tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post8626892773533777865..comments2023-04-30T15:55:35.969+01:00Comments on Susan Elliot Wright: Writing a first draftSusan Elliot Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-13586105442002041022013-04-28T16:24:38.318+01:002013-04-28T16:24:38.318+01:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-85619749119291361812012-07-19T13:21:36.949+01:002012-07-19T13:21:36.949+01:00Thanks Kat. Do you know, the 'glass half full&...Thanks Kat. Do you know, the 'glass half full' thing hadn't even occurred to me! And yes, it was a relief to find something useful to do with those glass pebbles!Good luck, and keep going!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-78759814788986387952012-07-19T13:19:30.658+01:002012-07-19T13:19:30.658+01:00Thank you! Before I wrote my first novel, I'd ...Thank you! Before I wrote my first novel, I'd heard many times that 'it's all in the rewriting' but I didn't realise just how true this was. Good luck with yours!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-21224450609771259082012-07-18T17:28:38.397+01:002012-07-18T17:28:38.397+01:00I do review as I go too, but find that this someti...I do review as I go too, but find that this sometimes keeps me at a standstill rather than edging forwards! <br />Although I try to maintain the perspective that any words I add to my draft can only be a step forwards, I love the pebble idea and think I might give it a go: it seems to me that it's the perfect way to enhance a "glass half full" outlook on my scribbles! <br />Thank you for an inspiring post! :-) <br />*skips off to find stash of glass pebbles that I never know what else to do with anyway*Kathttp://chilledscribbler.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-68620116673369173512012-07-16T23:00:56.153+01:002012-07-16T23:00:56.153+01:00What an inspiring post! I've recently started ...What an inspiring post! I've recently started trying to write fiction - in the past I used to have ideas and write bits and bobs (the bits I wanted to write) but never summoned up the energy to construct a whole story. Now I've decided to force myself to do it, as otherwise I'll never know if I can. Am only 15,000 words in but despairing and worrying that nothing will hold together so it's a relief to find I'm not alone (and that yes, you do get another chance to rework it afterwards!)Glosswitchhttp://glosswatch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-6830552760173684412012-07-05T12:35:24.016+01:002012-07-05T12:35:24.016+01:00Thanks for this lovely comment, Kristin, I think r...Thanks for this lovely comment, Kristin, I think rewriting is essential, because things always change along the way, even if you've planned. That book sounds great - I'll get a copy. Good luck with your WIP!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-75149723233679399942012-07-04T21:33:21.853+01:002012-07-04T21:33:21.853+01:00Thank you thank you thank you for this post, Susan...Thank you thank you thank you for this post, Susan! I've written enough first drafts now that I shouldn't have to be reminded that the first draft is usually crap, but I always seem to forget somewhere along the way! As Helen also mentioned, I love Jill's anecdote and think that keeping such a notebook might help me remember that, when I'm all doom and gloom with my draft, all is not lost! I just recently began rewriting my current WIP, and at first I was terrified: was I such a rotten writer that I had to actually make the decision to REWRITE?! And then I went back to a book I had been reading about plot by James Scott Bell, and in the very next chapter, he stated that lots of writers decide to rewrite after the first drafts, especially those who work without an outline. I felt so much better after that - just to know I was not alone. Because that's what we are after all when we're writing - alone - and that is just when my brain starts playing tricks on me. Thanks again!Kristin Celmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13500899476955113983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-65359837838359658322012-07-04T13:16:27.931+01:002012-07-04T13:16:27.931+01:00I'm totally with you Wendy, I find it easier t...I'm totally with you Wendy, I find it easier to get the story down, but editing! It's never ending and I too am so impatient.Ruby Speechleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-26771713277937456852012-07-03T22:50:01.073+01:002012-07-03T22:50:01.073+01:00That's it exactly - we feel bad becasue it'...That's it exactly - we feel bad becasue it's not perfect and that paralyses our ability to write, which makes us feel bad again, and so on. It can be quite difficult to push forward, I think, but you just have to keep telling yourself, 'so what if it's crap? I can delete it later. Let's just see what else comes out first.' Good luck!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-70920940301076951282012-07-03T22:45:54.929+01:002012-07-03T22:45:54.929+01:00Thanks Helen - so many people have said the same t...Thanks Helen - so many people have said the same thing about the 40,000 mark - it's a real stumbling block. I hope it helps everone to know they're not alone - it's certainly helping me!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-44389949156350882442012-07-03T22:43:47.151+01:002012-07-03T22:43:47.151+01:00Thanks Abi!I also think of it like building a hous...Thanks Abi!I also think of it like building a house - you lay the foundations and build the main walls, but it's a while before the staircases go in and the roof goes on, not to mention the finer points of plumbing, electrics etc.<br /><br />The cover's gorgeous, isn't it? Am so pleased with it.Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-4801038177445890032012-07-03T21:44:28.667+01:002012-07-03T21:44:28.667+01:00Brilliant post, sums up how I feel. My last attemp...Brilliant post, sums up how I feel. My last attempt failed at 40k words and I dumped it. This one is nowhere near that yet, but I keep stopping and starting because I try to convince myself it should be right first time round - even though every author I speak to says, 'just write it, even if it's crap'. I agree that it's the flow that causes the problems - if I have the time and my head is in the right place, I can write 3k words without coming up for air. If not, I might manage a few rubbish sentences and feel bad about it. It's always nice to hear that I'm not the only one though, hence I will keep on keeping on!SJIHollidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395935935929608392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-24822158553920674192012-07-03T21:21:28.645+01:002012-07-03T21:21:28.645+01:00Great post Susan, Very interesting anecdote from J...Great post Susan, Very interesting anecdote from Jill Dawson re the 40k mark because that's been the point where I'm filled with self doubt too. And I like the 2 jars idea to give you a visual stimulus to spur you on. Best of luck with the first draft- I'm feeling your pain!Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04744878290428282921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-73062604622136079882012-07-03T18:33:46.252+01:002012-07-03T18:33:46.252+01:00What a fab post, Sue. It really is tough when you...What a fab post, Sue. It really is tough when you're in that 'bad place' with your first draft isn't it? But you are right, it is just the skeleton and the flesh and colour and contours can come later. We just need little reminders of this. Love the cover of your book by the way - gorgeous and so eye catching.Abi Burlinghamhttp://www.abiburlingham.talktalk.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-87440999439009494882012-07-03T10:33:03.111+01:002012-07-03T10:33:03.111+01:00Janet, I feel exactly the same - I LOVE editing! T...Janet, I feel exactly the same - I LOVE editing! Thanks goodness book 1 is now out of my hands, or I'd still be tweaking. I've been trying to do the Jill Dawson thing myself, but need to get into the habit.Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-27774373193923153662012-07-03T10:31:01.236+01:002012-07-03T10:31:01.236+01:00Housework?? That is serious! It just goes to show ...Housework?? That is serious! It just goes to show what drastic lengths we are sometimes driven to. Maltesers sounds a really good idea. We could make it one per 100 words, just for that extra bit of encouragement...Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-81449914520743066152012-07-03T10:26:22.623+01:002012-07-03T10:26:22.623+01:00An excellent post. I love Jill Dawson's idea o...An excellent post. I love Jill Dawson's idea of keeping a diary in which to pour out one's feelings while writing, and think I may try that. <br />I find getting that first draft out excruciating, but enjoy editing. So much so that I'm finding it hard to leave book 1 alone and concentrate on drafting book 2. The luxury of not having to work to someone else's deadline can be a double-edged sword.Janet O'Kanehttp://www.janetokane.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-20865882157242725132012-07-03T10:10:01.611+01:002012-07-03T10:10:01.611+01:00Great, encouraging post. My WIP has, in recent wee...Great, encouraging post. My WIP has, in recent weeks, been given the working title "Oh Yeah That" -- around the 50,000 mark. It's so bad, I've even done the housework, which I'm sure is just a phase. I might try the glass thing, although I might sub in Maltesers... and yes we must cheer each other on -- we'll all get there in the end, might as well make it fun!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-38808716383044560852012-07-02T21:28:13.076+01:002012-07-02T21:28:13.076+01:00Now that IS a friend worth having! Glad you're...Now that IS a friend worth having! Glad you're getting there - it's long process, but worth the work!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-19580473708984487282012-07-02T19:11:10.634+01:002012-07-02T19:11:10.634+01:00Oh how very true. I always get halfway through and...Oh how very true. I always get halfway through and think, what am I doing? This is utter rubbish. Why can't it come out on the page like I see it in my head? Find a friend that says, "NO. Keep on keeping on." I found one recently and seem to be getting there finally. He's worth his weight in chocolate.Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-69290396034208257472012-07-02T13:59:40.477+01:002012-07-02T13:59:40.477+01:00Yes, there's a whole heap of work to come, and...Yes, there's a whole heap of work to come, and that's for sure! Maybe I should try and enjoy the first draft more...Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-86497845304011269632012-07-02T12:09:10.369+01:002012-07-02T12:09:10.369+01:00I'm starting to think the first draft was a wa...I'm starting to think the first draft was a walk in the park after taking more than twice as long with revisions — and more to come. For a writer, I'm somewhat impatient. I love writing the first draft precisely because it can be so unpolished!Wendy Hollandshttp://www.lefrancophoney.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-87293178888714894192012-07-02T10:13:56.911+01:002012-07-02T10:13:56.911+01:00Yes, I always plan to a certain extent, but I'...Yes, I always plan to a certain extent, but I'm not sure it helps, because the topography definitely changes as you go along. I love the way you describe it as a 'haunted wilderness' - spot on!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-42900558509771068542012-07-02T10:11:59.218+01:002012-07-02T10:11:59.218+01:00I empathise totally! I've just had a couple of...I empathise totally! I've just had a couple of 'pulling teeth' days, so much harder to keep going. We just have to remember the joy of those free-flowing days - even if it's drivel!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-7308966371468818552012-07-02T09:22:43.094+01:002012-07-02T09:22:43.094+01:00I'm in the haunted wilderness of First Draught...I'm in the haunted wilderness of First Draught Land (again). I've tried being all planned and organised first - it doesn't seem to help. I swear the topography changes.<br />This is such a good and honest post.<br />I'll support you - whinge at me if you want to.K.M.Lockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07540392557430776265noreply@blogger.com