Comments on: Stupid Process

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:15:23 +0000

Caroline – well thank you. 🙂 I was trying to keep a low profile with the entry. Must go have a look at yours!

By: Caroline

Caroline — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:08:38 +0000

I’ve just had my best mate have a look-see at my NV chapter and asked for input. She (quite rightly) said I need to mix long and short sentences together more Duh! Why didn’t *I* spot that ehh? Just goes to show how easy it to be too close to your MS sometimes! Going over to NV to check out your entry now Jackie. Can’t wait…Caroline x

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 03:22:40 +0000

Madeline – ah, big hugs!! I feel your pain. I’m not sure what to advise. I have found that going back to my gut and writing from that is pretty much the only way out of the mess I’ve got myself into. And that means chucking the stuff I’ve written (or at least putting it another document) and writing it all afresh without thinking ahead or planning. It’s working much better. AND I’m finding that there’s some stuff that’s falling into place naturally that didn’t when I was TRYING to do it! Stupid eh?
The only thing I can suggest is continuing to work with your process but at the same time, allowing yourself some leeway for change. A combo pants/plotter type thing.
That bloody happy medium again!!

By: Madeline Ash

Madeline Ash — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:47:21 +0000

What I don’t understand is how an author can ever have a ‘final’ draft. Although I’ve stopped working on my more recent manuscripts (having concluded the story and reached word count), I wouldn’t say that they’re Finished. There are too many things to change all the time: foreshadowing, another funny exchange, more detail, less detail…I’ve had to forbid myself to open past story.docs so that I can move on to the next!
As you said Jackie, it can get mega frustrating, no matter what process you use. I’m a plotter. I have each chapter planned before I start writing the story. But that doesn’t seem to make it any easier to reach the end! I might know where the plot is going, when certain conflicts will come to the forefront, and so on. But that makes it harder when I come to a scene that I WANTED and have PLANNED AROUND, but is not right for the characters. Like strip chess. It ruins everything *has a cry* because sometimes it means the whole plan has to change. And I’m a Virgo. Unexpected change makes me very unhappy.
Luckily, I haven’t reached that stage in my current ms. Fingers crossed I won’t. But my plans are rarely spot on the first time. Sometimes I want to try being a pantser, but I can’t handle that kind of spontaneity 🙂
Good luck pushing through this particular patch of wet cement. You can do it. There’s a dry, set footpath just around the corner where you’ll be able to gain speed again xx

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:45:10 +0000

Scarlet – Thanks! But yeah, I do have scenes in my head. It’s great but it can also be a pain in the butt – witness my forcing my characters to do stuff just so I can have the scene!

Thanks Helen! Yeah, I’ve never been one for post-its and collages etc. In fact, I think I need to pants more than I do cos sometimes the plotting bogs me down something chronic. What HAS been good has been taking the time to get to know my characters a bit more. Certainly helps when it comes to figuring out the plot. 🙂

By: Helen Lacey

Helen Lacey — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:39:36 +0000

I’ve always envied plotters a little. Those writers who have characters profiles, excel spreadsheets, file cards, collage boards etc and seem so organised. And I’ve never been one of them. But I’ve tried to learn. I’ve read books and made plans that never really saw the light of day. And the learning seemed to take away from my writing time. So I just start with my main characters, a vague outline of the kind of story I want to write (secret baby, love reunited etc) and I start writing. I try to get it right as I go – sometimes it works, somtimes not so well. But I figure that’s just my way and I long ago stopped fighting with myself about being a panster.
Great post Jackie!

By: scarlet wilson

scarlet wilson — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:04:54 +0000

Jackie – I loved the title of this blog and started laughing straight away.
I’ve never had thoughts about fabulous scenes – and am quite jealous that you have. Sometimes I think that might be quite useful when I feel stuck!

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:57:33 +0000

Georgie – you’re so right! I’m a great believer in just getting it all down first. Which is what I usually do. Though at the moment I’d like to do a rough first draft that I can edit into something not worth cringing over instead of rewriting the whole thing five times – which is my normal process. 🙂

By: Georgie Lee

Georgie Lee — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:10:47 +0000

I’m a panster too and sometime I just have to get something on the page so I can edit. The important thing is to keep working.

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 02:56:00 +0000

Rach – you keep on panting…;-) Yep, same here. My writing has slowed heaps due to the wretched craft. At least, it slows down when I’m doing something I shouldn’t. I just need to STOP when I’m doing that and figure out what I’m doing wrong. And Rach, you’re NOT bad at rewriting. It’s not easy, no, but you can do it!