Here’s the thing I wish every writer knew — especially those just starting out, or those in the middle of a project, stuck and circling, desperate for clarity:
So much great advice here. This is partially why I wing some of the writing I do--start with a hazy image of what I want, play around a bit, take out what I don't need or don't resonate with, and rehash it. Writing is almost like molding with clay, and so many of us learn through doing.
This is all so true. If you wait to start until you have a clear plan the chances are you will never start. With my book that’s coming out this autumn I plunged in and tried out everything and although the process was long and frustrating (though also sometimes exhilarating) the end result has a freshness that I like a lot. Definitely don’t overplan
I did exactly this with my current wip. Wrote the first scenes in third person. Took the dog for a walk. Came back and wrote the first scene in first person and - the difference!
I'm a planner, so an A3 drawing pad and I plan the characters and then a note book with the chapters mapped out. It gives me focus and structure but I can also chop and change as and when. A friend of mine, likens her writing to cooking with lots of pots bubbling and she had a spoonful of this and that a pinch of spice or seasoning. Personally I couldn't do that.
It wasn’t bravery. I simply started writing a novel one morning and kept going. It felt natural, if a bit scary. I'd never come across the term pantser at the time. If I had I'd probably have run a mile.
Such sage advice. I wasted so much time at the beginning of writing my current book, worrying about planning. It never ceases to amaze me how our writer's brain kicks in once we actually turn up and write.
Happy Easter, Kathryn! 🐣 This is brilliant. Now I don’t feel like any of the writing is wasted even if in future I have to rewrite/scrap bits. The most exciting thing to happen when I was writing was the characters doing their own thing. 🫶🏻🤩
So much great advice here. This is partially why I wing some of the writing I do--start with a hazy image of what I want, play around a bit, take out what I don't need or don't resonate with, and rehash it. Writing is almost like molding with clay, and so many of us learn through doing.
This is all so true. If you wait to start until you have a clear plan the chances are you will never start. With my book that’s coming out this autumn I plunged in and tried out everything and although the process was long and frustrating (though also sometimes exhilarating) the end result has a freshness that I like a lot. Definitely don’t overplan
That’s exactly it!
Insightful
I did exactly this with my current wip. Wrote the first scenes in third person. Took the dog for a walk. Came back and wrote the first scene in first person and - the difference!
Well said, it's a get-out-of-jail card for me, thanks!
I'm a planner, so an A3 drawing pad and I plan the characters and then a note book with the chapters mapped out. It gives me focus and structure but I can also chop and change as and when. A friend of mine, likens her writing to cooking with lots of pots bubbling and she had a spoonful of this and that a pinch of spice or seasoning. Personally I couldn't do that.
So many ways to approach it! It’s fascinating!
I know, deb is a master at what she does. Personally, I couldn't I think it harps back to my teaching days of being planned and focused.
As a pantser this is pretty much how I work. I let the characters lead the way, discovering as they discover.
You're braver than me! I do need a certain amount of direction, but always leave room for discovery.
It wasn’t bravery. I simply started writing a novel one morning and kept going. It felt natural, if a bit scary. I'd never come across the term pantser at the time. If I had I'd probably have run a mile.
😆 One day I'll try it!
Good luck.
Hear hear! I needed to hear this. 🙏
Such sage advice. I wasted so much time at the beginning of writing my current book, worrying about planning. It never ceases to amaze me how our writer's brain kicks in once we actually turn up and write.
Exactly! It takes a certain amount of faith, but it's that the case for all creative projects?
Yes, so true.
Happy Easter, Kathryn! 🐣 This is brilliant. Now I don’t feel like any of the writing is wasted even if in future I have to rewrite/scrap bits. The most exciting thing to happen when I was writing was the characters doing their own thing. 🫶🏻🤩
Also, thanks for all your help! I made it through round one of edits and the MS is off to the developmental editor. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Excellent news! Let me know how it goes!
Omg so so sorry I keep doing it. ***Katherine 🙈🙈🙈
😂 Don’t worry! It happens!