On Writing A Novel

[rllafevers]

Okay, that title should probably really be, On Writing THIS Novel, since each one of them ends up needing something a little different

Comments

[rllafevers]

I agree that pre-writing is mostly thinking! And stewing and fermenting. This outline is so vague that it feels more like a way to make sure I'm thinking in the right directions. :-)

[sarah_prineas]

Usually jump in, though I do a lot of note taking during the early stages, too. I'm pretty much intuitive, as a writer, so I don't read craft books or follow this kind of outline-thingy.

Yay for getting started on #teenageFrenchassassins2! We wants more Beast, we does.

[rllafevers]

Of course you don't. What else should I expect from someone who is such a neatnik that they don't need to buy organizational supplies. :-)

Actually, I am a hugely intuitive writer also, but I find my intuition does a terrific job of coming up with conflict and complications and raised stakes, but then doesn't do such a good job of being able to tie them together for a satisfying end. That's where the outlining comes in.

The craft books are just a way of having an ongoing craft discussion in my head. I love pushing myself and trying new approaches as a writer. Keeps me on my toes. :-)

[sarah_prineas]

So far I've managed to stay on top of the tying-things-together thing by writing really short books.

But one of these days I need to think a little more articulately about craft and process for exactly the reasons you do it: to push myself, try new approaches.

[rllafevers]

Ha. Short books *are* much different beasts! For one thing, they don't make my head hurt as much. :-)