I’m in this weird, slightly unfamiliar place right now.
Even though I didn’t have deadlines pre book deal, I did have this drive to write fast. This inner urge to pound out the words, because the more stories I could write, the more I would learn, the better each novel would get, and the higher my chances for publication. I’m not sure if my reasoning was logical, but it was there. A sense of urgency.
Usually, we read about authors getting contracts and struggling with the new and added stress of deadlines. We hear about how much busier life gets once a person gets a book deal.
But I’m learning this isn’t always the case.
At least not for me.
I signed a two-book deal and both books are written. I have a third that is ready to go, but will have to sit tight until we’re allowed to submit it. There is absolutely no hurry for me to pound out the words. The pressure is off. Sweet bliss, right?
I don’t know. I’m kind of weirded out by it.
Tana asked: Do you find yourself writing more slowly now that you know how long the process takes? Have you cut back on your word count? Do you savor the storyline more?
Even though there’s no hurry to finish my current WIP, even though I can’t submit it anytime soon, I’m still determined to maintain my pacing of roughly 2 books a year.
Why?
Because. I’m paranoid. If I slow down, won’t I get out of shape? What if I lose my ability to pound out the wordage? What if my stories become a hot commodity (hey, a girl can dream) and my publisher wants more, but I don’t know how to write fast anymore?
Let’s Talk: What would you do? Do you take your time through the writing process or do you feel a sense of urgency to pound out the words? If you didn’t have any reason to keep writing so fast, would you slow down? Do you think we can get out of shape when it comes to writing fast?
Because of Parent Teacher conferences next week, I won’t be blogging. See you on March 7th!
I don't know what would be my take in such a situation.
You are funny! What a problem girl! You need to write book 4 for the heck of it!
I was where you are now a couple of years ago. Then my publisher bought the books I had already written, and now wants a sequel to the one that will be released next month, plus my editor wants to see another book I've been working on as well.
Before publishing I could easily write two books a year, but now with signings, promotion, blogging, social networking, being a wife, mom and grandma (yes I'm that old) mixed with my church calling there are days I get a little panicked.
What helps? Prayer and faith. Both are great calming medications. 🙂
It will be all right. Really.
When I look back I realize that I've approached each of my books in a different way. Sometimes there was a story that I rushed to get out and then took months, sometimes years, to revise. Other times I had an idea that needed nurturing and I wrote in surges as the scenes gelled. I'm not a fast writer — generally aim for 1000 words per day — but I'm a constant one. Since I'm not under contract I don't face the kind of pressure that some authors have mentioned, but there are so many stories I want to write that I can't imagine taking a hiatus. Then again, I do understand what I choose to write might never find a home, and an agent would suggest I not waste time on ideas that haven't received approval. Perhaps, as Jeanette says, the Lord will convince me to change my MO if and when he makes changes in my life. I can't predict that.
If this time of waiting makes you restless, could you redirect your energy to writing something different in the interval, such as a series of devotionals for your family's use? articles for a parenting magazine? memory paragraphs to accompany pages in photo albums? (Do you do scrapbooking?)
Hey Katie!
This is a tricky one for me. I'm naturally a chapter a week writer (7-10 page chapter). I take a lot of mulling time. But now, I have to speed up my pace to two chapters a week to meet my deadlines. I worry sometimes that it will affect the quality of the work. One thing I've discovered is that I can't let myself think about schedule too much. I know I'll have more time this summer, so until then, I just have to do what I can and not place too much pressure on myself.
Oh dear. Such questions. I think you are choosing the right path for your life at this juncture, Katie. Sometimes the Lord directs us to change our M.O., even if something has worked well for us in the past.
Be led by the Holy Spirit in your heart and the Word of God, honey, not fear.
You are doing well. He is proud of you and so are we!
I actually need to pick up the pace a little. I'm an inconsistent writer at best–going from pounding out the words like crazy one week, to slowing to a trickle or halting altogether the next. Perhaps that's why I haven't gotten a good draft done in like…well, forever.
Oh, wow. Tough! I like that you've approached this problem with us, so we can get a look at it, too.
First, I admire that you've found yourself in this place. May we all have that drive to pound out the words so ferociously!
Second, I'd be one to pause and reflect at this point. Take the time to hash out what isn't working and build a stronger foundation before time to submit comes too close.
Best, Katie!
LOL This reminds me of you and how you learned how to stand on a ball. I think it's your personality. 🙂
I do feel the urgency to write but I rarely pound out the words. LOL
I just finished a book under a deadline, and I'm scared to lose my momentum. I'm going to try to keep the energy from my last book on my next book as long as I can.
hi, new to the site, thanks.
You have to be a wordsmith Katie! I ache to get here:) I'm holding onto my determination to pound words everytime I peek down the publication path.
Lord, help!
Hey, Katie! I'm in the camp that if you know you've got a major problem with how the plot is going, it's better to stop, fix it the best you can before you move on. I'm one of those edit-as-you-go people. Now, I am trying to break that habit, but I'm not sure it would be beneficial to keep writing if something's wrong with the actual story. At the very least, I would want to fix the outline before I wrote another scene. It seems to me you gotta know where you're going next. How's that for an early morning Sunday ramble?
I've had to put my personal writing aside for a couple weeks because of a 400,000+ ( not even kidding) word count professional document I'm working on–on deadline. It makes me freak out that I'm going to forget how to write creatively. But I've noticed 1) to rely on God more
for the time & words, 2) that there's this awesome agent I know who always reminds me to take my time,
and that 3) katdish is always right. 🙂 You rock, Katie!!!
Hi Katie –
Congrats on the interview. I think you'll be fine as soon as you have a clear view of the next goal.
I can write a rough draft in four months if I'm motivated. When I read Rachelle's post that an agent likes to see two or more books, I wrote that second book, and started a third.
After some problems with the genre, I've switched to another project. Since it's a new area, I'm on a learning curve again, which slows the process.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
That's a tough call, Katie! I think the answer is different for each person. If I were in your place, I think I'd stop and fix the issues before I went on since the time is available.
I always thought it'd be awesome to whip out a good draft 2 times a year, but I think I might be more of a 1-book-a-year person. It could be my current life situation or my creative juice limit, but that's the way I roll. 🙂
I'm a slow plodder, no doubt about that. And if I had time, I'd probably write even more slowly. But I so admire your speedy style — you are my hero! How do you do it? Where is the time for all the writing? Seriously, tell me! Do you write late at night, at the crack of dawn, all day long?
Thanks for sharing! Super interesting… In reporter land, we call this "hurry up and wait." Rush to the event, rush to set yourself up, then wait until the action actually happens… All so you can rush to write your story on deadline when it does.
I hope you can enjoy this time when you're not rushing, focus on craft and letting the ideas flow.
And btw — hadn't been here in quite a while: Love the look for your site!
This got me to thinking, Katie. While I am a fast writer, I also am a thorough writer. Slowing down wouldn't necessarily make my writing better. I think practice, time, and constant learning makes my books better.
I study writing craft books throughout the year and I know you do too. I would love to have more time devoted to studying. I also like to read the books my target publishers put out but I don't always have time to read as many as I'd like.
I don't know you, Katie, but I am used to working with a writer who is very self-motivated and driven. You strike me as the same type of writer. I personally think it's a good idea to step back from a writing project and give yourself time to breathe. But if you feel compelled to jump back into it and don't, you may just drive yourself crazy sitting on your hands. Just my 2 cents, whatever they're worth.
I'm very capable of writing fast, BUT I need deadlines to do so — whether from an outside source or self-imposed.
Otherwise, I would daydream and daydream some more, and little actual writing would ever get done.
Hi, I'm an author friend of Bonnie's and have been following your blog for awhile. I love it.
Like you, when I need a break, I am always worried. What if somehow my ability to put words down on paper leaves while I collect my thoughts and never comes back? But then, of course, it does.
Good luck whether you decide to take a break or pound it out and deal with the fixing later.
Also, I read Bonnie's interview with you and really enjoyed it. Congratulations on your recent contract!
Hey girl! Yeah, I write pretty fast too, but I have learned to slow down. I think we're in the same WIP boat right now. This thing is giving me fits. As tempting as it is to keep going and finish the book, I know I probably should stop and fix things now. But I don't wanna!!! LOL. So instead, I procrastinate. I am very good at this. I didn't hear back on the brainstorming so I guess you got it all figure out? Hope so, but let me know if you need an extra perspective.
I SO know what you mean about having this drive to write fast. I have been writing 2-3 books a year for a awhile now and that in itself hasn't made me want to slow down. I love writing! But now that I've set this pace, it's weird to think about doing it differently. But I found I am. There comes this point, like with you, that we have to change our focus and do what's best for that space in time or for that particular project, and that's okay!
I think you're making a smart choice, and how fun you got interviewed 🙂 I'll have to check it out!
I wouldn't slow down either. (and thanks for answering my question!) I think it's important to stay in literary shape. The competition is SO stiff there isn't room for literary flab. Besides, the more you write the more material you have to choose from. =)
I used to take my time to a fault. Obsessing over the intro and not being able to move on. Then I learned it's OKAY to write bad and I moved a bit faster. Though I can't seem to go at your pace, I learned I there are times to write fast and times to slow down, especially when I'm writing a mystery and I NEED to figure it out before I move one. But there's also a lesson to be learned in writing fast. I truly believe if I had written faster, I would have been published sooner. But life doesn't always work that way, especially with homeschooling four kids!
Oh, Katie, I feel your pain. I've had to cut a huge chunk of a story and start over. While not an easy task, I will say that by slowing down and figuring out what I needed to accomplish before I began the rewrite, I ended up with a far better story than when I wrote fast.
I wish you well as you work through your dilemma.
My first drafts are fast (2-6 mths). My editing process is slow, really slow. Which is fine because I have nobody waiting for revisions.
I think I take too much time and need to write more. Like you said at the beginning you wanted to write more so that you would get better. I think I need to adopt that attitude.
Hi Katie, I've followed for a while and love your blog – it's always down-to-earth and thought-provoking.
I feel that sense of urgency right now. I'm writing my third novel and hoping it will be the one. My word count is 1,000 a day, and I keep thinking about upping that, but I'm afraid I'll lose some quality (I'm really hoping there's some quality…).
At this point I would keep writing and fix stuff at the editing phase. If I were at your point, though, confident that I could write a novel that sells, I'd step back and think about the story strategically and deeply. Now is your time to use different techniques to improve your craft. There are times to keep going as before and times to change…most important is to follow our intuition and enjoy whatever stage we're in!
Hi Katie, You've answered some questions I've had about your writing. (You are driven to write fast, which means that you think fast, as well.) If this is your natural method and you get nervous or antsy when you switch it up, maybe that's your answer.
(Personally I have no idea, but I, too, worry when I step back because I lose my story-line and my characters, as I have this week with not feeling well. And it can be difficult to find my way back.) What you said about wanting to write fast because you would get better with each story is going to propel me forward (for it is what I've told myself, just needed someone else to say it, too). Thanks!!!
Two comments. I think your long term "pace" is a completely different issue from what to do with your current manuscript.
Regarding your MS, if you really have to chuck 50k, then I'd do it now. Because if you wait, you could rewrite the first 50k and be in a completely different spot and end up having to rewrite the whole last half too. Maybe not make it perfect (because a rough draft is exactly that, rough) but make the story write.
Regarding pace, I think, personally, for a published author, 2 books a year is a really GOOD pace. Especially if your goal is to eventually stay home with your munchkin and write and make a living off of it. Still writing 2 books a year will keep you ahead of the game. Maybe let yourself slow down this year, as I'm sure you'll be overwhelmed with edits, and finish your one book, then resume your 2 book a year goal next year.
I dunno, just my opinion though:-)
I am a slooooooooow writer. Only once was I under the gun and wrote fast. It worked out well, although it wasn't what I prefer. I like to take my time.
I guess you never know what you're capable of until you are put in that situation. 🙂
I've slowed it this past month. To research, collect my thoughts, etc.
Lately I'm doing a lot of reevaluating of things I thoughts I knew.
Loved your interview w/ Bonnie.
~ Wendy
If the words are in you and coming out fast and GOOD, then keep going. If word vomit starts manifesting, then take a break and get back on track. Don't burn out! :O)
I have to write fast. It's the only thing that's worked for me. As a homeschooling mom, the vast majority of my writing is done in the middle of the summer when we have a light school schedule. I count on writing a minimum of 60,000 words in July. Once I've got momentum, I just keep going as fast as I can. Revising can be done in smaller chunks of time after I've got that first draft done.
I used to write two books a year. THis time, this fifth one, I am stretching out and taking my time and not pressuring myself to get it done. I'm thinking my rush didn't pay off and maybe I need to be more careful and cautious.
I have absolutely no idea what I would do in your position! I would keep working but I don't know if it would be with the same urgency or not. I'll let you know when I get there. 🙂