Not so long ago, I was having a conversation with someone about the way I write. They were asking all the usual questions about whether I was a plotter or a pantser and how I worked out how to structure my books etc and it made me realise quite how much I have changed the way that I work.
Handwritten vs Typed
When I first started working on longer length pieces, I always hand wrote everything, usually with a fountain pen. This wasn't for any idealistic notion of wanting to feel as though I was following in the footsteps of great classical novelists who drafted their novels with quill pen and ink pot. Instead, it was for the rather more mundane reason that I simply couldn't think creatively on a keyboard. I think it was something about being confronted by a blank screen that seemed far more intimidating than a blank page in a notebook. Consequently, draft 1 was always handwritten and the first lot of edits would come when I typed it up, as I would edit as I typed. The problem was, this was a really slow way of writing a novel. Now, all my notes are handwritten still, but the actual novel goes straight onto the laptop. The only exception to this is when I'm writing on location and my trusty notebook comes with me. I have yet to be able to do all my edits straight onto the screen though and usually print the book out to do the first round of proper edits.
2. Editing
The more I write, the more I have realised how important editing is. I used to do it all myself, for the simple reason that I didn't have anyone else to do it. After doing the MA I now have a network of people to ask advice from in the early stages of drafting the novels. Once the first draft is done, I have a couple of people I ask to read it and give me feedback and once their suggested edits have been done, it gets sent off to my editor for her to have a look and give me more structured feedback. Then there is the proof reader who casts an eye over the final draft for me. Nevertheless, editing is something I have a love-hate relationship with. I hate the first round of editing and word-repetition is necessary, but not fun! However, I do like the final round of edits because that's where the story really comes together and takes shape.
3. Pantser vs Plotter
When I first started writing full length novels I used to have a vague idea of the plot and where I wanted the characters to be by the end of the book, but would just start writing and see where it took me. The problem with this was that often by about 35,000-50,000 words I would run out of steam and not be quite sure how to get from the middle to the end. Then I took to plotting from about halfway through. Whilst this resolved the first problem, it created another one because often I would change my mind about something partway through draft 1 and then have to re-write huge chunks of the book and editing took twice as long as it should have done. Then, I discovered the Save the Cat plan. Now, I generally have the major plot points worked out before I start writing the book and have the overall arc of the book in place, along with a rough guide to the word count for each section.
4. Children vs Adults
Before I did the MA, I wrote nothing but children's books. The length of adult ones terrified me and I had no idea what I would write about. However, on the MA we weren't allowed to write for children, so I had to learn how to write for adults and over the next two years I became much more comfortable with the new audience. Now, I actually prefer writing the adult books as there is much more scope for exploring the darker, grittier side of human life. I still enjoy the children's books, but it's the adult ones that get me really engaging with research and allow me to write in a split timeline, which although more complicated, is definitely my preferred structure.
5. Discipline
When writing was just a hobby, I only wrote if I was in the mood. Now, I have realised that I work better if I have a deadline to meet. It makes me more focused and ensures I put more effort in to write even on the days where I don't feel like it. In fact, some of the best work I've done has been when I've made myself work. I find setting a monthly target particularly helpful and using the NaNoWriMo website has proved invaluable because it allows me to set a target and a deadline and then tells me how much I have to write each day to meet it. This means I can see if I'm on track each day and also, prompts me to write a little at the weekends, where usually I wouldn't do anything because I only have the evenings to myself. However, I've also got better at distinguishing between when I'm just being lazy and when I genuinely need a break from writing. When it's the latter, after the break I'm usually champing at the bit to get back to my desk.
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