I seem to be having a different kind of challenge. It is how to move forward after a first draft is complete. I seem to have a lack of direction and skill plus a resistance to taking apart the one thing that is concretely there. Not knowing how to add, subtract, expand, reduce without the flow of the whole thing being destroyed. Is this something that others go through? Perhaps Alison, this might be a future topic for your newsletter unless I am the only one who has experienced this conundrum. Of course it is my first novel so I am sure it is partly the stepping into the unknown.
Love your articles and come September have vowed to spend more time doing the exercises.
Joan, I've put together a few pieces with this process-place in mind. I'll take some time to pull them together into one post, too, soon-ish! (Ready for some point in September!)
I do think that you need a breather, once the first draft is complete. And not look at it at all. It can be an idea to write some other piece--something short, or a few shorter pieces even--just to truly clear the mind before you return.
I seem to be having a different kind of challenge. It is how to move forward after a first draft is complete. I seem to have a lack of direction and skill plus a resistance to taking apart the one thing that is concretely there. Not knowing how to add, subtract, expand, reduce without the flow of the whole thing being destroyed. Is this something that others go through? Perhaps Alison, this might be a future topic for your newsletter unless I am the only one who has experienced this conundrum. Of course it is my first novel so I am sure it is partly the stepping into the unknown.
Love your articles and come September have vowed to spend more time doing the exercises.
Joan, I've put together a few pieces with this process-place in mind. I'll take some time to pull them together into one post, too, soon-ish! (Ready for some point in September!)
I do think that you need a breather, once the first draft is complete. And not look at it at all. It can be an idea to write some other piece--something short, or a few shorter pieces even--just to truly clear the mind before you return.
The break does help with seeing anew.
Thanks Alison.
So, writers: do you start at Friday midnight or get up early on Saturday morning?
Good question! Both times I've done it, I've set the alarm for midnight, had a nap, gotten up and--excited!--started in until needing to sleep...