing sorts, but I find ideas and stories chase me down - I hope, frankly, that they never stop!
17 comments:
Hoora! As they say. Great stuff. My son has just read my first MS and, despite being only 13, has made some quite shrewd critical comments. The swelling in his right eye has gone down and he should be fine in amatter of days (joke!). Well done!
Children, I'm told, make great critics - now I just need to find myself some tame 15 - 17 year old girls to try my MS out on!
At that age they are far from tame Vanilla. Well done. I'm having a drink to celebrate with you.
Good luck with the rest of the process!
Well done, and good luck!
That's a great analogy. It also works for the fact that the writing is better when you wait until your in the mood and just can't keep your hands off the pen.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! *high five & big hug*
That's so great. I am thrilled for you.
Here's to getting it published!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Three cheers for you! And welcome back to blogging.
Are they ever tame - at any age, V? :-) Cheers!
Thanks, Silver - this is really just the start of the process - but it feels good to have got it to this stage.
Thanks, Marie!
Absolutely, Colleen - I think the best writing flows when one is "in the mood". I think too often we try to push ourselves to write when the moment is just not right.
Thanks Scarlett! Big hug right back at ya!
Thanks, Bonnie - so nice to get such a warm welcome back :-)
"I'm not a plotting, planning kind of writer, I'm what I call a "just writer" - I just write - any shaping or smoothing comes later."
I'm with you on this. I think I'm allergic to planning out my writing. I've tried it, but it just doesn't work.
I think at the end of the day, as with all things in life, we each have our own way - I just wish the plotting and planning sorts would be more accepting of the style of us "just writers" :-)
hey can we atleast get a little glimpse of what this story is abotu :), curious ...
btw I dont know if I am writer first, to think about the type :)
All in good time, Rambler :-)
As to determining the type of writer you are - do you plot out your writing first or do you just sit down and start writing with only a vague idea in mind?
Yay!! Well done. l write like that too because as far as lm concerned inspiration has no time to be bogged down by formality:)
That's very well put, Cleopantha!
Bloody blogger just ate my comment!
Try again ... just popping in from Cornwall to say how excited and delighted we are to catch this and to join in saying yay, yay and yay again.
Minx and Debi xxx
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