I mentioned yesterday that I wrote about 2000 words in a free hour I had the other day. Many of you commented that it sounded like a lot--I have to clarify here--I wrote a chapter and then did some editing that added some words. . . but I have yet to go back and reread what I wrote.
The freedom was putting down words on paper without worrying about the quality . . . much like I assume the writers who are doing the novel in a month are doing.
Normally, I self-edit as I go and then my books take forever to write. A friend of mine who just finished publishing her first book, told me she had 600 pages done already on her second!
It made me really wonder how well I use my time.It made me really wonder if I want to finish my books.
Sure, I write short stories and submit regularly but when it comes to books, well, I often look at them as a huge project that I can take forever on because it might not come together anyway.
Some faulty thinking for sure--but safe thinking. Sort of like building a house but never planning to live in it because the move might be too time consuming or I might not like the end product.
So when a blogger friend said, "Write today!" I did write without thinking of the results or the what-ifs or the length and instead enjoyed the pleasure of writing.
Sometimes it's nice to live in the moment. Don't you wish we always did?
6 comments:
The pleasure of writing is where it all begins...everything else is an extension of that.
What a super achievement to knock out so much in an hour. Impressive! I've also written in both modes: edit-as-you-go and freewriting. Each has its merits.
Oh yes! Living each sweet moment is such a great adventure. All too often I've drawn from the last moment(s), or borrowed from the next one(s). The present is .... well, a "present".
Looks like you've been mining your presents.
Awesome!
Kathleen
I understand this all-too-well. I, too, have a hard time not editing as I go. (Can't turn that editor brain off!) With my first novel, I was really anal about perfection for two-thirds through, but then toward the end I caught the "just get it out" bug and wrote without looking back. (Part of what helped was that I wrote the last several chapters on a portable word processor, which I couldn't easily edit from.) Each has its place, and I think we have to find the system that works best for us as individuals.
I struggle with this because I think if what I'm writing isn't good, then it is a waste of time that only has to be redone later. But then I've heard that the way to improve your writing is to write, so it is a catch 22 for me.
In any case, you are always encouraging and uplifiting in your posts and this one has prompted me again to get a move on.
Sometimes the editor can be gagged a while if you write longhand. Great work in one hour you did!
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