I swear, I spend more time changing stuff and doing stuff over than anything else combined... but I guess before I can write the book, sometimes I have to figure out what it's not.
PS ~ If you haven't entered to win a SIGNED copy of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, you can do so here! Giveaway ends Tuesday, January 31st!
I know it's not really how the process looks in the end, but I'm a very linear writer. In fact, I have problems moving forward if I can't write the part of the story I'm at right then. It's...odd, even for me.
ReplyDeleteI am too, in the sense that I have to write "in order." I have a lot of twists and reveals that get too confusing otherwise. But man, I start over a LOT.
DeleteGosh, yeah, I'm in the middle of that giant squiggle right now. As always, your illustrations are dead on. ;-) Though I have the same issue Josh has...I can't really skip ahead. I have to go chronologically for some silly psychological reason or another.
ReplyDeleteI knew I really liked you, L.C.
ReplyDelete*DIES LAUGHING* Oh, this is brilliant. SO, SO TRUE.
ReplyDeleteAlmost all of the great books are written in this way. The Fault in Our Stars took 10 years! That's what I say to encourage myself.
ReplyDelete@everyone - I have to go chronologically too. But it makes sense, since my stories are pushed along by character interactions. Something so small as a character neglecting to say something can change the whole scene following it.
Very true. For me, character has to drive plot--and sometimes the character motivation shifts unexpectedly while I'm writing a scene, and the "future" for the story changes dramatically. I try to write in order so I can embrace that.
DeleteThat is brilliant! its exactly how a book is written! How I wish the first one was right!
ReplyDeleteMe too...
DeleteI love your doodles so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like them! I like drawing them! :)
Deletebrilliant! i have to write the first draft chronologically, but the edits and rewrites (chronological) and restarts and deletions and subplots and new or condensed characters... whatever... i think there's a lot of criss-crossing in my novel writing diagram.
ReplyDeleteHow did you get inside my head?
ReplyDelete*cackles all evil-like*
DeleteKatie, I love this post! My writing process follows the second chart. (Can we call it a chart. Maybe winding journey is better). :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower. It's great to meet you!