I just finished the first draft of my contemporary YA. It was ugly. Pointed the nose to the ground and crash-landed the project. The draft is 65k words which I mostly wrote in 1k-word installments. I wrote every single day except for when I put it on hold to do revisions on other projects. I’m proud to have finished a draft so quickly because even though it blithers and blathers, and does a fair amount of wandering, there are glimmers of a real story in there. I proved to myself I can be disciplined (formerly viewed as "rigid") and produce (hopefully) decent work.
Normally I’d print out a copy and stick it in a drawer for months before looking at it again. But having discovered I’m capable of sticking to a daily word count, I started wondering if I should also tweak my revision process and try something new there.
So. I’m going to read the draft and then immediately go through all my notes I took as I wrote the book so that I can create a new Official Notes List. This list will only contain the plot and character ideas that still make sense, whether they’re already in the story or just in my notes. I’m in the habit of jotting down notes as I write and sometimes those notes are viable by the end of the story but sometimes they don’t make a damned bit of sense. And sometimes there’s lots and lots of the nonsensical. By creating an Official Notes List right now, I hope to alleviate much confusion and staggering in the wilderness when I read this draft several months from now.
That’s my Big Plan for Success. Anyone else care to share?
(And if you haven’t yet read them yet you might be interested in stopping by jeannineatkins to read her last couple posts on her revision process. She gave me lots to think about).
AARGH! I read over this before hitting the Post button, and realized something: it doesn’t make any sense to write out a list without making changes in this draft because otherwise I’ll just be distracted all over again by the tangents and mis-characterizations. I won’t be buying myself much time. Does this mean I have to go in and do heavy-lifting (in terms of plot and characterization) before putting the ms in a drawer?
HELP! Tracy’s Big Plan for Success just sprang a leak.
Tracy Abell 
Congrats on crossing that finishing line, Tracy!
I pretty much do my major revising during the writing of the first draft so unfortunately don’t have much wisdom to share but I’m sure you’ll sort it all out. I do think maybe still put it in a drawer, though, to get some perspective before doing the heavy-lifting (disclaimer: advice from a person without a process!).
I hope you’re celebrating the completion of the first draft!!
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Sigh. See, this is why I wonder about writing a draft so quickly. On the one hand, I got the thing done without letting it drag on for months and months while I lost focus. On the other hand, I didn’t allow myself to get in there and tweak because I didn’t want to get bogged down. But I sure wish I had a cleaner draft.
Maybe I should still do what I first thought: read the draft and make a list of what to keep, and then put it away. Then at least I’ll have notes to keep me on the beam while I read it the next time.
Thanks for the congrats. I’m trying to feel good but mostly I’m confused. š
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Congrats on crossing that finishing line, Tracy!
I pretty much do my major revising during the writing of the first draft so unfortunately don’t have much wisdom to share but I’m sure you’ll sort it all out. I do think maybe still put it in a drawer, though, to get some perspective before doing the heavy-lifting (disclaimer: advice from a person without a process!).
I hope you’re celebrating the completion of the first draft!!
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Sigh. See, this is why I wonder about writing a draft so quickly. On the one hand, I got the thing done without letting it drag on for months and months while I lost focus. On the other hand, I didn’t allow myself to get in there and tweak because I didn’t want to get bogged down. But I sure wish I had a cleaner draft.
Maybe I should still do what I first thought: read the draft and make a list of what to keep, and then put it away. Then at least I’ll have notes to keep me on the beam while I read it the next time.
Thanks for the congrats. I’m trying to feel good but mostly I’m confused. š
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The pilot emerged from her aircraft, stunned but otherwise unscathed. YAY!
I’ve been writing notes on colored post-its, which I’ve attached to a foam-backed posterboard. I’ll probably have to clean up the wreckage before I do anything with those notes.
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The pilot line made me smile. Thank you!
Colored post-its might be a good idea for me, too. I use my dry erase board at certain points (usually when I’m stuck and need to see a big picture).
One thing for sure is we’ll both push on through to the other side!
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amen!
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The pilot emerged from her aircraft, stunned but otherwise unscathed. YAY!
I’ve been writing notes on colored post-its, which I’ve attached to a foam-backed posterboard. I’ll probably have to clean up the wreckage before I do anything with those notes.
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First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Bask in your accomplishment. I have no words of wisdom about methods and timing for revisions. I’m convinced they’re a crapload of work no matter how you tackle them. I will put in a plug for Darci Pattison’s Novel Metamorphosis workbook, however. I found it really helped to focus my thinking.
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Crapload, indeed.
Ah! I have that book but wasn’t able to use it on my last project because of the way it’s formatted. But it’ll be perfect for this! I think I’ll read my draft and notes, make the Official List, and then chuck the draft into a drawer. But when I read it again in a few months, I’ll use the workbook! Oh happy day, I have a plan again.
Totally anal question here: do you write in your workbook or on other paper?
Thank you, Laurie.
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You crack me up. I used paper. I’d didn’t do absolutely everything in the workbook, but I really focused on the kernel of the story, which helped me create a new beginning. I also went through and did all the chapter summaries. I plan on going through and doing that scene tracking exercise once more, too, once I have all my new material added.
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Good, because you crack me up.
Thanks for the tips on what you found helpful. I’m writing them on a sticky note and putting them in the book. Since I happen to have it on good authority your new beginning kicks butt, I’m definitely going to do that exercise!
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I have it on good authority that you have a pretty good opening on your boy story, too. So, nyah! It WAS helpful, though. I would have liked to write in the book, but I knew I’d want to reuse it.
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Funny, I wanted to put a nyah into my comment but I wasn’t sure how to spell it. Thank you! š
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How about a good old-fashioned neener-neener?
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Neaner-neaner?
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I never let my stuff sit for too long before at least one run-through, revision-wise. That’s because (as you allude to) I forget what I wanted to do, even if I write it down. So I usually set it aside for anywhere from a day to a week, then I get to it. Once I’ve done that revision, then I’ll let it rest (or start querying, *snort*).
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You don’t really start querying after one revision, do you? Yikes. I have to let stuff stew before I know my stories PLUS I’d be mortified to send my early messes out into the world. You must not write shitty first drafts. Or second ones, or third ones, even. (Ahem, have I revealed too much about my writing process?)
I am definitely going to try the notes lists, though, before putting this draft away. But I think I’ll take Laurie’s suggestion and use the Metamorphosis workbook.
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By the time I get through one revision, I’ve actually rewritten quite a bit (but it’s still pretty crappy when I start querying)…I *used* to use that as motivation to get my butt in gear and work on the thing. I’m trying not to do that anymore. We’ll see how it goes, hehe.
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I get it…you revise as you write. Well, that makes it a little easier to contemplate although my early drafts are still too ugly for outside eyes.
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Congratulations, Tracy! I write so slowly that the basic story is already set. This has its big drawbacks too, but it’s the only way I know how to do it. So I have no advice for you, but I know you’ll persevere and come up with a wonderful second draft!
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How did I know you were a slow writer, Lorraine? That makes perfect sense. I couldn’t picture you mad-drafting a book. You strike me as the “every word counts” kind of writer because of your calm demeanor. I admire that approach since mine seems to fall somewhere in the middle. Can’t write like the wind but can’t slow down too much or I become paralyzed.
Thanks for the cheers along the way, Lorraine.
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The pilot line made me smile. Thank you!
Colored post-its might be a good idea for me, too. I use my dry erase board at certain points (usually when I’m stuck and need to see a big picture).
One thing for sure is we’ll both push on through to the other side!
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Crapload, indeed.
Ah! I have that book but wasn’t able to use it on my last project because of the way it’s formatted. But it’ll be perfect for this! I think I’ll read my draft and notes, make the Official List, and then chuck the draft into a drawer. But when I read it again in a few months, I’ll use the workbook! Oh happy day, I have a plan again.
Totally anal question here: do you write in your workbook or on other paper?
Thank you, Laurie.
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You don’t really start querying after one revision, do you? Yikes. I have to let stuff stew before I know my stories PLUS I’d be mortified to send my early messes out into the world. You must not write shitty first drafts. Or second ones, or third ones, even. (Ahem, have I revealed too much about my writing process?)
I am definitely going to try the notes lists, though, before putting this draft away. But I think I’ll take Laurie’s suggestion and use the Metamorphosis workbook.
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How did I know you were a slow writer, Lorraine? That makes perfect sense. I couldn’t picture you mad-drafting a book. You strike me as the “every word counts” kind of writer because of your calm demeanor. I admire that approach since mine seems to fall somewhere in the middle. Can’t write like the wind but can’t slow down too much or I become paralyzed.
Thanks for the cheers along the way, Lorraine.
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Good, because you crack me up.
Thanks for the tips on what you found helpful. I’m writing them on a sticky note and putting them in the book. Since I happen to have it on good authority your new beginning kicks butt, I’m definitely going to do that exercise!
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Hey, congratulations on the huge accomplishment among blithering, blathering, glimmering, and crash landings. I know you’ll figure out a way! Glad to be figuring out paths along with you. Every book, and sometimes maybe every draft of a book, has its own challenges to figure out.
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I was thinking the exact same thing just a few minutes ago. Every book I’ve written has taken a different path and process. Guess that’s what keeps us coming back for more.
Here’s to both of us finding our way!
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I was thinking the exact same thing just a few minutes ago. Every book I’ve written has taken a different path and process. Guess that’s what keeps us coming back for more.
Here’s to both of us finding our way!
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Congrats on the first draft! That is a great feeling! When I finish a first draft, I ground myself from working on it for like a month. I write short stories or whatever while I’m waiting. The break helps me sort of sort things out in my mind and gives me some distance.
Also, congrats on sticking to daily writing! I am having such a hard time with that right now with school. I start feeling cranky if I can’t have daily writing time. I am there right now! You rock for sticking to it and getting it done!!!
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I’m with you on getting some perspective, Sarah. I’ll definitely do that but I was trying to figure out a way to help me out a bit more at the other end. I think I’ve cobbled together an approach that might work for this particular project.
You’ll hit your rhythm again. You’ve got all sorts of new stuff in your life right now so I think it’s understandable you’re trying to find your way back to daily writing!
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Congrats on the first draft! That is a great feeling! When I finish a first draft, I ground myself from working on it for like a month. I write short stories or whatever while I’m waiting. The break helps me sort of sort things out in my mind and gives me some distance.
Also, congrats on sticking to daily writing! I am having such a hard time with that right now with school. I start feeling cranky if I can’t have daily writing time. I am there right now! You rock for sticking to it and getting it done!!!
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I’m with you on getting some perspective, Sarah. I’ll definitely do that but I was trying to figure out a way to help me out a bit more at the other end. I think I’ve cobbled together an approach that might work for this particular project.
You’ll hit your rhythm again. You’ve got all sorts of new stuff in your life right now so I think it’s understandable you’re trying to find your way back to daily writing!
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Congratulations!
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Thanks, Lizzy. How are your revisions coming along?
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