A few months, and a few horrible story attempts later, I told my family that some day I plan to be a published author.
My mother rolled her eyes, as she had heard that speech before, except with a different profession. There was actress, singer, cop, fashion designer, ect.
My father told me flat out that I will never be an author. His excuse was that all real authors write from an outline (something I couldn't put together to save my life), and all authors write in a notebook and then type it up on the computer later (which I tried to do but it doubles the work).
Truth is, there is no correct way to write. Some people prefer silence, while some like music when they write. Some enjoy those outlines, while some run from them as though they bite.
I've tried a variety of writing techniques to find the one that works for me. I tried writing only 500 words a day, but that failed as by the time I would reach word 500 my brain would finally turn on. I tried writing the story 'right' the first time so that I wouldn't have to do too much of editing but it took me forever to write that story. I even tried that outline but I got bored with the project and abandoned the story after five chapters.
Now as I had taken a very long unplanned break from writing (because life got in the way), I'm trying to get back into the writing swing and I'm trying a new writing technique to see if this one will work for me.
So, how do you write? What works for you and what doesn't?
I'm still trying to find that perfect routine. Right now what's working is to do a [character] wants [goal] because [motivation] but [conflict] sentence for each key scene then giving the characters their head. I'll never be a complete outline writer but I'd like to get to the point where my first drafts are cleaner than complete pantsing. I've also found that each story is a different process. But whether that's just me trying things or the story needing to be told that way I couldn't say.
ReplyDeleteGood luck finding what works!
I write from a sketchy outline, just enough to know the beginning middle and end of each chapter. My only other prerequisite is absolute silence. --that way I can hear the voices in my head. :grin:
ReplyDeleteI haven't formed a specific routine that works like a well designed Formula One car. I'm still working on that "something" that clicks for me. However, I do some character bios and a skeleton outline that helps me from chapter to chapter, scene to scene and allows the flexibility for when - not if - my brain detours off on something hopefully helpfu.
ReplyDeleteI hear that - there's no one proper way to write,that's for sure. I have a general outline, but how to get from point a to point b is always up in the air!
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