100 Things You Should Know About Writing (Part 1)

8) What Type of 抖阴社区r are You?

Anyway. I know a lot of people edit as they draft. Some edit as soon as they finish a chapter. Others edit the previous chapter right before starting the current one, as a way to get back into the story's flow. 

While I understand this, I'm of the "edit later" school of thought. In fact, I hand-write drafts on paper in pen so that I can't erase and can't edit until the entire rough draft is done. The reason for this is that I'm actually deeply perfectionistic when it comes to my writing. (You wouldn't think so looking at my desk.) As a result of this, I over edit if I don't give the story months' worth of breathing room to come into its own. 

If there's one thing that does help me finish books, this is it. It's also the one thing I wish more writers (especially beginners) will try. I know it might not work for everyone, but  writing without editing truly does let a book come alive and gives a writer a chance to see the bigger picture before they change little things that actually should not have been changed. A million small edits where they're not needed can kill a manuscript in its infancy. 

So I'm just going to say that if you've written more than say two or three stories that didn't reach completion, you might want to try drafting without editing just once. Yes, I know there are a million reasons to stop a book. But maybe all you really need is to get out of your own way. 

That said, some people do amazing things by editing and drafting at the same time. So if it works for you, there's no reason to change. 

Entertainers vs Preachers/Teachers

This is probably the most contentious issue in fiction writing today. Especially when it comes to writing Young Adult work. 

Some writers see themselves as preachers/teachers first. Others see themselves as entertainers first. 

Because it ALWAYS ends up in a fight, and I'm really not all that interested in rehashing the same arguments again, I'm neither going to expand my view on these, nor share which side of the debate I'm on. Some of you *MIGHT* be savvy enough to go track down my views on the internet. But then, even if you find my blog (not hard), you might find it impossible to find my views without a clue, since I blog quite often. Yep. I'm rather a wordy lady in all manner of writing related subjects. 

But this just doesn't feel like the place for me to air my view. After all, this is about a learning experience for you. 

How's that for a serious digression? 

So, what exactly am I trying to tell you in this section? It's good to know who you are as a writer, but it's just as good to know that there are other sorts of writers out there to. Especially if you're going to write about writing. Because the moment you act like your way of writing is the only one out there that works, you look like an idiot. Are you a plot driven pantser who just likes to entertain? It doesn't necessarily mean that you're a better writer than the character driven plotter who's writing with a lesson in mind.

There are amazing writers coming from any given combination of these classifications. It all just depends on whether or not the end product reads well. If you've managed that, you're good. No matter how you got there.

Just one last thought before I leave you to your writing for today.

Sometimes, it's a great idea to borrow a page from your opposite's book, so to speak. For example, character driven writers who master the craft of putting together great plots as well write AMAZING books.

And the likes of me, who can't even change something I wrote earlier while drafting by the seat of my pants, can find immense value in plotting before the inevitable rewrite. 

More than anything, that's the point of this post. Especially if you're new to writing, don't settle on something because someone says it's the only way to finish a book. Because the REAL only way to finish your book is by finding the method that works for you. 

Thanks all for reading! Wow. You guys. I just can't believe how well you've been receiving this book! 100 Things is set to hit 1000 readers very soon, and is currently ranked at #544 for non fiction. None of this would be possible without you all supporting me. 

Please leave a comment and or a vote if you like what I have to say. I just love hearing back from you guys. Also, you're more than welcome to ask questions about writing. If answering your question ends up requiring a section of its own, I'll dedicate the section to you. 

Coming up: 

How to Hook Your Reader (gamer9irl)

Information Release

Character Motivation

Sympathy

Showing vs Telling

Narrators