I used to be obsessive about writing
stories in order. I would start at Chapter One, Line One and plod my way
through to the end, and if I got mired down, I would just tread water and force
myself to put words on paper until I somehow got through it. Those times, which
happened fairly often, were no fun at all. In fact, they really sucked the joy
out of writing. I'm sure what came out was not my finest effort, either. But I
had written two books that way and I knew it worked in the sense that it would
get me to the end, even if it was sometimes utter misery.
I should note that I'm a plotter, so I know
what's going to happen—in detail. I was just afraid to jump ahead because I
worried that the story wouldn't flow right. But then I finally got tired of
writing scenes just because they were next on my list, and starting writing
whatever scene I was in the mood to write. The scene that was burning a hole in
my brain and seemed like it would be SO much fun to jump straight into with
both feet.
I only took the plunge about a month ago
with my latest WIP, so it's an experiment in progress. I know that my first
draft is going to be a lot messier than I'm used to. It will have more bits
that need to be stitched together, and will need more polishing. But you know
what? I'm having a great time. I'm looking
forward to my writing time again, instead of procrastinating by any means
necessary. And that's the ultimate point, right?
You probably have your own habits and
rituals and systems to get you from point A (awesome idea) to point B (finished
novel). Or maybe you're still learning—I certainly am. Habits and rituals and
systems are totally necessary for what we do. But when they're broken or just
not working the way they used to, don't be afraid to toss them out the window
and try something different.
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