A question for the other writers here

[Vodstok]

Originally Posted by Roderick Usher

No.

and this is why.

If something isn't working by page 20 (3-4 days in), it's the wrong idea and I move on.

And my partner and I handle drafts this way:

Come up with a loose story and tight characters, people you understand before the first word is written, then place them in the middle of a story and let them dictate the action.

1st draft, from the gut & groin - fast, sloppy and passionate

2nd Draft from the heart - make sure characters speak, act and react appropriately for their situation

3rd Draft and beyond is head work - this is where spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and the "nuts and bolts" of the craft is applied.

Thinking a first draft should come out perfect is unrealistic and thinking your first draft IS perfect is delusional.

A writer writes.

Writing is rewriting.

Hope this helps.

I figured you would weigh in :)

And it always helps. Two people really light a fire under my ass when it comes to writing, my wife and Rod. I think you make the dream more real, which helps a LOT. Plus first hand advice from a pro is always a good thing.

I have found that skipping the "i need to do one more thing before is start" thing just doesnt work. i just hit the ground running now, start writing and let the ideas pour out of my head. i figure, it WILL be messy, so i will egt some bounty and clean it up later.

i never realized how much philosophy went into this. Even with posts, Im on page 5 now. Good fight scene, right form the get go. I htink one of my major problems has to do with something you (Rod) seem to have pointed out as oneof my strong points; Pacing. I can feel a goo dflow when i write, and when it is right, it's like sliding down a snowy slope on Clark W Griswold's preservative, i cant stop.



but if something feels off with the flow, i have a hard timeignoring it and pushing forward. a nice thing about being older, though, is having the discipline (finally) to just say "i have to do this."

[Roderick Usher]

Originally Posted by Haunted

I've been told that there really isn't any such thing as writer's block rather it's just a sort an obstacle that you learn to develope techniques to overcome, a sort of rerouting or rewiring.

Agree 100% Haunted.

I've had trouble writing before, but it only really occurs when I'm trying too hard to please some imaginary audience. If I write what I like, what I want to see, what I think is entertaining, the words tend to flow.

If a story becomes stuck - it's probably because it wasn't meant to be. I don't hold any of it precious.

As I said to a producer asking me to implement some really stupid ideas into a SciFi Channel script, "Sure, they're just words. There's only so many of them. I'll put 'em in any order you want." (muttering "jackass" under breath)

[Haunted]

Though I love writing fiction, and I really think that I have a good plotline, I think I'm going to turn the proverbial pen towards a higher cause. I want to start journalism, particularly for and in the activism realm. There's not a lot of money however...

My first attempt is after Solstice (Christmas for some), with Defenders of the Wildlife. They've already told me that they need me, but I need go through the channels. I want to write, educate, and endorse activism for all wildlife, particularly the endangered, however, I'm most dedicated to wolves of all types, red, gray, etc. I have been since I was a small child; I've always hated the story "Little Red Riding Hood."

I'm very good at nonfiction/journalism types of writing. In all truth, that's probably my strongest writing ability outside of poetry. I think I need to develope more patience for fiction.

Rod, do you mind, just so I can get it off of my chest, if I PM you, one artiste:p (all sarcasm directed at me) to another, my fiction concept. That way, if it's shit, I can toss it. If it's not, I'll write notes when they come, dialouge as it comes, but dedicate myself to my cause for the most part. (Let the book(s) sort of brew;) )

[neverending]

Originally Posted by Roderick Usher

Thinking a first draft should come out perfect is unrealistic and thinking your first draft IS perfect is delusional.

A writer writes.

Writing is rewriting.

Hope this helps.

Harlan Ellison has been known to say he NEVER rewrites- unless he's forced by a producer or something.

But then again, none of us are Harlan Ellison.

[tic]

Originally Posted by Haunted

Though I love writing fiction, and I really think that I have a good plotline, I think I'm going to turn the proverbial pen towards a higher cause. I want to start journalism, particularly for and in the activism realm. There's not a lot of money however...

My first attempt is after Solstice (Christmas for some), with Defenders of the Wildlife. They've already told me that they need me, but I need go through the channels. I want to write, educate, and endorse activism for all wildlife, particularly the endangered, however, I'm most dedicated to wolves of all types, red, gray, etc. I have been since I was a small child; I've always hated the story "Little Red Riding Hood."

I'm very good at nonfiction/journalism types of writing. In all truth, that's probably my strongest writing ability outside of poetry. I think I need to develope more patience for fiction.

Rod, do you mind, just so I can get it off of my chest, if I PM you, one artiste:p (all sarcasm directed at me) to another, my fiction concept. That way, if it's shit, I can toss it. If it's not, I'll write notes when they come, dialouge as it comes, but dedicate myself to my cause for the most part. (Let the book(s) sort of brew;) )

I love wolves too. While studying at university (Environmental Science) a topic I wrote about concerned the naturalisation and re-establishment of wildlife into areas where they now have become extinct, namely Britain; it covered quite a large and diverse number of animal species, one of which was the Grey Wolf, as part of the topic I had to give the reason why the animal became extinct, not surprisingly Man was the cause. In parts of britain it was considered a "sport" to kill wolves and there where special days where wolves were slaughtered. Even now in parts of Europe, the wolf is not protected enough, so that killings are common place.

Anyway all I was going to say was I wish you well in trying to help these magnificent animals.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, sorry.

[Roderick Usher]

Originally Posted by neverending

Harlan Ellison has been known to say he NEVER rewrites- unless he's forced by a producer or something.

But then again, none of us are Harlan Ellison.

Like Mozart - the exception that proves the rule!:)

[newb]

The Perfect Draught





oh c'mon.....you didn't expect anything else from me.....didja?

[Vodstok]

Originally Posted by newb

The Perfect Draught





oh c'mon.....you didn't expect anything else from me.....didja?

yeah, but probably not the first ;)

[Roderick Usher]

Originally Posted by newb

The Perfect Draught





oh c'mon.....you didn't expect anything else from me.....didja?

a nice tall pint of inspiration!

yeah, the whole "writers are drunks" cliche...bought that one hook, line and drinker:D

[Vodstok]

Originally Posted by Roderick Usher

a nice tall pint of inspiration!

yeah, the whole "writers are drunks" cliche...bought that one hook, line and drinker:D

God Bless Ernest Hemmingway for setting the bar sooo low :)

If we dont blow ou brains out, we're doing better than Hemmingway!