tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post7010672508245124766..comments2024-03-28T13:35:16.194-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: The Funny Thing About First DraftsJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-62167450889705262562012-09-18T09:49:42.738-04:002012-09-18T09:49:42.738-04:00Extensive plotting works for me. First I must know...Extensive plotting works for me. First I must know the ending and my characters before I set it up and then I "step out" the book via James Fry's method. That is, not plotting by chapter but by cause and effect story movements. I layer the emotional character stuff over the bones before writing. I know where its going , when and how it progresses before I write it. Even so, the characters change details but not the basic structure. In the end I wind up with a better story. Character does modify plot but it doesn't scrap it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-3822917094766951362012-09-16T04:35:51.148-04:002012-09-16T04:35:51.148-04:00I write academic work as well as fiction and befor...I write academic work as well as fiction and before I started my PhD, I was expected to write a proposal, detailing what I would be studying and why it was relevant to my field. Rather than stifling my work, it makes it easier because whenever I start to wander off topic (which is shockingly easy to do) I can re-read my proposal to remind myself of what it is that I'm hoping to achieve, and bring things back on track. To me, a synopsis for a novel is no different, and as it's less rigid than an outline, it can be useful in reminding you of where the story is supposed to go...and at least you're less likely to get writer's block if you know the ending in advance!Icy Sedgwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11501193571425442406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43831197015159483102012-09-15T23:07:20.093-04:002012-09-15T23:07:20.093-04:00Taurean, Some of us are going to need breaks from ...Taurean, Some of us are going to need breaks from time. I took a seven year hiatus from writing and it was the best thing I could have done at the time. So I think we need to give ourselves permission to lay off of writing when we need to. And honestly, each of us have to decide when that is for ourselves. It sounds like maybe you're at a point where you could use one! Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-23788663995348112962012-09-15T22:40:51.781-04:002012-09-15T22:40:51.781-04:00Thank you so much for the kind words, Jane! Thank you so much for the kind words, Jane! Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-64826236276102480912012-09-15T13:49:47.912-04:002012-09-15T13:49:47.912-04:00Thanks for replying, Jodi.
I was really at the e...Thanks for replying, Jodi. <br /><br />I was really at the end of my rope yesterday, and I apologize if I sounded rude and overly hostile. <br /><br />No one's to blame for my problems but me. I just wish I didn't always feel alone in my pain. When I read this post of yours-<br /><br /><a href="http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2012/09/3-tips-for-writing-when-life-is-chaotic.html" rel="nofollow">http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2012/09/3-tips-for-writing-when-life-is-chaotic.html</a><br /><br />I snapped. <br /><br />I know you meant that post to be a motivator, and nothing you said was mean at all, I want that to be my truth so much it HURTS.<br /><br />I've been faced with this fork in the road more than I like to think about. I try not to compare myself to others like I used to, but even still, I wish I could "Move on" as they can. They feel what I do, but it doesn't seem to have the kind of hold over them, as in my case. <br /><br />I know this because they wouldn't be where they are if they spent months wavering and broken, as I felt much of this year.<br /><br /><br />I can't count all the sleepless nights I've had, WILLINGLY forcing myself to stay the course. <br /><br />I WROTE when I didn't "feel like it."<br /><br />I READ ABOUT PUBLISHING when I "didn't feel like it." (The emotions from that often got me in trouble with my writer friends, I can only hope they know the anger was rarely ever because of them, but the often overwhelming information...)<br /><br />I sure as h*** SLAVED OVER QUERY LETTERS. SYNOPSES AND THE LIKE when-<br /><br /><br />I.<br /><br />DIDN'T.<br /><br />FEEL.<br /><br />LIKE. <br /><br />IT.<br /><br />The last time I was sick sick with the flu and near-fatal sore throat I kept writing. <br /><br />But when I stayed stuck at the same level not advancing much at all, how can you NOT feel frustrated? <br /><br />Yet you also talk about taking breaks and chasing after lost joy. The latter (JOY!) I need desperately.<br /><br />Jodi, when do you HAVE take a break? When is taking a break TRULY necessary versus running away from the problem?<br /><br />How the heck do you tell, Jodi? <br /><br />How?<br /><br />Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-69668761843749660752012-09-15T13:16:27.013-04:002012-09-15T13:16:27.013-04:00Finished Unending Devotion a couple of days ago. ...Finished Unending Devotion a couple of days ago. Connell is your best love interest, yet. He felt like a much more substantial part of the story than the others have. Congratulations. I'm sure it will be a great success. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12501640238042153322012-09-14T19:27:37.503-04:002012-09-14T19:27:37.503-04:00I actually like the idea of writing the synopsis f...I actually like the idea of writing the synopsis first. It definitely give you a roadmap! I plot out my books from start to finish, using index cards. But this doesn't stifle me at all. I still have plenty of room to "play." <br /><br />Yes, I worry that the story will be terrible. But I'm learning to lock my inner editor away until later drafts.<br /><br />Good luck on your new story. I'm sure it'll be amazing!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-13548883219318999722012-09-14T18:46:39.217-04:002012-09-14T18:46:39.217-04:00Hi Jody!
I just wanted to say hi. I read, or at ...Hi Jody!<br /><br />I just wanted to say hi. I read, or at least skim, every one of your blogs and share about half of them because I love what you have to say so much! I don't comment often but I wanted to take the time to thank you today for continuing to encourage the writing community. I, for one, appreciate it!Jamie Raintreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05580933361383172561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84955777369281570102012-09-14T15:05:25.909-04:002012-09-14T15:05:25.909-04:00Thanks for pouring out your heart here, Tauren! I ...Thanks for pouring out your heart here, Tauren! I appreciate your honesty!<br /><br />I think that in the age of self-publishing, all of what we know has been shaken a bit. And we're still all trying to see how everything filters out in the long run! My gut feeling is that readers still want to be wowed with well-told stories. So we should be working to write those wowing stories. And when we do that, whether we self-publish or go traditional, we'll eventually find readers who like our stories!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-44228843398863185032012-09-14T11:20:21.562-04:002012-09-14T11:20:21.562-04:00My rough draft is painful for me. It's full of...My rough draft is painful for me. It's full of angst and emotions, mistakes, problems...lol It takes me a long time to gut it out of myself but revisions are lovely. I love shaping it once it's out.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-28926566597083890802012-09-13T23:54:58.637-04:002012-09-13T23:54:58.637-04:00I wish drafting was fun again. It's still not....I wish drafting was fun again. It's still not. I haven't written a new book, however bad, for three years, and NOT for lack of trying.<br /><br />That said, Jodi, no matter how many times I hear about people who can do what you do, I envy that skill, yet wonder how I'll get through without it.<br /><br />I do frankly think we sometimes put publishers on too high a pedestal because we're supposed to be all "Trust, trust, trust!" and be so careful not to be the egomaniac no one wants to work with.<br /><br />YET, at the same time, BEFORE we sell anything, market guides and other writers preach just as much to NEVER settle, always ask questions, and don't EVER give anyone in publishing the benefit of the doubt because money's the only constant that matters. I'm not trying to rant here, but I feel lost, frustrated, and betrayed all at once.<br /><br />How can you be assertive yet trustworthy? They seem so contradictory in publishing than any other industry I can think of.<br /><br />Forgive my ranting, Jodi, I just feel like I'm alone in how I feel, as much as people tell me I'm not, few writers I know feel as I do. They're so pragmatic and serene in how they carry themselves, I'm still amazed they like my writing, which is often anything BUT pragmatic.<br /><br />I'm not a ditzy dreamer, but I'm also not some stuffy scholar who can't watch a Disney movie without a uber-cynical bent. So sue me! (Sobs)<br /><br />Some of us just can't self-publish, and in my case, lack of money is a barrier, and to me, teamwork is NOT a dictatorship, and a lot of people frankly describe all non-self-publishing options sounds like a dictatorship, from someone who's yet to light someone's fire with my stories.<br /><br />I just would NEVER have written my last book, or my first for that matter, if I planned everything as your forced to do.<br /><br />As much as I get why we must write queries and synopses, it still doesn't change the fact that writing ABOUT a book and writing the actual BOOK will never be the same experience. They<br />re important, but for me, they'll never be the same.<br /><br />If I don't remind myself that I'd never want to write again. I'm not joking. I still write, but it's been a slow crawl after my last project.<br /><br />Otherwise, most of us writers could double as master advertisers, and I don't think I'm personally ever going to feel that's my strength.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88716822783278558612012-09-13T18:15:59.418-04:002012-09-13T18:15:59.418-04:00Exactly where I'm at. Thanks JodyExactly where I'm at. Thanks JodySally Hepworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07417446672874466269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-72891071581048015962012-09-13T17:02:33.550-04:002012-09-13T17:02:33.550-04:00I can relate to what you've said SO much. (Exc...I can relate to what you've said SO much. (Except the publishing part):-)<br /><br />Excellent post, Jody! <br />Ganisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45402819800195507462012-09-13T16:36:06.800-04:002012-09-13T16:36:06.800-04:00Jody, even though I do strictly non-fiction (with ...Jody, even though I do strictly non-fiction (with the possible exception of a little poetry now and then), I still get a real kick out of wondering where a given project will end up, once I start working on it.<br /><br />It never turns out in the end quite the way I envisioned in at the beginning. The project always takes on a life of its own, to some extent.<br /><br />I can only imagine what that must be like in the creative life of a novelist! :-)Joe Potehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00128078440003054702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84219536334883825852012-09-13T15:25:38.900-04:002012-09-13T15:25:38.900-04:00Jody,
I'm in the middle of story planning rig...Jody,<br /><br />I'm in the middle of story planning right now, letting two separate stories run roughshod over me. By the time I'm ready for the first draft, I'll have a whole lot more than a seven-page synopsis. Since I start with a basic idea and expand on that, I'll most likely end up with a one-sentence summary, a paragraph summary, a one-page synopsis, a four-page synopsis....<br /><br />Then comes the first draft.<br /><br />I love writing first drafts, but I also love planning. It's all part of the process.Carrie Lynn Lewishttp://writing-well.carrie-lewis.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-6106146976804177632012-09-13T12:11:02.766-04:002012-09-13T12:11:02.766-04:00Hi Everyone! Thank you all for sharing today! I...Hi Everyone! Thank you all for sharing today! I'm always fascinated to hear how the process of first draft writing goes for others. We have so much to learn from one another!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-51918216821443940942012-09-13T12:10:07.306-04:002012-09-13T12:10:07.306-04:00Susan, Tt is a wonderful freedom in our day! And h...Susan, Tt is a wonderful freedom in our day! And hopefully the freedom of self-publishing will lessen the restrictions all around as readers try new things and develop broader tastes!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-26151757183783739732012-09-13T12:08:27.386-04:002012-09-13T12:08:27.386-04:00Hi Betsy,
Changed it! Hopefully it's working ...Hi Betsy,<br /><br />Changed it! Hopefully it's working now!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88089708202975824692012-09-13T12:02:17.874-04:002012-09-13T12:02:17.874-04:00I write to a detailed, scene-by-scene outline to k...I write to a detailed, scene-by-scene outline to keep the intricate plot, subplots and multiple POVs under control, so <i>of course</i> I know that at least every 5 chapters I probably have to replot most of what's to come. And I do it. If the story calls for a change, I gladly make it. :)Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-79132701270259793932012-09-13T11:48:38.616-04:002012-09-13T11:48:38.616-04:00I echo what Lindsay said. First drafts are a chall...I echo what Lindsay said. First drafts are a challenge for me. My Internal Editor is constantly trying to chime in, reminding me of the "rules." Her pal the Doubt Dragon loves to tell me that my ideas aren't marketable, believable, or original, that my writing itself is lackluster, that my characters are flat.<br /><br />I have to bind and gag this pesky pair, throw them out of my office, and close the door. Only then can I immerse myself in my story and let the words flow. Once they do, I have a good time drafting a story. But my absolute favorite part of the process is revising and editing. I love watching a story get better before my eyes.Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-80302614772539030562012-09-13T11:45:04.308-04:002012-09-13T11:45:04.308-04:00Jodi,
This one is so hard for me. I find that eve...Jodi,<br /><br />This one is so hard for me. I find that even between my first drafts and my first revisions there are sometimes HUGE changes. For instance, I may need to take someone out altogether, or someone's behavior isn't consistent with the rest of their lifestyle and it changes the way the crisis is handled, or even with this last one, I needed to add a kissing scene...which changed the way the two main characters acted the rest of the MS! - so writing a really good synopses usually comes after my first revision/edit. Writing one before (yes, I do sorta do this) is more like brainstorming for me, because like Richard Mabry says, it's like a baked potato going in and au gratin coming out.<br /><br />I guess it's one of those skills I just have to keep working on!<br /><br />Thanks for the insight,<br />BeckyBecky Doughtyhttp://www.beckydoughty.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-65332860879707630232012-09-13T11:27:12.048-04:002012-09-13T11:27:12.048-04:00I'm in the same boat as you. I have to turn in...I'm in the same boat as you. I have to turn in a synopsis to my editor before I write, though mine are usually just one page single spaced. I don't think I'd be able to flesh out much more than that ahead of time. Luckily, my editor is fine with that and also is fine when the book turns out to be quite different from the original synopsis, lol. Like you said, the story takes on a life of its own. The last book I turned in I was like, "So you'll notice the main character's name is different and she's now the sister of one of my previous heroes. And oh, the plot goes in a completely different direction than planned a third of the way in..." Lol. I'm guessing my editor is used to me by now and hasn't had an issue with it. But I do find it challenging to "let go" and quiet that internal editor during the first draft. I find first drafts painful and much prefer revising. But I'm under an extremely tight deadline this time and I'm having to force myself to just push forward. Maybe it will train me out of my bad internal editor habit. We shall see. :)Roni Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719679344024635326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-11102069177736825102012-09-13T11:21:48.794-04:002012-09-13T11:21:48.794-04:00I think I enjoy the first draft sometimes, but I r...I think I enjoy the first draft sometimes, but I really struggle to keep that internal editor at bay. I'm a perfectionist, and it's hard to know that what I'm writing kind of stinks. :P But you have to have the first draft done before you can revise/edit...my favorite part!Lindsay Harrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09379628592162011068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71028669474668532332012-09-13T10:46:13.460-04:002012-09-13T10:46:13.460-04:00Yup learning to let go is hard but necessary. Grea...Yup learning to let go is hard but necessary. Great post, Judy!Mart Ramirezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09492840883926331053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-56252566700648233202012-09-13T10:38:15.247-04:002012-09-13T10:38:15.247-04:00I did something similar when discussing the sequel...I did something similar when discussing the sequel to my first book with my publisher. What I'd submitted just wasn't holding up as a strong enough follow-up, so I effectively pitched the idea of turning my planned 6-book series into a trilogy and explaining how this would change what the second book would be about. My publisher loved the idea and I started working on it right away.Paul Anthony Shortthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393249001158230985noreply@blogger.com