Writers' Blogs
I like reading other writers' blogs. They're generally entertaining, and since I write myself, I can usually relate at least somewhat to the posts. But I hate it when other writers discuss their process.
I know why. I don't write the way they do and even after all this time, I still feel like I must be doing something wrong. This stems all the way back to the time I was in junior high school and had decided I wanted to be a writer. I checked out all kinds of how to books from the library--all of which were written by plotters and all of which (at least in my 8th grade mind) implied that the only way to be a successful writer was to follow their method. I still shudder at the sight of 3x5 index cards. After all the joy of writing was sucked out of me, I finally decided I'd do it my way and at least have fun even if I'd never be a success like these writers who'd written the how to manuals.
Years later, I'd read posts online about writing and paralyze myself. I wouldn't be able to write for days because I didn't write the way these other writers did. And they were published so they must know more than me.
Some of this has faded--well, at least I don't freeze up anymore--but my first reaction to reading another writer's method is OMG, I must be doing it wrong. So when a writer posts to her blog about how she writes, I know I should just skip that day. But I don't. I read every word. I can't seem to help myself.
I don't know how much I talk about process here. In my mind, it's not often since I try not to analyze what I do or how I do it. My usual answer to people when they ask me a question is: I don't know, I just sit down and write. But maybe things slip in that I don't even recognize.
Do other writers like to read about another writer's process? Do readers like to read about how a writer writes? I honestly have no clue.
I know why. I don't write the way they do and even after all this time, I still feel like I must be doing something wrong. This stems all the way back to the time I was in junior high school and had decided I wanted to be a writer. I checked out all kinds of how to books from the library--all of which were written by plotters and all of which (at least in my 8th grade mind) implied that the only way to be a successful writer was to follow their method. I still shudder at the sight of 3x5 index cards. After all the joy of writing was sucked out of me, I finally decided I'd do it my way and at least have fun even if I'd never be a success like these writers who'd written the how to manuals.
Years later, I'd read posts online about writing and paralyze myself. I wouldn't be able to write for days because I didn't write the way these other writers did. And they were published so they must know more than me.
Some of this has faded--well, at least I don't freeze up anymore--but my first reaction to reading another writer's method is OMG, I must be doing it wrong. So when a writer posts to her blog about how she writes, I know I should just skip that day. But I don't. I read every word. I can't seem to help myself.
I don't know how much I talk about process here. In my mind, it's not often since I try not to analyze what I do or how I do it. My usual answer to people when they ask me a question is: I don't know, I just sit down and write. But maybe things slip in that I don't even recognize.
Do other writers like to read about another writer's process? Do readers like to read about how a writer writes? I honestly have no clue.
posted by Patti O'Shea at 4:39 AM
I do like to read about process, because everybody does certain things differently. I'm still in the learning "what works for me" stage, so I'll try out new things or make notes about things to try on the next project. I have tried to write very rigidly "by the rules" and struggled with it, badly. I'm trying to loosen some of that up and just go with the flow again.
Hi Joely,
It does seem like every writer does it differently. And you're right, when you're trying to figure out what your process is, it helps to try out different things and see what works.
My problem is that the books I read as a teenager didn't give me "permission" to find my own method. It seemed to be laid out there as this is how "real" writers work and if you don't do it this way, you'll never get anywhere.
I'm a seat of the pants writer. Plotting down to every twist and turn just about killed me (as well as any interest I had in writing.) So my kneejerk reaction when I see other people's methods is to think that I'm doing it wrong.
I can't write my first draft in 2 weeks. I don't move my chapters around or cut huge chunks out of my book. I'm a slow writer, but what I put down is very close to my final version of the story. Oh, I find plot holes that need to be plugged, fine tune the writing and may rearrange sentences or cut a paragraph or two, but for the most part, once I've got the story down, I'm nearly done.
I haven't found anyone else who writes like that, anywhere. Not yet.
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