We need to own our process and not think less of it. What do I mean? Our process - the way we write a book. If it's working for you, and by working I mean you get to the end and have a finished book, then OWN IT. What's wrong with that? Why do we keep looking for the next great way to write a book when we already know how? Do you write straight through and vomit out a messy first draft? Great! Do you putter as you go, editing and tweaking until the first draft is almost publishable as is? Fabulous! Do you write scenes as they come to you, then put it all together in the end? Wonderful!
I write this because it's been my observation that when we try a new process and force ourselves into that new method, it doesn't work. And the not working can be ugly.
So stop looking and embrace what you're doing! Your process doesn't have to be anyone else's! It works for you and what's so wrong with that?
Now go write. Feel free to tell me what your process is before you go, though.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Own Your Process
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Yes! I've tried new methods and it's been a horrible train wreck. LOL!
ReplyDeleteBut I DO like to read books on what to think about or consider when writing a good story. But the process or method is my own. :)
Great post Kristen! I haven't really tried new methods. LOL I'm stubborn. I tend to write completely seat of the pants, but before I start a new scene I usually edit the previous pages a bit. It gets me into the mood of the story, I think.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm a pantser, then I usually have lots of loose threads and stuff to tie up in revisions. ONe thing I know, I will never plot. I might think about external conflict, internal, kind of figure out what I want, but the thought of writing it all down. Uh-uh. I like to just write, messy though it may be. LOL! I remember you said that you don't know the endings of your stories before you write them. I'm pretty much the same as that.
I like my process.
Again, great post. This is something I think we need to hear.
You ar so right! finally,with this book, I'm writing it how I want to and it is actually the fastest one with the less struggles I've ever written and it is a mixture of methods. So when people ask me how I writer, I tell them to find their own way. What works for one--may not work for the next. Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteYou know I love this topic like premenstrual women love ice cream. What if, just hypothetically speaking, this would not ever be me or anything, you own your process and your freaking HATE it? Hmmm? What if the process makes you lose sleep, go bald, yell at your loved ones, consume vast quantities of alcohol, and second guess your way into oblivion?
ReplyDeleteYes, my process is my process. But sometimes it hurts and I want to find a better way. My process has produced 24 books (not counting the one hiding under my bed) but it has also generated one too many wrinkles.
That's why I'm obsessed with the writer's process. I want a better way. I did it once, and loved the outcome. Next time? Couldn't do it.
Great post, as always.
Thanks for this uplifting post. My process is whatever is to get me through. But I often stall by beating myself up and thinking that others are so much better than me and doing it better so I spend lots of time researching them. Los of in between wasted time.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime over the years I've written 5 complete books. Imagine if I didn't look a other's process and just wrote my books then fine tuned them getting better each time. Now I'm wondering.
Thanks hon!
My process has changed a little with every book. I wrote the first one entirely by the seat of my pants, and the second one I plotted. I discovered neither of those ways works 100% for me, so now I do a bit of both. Which one ends up paramount depends on the book. This last one was needed more plotting, the one before that more pantsing. Heh, I guess that means not having a set process is my process.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have a process. I try something different with every book, maybe seeking that elusive Perfect Process that will make it all be easier.
ReplyDeleteI'm begining to think each book is like each kid...you raise each differently based on their personality, and sometimes you have to improvise. Maybe I'm not seeking a new PROCESS each time, just adapting to the new book's unique personality and needs.
Unfortunately, my process has mixed results. I either get an idea and write in a mad dash for days or weeks or I get an idea, write a chapter and then keep re-writing it because it doesn't feel right. I've been a panster for a while, but I feel the need to shift into a more organized way of writing. Because my first drafts can be pretty bare bones and sometimes, too short, so I have to go back in and add tons of stuff and then sometimes I have to start the whole book over again, almost from scratch and re-write it. And, then, re-write it or revise it even more.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have a shiny new process for sale?
I totally agree. I recently decided to try outlining and plotting a series of novels and ended up plotting them right to death. I'm no plotter, my process has always been to write from start to finish with only a bare idea to begin with, the characters giving me the story as I go.
ReplyDeleteIt's how I've always written, it's always produced great stories, why the heck did I decide I needed to do it different this time? Beats me! :) No more, I'm back to my M.O. and it's working fine.
So far I've been a pantser, but I feel like I need to get more direction. My plot is a little weak when I write The End, and if I plotted first, maybe it'd be stronger.
ReplyDeleteOn my next book, I'm planning a little story boarding.
I find when I'm editing, I'm a lot more secure knowing where I need to go, and hopefully plotting will give me the security wihtout taking the fun away. We'll see!
Amen! Preach it, sister.
ReplyDeleteI freely admit that I'm an obsessive tweaker. That's why it takes me so long to write a full-length novel.
I'm a mix between a plotter and panster. I write out detailed character sketches and a veerrrry bare bones plot (i.e. I know what the first three chapters will be and what the black moment will be but have no idea how my characters will get from A to Z) I puke out that first draft, usually with lots of description, then go back and edit out the unnecessary crap, and then layer in emotion. Sometimes I wish I was one of those people who could plot everything out first but I've tried it and it doesn't work for me, so I stopped trying to force it.
ReplyDeleteI've altered my process a bit but it's working for me. Though right now I'm not owning my writing. I need to get back to it...
ReplyDeleteI'm 50 pages in and have no idea what my book is about. But it's really good. It's the best I've ever done. Whatever it is.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. I just write as much as I can and go back to re-edit the next day to get familiar with what I've written, then I push on. That's my method. The plotting is all done in my head. I've seen this work for me in many books. If I try to plot too hard, I get frustrated. Why fix the creative flow if it's working.
ReplyDeleteI'm still tweaking my own perfect process, I suppose, but this is fabulous advice.
ReplyDeleteMy process has completely changed over a number of books. I started out a plotter. It worked for me. And then for some reason I pantsed a book. Then the next and so on. Now, not only am I pantsing, I'm also writing out of order. I really hate writing this way, but it's what is working at this time.
ReplyDeleteAmen. :-)
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! I've always been searchign for the 'perfect' method for writing a book, as if I could do it faster or better somehow.
ReplyDeleteI'm processing more than my writing...my day job has bullied my writing and I'm about to take it back! Wish me luck!
ReplyDelete