From Draft 1 To Draft 2--How Long Do You Wait?

So. Last Friday, Katrina posted about absence. Not only did I love her post for what it was (super helpful for my writing), but it got me thinking about another kind absence. You see, a few weeks ago, I finished the first draft of my WIP. 

*throws confetti* 

*dances the Samba* 

My initial plan was to set it aside for a month, but with my comp exams drawing nearer and nearer, I settled for two months instead. Hopefully, two months of space from my WIP will help me spot its flaws easier when I come back to it.  *crosses fingers*

But I know not everyone goes about their post-first draft space the same way. Which leads me to the following question:

How long do you usually wait between finishing Draft 1 and starting Draft 2? Does it vary from project to project?

 

Oh, and since I'm currently battling the flu + asthma demon from Hades, I wish y'all a happier Monday than mine!! :)

How Do You Draft?

 

I've always been a computer drafter. There is something about the clack of my fingers on the keys and the speed from which the words flow. There is also something about the evil word count meter at the bottom of the page, taunting me, displaying my productivity inadequacy. Then there is the ease of editing...over and over and over again. And firefox, lurking in my taskbar, urging me to "just take one peek." Then email, all 4 of them (yes, I have 4 email accounts) and twitter...oh, and don't forget Facebook, and the ever-so-fun, yet distracting, chat box where my online friends await.

So you can see, computers are great...but they do have their downfalls when you are trying to get your story out in words. So I sat down with a pencil and an old-fashioned notebook. I've been struggling lately, but last night I actually wrote.

So, I think I may try finishing this current first draft on paper, forcing me to get the words out without all of the distractions that keep me from my prose. 

What about you all? Do you write your first draft with your computer? Or are you the old-fashioned pen-to-paper writer? Which do you prefer?

Live Concerts = First Drafts

Original here

Confession: I love live concerts. The energy. The super loud music. Getting to see my favorite artist thisclose. *sigh*

I went to one last night, and as I swooned over the lead singer, I realized he and his band taught me more about writing than about electric guitars (to say I'm musically challenged is an understatement...). And since some of you are currently working on a first draft, I figured I'd share what I learned.

1) The stage/WORD document is your playground

During first drafts, it's okay to experiment. You don't have to write chronologically. You can switch between POVs till you figure out which one works best. If you've ever been to a concert, or seen one on TV, you know artists like to run around. Or jump. Sometimes both. That's because there are no boundaries on that stage. They can do whatever they want. They're free to be silly and make mistakes. So should you.

2) Singing live/drafting comes from the heart

You know how every song sounds absolutely perfect on a CD? Well, it's been edited to death. The singer's voice is flawless, with zero pitch problems. But onstage, that might not be the case. They belt out those notes without a second thought. Sometimes they hit them, sometimes they totally don't. Why? Because it's all about the moment. About how they feel, not what they think. First drafts are the place to sing from the heart. Your story is what matters--not how you tell it.

3) The audience/your characters cheer you on

The artist waves hello, people scream. The artist tells them to sing, people sing. The artist blows kisses, people die (actually, they faint, but you know what I mean...). It's these little moments of interaction that keep the artist going. Sure, they could play just fine without anyone watching them, but that's like not having great characters to write about--boring. That thirst to get your story down is the same as that audience cheering the artist on. It gives them a purpose to do what they do. It tells them that what they're doing isn't a waste of time. That it's worth it. Shouldn't your characters do the same for you?

So. There you have it. Live concerts = first drafts. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go find my vocal chords. I think I left them at the arena...

Quick reminder: Don't miss our Mystery Agent Contest tomorrow!!! Polish those 25-word pitches and be ready to post them in the comments! Only 50 spots available, so make sure you stop by before we reach the limit. Winner gets a FULL MANUSCRIPT request :) AND there'll be something special lined up for the rest of the entries, so don't miss out!

Now tell me: what do you love most about writing that first draft?

My Writing Stages a la Robert Pattinson's Hair

Before we begin, congrats to our Pleased To Meet You contest winner, Kristi!!

Oh, and don't forget to stop by this Thursday October 28th @ 9pm for our Awesome Query Chat with the fabulous Elana Johnson!!!


Okay. Now for today's post. This was just a little something I wrote over at my blog, but I thought the OA audience might find it... ahem... useful? 


*crosses fingers*


Without further ado, I give you...



My writing stages a la Robert Pattinson's hair

Confession: I've watched the Eclipse trailer way too many times. It seems everywhere I turn, Robert Pattinson is right there. Not that I'm complaining or anything, but it overwhelms me.

That is, until I see his hair.

Okay, okay... Who hasn't seen his hair, right? There are people who even keep tabs on the darned hairstyles and everything. But I saw it in a different light. Those brown locks that make tweens squeal their throats out made me remember something.

The writing stages of my manuscripts.

Here's what I mean:

First draft: Some writers outline, some don't. My first drafts are a no-man's land. I don't outline, don't plan ahead, just sit down and write. No idea gets left behind. Typos run amok. Once I finish the draft, it looks like this:

Second Draft: I read through my manuscript in order to fix plot holes. Maybe a scene should be cut because it's not right for the tone or the pacing. Maybe my main character is a sweetheart and shouldn't stab that pesky villain after all. Overall, I tackle big picture problems. My second version looks a bit like this:

Third draft: Line-editing begins. Grammar issues? Gone. Passive voice? Hasta la vista, baby. I pay careful attention to how well the sentences flow one after the other. If something feels off or forced, I cut it. The end result is similar to this:

Fourth draft: I edit according to critique partner and beta feedback. They take care of telling me if something rocks or sucks. One beta in particular enjoys asking questions. A LOT. That's cool, though--the manuscript turns out to be stronger because of it. It ends up being tighter, shorter, and less of an eye sore. My baby finally grows into a clean-cut version of what started out as an idea:

There you have it, folks. Robert Pattinson's hair reminds me of writing.

Am I nuts or what?

Now tell me: what do your drafts look like?