I have always been a free form writer. My first novel was a thriller and I changed both the killer and the motive as I went along. It was, I believe, a better book for that.
However, my second book is narrative non-fiction, totally new to me. I wrote some of it in real time and I used Scrivener to collate my non-chronological work. It was a new and exciting experience for me to be able to write what came rather than what happens next. It did, however make editing the first draft a little more of a challenge. Removing non-sequitors, repetition and ideas that never quite developed all had to be done but helped to shape the work and meant I read it over and over again
That first edited draft is now in the hands of four very different readers. I gave them some questions I would like them to consider when sending feedback. I don't think the questions were quite what they were expecting. Time will tell if the manuscript is or not. I rather hope not, but in a good way!
Thank you for this series at a busy time in your own writing schedule Beth. I am halfway through the Way of the Fearless Writer and have been for quite some time due to other ambitions and focus in my writing life, and other responsibilities and priorities in the rest of my life. I haven’t found my way back to it yet, but these essays have been a great refresher and inspiration to pick it back up and progress through the liquid and solid state writing sections.
I've just read your post. I haven't done the meditation just yet, but I felt compelled to reply. I would've loved this advice decades ago when I was starting to write. My children's story has evolved from what I believe is called a 'vomit draft' and should have never been sent out when it was. That said, the advice and detail of critique the editor has given me over the past few years has been invaluable to my own writing development. I have been able to take a step back and not rush through their comments. I've been taking my time with each chapter. I've even cut out a few characters that I felt did not add anything to my story. The story has evolved and is nothing like its former self. It's been a long process, and I'm grateful to read the chapters as individual pieces that make up the whole story. I'm not there yet. I've still got a lot of work to do. I had unrealistic writing targets, and I put a lot of pressure on myself for tight deadlines. As I've learned, particularly over the past year, I haven't given my best work on the pages I've written. I have a feeling that after the Ink + Flame course has finished, I'll be looking at the story with brighter, clearer eyes and a fresh approach. I've no doubt the story will evolve again.
Over the last week I have deconstructed my novel into scenes knowing I have to take it apart - discard some, rewrite some, polish, write new pieces, polish - before I weave it back together to the story I want to tell. “Distill - Simplify - Polish” reminded me of “Wax on - Wax off” that endless process the Karate Kid endures before he understands that transformation which happens in the shaping, the distilling, the polishing to a shine. Again you words are so encouraging just at the moment I need to keep trusting the process. I already know it but I feel as if a wise friend has just sat down with a fresh cup of tea, wrapped me in safety and said those perfect words to lift me.
You can definitely tell when someone writes from the heart rather than simply targeting an audience. I love the idea of writing for someone with my sort of heart ❤️
Thank you Beth for this! I am reading The Way of The Fearless Writer now...but very slowly. I want to absorb it in little bits. Your words resonant on many levels and I need them to sink in. I write poetry and haiku and I love the quote by Bhavabhuti. Thank you, I needed to read that as I, too, write for me. After the walking meditation, two haiku came to me. I will post them now on my Substack. Thank you Beth.
Thank you for this. I am also a firm believer in polishing fragments, and not showing my work to others until I feel its weight and worth for myself. It all takes discipline, which is a hard but good thing.
I think there is no one process that works. We work in the rhythm that is deep within us. Later in life, I started writing the type of material that I would like to read in hope that there would be kindred souls that it would also speak to. In the end, it has paid off well because it is community or a tribe that we seek.
Wonderful! So glad I bought the book! :)
I have always been a free form writer. My first novel was a thriller and I changed both the killer and the motive as I went along. It was, I believe, a better book for that.
However, my second book is narrative non-fiction, totally new to me. I wrote some of it in real time and I used Scrivener to collate my non-chronological work. It was a new and exciting experience for me to be able to write what came rather than what happens next. It did, however make editing the first draft a little more of a challenge. Removing non-sequitors, repetition and ideas that never quite developed all had to be done but helped to shape the work and meant I read it over and over again
That first edited draft is now in the hands of four very different readers. I gave them some questions I would like them to consider when sending feedback. I don't think the questions were quite what they were expecting. Time will tell if the manuscript is or not. I rather hope not, but in a good way!
Such a lovely listen for me this morning. Thank you.
Thank you for this series at a busy time in your own writing schedule Beth. I am halfway through the Way of the Fearless Writer and have been for quite some time due to other ambitions and focus in my writing life, and other responsibilities and priorities in the rest of my life. I haven’t found my way back to it yet, but these essays have been a great refresher and inspiration to pick it back up and progress through the liquid and solid state writing sections.
I've just read your post. I haven't done the meditation just yet, but I felt compelled to reply. I would've loved this advice decades ago when I was starting to write. My children's story has evolved from what I believe is called a 'vomit draft' and should have never been sent out when it was. That said, the advice and detail of critique the editor has given me over the past few years has been invaluable to my own writing development. I have been able to take a step back and not rush through their comments. I've been taking my time with each chapter. I've even cut out a few characters that I felt did not add anything to my story. The story has evolved and is nothing like its former self. It's been a long process, and I'm grateful to read the chapters as individual pieces that make up the whole story. I'm not there yet. I've still got a lot of work to do. I had unrealistic writing targets, and I put a lot of pressure on myself for tight deadlines. As I've learned, particularly over the past year, I haven't given my best work on the pages I've written. I have a feeling that after the Ink + Flame course has finished, I'll be looking at the story with brighter, clearer eyes and a fresh approach. I've no doubt the story will evolve again.
Over the last week I have deconstructed my novel into scenes knowing I have to take it apart - discard some, rewrite some, polish, write new pieces, polish - before I weave it back together to the story I want to tell. “Distill - Simplify - Polish” reminded me of “Wax on - Wax off” that endless process the Karate Kid endures before he understands that transformation which happens in the shaping, the distilling, the polishing to a shine. Again you words are so encouraging just at the moment I need to keep trusting the process. I already know it but I feel as if a wise friend has just sat down with a fresh cup of tea, wrapped me in safety and said those perfect words to lift me.
More brilliant advice, Beth. Thank you for the reminders.
You can definitely tell when someone writes from the heart rather than simply targeting an audience. I love the idea of writing for someone with my sort of heart ❤️
Thank you Beth for this! I am reading The Way of The Fearless Writer now...but very slowly. I want to absorb it in little bits. Your words resonant on many levels and I need them to sink in. I write poetry and haiku and I love the quote by Bhavabhuti. Thank you, I needed to read that as I, too, write for me. After the walking meditation, two haiku came to me. I will post them now on my Substack. Thank you Beth.
Thank you for this. I am also a firm believer in polishing fragments, and not showing my work to others until I feel its weight and worth for myself. It all takes discipline, which is a hard but good thing.
Beautiful, thank you! I love this from Bhavabhuti: "I write these / poems for a person / who will one day be born / with my sort of heart."
I think there is no one process that works. We work in the rhythm that is deep within us. Later in life, I started writing the type of material that I would like to read in hope that there would be kindred souls that it would also speak to. In the end, it has paid off well because it is community or a tribe that we seek.