Novel Writing: Organizing the Rough Draft | No Wasted Ink
Wendy Van Camp is a writer who shares many of her discoveries about writing on her blog. Her blog is called No Wasted Ink. Besides some of the fascinating articles she writes on the art of writing, and some wonderful reviews and interviews, every Monday, Wendy posts her famous ‘Writers Links’. This is where she shares links of interesting articles she comes across with other writers.
This article I’m reblogging is Wendy’s share on how to organize your rough draft for the next stages. In the post she shares some books she’s read which she found helpful in the different stages of book writing. Read Wendy’s article below, and make sure to jot down her book suggestions.
“When I write, the characters become friends to me, real people that I care about and want to spend time with. During the drafting process, this is a positive since it keeps your butt in the chair and working. However, after drafting, this love of story becomes a liability. Distance in the relationship is needed in order for you to take the next step in the process. Once that messy manuscript is completed, I stick it in a drawer or a computer file and take a long break from the work in order to allow my minds to reset on the story. . .”Continue Reading
Source:
https://nowastedink.com/2016/04/22/novel-writing-organizing-the-rough-draft/
I’d also like to give a big shoutout to Shehanne Moore (the smexy historical fiction writer), for nominating me as one of her chosen for the Epically Awesome Award.
Please check out her entertaining post HERE about her award, which of course is narrated by her jealous Hamster Dudes.
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dgkaye
D.G. Kaye is a nonfiction/memoir writer, who writes from her own life experiences and self-medicates with a daily dose of humor.
27 Comments
marianbeaman
I needed to hear this today. Our moving is forcing me to stick my manuscript in a drawer for now. A time to marinate is probably what my memoir needs, giving distance from the characters, my own relatives. Timely!
dgkaye
So glad you found this timely Marian. And this method has proven helpful to me, many times. If we put our manuscripts aside for a week, a month, or whatever fits best, we gain a new perspective when rereading. You may have some ahha moments where you think, ‘Wow, did I really write thise?’, or ‘Oh my, did I really write this?’, LOL 🙂
marianbeaman
🙂
D. Wallace Peach
Excellent advice, Debby. Thanks for sharing 🙂
dgkaye
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Kate Johnston
Absolutely — letting each draft “go cold” allows the author time to find objectivity before rewriting or editing, or even proofreading. If we revise when it’s still hot we won’t find the problem areas as easily. Thanks for sharing the article!
dgkaye
Thanks for dropping by Kate, and adding your ‘editor’s’ validation. There’s nothing like ‘fresh eyes’ after a time of marination. 🙂
shehannemoore
Hugs for a great post my darling AND the shout out xxxxxx
dgkaye
Tee hee my friend. Thanks for visiting and leaving your mark, LOL xoxoxo
Lorna's Voice
Thanks for sharing this post/site with us, Debby. I love to learn about all things writing! 🙂
dgkaye
So glad you’ve found it helpful Lorna. 🙂
adeleulnais
A great post. I distance myself from first drafts too, then go back after a while.
dgkaye
Best approach Adele. 🙂
Vashti Quiroz-Vega
Great article Debby! Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your award. Enjoy, you’re very deserving of it. 😀 xx
dgkaye
Thank you so much sweet Vashti. 🙂 <3
Sherri
Heading over to read, thanks Deb! And congratulations on your award (which reminds me, I haven’t forgotten about the awards you so graciously gave me…I will get to them, I promise, thank you so much for your patience my friend!) <3 xoxo
dgkaye
Thanks Sher. And please, no worries, we all have so much on our plates. You never have to apologize your clock with me. 🙂 xoxo <3
Sherri
I know…but you know how I am lol!! And you know although I’m a straggler, I do get there in the end!!! Thanks Deb…hope you had a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead my friend 🙂 <3 xoxo
dgkaye
Lol Sher, 2 peas in a pod we are . . .a.k.a. the stragglers, lollllll. Happy week to you my friend too. I had a nice weekend getting out is a treat as I’m either caged up working or at a doctor’s office, which I had 2 myself today and 4 more later this week for hubby. I’m squeezing in worktime where I can. 🙂 xoxoxo <3
Sherri
Oh Deb, I know about those appointments…they eat away at the day like nothing else. I’m not doing much caging though…and I need to. When I am, it’s for endless admin and ‘stuff’… Anyone know where I can hire a maid, gardener, cook, chauffer…oh, and a masseuse too, naturally! Oh I can dream lol!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed a relaxing weekend. You need that…we both do lol!! 🙂 And now I’m heading to your next posts! <3 xoxo
dgkaye
You’re such a sweetheart Sher. And if I had all that staff, wouldn’t life be easier? LOL. We can always dream, and in the mean time, we are working on our dreams!
Thanks for taking the time to read my posts Sher. You are the star!!!! xoxo <3
Sherri
I love your posts Deb! And yes, we’ll keep working on those dreams while we dream lol 😀 xoxo <3
dgkaye
Big hugs for you Sher! 🙂 xoxoxo<3
Sherri
Loving those hugs Deb, thank you! 🙂 xoxo
dgkaye
<3
writerchristophfischer
Thanks for the tips 🙂
dgkaye
My pleasure Christoph. 🙂