There, I said it. Don't get me wrong though. I LOVE to revise and I love getting editorial feedback. The problem is that I've become a fast drafter of insane proportions. Earlier this year I wrote a book at a crazy pace, getting 18K in one day. I actually felt hungover the next day. lol I don't advise keeping that pace, nor am I looking to duplicate it. But I seem to always get to a certain point in a new draft when I'm pulled out to either revise one of my contracted books or edit for a client.
Again, I'm not complaining. I just miss drafting. I had to put aside a book that was surprising me left and right in a very good way. The characters had taken over. And now…I have another idea. See my problem? I have two books fighting to be written and I'm busy editing and revising.
What's a girl to do?
I think had I written 18,000 words in one day I would have had something worse than a hangover- I probably would not be alive to see the next day.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how you do it.
That was a crazy day. I felt awful afterward so I don't intend to try to match or beat that record any time soon.
DeleteI wish I could write that fast. I'm redrafting my current novel at speed at the moment for a deadline (having sent in the first 3 chapters to a competition that would need the complete novel by August). I may have to pay my children to do housework and cooking.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get it done, Fi. I know you will.
DeleteDrafting is painful for me. My first drafts are a mess, and I know it. I hate that lack of perfection. I hate the feeling of wondering if I'm going in the wrong direction. But I LOVE revision and editing. That's where I get my real joy.
ReplyDeleteI think I love them both equally. Drafting is surreal for me because I feel like I just writing down a story as my characters tell it to me, instead of me thinking up the story.
DeleteWow, 18K in one day is crazy fast! On a good day I do 2K. I actually love editing--I like polishing and deepening, and I always find more to say, to finesse.
ReplyDeleteSame here. Editing is a lot of fun.
DeleteI understand, Kelly! When you're in that zone, it's really rough to get pulled out of it. I think writing a book is a lot like reading one on a slower scale--you want to know what happens next, and the only way to find out is to keep writing! At the speed you draft, can you put off the edits just a few days until you finish drafting?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'm the type of person who stresses when I know people are waiting on me, whether it's my editing clients or my editors. I hate to hold people up so I do edits first.
DeleteToo bad we can't add another six hours onto the day.
ReplyDeleteSeriously. I would love it if we could.
DeleteI know what you mean! I think that creative brain of yours just wants to run free. Indulge yourself if you can. Even if it's only writing for 15-20 minutes on the idea you can't get out of your head. Don't keep it bottled up. Let it out! :-)
ReplyDeleteI do. I jot down ideas all the time, but I want to write for hours on end. lol
DeleteWhoa! 18k is a ton of words to write in one day. I find when I'm editing that is when the new ideas come faster. And I miss drafting too. I've been editing way too much this year and hope to get to drafting again next month.
ReplyDeleteSame here! June is booked with edits and a revision though, so I have to wait until July to get serious writing time again.
DeleteWhoa! Its awesome actually that you have all these ideas and keep going! All the best!
ReplyDeleteSix books in one year? That number has my head spinning. I'm lucky to finish a book in two years, which seemed like the amount of time each book in my (unpublished) series took to complete. Whenever I see your word count for the day, my jaw drops and I think, "Gosh, I didn't get anywhere near that word count." I wish I had your stamina and speed! :)
ReplyDeleteOr, if we can't get more time in the day like William suggested, wouldn't it be great if we felt completely refreshed after say, oh, only three hours of sleep? Wouldn't that free up some extra hours!
ReplyDeleteI hope to fast draft this summer since I have time off. When I'm focused I can write 2-3 drafts a year. Edits have gotten in my way, too, this year. I have 3 abandoned drafts I want to get to.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a struggle, Kelly, especially when we have stories and ideas tearing away at our heart. Good luck with your drafting and edits with whichever way you decide to continue. But whatever you are doing, at least you are moving in the right direction, regardless if you can feed creativity into those drafts now or later=)
ReplyDeletePlay it fair: x hours on drafting, and x hours on revising, and what's-left hours on taking care of yourself and spending great time with your family. You'll be all right, Kelly. Not to worry. :)
ReplyDeleteIt feels awesome to draft a brand new story I must admit. However, I enjoy the editing process even more because that's the part that makes it come alive to me.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather revise than draft. But it is great to finish a draft before you have to go back to revisions on a prior ms. Earlier this year, I managed it. But it's more likely not to happen that way.
ReplyDeleteSix books a year. Wow. That explains a lot. I usually write two. I'm envious. Or maybe inspired. Good luck. I get the same way when all the edits come at once. It's hard!
ReplyDelete