Comments on: Can you stand another post about process?

By: Lynn Raye Harris

Lynn Raye Harris — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Hi, Meredith! Yep, I tried the DD — and rewrote the whole thing, darn it. I really envy those detailed outline people. Can’t follow one to save my life.

Each time I’ve done a fast draft, I’ve abandoned the book somewhere during the revision process because it seemed so overwhelming to me. So I guess DD isn’t for me. Boo.

By: Meredith Duran

Meredith Duran — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:21:00 +0000

Wow, our processes sound identical. Or maybe you stole my process? If that’s the case, I’m thrilled, I don’t want it back, and I’m off now to steal a new process from one of those ladies who write “discovery drafts.”

In all seriousness, I actually don’t mind our process at all (except when it comes to the Chapter Sevens. Ugh). I tried the discovery draft once, a few years back, and I realized that rewriting as I went was actually part of the fun for me.

I do wonder if the DD technique isn’t easier on the nerves, though. It certainly requires you to gag your inner critic, which sounds like a lovely achievement indeed.

By: Lynn Raye Harris

Lynn Raye Harris — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:44:00 +0000

I knew that, Kathy! I was telling you to keep on going and keep working. You will get there.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:32:00 +0000

Oops! Reread my post and want you to know when I said “Your published!!” I sincerely meant that as a “Wahooooo!” moment and a “You go, girl!” kind of thing.

See what a week of stress can do to me? LOL!

word verif: sneenall
Is that anything like senile?

By: Lynn Raye Harris

Lynn Raye Harris — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:10:00 +0000

Kathy, that’s how you get published. Don’t give up, keep working to make your writing better. And know when to move on, LOL, which is often easier said than done.

Thanks! I like the picture too. Took me a little while to warm up to it….

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:50:00 +0000

Ooooh, love your new picture icon!!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:49:00 +0000

I can so relate, Lynn. Gee, your process is the exact replica of mine with one exception. You’re published!!

FYI, I had one of those books too. In fact, as I was cleaning out the bookcase, I found 4 different printed version of it. Blech!! And that doesn’t count this last one I’ve got on a flash drive. ;(

By: Lynn Raye Harris

Lynn Raye Harris — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:29:00 +0000

I’m rolling downhill on chapter 11 now. Whew, that’s a good feeling. Though it’ll feel even better when it’s DONE.

Suzanne, I hope it inspires you! Before I sold, I hunted down and read all the posts like this I could. Anytime an author talked about process, I was all over it, looking for kinship I guess. I wanted to be sure I wasn’t doing it all wrong. But there are so many ways to write a book that I now know my way is fine. Because it works for me.

Lucy, another rewrite and rewrite again sister! I agree with you about making sure everything lines up before continuing. I know I’ll revise the whole thing, but it’s much easier if I’ve made sure it mostly makes sense the first time through. Sometimes, ONE little change can change the whole book — which is what happened to me on my first set of revisions before I sold. My editor wanted me to move an event that happened toward the end back to the middle — that necessitated a LOT of rewriting.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:42:00 +0000

Lynn, how fascinating. I do pretty much the same! I tried doing the 'write without stopping' Nano, and couldn't bear it.

I have to go back and revise earlier chapters so I know what my characters are going to do next. But I'm sure it's not the most efficient way of doing it.

As you say I guess the process evolves with experience (at least I hope so).

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:10:00 +0000

That just goes to show how much hard work goes into a successful writer’s work – and this post is very inspiring for a would-be like myself.