Monday, January 24, 2011

A different approach


FedEx and I are meeting again today. It's okay. My husband knows.

My rough draft waits, all neatly coiled together, ready for my colored markers to begin their work.

I’m trying something different this time around—I’m headed to the library to find a quiet corner where I can read through my WIP without the usual distractions around me.

Hopefully I’ll look at the storyline from a different viewpoint. Maybe I’ll discover areas that need improvement that I wouldn’t have caught sitting in my usual chair at home.

It’s a new approach.

What have you tried to do differently lately?

47 comments:

Sarah Forgrave said...

I love printing off my m/s to read it on paper. It's daggone expensive, so I try to wait until my m/s is pretty well clean. :) But it's amazing what the eye catches on paper versus onscreen.

Georgiana Daniels said...

Reading my ms on paper is SO different than reading it on a screen. I catch all kinds of things I never saw on the computer. What have I tried different? Not much--maybe that's the problem!

Paul Greci said...

I love reading a hard copy version of my WIP. I tend to read more slowly. And, I love being able to spread several pages in row and look at them together. It's not really new for me to do that, but I love getting to that stage.

Jessica R. Patch said...

Reading it aloud helps me spot errors. If something doesn't flow right, I'll know it by saying it instead of just reading. I also like to print it out and highlight-in pink! :) Happy Monday!

Karen Lange said...

I've been thinking of doing the same thing. Sometimes there are too many distractions with a home office. Hope you get a lot accomplished!
Blessings,
Karen

Wendy Paine Miller said...

This is the first time I've had a set word count I want to finish at. It's different, but making sense so far.

~ Wendy

Great Grandma Lin said...

well all my submissions have been online but recently I sent two copies of my latest work in my snail mail and am waiting. The email version took two months before a no, we'll see how long this takes. I also sent in a sase to have it returned....waiting.

Anonymous said...

Our library just opened up in a new location where I recently spent an afternoon working on my writing and web-design course. I find I do produce better results when I move away from my 'normal' setting.

Erin MacPherson said...

Great idea. I NEVER catch things well when I read things through on my laptop at home in my usual spot... I need to get AWAY... to a coffee shop or a library or SOMEWHERE! Let us know how it goes!

Jeanette Levellie said...

If I take the time to read my ms. aloud, I catch mistakes I never find otherwise.

Blessings on your editing!
Jen

Joanne Sher said...

I'm trying to read novels as "research" - new in two ways. One, I was barely reading novels at all until just a few months ago. Second, I was reading them for pleasure. It seems to be working not badly

Cindy R. Wilson said...

What have I tried to do different lately? He he he, just wait until you read my new WIP :) Either I'm totally crazy or I might have stumbled onto something interesting! I have to e-mail you now!

Tana said...

Just yesterday I started a making a schedule for my day. I got more done yesterday because I followed the plan than I did in a week! Here's to different!

Beth Mann said...

I'm plotting - which I have discovered I suck at ;) I'm a pantser by nature, but I'm trying to learn from past mistakes. It isn't easy, that's for sure! Hope your new library spot gives you a new clarity! :)

Katie Ganshert said...

Funny you ask this. Normally, I plot like a crazy person. But for this story, I'm not. I have the general, important plot points...but it's not filled in. Yet, I'm writing. It's sort of scary, but also sort of fun!

Kara said...

I'm listing my projects and tackling them one by one. In the past I just sort of got to them when the urge or need arised. I know I'm a little behind in this game:)

Rhonda Schrock said...

That's exactly how I work...down at the coffee shop. With a very small, old farmhouse; boys, boys, boys; and Mt. Everest in the laundry room, it's the very best way for me to get the column written. Plus, it gets me outside of my four walls (as you know, I work from home besides) and around other adults!

Mama stays sane that way, the kids live longer, and everybody's just - well, happier. :)

Thinking of you, friend.

Lillian Robinson said...

When my internet went down and I had to go to the library to get online, I learned there is no place there without distractions. Our local library is not the quiet place I remember from the past.

Kathleen said...

Oh yes; I do love a good paradigm shift!

I'll tell you what: I am all about "doing it different". I loathe ruts, and I embrace adventure.

Who knows what you'll discover in the library's quiet corner? Good stuff, I'm sure!

Hugs,
Kathleen

Tamika: said...

I threatened hubby to print out my WIP ans sneak away to read it, then he reminded me that I have five versions floating around. Not. Good.

I hope you find the sweet spot in your writing that will help you make it sing:)

Jayne said...

I think it's a great idea. As soon as my ms is as polished as I can get it, I print it out and take it (and a red pen) on a walk to the nearest coffee shop. Even sitting somewhere different in the house does wonders. I hope it works for you!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

So timely you should write about going to the library. Last week I thought I needed a change of venue for my writing. There are way too many distractions for me at home, although I do love having my "religious" books of reference close at hand. I thought about Starbucks, but then I thought about the distractions there. And then...

the library! I don't even know where the library is in my big city, but I'm thinking of finding a local one where I can go and work on my words... kind of like going to my office, only without a time card to punch in and out!

I'll keep you posted.

~elaine

Cheryl Klarich said...

Prayers for a fresh,new perspective!
God bless you Terri (and everyone here) for trying to write from the heart!

Diane said...

New writing prompts are fun! :O)

Jill Kemerer said...

Oooh, fun! Colored markers and everything!

I can't say I'm doing anything different, but in my case that's a good thing. It's working!

Deb Shucka said...

I hope the library works for you. I would be distracted by all the books I haven't read yet. :-)

I'm putting my writing first, no matter what. It may be only for a couple of hours, but nothing else happens at this computer until I've spent some quality time with my book each day.

Kenda Turner said...

I haven't actually left the house to find a new place to write, but I have been writing in notebooks in different rooms, looking out different windows. It's actually boosted my writing, strange as it sounds! Great question :-)

WritingNut said...

Great idea! Good luck with it :)

I am going to try printing off my MS next week after the first round of edits to see if I can look at it with different eyes.

Jennie Allen said...

Getting away for several days was better than 100 days broken up with interruption! I also love new office supplies- love your markers and secret library!

Stephanie Faris said...

I downloaded an app to my iPhone that allows me to write on my phone...I did it for a while but now I've gone back to pen and paper when I can't be at a computer!

Susan R. Mills said...

A quiet corner in a library sounds like heaven. I think I'll head there now.

Unknown said...

Thinking outside the proverbial box! Putting together a test group to participate in my Bible study/devotional. Have a productive day at the library, Terri! Hugs & God bless!

Jan Cline said...

I love this idea. You are so good at looking at all the angles. Let us know how it worked. :)

Nancy said...

That should help a lot. Change makes things new.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Sometimes I need a change of scenery too! Or I use my alphasmart for a change.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

I'm in research mode right now with one project.

My book hasn't been given to beta readers for a long time. I'm printing out the latest version and approaching a couple of people.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Julie Musil said...

What a great idea! I'm curious how this will work for you. I tried a method I read from someone else. They said to print the manuscript and read it through like a regular book. Mark things along the way, then revise from those notes. For me it really helped. Good luck with your revision!

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

Good for you! I've gone to the library before to do a read through and it helps. Enjoy the peace and quiet. :D

jdsanc said...

I'm reading out loud. It helps me focus on each and every word. When my kids are home, I talk into my hand. Not exactly the same, but it slows my brain down, allows me to hear every word. When the kids see me, reinforces the notion that I really am nuts. It's win/win.

Jessica Nelson said...

I haven't tried anything different lately...I probably should! LOL

I love reading mine on paper. That's my last editing step usually.

mary.anne.gruen@gmail.com said...

Going to the library to write sounds like an excellent idea. And have fun with FedEX! LOL

Jackie said...

I've been doing allot of "breaking from the norm" lately and it's really helped! It's sparked a new creativity within me......kinda like a breath of fresh air!

Haven't gone to the library yet, but adding that to my list!

Thanks, Terri

Janet Johnson said...

I'd so love to try this! Alas, I'll be at that stage in a few years. :)

And best of luck on your revisions!

Pat Wahler said...

Strange, but true. Reading words on paper is so different from the computer screen. Things always jump out in a way they never did until printed neatly on paper!

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

Heather Sunseri said...

Oh, I love paper!! But I also like reading my ms on my Kindle. I catch a lot of typos that way.

Lydia Kang said...

I may print out my MS in a different font and attack with colored markers too. That would be different for me!

Anonymous said...

They say that one should not let the brain stand with a stick to say if the idea is good or bad. Is it possible to have a different approach and yet keep the original spark of your story?