Author: Elizabeth Spann Craig

I’d love to have the luxury of thoughtfully mulling over each word and getting wrapped up in the art of my writing—I just don’t have the time.

Between publisher deadlines, working for more than one imprint and editor, and trying to do my own independent projects, writing quickly has become mandatory for me.

If you’re in the same boat, or if you’re thinking of participating in NaNoWriMo next month, I thought I’d share what works for me. (Your mileage may vary.) :)

Tips for speeding through a first draft:

Have at least an idea where you’re heading with a story.

Write sequels and series—you’ll have an already-established setting and a core group of characters to write several books around.

Don’t worry about chapter breaks during a first draft. Or even a second draft.

Don’t stop to research or find the perfect word choice. Type in **** and come back to it later.

Learn to write anywhere and with any noise level . The ability to adapt to any environment makes the writing go faster.

Don’t obsess over the perfect character name. The name can easily be changed later after we’ve gotten to know the character better.

When you realize you’re not happy with the direction your story is taking, flag the point where you’re changing the plot line and just pick up with the new direction at that point.

Put random ideas and out of place scenes in a special Word file.

If you get stuck at some point in your book, consider writing a different part of the book until you’re ready to tackle the part that stumped you.

Make a short list of what you want to accomplish with your writing for the next day and where you plan on picking up with your story.

What works for you? Do you experiment with your process? And…are you participating in NaNoWriMo?

I’ve worked with several different editors for the series I’ve written/am writing.

Each editor has been very different. I’ve actually really appreciated the differences because I’m getting a different perspective each time I go through an edit.

My editor for the new series has kept me on my toes. I’m not good on the phone (actually, I hate phones), so I usually try not to talk on one. I’m also someone who makes books up as I go along…I don’t outline.

This editor likes to talk on the phone and review outlines. :)

The process has probably been good for me. Although it’s been challenging.

Our last conversation, though, showed my discomfort with both phones and outlines, all at once. My editor said, “Yes, the story you’re planning sounds really good. But I was wondering if you could change the killer?”

Now, if I’d been emailing, I would have written something really polished back. I’d have said I was delighted to change the killer and here were three alternates. Did she have a preference?

Since I was on the phone, though, I said, “Uhhhhh….”

It wasn’t that I was upset about making a change. Actually, I frequently change the killer while I’m writing my book…or even after I’ve written it. Easy enough, because all the suspects have motive, means, and opportunity. It doesn’t really matter to me which one does it because I’ve set up up so any of them could have murdered the victim.

But the difference was that I hadn’t written this book out yet…it was an outline. And I was on the phone. And I hadn’t thought it through.

Once I’d recovered and told her I’d be happy to make the change and would email her the possibilities, I took a look at the outline. She’d blown my mind enough that I couldn’t even remember who the other suspects were.

I found, though, that if I changed the killer, it actually was going to make the mystery a lot more interesting. As I started exploring the possibilities, more ideas came to me. Some of the ideas weren’t going to work, but others were more interesting.

It really changed the entire book, since it was an outline. If I were just doing a revision of a finished book, it wouldn’t have probably changed it that much…because I’d just have tweaked it in a few places and rewritten the last couple of chapters.

I’m still no fan of outlines (even though this particular instance worked out well), but it made me think about the other project that I’m starting right now..the one that I’m not outlining. I always have a big-picture idea of a book when I’m starting out, a general direction I’m heading in. In fact, I usually write the back cover copy for a book before I start writing the manuscript.

Maybe I could write several completely different big-picture ideas for the new book. Wildly different from each other. And see which one I like best.

Do you come up with different outcomes of a book when you’re brainstorming? Or do you latch onto the first feasible idea you have (which is, ordinarily, what I do…although I frequently revise it later)?

Below are the writing-related links I tweeted last week.

The Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine, designed by software engineer and writer Mike Fleming, makes all these links searchable. Sign up for the free monthly WKB newsletter for the web’s best links and interviews: http://bit.ly/gx7hg1 .

Recent news: Progressive Dinner Deadly is a Myrtle Clover mystery, available for $2.99 on Kindle and Nook. The 3rd book in the Memphis Barbeque series will release November 1—Hickory Smoked Barbeque (available now for preorder).

Hope everyone has a great week! Good luck with your writing.

10 Tips Writers can Learn from Bad Movies: http://bit.ly/oYOxmd @LyndaRYoung

What makes a novel a page-turner? http://bit.ly/ql7atc @jamesscottbell

Weeding or editing: http://bit.ly/qvSF3L @nicolamorgan

Is your YA setting hitting the wrong nerve? http://bit.ly/oFWCvl @YAConfidential

Real Life Diagnostics: Dreaming of a Good Start: http://bit.ly/q51SDj

Creating Cover Art: Down & Dirty Tips: http://bit.ly/pnYzC1

How do you get fans without 1st having word-of-mouth? 1 at a time: http://bit.ly/qrpJM2

How to Self-Publish an Ebook with Smashwords: 32 Authors Share Their Tips and Tricks: http://bit.ly/p3jk5h

5 Steps to Adding Social Follow Buttons to Your Website: http://bit.ly/pYmBWp @bookmarketer

Book Cover Design Tips: http://bit.ly/nHBqEu @thecreativepenn

The Philosophy of Writing and Reading: http://bit.ly/qIYnQi @FantasyFaction

What Elements Make a “Good Book”? http://bit.ly/p6iYpx @KMWeiland

Self-publishing news & views on @jfbookman ‘s Carnival of the Indies: http://bit.ly/nviJMo

Fictional sleuths who disarm their suspects with charm: http://bit.ly/ptbdag @mkinberg

Handling both good and bad reviews: http://bit.ly/qZK8Kc

The danger of inspirational fiction: http://bit.ly/p2AFq9 @NovelRocket

Should Your Story Be Told by an Unreliable Narrator? http://bit.ly/pR8tz7 @LTWFblog

Thoughts on writing for kids: http://bit.ly/qf11f0 @spacejock

A writer’s partnership with editors & the importance of revisions: http://bit.ly/o4MZcG

The similarities between self-publishing and blogging: http://bit.ly/mYpLWl @jfbookman

Why You Should Only Query 6-8 Agents at a Time: http://bit.ly/nM9Ssh

Where to Find Free Market Listings for Writers: http://bit.ly/olLWqX @JaneFriedman

Resources for writing SF/F: http://bit.ly/qM8fns

15 Terms for Forms and Types of Governance: http://bit.ly/pssYRv

A Good Editor – Don’t Leave Home Without One: http://bit.ly/nNgOeH

Plot is linear, story doesn’t have to be: http://bit.ly/rnZviq @dirtywhitecandy

Why are our heroes getting darker? http://bit.ly/oQExrV @FantasyFaction

A Checklist for Marketing Your Ebook: http://bit.ly/pXcoGb @JaneFriedman

Tips for writing action: http://bit.ly/qmjSv9 @jhansenwrites

Agents Who Want to Be Publishers: Get Author Consent in Writing: http://bit.ly/otia2n @PassiveVoiceBlg

Straddling Genres: http://bit.ly/n4Nvd4 @jemifraser

25 insights on becoming a better writer: http://bit.ly/ngWXRq @the99percent

Review: Kobo eReader Touch: http://bit.ly/qL6mzv #ebook

5 Android Apps For Writing: http://bit.ly/qs7z8c @ebooknewser

Write Yourself into Your Characters: http://bit.ly/qtpt4H @fuelyourwriting

10 Websites and Blogs of Punctuation Protectors: http://bit.ly/pUu1Ud

How to speak publisher – D is for day job: http://bit.ly/qWLH0t

Thoughts on putting an anthology together: http://bit.ly/pOGYFG

Bust-A-Myth #1: Don’t Start Sentences With Because: http://bit.ly/p4X8Wv @Grammar_Diva

11 Habits of Highly Effective Interviewers: http://bit.ly/qZ1NHS @write_practice

Change of Seasons–Visioning Time for Your Book? http://bit.ly/nR2Ado

5 Ways to Keep Your Writing Engine Running: http://bit.ly/q717mh @writeitsideways

The Fear of Not Succeeding:http://bit.ly/pUpFzN @PBRWriter

Add layers to your first chapter: http://bit.ly/qqhNC8 @laurapauling

On daydreaming and word counts: http://bit.ly/nTtwMw

The Emotional Roller Coaster Ride of a Book Release: http://bit.ly/oFVk9J @jodyhedlund

7 steps for better blog design: http://bit.ly/owdx5O @jeffgoins

Become the Hero of Your Writing Life: http://bit.ly/phBHwd @katie_tallo

Artfully Editing Your Personal Essays: http://bit.ly/pcQ1S0

How The Amazon Tablet Will 1-Click Enable Your Life: http://bit.ly/oT11rf @PassiveVoiceBlg

Does writing affect one’s love of reading? http://bit.ly/opSTIv

The benefits of humor in suspense: http://bit.ly/rePTj4 @joanswan

BannedBooksWeek– A look at Huckleberry Finn: bit.ly/q2KT37 @p2p_editor

#BannedBooksWeek–A look at “Catcher in the Rye”: bit.ly/q2KT37 @p2p_editor

#BannedBooksWeek–A look at “Fahrenheit 451”: http://bit.ly/nDjkMO @p2p_editor

How *not* to introduce a new character: http://bit.ly/pJvqWV @write_practice

Trouble at Aspen Mountain Press: http://bit.ly/oohxgf @VictoriaStrauss

Poetic Forms: Rispetto: http://bit.ly/nSkuBI

How To Check Out Kindle Library On The iPad: http://bit.ly/qhGbvo @ebooknewser

A writer’s minimum viable product: http://bit.ly/nUDS7U @jfbookman

A look at what makes a story a story: http://bit.ly/pt3vs4 @JaneFriedman

3 Places To Get Off Your Grammar High Horse: http://bit.ly/mZeWBk @Grammar_Diva

4 skills fantasy writers need: http://bit.ly/pWWYHf

1st round edits–the editorial letter: http://bit.ly/qER3t9

Tips for beta readers: http://bit.ly/r1HiO3 @Sarafurlong

5 Essential Tips For Creating A Children’s Book: http://bit.ly/qn0hqO @thecreativepenn

10 ways to increase story tension: http://bit.ly/qwmHSh @CherylRWrites

Differentiating between characters: http://bit.ly/oQ99g8

“Playwrights…stand in the back of the theatre & watch the audience, not the play.” @LaurHarrington http://ow.ly/6GmbZ RT@Porter_Anderson

#BannedBooksWeek: A look at “Lolita”: bit.ly/nvsljW @p2p_editor

10 Reasons It’s Great to Be a Writer: http://bit.ly/rnCyLW @elspethwrites

Tips for finding a good pen name: http://bit.ly/o2642k @WriteAngleBlog

10 questions to ask your characters : http://bit.ly/paYEyE @jammer0501

10 tips for planning a blog tour: http://bit.ly/nzXXS1 @BryanThomasS

Tips for staying inspired to finish your book: http://bit.ly/nFj4Qs @NovelRocket

Conference flubs aren’t fatal: http://bit.ly/ogNuKM

Why Seth Godin says we are all weird now + what this means for your blog: http://bit.ly/rs0PFx @justinemusk

The Parable of the Little Book of Stories: http://bit.ly/p3mBMR @jfbookman

5 Words and Their Nonantonymic Antonyms: http://bit.ly/qY3VK7

Are you writing the right medium? http://bit.ly/oUvLuS @jammer0501

6 tips for author readings: http://bit.ly/n6SyXP @RLLaFevers

Stiff competition makes self-editing essential: http://bit.ly/oI7z8j @bubblecow

Reading our old books is like an echo from the past: http://bit.ly/omAevM @barbaraoneal

Bad v. badly: http://bit.ly/r5jp3L

Writers–learn & manage the business side of : http://bit.ly/oxug17 @DeanWesleySmith

Enough with the ‘Facebook is Free’ Already: http://bit.ly/nbGMrF @catseyewriter

How many sample chapters should we sent agents or editors? http://bit.ly/qb8f2I @WritersDigest

10 Things You Can Do Now to Promote the Book You Haven’t Even Sold Yet: http://bit.ly/pPWXdU @NovelRocket

Shortcut to scene: http://bit.ly/qdrtBe @Mommy_Authors

7 Ways to Perfect Your Writing “Tone”: http://bit.ly/nAWsLC @WritersDigest

Tips for staying on task: http://bit.ly/qbG61x

Why nouns matter–objects and labels: http://bit.ly/n0wzCo @JulietteWade

5 Facebook Changes and What You Need to Know: http://bit.ly/ntzZST

The “Than” Versus “Then” Debacle: http://bit.ly/n3WqCW @write_practice

A few queries that didn’t work: http://bit.ly/r4liL7

The Future Of Books: A Dystopian Timeline: http://tcrn.ch/oICGte #publishing

7 Tips to Improve Your Novel’s Pacing: http://bit.ly/rdMr7m @janice_hardy

Do you have to write high-concept to have a successful novel? http://bit.ly/qApRrv @LauraPauling

Pre-Writing Preparation–or Not: http://bit.ly/q3ViaA @elspethwrites

How To Find Free eBooks for Your iPhone: http://bit.ly/q0rPFK @galleycat

4 years into the ebook revolution: things we know and things we don’t know: http://bit.ly/ngFoq9 @PassiveVoiceBlg

Facebook attempts to be more like Twitter & Google+: http://bit.ly/nZkGuk @KristenLambTX

Catch up w/ industry news & views with this thoughtful digest by @Porter_Anderson for @JaneFriedman: http://bit.ly/oLZIZE

Words to consider cutting if your word count is too high: http://bit.ly/rbRRfe

When Writers Don’t Agree With the Publisher/Publicist’s Message: http://bit.ly/qffswR @BlurbIsAVerb

Konrath looks at his ebook predictions from 2009 & makes some new ones: http://bit.ly/oZplBc

Can You Really Force a Character To Do What You Want? http://bit.ly/mXf5c0 @lisagailgreen

Yes, you do have time to write: http://bit.ly/pJ6TvB

Free Alternatives To Microsoft Word: http://bit.ly/p0TCeW @bubblecow

Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt Into Fuel for Brilliance: http://bit.ly/n0Wd4I @jfbookman

A Writer’s Reading Diet And Why It Is Crucial To Stray: http://bit.ly/nRd9QW @BTMargins

1 writer says not to waste time and energy on bad books: http://bit.ly/oWWwD8

If you write a great script, Hollywood will find you: http://bit.ly/rbg7Ca #screenwriting

Nanowrimo Prep: Writing Your Best Idea: http://bit.ly/mRWaNq @AlexSokoloff

Bad Publishing Contract Clauses, Part 1: http://bit.ly/qr1R2e @VictoriaStrauss

6 Common Myths About Book Reviews: http://bit.ly/qupbjf @BookMarketer

Using Scriptwriting to Fix Problem Scenes: http://bit.ly/pcJMpw @Janice_Hardy

Queries: keeping records: http://bit.ly/oA3RFB @donnahosie

The waiting game for screenwriters: http://bit.ly/qL80C6 @scriptmag

How Should Publishers Respond to #eBook Errors? http://bit.ly/mZamn1 @galleycat

#BannedBooksWeek–Cat’s Cradle: bit.ly/r74zRD @p2p_editor

6 Keys to Opening Up New Possibilities in Your Story: http://bit.ly/nSjfvv

Seat of the Pants Writers: Tips and Tricks to Overcoming Challenges: http://bit.ly/mRTAFE @jeanniecampbell

Best Articles This Week for Writers 9/30/11: http://bit.ly/pf3b4I @4kidlit

A Balance of Action and Information: http://bit.ly/phheSt

Fantasy Tropes: Freakishly Familiar Settings: http://bit.ly/nBKkVf @a_shostak

Elements of Superhero Stories That Might Be More Realistic Than You Realize: http://bit.ly/pFzurU

Embracing the embarrassing: http://bit.ly/ngIvyf @Mommy_Authors

A Tour of India Finds Publishers Focused on the Digital Future: http://bit.ly/qgliJr #publishing

Amazon Kindle Fire: Setting the Tablet World Ablaze? http://bit.ly/r9POVV @jfbookman

Tips for writing literary fiction: http://bit.ly/nHCOgR @dirtywhitecandy

Social Communities: Build Your Name & Brand Through Networking: http://bit.ly/odwzau @CuriosityQuills

10 tips for editing your own book: http://bit.ly/odLf7Y @bubblecow

What Advertising Can Teach a Children’s Writer: http://bit.ly/oWfugf @JaneFriedman

A writer with 3 query tips: http://bit.ly/pOUCjF

7 Writing Tips from The Princess and the Pea: http://bit.ly/qGBGcl

What’s Your (Story) Problem? http://bit.ly/qHpPzg @BookEmDonna

Gettin’ Physical: The Dos and Don’ts of Character Description: http://bit.ly/q2MoNK @BTMargins

For literary inspiration follow @AdviceToWriters. Jon Winokur dispenses writerly wisdom of the ages.

Finding the perfect writing notebook & using it to finish your book: http://bit.ly/p5xwNC

Author Blogs–Solid Platform, Wrong Audience: http://bit.ly/nYUumW @KristenLambTX

An author under the influence: Why alcohol and ink don’t mix (National Post): http://natpo.st/qbpVI0 @nationalpost

Breaking into screenwriting: writing between the lines: http://bit.ly/qntQjL @scriptmag

Quick Tips for ISBNs: http://bit.ly/o5KWHZ

An agent answers a question about multiple agents: http://bit.ly/r3bLqe @greyhausagency

Need to cut words from your manuscript? Tips to make it easier: http://bit.ly/qQOh1o

Where to find critique groups: http://bit.ly/mViVGB

Joe Konrath encourages writers not to wait to : http://bit.ly/oiCzBR

Writers Must Kill Self-Doubt Before Self-Doubt Kills Them: http://bit.ly/nVeNP8 @ChuckWendig

People with Tablets Buy More Online: http://bit.ly/nsAJU3 Wall St. Journal via @PassiveVoiceBlg

I was reading the paper yesterday morning and saw an article by Steven Brown at The Charlotte Observer. He usually reviews our local symphony and opera group, so I was a little surprised to see him reviewing a visual art exhibition.

The art is unusual, as you can see. It’s a traveling exhibit and is making its way through American cities.

Steven Brown stated in his article for the paper:

“Here’s what I see most every day. People stop. They look….They step inside “La Cabeza” and peer out through its teeth.”

He makes the point that some more traditional-looking sculptures around Charlotte are passed by, unnoticed by people walking by.

And…I agree with him. When I took my children to uptown Charlotte to have lunch with my sister, they went inside the skull—checking it out from all angles. Even my teenager. They were positively drawn to it. And…it’s art. It’s not art that everyone might like, but it’s art that’s getting their interest and attention. It’s accessible.

In a way, I think genre fiction fills that need in the book world. Genre fiction writers are bringing books to the people—books that are usually easily-understood, accessible, interesting, and fun. If someone doesn’t think of himself as a reader, maybe a genre book in a subject interesting to him, can put him on a path of reading that can also branch into more literary-reads.

Frequently, print reviewers pick literary fiction as more of the focus. And it gets a lot of praise…well-deserved, of course. But in sheer numbers, genre fiction is responsible for a majority of book sales.

Here are some interesting posts on genre that I’ve been reading lately:

13 Ways to Add Depth to Your Genre Novel—Victoria Mixon’s look at giving your book some depth.

When literary authors slum in genre—Tor points out that genre writers are starting to get more respect.

The Two Worlds of Literature: What Serious Writers Can Learn from Genre Comrades in Arms—I love this article on e-reads about where genre writers excel.

I think there’s an important place in our society for high art—in reading, music, and art. But I think it’s also important to provide art that’s accessible to everyone.

Are you a genre reader or writer?

Many writers are looking for someone to make a read-through of their manuscript and offer feedback or constructive criticism.

The problem is, usually, finding someone to do it. Family and friends are frequently not the best choices…either they’re not big readers, don’t read the genre we’re trying to sell, or else they’re not wanting to hurt our feelings and offer genuine feedback.

Fortunately, the online writing community has blossomed. It’s now possible to find writers online to trade critiques with—you read their work, they read yours.

I’ve posted on critique groups before, but I’ve recently had a few writers ask how to find them, so I thought I’d run a post again. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a crit group, but I do pay attention when they’re mentioned online.

Finding a Group

Clarissa Draper has been particularly good about keeping up with critique groups that are available online for writers. This post mentions quite a few of them. She also helps connect writers with critique partners, personally. Here is a post that explains how and here is where you sign up.

If you’re looking for an in-person group, it’s worth the few minutes to pop over to Meetup.com and type in ‘critique group’ and your location to see if there are groups in your area.

How Groups Usually Work

Usually, with online critique groups, you’re paired with one person or a small group of people who write the same genre. You email each other the work you want critiqued. Each group should operate with its own set of rules, covering how often each member can send in material to be critiqued by the others (it’s no good if one person sends a chapter every day and the others are too busy reading the one person’s work to write), when your critiques of other writers’ work is due, etc.

Other Thoughts on Making a Critique Group Work Well

I found, in the groups I belonged to in the past, that everything worked a little better if I was paired with another mystery writer, or someone who read mysteries.

It’s also good if you’re roughly at the same level of ability (otherwise it’s like playing tennis when you’re poorly matched. You either get killed each time or you’re killing the other person. Not as much fun.)

I’ve found that it’s nice to tell beta readers or crit partners exactly what you’re looking for. Are they supposed to be just looking for typos and grammar problems? Are you looking for global revision suggestions (character problems, plot issues)?

Also, it’s good to be positive. If the person’s book really needs work, there should at least be something there to comment positively on—the concept of the book, an interesting character, a cool setting, etc.

I think it might also be important to know what we’re looking for, ourselves. Are we really ready to hear that our book needs work?

Have you ever used a critique group? Was it online or in-person? How did it work for you?