Tinker-Free Writing
November 6th, 2006 by Therese Walsh
We NaNoers are well into the season now, and I can honestly say that I have a love-hate relationship with this process. I have managed to crank out more text in the last several days than I normally manage in a month. But it’s “eh” writing in a lot of cases, and I can’t stand “eh” writing. In fact, I almost wrote in after day one to say I couldn’t do this and was quitting. I’m glad I didn’t, because now that I’m over the hump of resistance I’m finding the experience valuable. I now see where several scenes I had planned don’t work. I see where I’ll need new scenes. I see where the characters fall flat and where threads begin to fray. I wonder in the end how much of my NaNo creation I’ll have to scrap, but I’m going to persevere.
Others may have different opinions, but for me NaNo’s greatest value comes in forcing a writer to either fail or find the zone…fast! It demands that you trust your instincts, because when you’re given just 30 days to write 50,000 words there isn’t time for second guessing. My scenes are bare bones. Gone is the frosting I love so well. I’m focusing on dialogue and pacing, making sure the flow of scenes makes good sense, that threads aren’t lost and characters come across as I mean for them to. I’m writing the briefest descriptions of setting and leaving all other sensory details behind for now. And if I recognize that I’ve mucked something up, instead of dwelling on where I might’ve gone wrong, I make a note for myself and keep on keeping on. It’s kind of like sweeping crumbs into a pile sans dustpan; the dustpan will come later, in December.
Because this entire process goes against my grain in a big way, I’ve had to force myself to embrace tinker-free writing. Here are some of the tricks I’ve used with success:
* Use the AlphaSmart. I can’t say enough about how great it is to only be able to see four lines of your work at a time. No tinkering allowed; there just isn’t room for it. Alphie is the perfect tool for the writer who’s reluctant to press on without editing first, like me.
* Grab pencil, paper. Don’t have an Alphie? Grab a pad and pencil instead. There’s something freeing about exploring story the old-fashioned way, and unless you plan on a lot of erasing, writing with a pencil forces you to move forward almost as effectively as using an Alphie.
* Think like a playwright. Though I might understand what the finished scene will be like in my head–smell the tomato sauce, hear the viola, feel the heat of the spotlight–I can’t take the time to paint it all at this point. I’m focusing on dialogue tags–he said, she said–movement–stage left, right. When I’ve got all that down, the lights dim and it’s the end of the scene. I’ll worry about the rest later.
* Go blind, deaf. Turn off the sound on your computer so you are not aware if You’ve Got Mail. (Better yet, shut off all programs except word processing.) Then, after typing a few practice lines and being sure your fingers are in the right place, turn off your monitor. If you’re not quite that brave, try simply closing your eyes. Type. Channel whatever your characters are telling you. [Note: Not recommended for those who peck at the keyboard, like my husband.]
* File it. Resist the urge to revisit what you’ve already written; the object is to press on. If you find yourself cheating, then start a new file for every new scene. If it’s truly driving you crazy because you know you’ve made a “mistake,” use the comment function to make note of it, and then leave it.
* Have a mantra. I like Vicky’s: Don’t get it right; get it written. I also like Gimli’s from Lord of the Rings: Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for? (C’mon, you know we’re nerds at heart, right? Exhibit A HERE.). Print out your favorite mantra. Attach it to your monitor. Read it as often as necessary. Later, I’ll put Anton Chekhov’s advice in front of my nose again: Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. There is no time for glint during NaNo season.
* Use the word-count guide at the NaNo site. I’ve been loving this, and I’ve never used a word-count measure before. I’ll compulsively update my count several times a day, just because it’s such a rush to see myself moving ahead. It’s become a bit of a Mouse Treat, I must admit.
Anyone have other tricks to share? How about a favorite mantra?
Write on, all!
13 Responses to “Tinker-Free Writing”
Re: The revisiting. I don’t have a problem trying to go back and tinker… Actually, this year I came up with something cool. If I’m not ready to start a new scene, and feel the current scene is a little short, I allow myself to go back and *add* to it. But the hard and fast rule is, I can only add. I can’t do anything else to the scene. What’s there is there to stay until I revisit well after NaNo is over.
And yes the progress report tools make good feedback–turns it almost into a game. Game it!
I’m not doing NaNo, but in October I started a blog for one of my fictional characters, and I’m experiencing many of the same things you’ve touched on in this post. One would expect it to be easy to gloss over things and get lazy, with so much to say and so little time. But the opposite tends to be true– with re-work not a good option, one is forced to think “lean.” Get the stuff written and posted, then move on. Time’s a wastin’!
“I’m writing the briefest descriptions of setting and leaving all other sensory details behind for now. ” I am doing the same thing and also fight with feelings of guilt because of it. Then I tell myself that the good stuff can be added later. I’m not working off an outline, so I am creating the story as I go. I have only 3,000 words so far, but that is much more than my usual output, so I am happy.
I, too, have been feeling the jerk of the leash to go back and tinker. It goes against every fiber of instinct I have as a writer, but for this one month I’m also plowing ahead, like a piledriver into a mountain of crap.
Great post, Teri!
I hate eh writing, but at least I can go back and edit it. I would hate having my undedited stuff put out to dry via NaNo each day. Adn those that write AND edit at the same time? Gack! I could never to that. Too much of a mental strain.
My problem has been just the opposite. I tend to leave out so much I run out of outline before 50k.
For me, describing much more helps my word count (not padding, just describing what’s there instead of having my reader try to read my mind). Not rushing, rather taking each scene one at a time and really writing it, then going to the next. It’s worked really well for me, I’m at 21k at day 6 so far. But I have more time to write than most.
you are all doing great. proud of yas. full NaNo steam ahead!!!
Patty,
I run out of outline too. Always do. On great realization I had this year is… “Hey, just generate scenes. Worry about which ones will be included later.”
I’ve expanded my scenes from two pages to about three, which makes the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd page all Beginning, Middle, End respectively.
Even if I run out of outline, it doesn’t really matter. Generating an extra scene here and there isn’t too difficult.
It always seems tougher when you look at the 50K words as one big straight line train track. For me it’s counterproductive to view it that way.
This year is better than last because I’m breaking things down.
Congrats for persevering, Therese, and everyone else doing NaNo!
Writing quick-and-dirty first drafts was always my process but I’m taking it to a new extreme this month. What is amazing is I’m actually writing better draft than I’ve ever written before. The intense speed really does mean there is no room for the internal editor. It is very liberating. :)
Eric, I love your add-only rule. I can see the value in continuing to add to the word count, even when you’re stumped on the next scene. And I’ve also been generating scenes without as much concern as I’d usually have for where they’re going. Because they’re so skeletal, I may eventually mesh some scene fragments together for one cohesive scene. We’ll see.
Welcome, Bunnygirl! :)
Thanks, Kath and Thea!
3,000 words is a great start, Struggling Writer. Keep it up!
I agree with you on the editing, S. William.
Patty, I am wholly impressed with your 21k word count. Sounds like you have a great system, too. You go, girl!
Elena, I’m so glad to hear that you feel better about the quality of your drafts. That’s a pretty interesting observation. Moving too fast for the inner critic to keep up? Hmm.
Me? I had an interesting day here. Both kids have strep. It’s hubby’s birthday. I still got an extra thousand words under my belt though. Don’t ask me how.
Ack, you passed me again, with sick kids no less! You totally rock. :)
Love nanowrimo. And after the writing of the novel comes the sharing of the novel with readers, hopefully. Just started bloggin the children’s fantasy novel I co-wrote, and I’m glad to find kindred spirits here. I’ll be back!
http://tandariltree.blogspot.com
Welcome, Mindy!