This is me trying to write. I will get through a chapter and think it’s brilliant, but will convince myself I’ll save loads of time of I just edit each chapter as I go. Problem is, every time I open it up, I seem to have a different opinion on what’s good, whether I like the way each sentence flows, etc. Eventually I come to the realization that I’ve completely butchered it in the process.
Not literally, obviously. Drafting should be a quick, almost frenetic process. Placeholder names, notes that say “add description here”, the works. Only go back if you have a major plot setup to insert and only if it can be done in less than a minute. When you’re drafting you should be pumping out hundreds of words an hour. Don’t think, just do.
After you’re done, take a break for a while. Then come back in editing mode and scrape the mess into something palatable.
Interesting, I kind of have the opposite problem with composing music. I do need to take a step back from it, to recognize that some new section sounds completely out of place. I guess, the two art forms (or we) might just be different, though.
This is me trying to write. I will get through a chapter and think it’s brilliant, but will convince myself I’ll save loads of time of I just edit each chapter as I go. Problem is, every time I open it up, I seem to have a different opinion on what’s good, whether I like the way each sentence flows, etc. Eventually I come to the realization that I’ve completely butchered it in the process.
Write drunk, edit sober.
Not literally, obviously. Drafting should be a quick, almost frenetic process. Placeholder names, notes that say “add description here”, the works. Only go back if you have a major plot setup to insert and only if it can be done in less than a minute. When you’re drafting you should be pumping out hundreds of words an hour. Don’t think, just do.
After you’re done, take a break for a while. Then come back in editing mode and scrape the mess into something palatable.
Just read Bradbury’s Death is a Lonely Business (introspective, life-affirming, lightly fatphobic), and in it he writes something like:
Good read for writers, fence sitters, and half-livers
Interesting, I kind of have the opposite problem with composing music. I do need to take a step back from it, to recognize that some new section sounds completely out of place. I guess, the two art forms (or we) might just be different, though.