AQATWA: Recklessly writing

[inverarity]

I've mentioned before I usually have a very rough outline and then make up a lot of the details as I go along. Right now I just don't know exactly where I am going or how I'm going to get to the scenes I really want to write. So I'm doing a lot of "pantsing" (as in "seat of"). Which means Alexandra is just kind of... running around doing reckless things and occasionally I drop her off a cliff. So to speak.

On the one hand, I'm amused by the some of the dialog and the scenes. On the other hand, when you are overly amused by your own writing, it probably needs to get chopped.

This book is... I don't know, just going so slowly. I assure you, it's not waning enthusiasm or anything like that. (Though I have been distracted by the SF novel which I am actually going to start querying soon really, and the thought that I really should start working on another OF novel.) I've just not been able to muster much writing discipline, the kind that keeps me sitting in front of the keyboard for a few hours, long enough to knock off a few thousand words at a time.

Partly this is because of Real Life blahblahblah, but partly it's just a distressingly deficient attention span I've been suffering lately. The Internet is seriously becoming the enemy of my getting any writing done.

Lately I've been forcing myself, no matter how late I get home or how much I've been faffing about all day getting nothing much done, to open up AQATWA and write at least a few more paragraphs, every day. So slow progress is being made. But I definitely need to get back into some kind of writing rhythm, or frankly, this manuscript will not be done this year.

Also, it's still looking like it's gonna be a big one, since I am currently at 82,000 words, Chapter 18, and still in Act One.

Comments

[uneko.livejournal.com]

I know this is kinda silly, but I wanted to say, I"m proud of you for writing a little every day :) I see so many authors or artists who want o write more or draw more or whatever, but complain about not having time or enthusiasm or what not.. and I tell every one of them that the secret to success it to DO it every day, even if you have to miss out on a little sleep to do it. No one ever does. So I'm proud of you for that. <3

As for scenes amusing you.. please please please, if you end up chopping some of that stuff, save it in a "special deleted scenes" file or something. Even if there's not a place for it, artistically, in the middle of the story, that doesn't mean i'ts not good writing, it's just not HELPFUL writing :)

also, sweet, delicious, long stories <3

Outlining

[cheddartrek.livejournal.com]

How do you generally do your outlining? I've been reading up on a few different methods lately. The methods I've always used until now (for stories <40k long with minimal subplots/arcs) are proving less useful as I try to branch out into longer works.

Cheers

Re: Outlining

[inverarity.livejournal.com]

Honestly, my starting outlines have been brainstorming of scenes and major plot points, which I actually write down on paper. Then I develop a rough Table of Contents. I list chapters and hypothetical titles as I envision the book in its final form.

Then I start writing, and any resemblance between my final draft and the original TOC is purely coincidental.

Sometimes when I am stuck, I will use the pen-and-paper method to try to outline a little bit ahead at a time.

But that's pretty much it - mental maps and brainstorming on paper. And a long-term vision in my head. Anything more sophisticated, like all the various writing software out there, or techniques other writers recommend, has never done much for me.

Alexandra & writing...

[oceanlover69.livejournal.com]

I have just finished re-reading all 4 books for the third time. Really hated it when I hit the end of book 4 and had to stop...again. I especially enjoyed your writing about Alexandra's time in Dinétah. Lots of action, dangerous situations where she had to rely on just her own abilities to think outside-the-box.

I admire your writing ability and perseverance. Stephen King has a book on how he goes about writing and he does the same - he writes every day for a set period and reads, reads, reads.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next story - maybe a new wand & advice from the Grannies??? ;-))

Gary