I’m working on the second draft of a middle-grade novel I finished last summer then stuck in a drawer for five months. Back in July when I was nearing the end of that draft, I started freaking out about the plot being full of holes, thinking the words I was putting down would never come together in any kind of coherence, worrying no one would ever care about my characters, looking over my shoulder for the literary police who I expected to bang down my door and make an arrest. Et cetera, et cetera, et nauseum cetera.
Fast forward to November when I was finishing the first draft of another novel. I started having those same panicked feelings, convinced I was in the middle of another mess of unconnected verbiage. And so I posted those worries here.
Enter idaho_laurie in the comments section. She said something to the effect that I just needed to get the words down, that they’d serve as placeholders for the words to come. Her advice comforted me then but I can’t say I fully understood what she meant. Until now, that is.
As I work through the draft I let cool for all those months, I’m amazed by how much is right with it. Sure, there’s loads of crappy writing that makes me cringe (and check over my shoulder for those police), but many of those paragraphs and scenes that aren’t quite right did indeed hold the places for me to rewrite what is needed. Without giving myself credit, I was actually paying attention to the rhythm of the story and putting down markers I could use to find my way in later drafts. Wow.
I’m still experiencing some panic as I work through this draft (after all, I AM a writer), but the process feels almost profound at times in the way bits and pieces are coming together to create a resonance.
This draft is still way rough but thanks to my placeholders, I trust I’ll find my way.
Moral of this post: Heed the wise idaho_laurie.
Tracy Abell 
Woo Hoo! That is some great advice! And I’m glad you’re finding your way.
*taps foot impatiently*
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Good advice, which I needed to hear. Today I was going over Chapter 12 of my MG novel, and gosh, it’s full of cliches and telling and all sorta crappyness. But I guess I should consider those parts to be placeholders.
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Good advice, which I needed to hear. Today I was going over Chapter 12 of my MG novel, and gosh, it’s full of cliches and telling and all sorta crappyness. But I guess I should consider those parts to be placeholders.
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I’m so glad this was a timely post for you! Especially since LJ ate my words twice before I actually got it posted. Aargh!
I’m betting your Chap 12 is going to work out just fine!
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Good advice, which I needed to hear. Today I was going over Chapter 12 of my MG novel, and gosh, it’s full of cliches and telling and all sorta crappyness. But I guess I should consider those parts to be placeholders.
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I absolutely agree with Laurie. Annie Lammont in her writing book “Bird by Bird” has a chapter on early drafts called, “Sh**ty first drafts.” I think about that phrase whenever I’m writing one. My inner critic sneaks in and starts peering over my shoulder and I remind her I’m doing just what I’m supposed to I’m writing a sh**ty first draft. I am always surprised how much it opens me up to let go and just write what comes out and not worry about it.
I think there are times to gather information and times to process it. First drafts are gathering times and later drafts are more about judging and processing.
Congrats on you success!!!!!!!!!
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I absolutely agree with Laurie. Annie Lammont in her writing book “Bird by Bird” has a chapter on early drafts called, “Sh**ty first drafts.” I think about that phrase whenever I’m writing one. My inner critic sneaks in and starts peering over my shoulder and I remind her I’m doing just what I’m supposed to I’m writing a sh**ty first draft. I am always surprised how much it opens me up to let go and just write what comes out and not worry about it.
I think there are times to gather information and times to process it. First drafts are gathering times and later drafts are more about judging and processing.
Congrats on you success!!!!!!!!!
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Yes, first drafts are gathering times. And now that I’m processing the words I put down in a semi-panicked state, it feels almost miraculous that they hold together.
This writing stuff is such a trip.
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WOW! I’m famous! But seriously… You just made my day, Tracy! This is why everyone (or most everyone) needs writing buddies. I know some people don’t like to share their work or even their process, but I’m always on the lookout for those magic words that will trigger an “aha” when I’m stuck or discouraged. The irony, of course, is that right now I’m looking at my gigundo messy first draft. Way too many “place holders”! Sigh.
Happy Valentines Day!!
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I’m so glad you saw this and it brightened your day. I know exactly what you mean about the importance of those “aha” moments; they’re what get me through the rollercoaster journey of writing a novel.
Sorry you feel your WIP has too many placeholders. How long did you let it sit before looking at it? I know if I look at something too soon, all I see is the garbage.
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Not long enough! LOL. I had to work on the first chapter to send for a conference critique. I finally finished something serviceable today. (Only took two weeks… for shame.) Now it’s going back in the drawer; I just can’t face the rest yet. Then I’m taking a mini vacation from writing for the next week. The well is empty.
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Oh, now I understand: a conference critique. That’s hard, though, forcing yourself to tackle something before its properly marinated.
And good for you on taking a break. Those work wonders. I hope you have many joyous experiences that refill your well!
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I absolutely agree with Laurie. Annie Lammont in her writing book “Bird by Bird” has a chapter on early drafts called, “Sh**ty first drafts.” I think about that phrase whenever I’m writing one. My inner critic sneaks in and starts peering over my shoulder and I remind her I’m doing just what I’m supposed to I’m writing a sh**ty first draft. I am always surprised how much it opens me up to let go and just write what comes out and not worry about it.
I think there are times to gather information and times to process it. First drafts are gathering times and later drafts are more about judging and processing.
Congrats on you success!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
I absolutely agree with Laurie. Annie Lammont in her writing book “Bird by Bird” has a chapter on early drafts called, “Sh**ty first drafts.” I think about that phrase whenever I’m writing one. My inner critic sneaks in and starts peering over my shoulder and I remind her I’m doing just what I’m supposed to I’m writing a sh**ty first draft. I am always surprised how much it opens me up to let go and just write what comes out and not worry about it.
I think there are times to gather information and times to process it. First drafts are gathering times and later drafts are more about judging and processing.
Congrats on you success!!!!!!!!!
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Isn’t it great? I love when the pieces come together and I can move ahead with more confidence.
Hope to be done by the end of the month. 🙂
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Isn’t it great? I love when the pieces come together and I can move ahead with more confidence.
Hope to be done by the end of the month. 🙂
LikeLike
Isn’t it great? I love when the pieces come together and I can move ahead with more confidence.
Hope to be done by the end of the month. 🙂
LikeLike
Isn’t it great? I love when the pieces come together and I can move ahead with more confidence.
Hope to be done by the end of the month. 🙂
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I’m so glad this was a timely post for you! Especially since LJ ate my words twice before I actually got it posted. Aargh!
I’m betting your Chap 12 is going to work out just fine!
LikeLike
I’m so glad this was a timely post for you! Especially since LJ ate my words twice before I actually got it posted. Aargh!
I’m betting your Chap 12 is going to work out just fine!
LikeLike
I’m so glad this was a timely post for you! Especially since LJ ate my words twice before I actually got it posted. Aargh!
I’m betting your Chap 12 is going to work out just fine!
LikeLike
Yes, first drafts are gathering times. And now that I’m processing the words I put down in a semi-panicked state, it feels almost miraculous that they hold together.
This writing stuff is such a trip.
LikeLike
Yes, first drafts are gathering times. And now that I’m processing the words I put down in a semi-panicked state, it feels almost miraculous that they hold together.
This writing stuff is such a trip.
LikeLike
Yes, first drafts are gathering times. And now that I’m processing the words I put down in a semi-panicked state, it feels almost miraculous that they hold together.
This writing stuff is such a trip.
LikeLike
WOW! I’m famous! But seriously… You just made my day, Tracy! This is why everyone (or most everyone) needs writing buddies. I know some people don’t like to share their work or even their process, but I’m always on the lookout for those magic words that will trigger an “aha” when I’m stuck or discouraged. The irony, of course, is that right now I’m looking at my gigundo messy first draft. Way too many “place holders”! Sigh.
Happy Valentines Day!!
LikeLike
WOW! I’m famous! But seriously… You just made my day, Tracy! This is why everyone (or most everyone) needs writing buddies. I know some people don’t like to share their work or even their process, but I’m always on the lookout for those magic words that will trigger an “aha” when I’m stuck or discouraged. The irony, of course, is that right now I’m looking at my gigundo messy first draft. Way too many “place holders”! Sigh.
Happy Valentines Day!!
LikeLike
WOW! I’m famous! But seriously… You just made my day, Tracy! This is why everyone (or most everyone) needs writing buddies. I know some people don’t like to share their work or even their process, but I’m always on the lookout for those magic words that will trigger an “aha” when I’m stuck or discouraged. The irony, of course, is that right now I’m looking at my gigundo messy first draft. Way too many “place holders”! Sigh.
Happy Valentines Day!!
LikeLike
I’m so glad you saw this and it brightened your day. I know exactly what you mean about the importance of those “aha” moments; they’re what get me through the rollercoaster journey of writing a novel.
Sorry you feel your WIP has too many placeholders. How long did you let it sit before looking at it? I know if I look at something too soon, all I see is the garbage.
LikeLike
I’m so glad you saw this and it brightened your day. I know exactly what you mean about the importance of those “aha” moments; they’re what get me through the rollercoaster journey of writing a novel.
Sorry you feel your WIP has too many placeholders. How long did you let it sit before looking at it? I know if I look at something too soon, all I see is the garbage.
LikeLike
I’m so glad you saw this and it brightened your day. I know exactly what you mean about the importance of those “aha” moments; they’re what get me through the rollercoaster journey of writing a novel.
Sorry you feel your WIP has too many placeholders. How long did you let it sit before looking at it? I know if I look at something too soon, all I see is the garbage.
LikeLike
Not long enough! LOL. I had to work on the first chapter to send for a conference critique. I finally finished something serviceable today. (Only took two weeks… for shame.) Now it’s going back in the drawer; I just can’t face the rest yet. Then I’m taking a mini vacation from writing for the next week. The well is empty.
LikeLike
Not long enough! LOL. I had to work on the first chapter to send for a conference critique. I finally finished something serviceable today. (Only took two weeks… for shame.) Now it’s going back in the drawer; I just can’t face the rest yet. Then I’m taking a mini vacation from writing for the next week. The well is empty.
LikeLike
Oh, now I understand: a conference critique. That’s hard, though, forcing yourself to tackle something before its properly marinated.
And good for you on taking a break. Those work wonders. I hope you have many joyous experiences that refill your well!
LikeLike
Oh, now I understand: a conference critique. That’s hard, though, forcing yourself to tackle something before its properly marinated.
And good for you on taking a break. Those work wonders. I hope you have many joyous experiences that refill your well!
LikeLike
Oh, now I understand: a conference critique. That’s hard, though, forcing yourself to tackle something before its properly marinated.
And good for you on taking a break. Those work wonders. I hope you have many joyous experiences that refill your well!
LikeLike