Monday, September 11, 2006

Writing the final draft, the first time around

Last night I was sitting here at my computer, lucky enough to have an hour or more to myself before bed. I wrote one email, and then I opened my WIP and stared at the screen.

At the end of the hour I had written 200 words, and I felt annoyed as I tripped the power button and went to feed the hamster. What's with me? I asked. Why can't I get the words right? I know the purpose of the scene. I know what I want to say, why can't I say it?

It often happens that if I go to bed with a question, I wake up with an answer, and today I have one. I'm futzing too much with the words, trying to get the ideas in a line, using the right images, shining up the details - instead of writing. Today I'm going BLAH all over the screen, and it's working much better. You can't edit what you haven't written.

And the thing is, I'm sure I knew this already. I know I've had this thought before. Must just be the sleep thang. Anyway, onward!

1 comment:

Renée (R.E.) Chambliss said...

Letting go of the editor when drafting can be so tough, but it makes such a difference!

Glad you're on a roll again. :o)