For some reason, it took me a long time to figure out what worked for me and what didn’t with my writing.
I kept trying to use techniques that other writers I knew found useful.
Sometimes I thought up new approaches to writing a book and tried them out.
Finally, after failing miserably trying these different things, I discovered what worked. And now that I know, I’m not deviating too much off of that.
What works for me: (but not for everybody!)
Getting an idea—usually about the victim.
Mulling the idea over to see if it’s viable.
Writing a very short blurb about it—like back cover copy.
I look at the back cover copy to see if the story idea makes sense.
I come up with the characters that might want to murder this particular type of victim.
Why would my sleuth get involved with this? Is her involvement realistic?
I start shooting through the first draft. I plan for the next day before I stop (short plans…no outlines.)
If I get stuck at a point in the story, I skip it and jump forward to another section of the book (marking the point I defected with highlighter so I can return to it later.)
I don’t stop for anything—not research, not chapter breaks, not anything.
Finish the first draft.
What I’ve tried before that hasn’t worked so well:
Outlines. And outlines seem to work really well for half the writers I know and seem to mess up the other half. I get messed up. I overthink the text, try to stay the course, and end up with very academic-sounding prose that isn’t my natural voice.
Working through a block. I’ve wrestled with points in the story where I’ve gotten stuck until I’m sick of the book. I’d try working it from different angles, try just writing something. Ick. For me, it’s better to work on a completely different section of the book and come back to the problem area later (sort of like taking a test.) It managed to screw up my momentum if I stopped and picked at it.
Writing nearly every section of the book out of order. Not too bad on the creativity end of things, but when you’re putting the scenes in order and trying to write in transitions? It was a nightmare for me. Now I just write out of order when I’m truly stuck on a section or I’m in the mood to write a scene with a different tone.
Stopping to research. As Alan mentioned in his excellent post on Friday, research and the first draft can be a bad combination. I get so easily distracted online.
Setting up a particular time of the day to write. If anything came up and I couldn’t write during that scheduled time, then I waited until the next day to write. I get a lot more done if I just go with the flow and write when I have a chance.
Putting in chapter breaks as I go. This REALLY messes me up. I think it makes me start looking at the technical side of things (formatting) before I’m done with the creative end.
Have you figured out what works for you? Are you still trying different approaches to writing a book?
I am still learning what works for me. Except one thing I know, when I am writing-I need to not go online at all. I have the attention span of a 2-year-old and get distracted easily.
Thanks, Elizabeth, for another helpful post.
Elizabeth – Thanks for sharing what works for you. You’ve got some very good ideas! I’ve found some things that work for me, too. Like you, for instance, I start with the victim. Who is s/he? After all, it’s almost always something about the victim that gets her or him killed.
I have to admit, I’m an outline person. I keep it as flexible as I can, because the story always changes as I write. But I feel most comfortable with some sort of overall story structure. I suppose that’s my academic writing background rearing its head ; )…
I can’t tell you right this minute what works and doesn’t for me, because the stuff I’ve been working on required some different techniques, and I have to sort through it yet.
I am now looking at something I wrote ten years ago, and am surprised at how good it is – and I think that may be a good thing to compare to what I this past month. (So maybe I’ll write a post like this on my blog – we could start a meme.)
I do think, though, that each book (or at least each series or different kind of book) has different things that work for it.
I think if writers find out what “works” for them they risk producing work that is too samey. Being shambolic, anarchic and unreliable is fine — provided the writing does get done.
Discovering the right narrative voice, POV and characters’ voices generally takes a very very long time. I think these things gel eventually, providing you get consistent helpful feedback.
And ask yourself the right questions. Mainly “what do I actually WANT from this book?” :)
I like this post. I’ve been trying some different approaches with my current wip, and not sure if I’m comfortable with them or not. I’m letting this draft set awhile, then I’ll go back to it and judge. I agree that online writing & creative writing don’t mesh real well for me. They seem to use different parts of the brain or something!
First, I’d like to say how much I enjoy your blog, Elizabeth. I don’t comment often, but I read it every day.
Back to the question. For me, what does and doesn’t work depends very much on the book. Each novel I’ve written, I’ve approached in a different way. My current WIP I used index cards to kickstart the process, which I’ve never done before. I guess I’ll eventually work out what’s best. :)
I love outlines, which work very well for me, but I’m like you in that writing out of order is a bad idea. It throws me off track. I don’t like having a scheduled time to write either, because then it feels like a responsibility and those are no fun :)
I begin in the same way as you: who killed whom and why, but very soon I write a rather thorough outline (a few pages which I will expand later). Without it I seem to be unable to get anywhere. But I try not to be too rigid in my routines so your idea of leaving a chapter when you are stuck and try writing something else has been very useful for me.
How cool to read what works for you and what doesn’t. We’re actually fairly similar in this respect for sure. Outlines? Not for me. I’m more of a note taker, but try to force a formal outline out of you, and you’re asking for trouble. Great post, though. I think this is a necessary step to understand yourself as a writer–understanding that not every technique is for you.
I am still learning as well, but I don’t think I can write out of order. Now, that doesn’t mean I can’t go back and change the order. But I can’t knowingly write out of order. I don’t think…ask me again in a few years!
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
The setting up particular times made me laugh. I sort of do that, but more often than not those times I had planned are interrupted by needy kids. So I squeeze it in whenever I can (why I so liked your post last week).
~ Wendy
I can’t imagine not starting out with the victim – after all it’s the murder that’s the hub of the wheel of the plot.
I don’t write out of order as I think I would get far too confused and I do have an outline. It’s not incredibly detailed but it does give me the main characters and their motives with a general idea of what gets revealed when.
I don’t outline either. It kind of ruins the fun for me somehow.
If I know I’ll need research I try to do it in advance. Sometimes later is too late for me.
I figured out what worked for me while writing my memoir, but with this new piece, it’s a whole new deal. I’m working with a writing coach and it’s helping me tremendously. As are your posts, Elizabeth. Thank you.
Karen
Teresa–I think our attention span might be about the same!
Margot–The victim makes the crime story go round, doesn’t it? As far as outlines, I’ve heard from so many writers that really swear by them!
The Daring Novelist–That’s always a little scary for me–trying something completely different! I love looking back at old things that I’ve written…it’s almost like someone else wrote it.
Karen–Sometimes I had to wait until the end of the first draft to be able to tell if what I tried worked out well or not.
Vicki–Thanks so much for coming by! :) I do like index cards, but mostly for stuffing in my purse or suitcase to write on. Sometimes I lose these index cards–a bad thing!
M.J.–That’s a good point–we do need to keep challenging ourselves as far as the content is concerned. Getting our *process* downpat, though–it does help me out. There’s also a level of sameness in series writing…the consistency part of it, at least. You’re so right, though, that we do need to keep thinking outside the box.
Wendy –And what I like about your post today is that it mentions a good way to deal with these interruptions we get during our writing times! :)
My method seems to keep evolving. I try not to skip over problems, but if I just can’t get it worked out, I will move on. I know some never go back and re-read as they write, but I usually start each day by reading what I wrote the day before, then continue.
Helen
Straight From Hel
When I wrote my first book, I didn’t put any chapter breaks in. But now I find they come more ‘naturally’ because I usually stop when I can’t figure out what’s going to happen next. That creates built-in hooks, for both me and the readers!
Of course, there’s always a lot of adjusting when I go back to edit.
You and I have a lot in common on the writing specifics. I sort of outline, but it boils down to just a few lines as to what the chapter should hold (I do this for the sake of pacing, mostly–so I get everything in and don’t forget those ‘great ideas’ that are part of the plan. The big difference though, is my need for routine–I have a time that writing is what I do, almost without fail. I am deeply a creature of habit, and know if I deviated, nothing would get done.
Great post, Elizabeth. I know what has worked for me so far but am still experimenting w/other ways of approaching the writing of a novel. I feel like I’m still refining my methods and part of my growth as a writer involves being open to change. I’m not as far a long in the process as you are. And, I’m going to try a few of the things that work for you when I start a new novel. I love the no chapter break idea!! Thanks!
so want to comment on this! finger prevents. my email address is
mobudgeATnsDOTsympaticoDOTca
hope it works??
I loved this post because I love seeing how others write and what I might learn from them. Pretty much I have my own way now, but I’m also open for improvement, because I think I can still make my own process a little better. I just don’t know how yet.
We do a lot of things alike, but a few totally different. The biggest difference is writing out of order. That would take me straight to the funny farm. The biggest alike is writing when I have time, although I try to stick to some kind of overall schedule.
Biggest surprise – your ideas usually come from the victim. That’s never happened to me. Usually mine is some combination of protagonist and setting and occupation.
It took a while, but I have finally found the best way that works for me and it is similar to yours, although I start out with a character first, then find the story.
It is important for writers to find what works for them, even if it is not what works for their best friend. When I have given workshops on writing I have stressed that the techniques I am sharing work for me, but may not work for everyone. That way, hopefully, the writers don’t feel like they have to do it my way because I was the instructor.
I found ywriter and that has helped me these last few weeks. I seem to be found by a character and go from there. Research ends up in browsing the Internet, so I have started setting aside time for both. This way I remain focused on my research for longer.
I envy those who are organised, and never distracted.
Interesting post.
I’m right there with yah on outlines. I know I need to do them to find holes and issues in my work but I really struggle! Thanks for sharing what works for you, it’s given me some ideas.
I do outline, but those other things you mentioned don’t work for me either. I claim I never get writter’s block, because if I start to lose inspiration with where I’m at in the story, I jump ahead or go back and edit.
As you said – do what works for you!
I’ve got my way of doing things, yes. Could do a whole post on it, come to think of it, thank you very much (wink). I can’t use outlines, either … I might start out with a loosely sketched outline, but as soon as my muse sways off in a different direction, I place my trust in it and go with the flow.
Marvin D Wilson
And I know you already have the award, but I gave you Prolific Writer again.
I found out writing in Omniscient POV does not work. Fortunately I have Marvin Wilson to help re-edit the MS in the Third Person POV.
Stephen Tremp
What works for me I KNOW doesn’t work for most writers, but I have to have music playing to write.
Helen–It sounds like it works out really well for you! I’d definitely stick with what works.
Hart–Now your type of outlining I could definitely handle!
I’m a big fan of routines, too–and I think it would theoretically work well for me…but then all hell seems to break loose when it’s my scheduled time. :)
Jan–Okay, I’m giving it a go! Good luck with your hurt finger.
Julie–It makes it seem more of a chore, doesn’t it?
Dorte–I think a lot of writers do really well with outlines–they almost do their brainstorming on the outline. I wish I could do it! I know writers who have sold series on an outline.
Carolina–And some techniques make so much *sense* that they seem they should work out really well for us. But not everything works for every person.
Michele–It’s kind of weird at first, but less weird if you label each Word doc–so I’ll have a doc titled: “Scene with Myrtle in peril” and then have 4-5 pages in that doc. Then I’ll have another doc titled “Scene with Myrtle discovering 2nd body”–that kind of thing.
Elspeth–The victim is the whole reason for the book! You’re so right.
Jemi–You’re writing in a historical period, though…I’m thinking that your method probably is the only way to go about it. I can afford to put off weapons research, etc.
Karen–I’m so glad the writing coach is helping you out!
Glynis–I think the internet was MADE for being distracting! I do hear of people who are really disciplined and don’t get distracted by it…but I definitely do.
Heather–Hope it helps!
Terry–Oh, I have lots to edit, too! Bleh!
Diane–So true. Don’t mess with success!
Marvin–I’d love to read your take on this topic. You’ve got a very laid-back approach to writing that I think is interesting.
Diane–Thanks so much! :) I love it!
Paul–I think it’s definitely something that evolves over time. And it might evolve some more for me before I’m done!
Putting chapter breaks in a later draft is really easy to do, actually. I usually stick them in as I’m doing a revision reading.
Stephen–I bet Marvin is a great editor to work with.
Carol–It’s hard to stop tweaking with our process, isn’t it? That’s interesting that you can be inspired to write by settings! Wow. That’s one of the things I’m not so great at with writing, so my hat’s off to you!
Alex–I’ve actually gotten to the point where music can help me out, too. It used to bother me, but now (depending on the music), I like it.
I think I know what works for me, but I find myself trying out other methods. I wish I would simply follow your advice of “… just go with the flow…”.
I’m still experimenting, but I’m leaning toward a rough outline with scenes to write toward (especially the ending). I don’t get very far without some outline. I also think I prefer to edit the last day’s work before moving on. It slows down my daily word count, but there is SO much revision to do the other way it’s overwhelming.
Jane–I think that really it’s in a writer’s nature to try and experiment with different approaches. But you’re right–we can get a lot more done if we just try to fit it in as we can.
Maryann–That was really smart of you to do. There are SO many good ways to approach writing a book and they’re all equally useful–as long as they work for that individual writer.
I like your post, and the comments. I like writing chapter breaks because they coincide with bathroom breaks.
Shelia–Good point! I hadn’t thought of it that way. :)
Lorel–Sounds like you’ve got a good plan! And then we know we can always change things around if they work really well..or not at all!
This is so interesting! I like what you do. I’ll have to give it a try. What usually works for me is to think of my beginning and ending. Once I have those I’m good to go. And yep, I’m one of those writers who researches as she goes. I come across interesting facts that I sprinkle in my text as I write. Thanks for the good ideas. :)
Well, I ditched the novel and started writing a play. It allows me to grab a stack of notecards and write on the fly, which is how a busy mother of four lives! It really helped me to read about how you grab snippets of time and jot things down wherever and whenever. I can do that. And, at the end of the day, I can go to sleep knowing that I DID take the time to write.
Kathi–Sounds like it really works for you to know where you’re headed (ending) for your novel. I love what works for different writers!
Mary–Sometimes, we just have to grab our moments! :) Not ideal, but we can make it work well.
Great post. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one to do the blurb thing. If nothing else, it can be great practice for pitching your book.
I also like how you look at several issues at once. It seems sometimes like writers stick to two very different camps, because you only see them discussing one issue at a time. Research or write, net or notebook. But things aren’t really that dichotomous, and this post shows that rather nicely.
Good discussion in the comments, too.
Atsiko–Thanks! Sometimes I wish that these writing tasks could be divided out one by one, but they all seem to happen at once when writing a book…at least for me. :)