Russell Kirkpatrick's Journal
Posted At : 4:32 PM
| Posted By : Russell
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Russells' Daily Grind
Mood: Content
Now reading: Lots of Terry Pratchett and C.S. Lewis
My latest novel, with the working title 'Silent Sorrow', is progressing, albeit slowly. I'm trialling a new way of writing, with much less forward planning. The result has been a fair degree of under-writing (quite the opposite of my first series) and a much more enjoyable experience for me.
And that's what it's all about, in the end. There are easier ways of earning money, but I haven't found one that offers as much fun and satisfaction.
I find I'm learning about the characters as I write - which means I have to go back and make them consistent - and I just don't give enough background. Again, that is solved by going back and doing a second draft.
Beta reader feedback so far is very positive.
How does one become a "beta reader"? /me drools.
Posted By Tim Wolfe / Posted At 8/7/09 1:16 AM
Sounds pretty much the way I write, too. All the time.
Well Tim, my beta readers are generally people whose work I respect and whose opinions I've come to trust. I sometimes even listen to what they say :)
Glenda, it makes you live on your nerve endings. I don't know how you stand it...
Posted By russellk / Posted At 8/11/09 5:48 AM
That is how I am writing my book. It is slow going. I have barely completed the prologe and chapter one and I think I am going to have to go back and tie things together. It is very fulfilling to me to be writing this book. It may take me many years but I will succeed.
Posted By Donna Henderson / Posted At 8/12/09 9:21 AM
I've tried writing to a strict plan, chapters organised and all, and it lasts for about the first 5000 words. Then I think, oh, but I have a better idea, or this character is NOT going to behave that way, it will be much better if I do it this way...and bang goes the plan.
What is essential is to have the ending clearly in mind. I also have key scenes in my head and these rarely change. So I am always writing to goals, both major and minor.
And I always know my world inside out, and how the fantasy elements work, before I begin.
Works for me! Stressful? Yes. And very hard to gauge the number of words.
Depends how you look at it I guess. Freeform writing will probably mean a lower word count at the end of the day because it's necessary to stop and think more often. But the saved time that would otherwise have gone into planning can be spent writing. My guess is that both approaches balance out in the long run.
Posted By Hendo / Posted At 8/13/09 10:59 AM
Oh, absolutely, Hendo. I add as much as 10,000 words to the total count after a first draft. And I probably cut about 3 or 4,000 as well.
Come on Rus, you must have SOMETHING to blog about, no-ones life is that dull (well except for mine!)
Posted By Linda / Posted At 9/5/09 2:48 PM
Yeah...what she said!!!!!
Posted By
Jo / Posted At 9/9/09 9:28 AM
