Wednesday, September 22, 2010

First Drafts

First drafts are a way for me to find out exactly (almost) what story I am telling. It isn't for finding the greatest way to tell that story, that is left for the later drafts.

I am writing a first draft. But the main characters have been developed, their stories told in the book I just finished. This is not a series, though. Just another story using the same main characters as my last book. (These characters won't leave my head.)

In all relationships there are conflicts. Mother, daughter, husband, wife, boss, employee. The key to writing a great book is creating real relationships. In life, we all have our differences. We can't get along every day. There are going to be disagreements, because we're all human. Our characters in our books are humans, too.

Internal conflicts shows what our character wants or what he/she feels. This is hardest for me. In SEVENTY TWO HOURS, Anna's external is easy. She's lost in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her best friend Claire. They want to find their way home. Internal was harder. Anna's pride and independence overrules her common sense. Anna wanted to feel proud and independent, yet she wanted to admit she was vulnerable. Two conflicting feelings pulling at her.



Which brings me to another point. Anna's name before it was Anna, was Sarah. There's nothing wrong with the name Sarah, but the first draft went faster after I changed the name. Scarlett O'Hara's name in the first draft was Pansy. I think Scarlett just works better, don't you? :)

Pacing. Very important. Slow things down when you need to and speed things up when you have to. Big things need more time. Move a little slower. Dig a little deeper.



Any advice on first drafts that you want to mention? Speak to me. :)

27 comments:

  1. I agree with you that pacing is critical. The other thing about first drafts for me is that I need to just go with it. If I stop to over-analyze, I lose my momentum and some of the story slips away.

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  2. YES! Shannon, if I scrutinize what I've written, I'm in trouble. You are SOOOOO smart, BFF. I wish I'd added that to my post. :)

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  3. I love your last line, Big things need more time. Move a little slower. Dig a little deeper.

    I need to work on that more. I'm always in too much of a hurry.

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  4. Patti, I have to remind myself to do this all the time. *hugs* my friend, I'm hurried with you. :)

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  5. I think reading a section or two out loud can be helpful. It can be a way to keep in tune with the characters. I know that it helps me with my poetry. Good luck with your writing. I know you'll do wonderful :)

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  6. Great points here! I agree with all of them.

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  7. Yes! I hate them! They are like pulling eyelashes out for me.

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  8. Gosh, the first draft is so fun! The adventure of developing new territory keeps me going, for sure. But my panster ways have left me with a juggernaut of plot holes, undefined goals, and confusing arcs. Not. Cool. So, I'm trying outlining--so far, so good. But I need A LOT more practice. ;)

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  9. Nope no advice, you seem to have it covered. You are the expert in this department compared to me:)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  10. Trust...that's my advice. Trust what your characters are telling you and be willing to explore with them.

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  11. Kelly, Yes, reading aloud is wonderful. I can write something and think it sounds great. Then when I speak it out loud I see it sounds AWFUL! It must work, your poetry is beautiful. :) You know I loves it.

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  12. Susan, it's hard isn't it? PHEW! It's all hard, my friend. We just have to keep keepin' on. ")

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  13. Candy, I'm right there with you. I hate 'em, too. I rather like it when the book is COMPLETELY FINISHED. :) But then it all start all over again.

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  14. Laura, I am like that, too. My story goes all over the place. But outlining takes me so long. I wrote a synopsis with the book I just started. It's kinda keeping me in line. And hey, Laura, practice makes perfect, girl. :)

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  15. Karen, I'm no expert, lol. But you are. My home-schooling specialist. *grin*

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  16. Tess, trust is a big thing. And if we can trust what they say, we're in business. :)

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  17. I'm definitely no person to ask about writing first drafts. I can't hammer a first draft out like everyone else seems to be able to, because I don't get inspired to keep writing unless what I'm writing is vivid and the best I can make it at any given moment. I can only move forward when I'm satisfied with what I've written, So. Ugh. Sorry, I'm a bad person to ask. I'm only about two thirds through my current WIP and I've been writing it since January! :o)

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  18. Jessica, me either. I am trying to PRETEND like I know what I'm talking about. hehe

    But first drafts are kinda freeing. It's revising that sticks in my craw. That's when you gotta get REAL serious. :)

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  19. I'm okay with first drafts, I LOVE the creative beginning. But I have to admit I'm terrible about revising. It's like pulling teeth.

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  20. I think you've about got it covered, there. I usually speed through the first draft so that I can get everything down and then go back to tweak it--one of my more infamous first drafts was almost like an extended outline.

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  21. Bish, Pulling teeth is so NOT FUN. lol I know what you're saying. In revisions, everything has to be just RIGHT. With first drafts, anything goes, baby. :)

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  22. Hey, Jenna, I bet that draft went fast. :) They breeze by, because we've got nothing to lose. :)

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  23. Pacing is an area for me. I struggle with whether I'm moving too slow sometimes. I like to evoke as much emotion as possible, but I have heard feedback that says I can be a bit wordy.

    What can I say, I'm still figuring this thing out:)

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  24. Tamika, Pacing is hard, my friend. I know that the bi scenes need to go a little slower. And I am wordy too. Though I have gotten better with that lately. :)

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  25. Just let it flow, then read the next day only to make sure you pick up the gist of the story.

    Sigh. I am on a writing blitz (for me today, that was 15 pages, like nearly a record.)

    Double sigh. Won't be visiting blogs until 11/15 OR until "Reclaiming Lily" gets my all.

    Sure hope you spread some of your cheer and encouragement at my place until I can get out of writer's jail.

    Blessings, dear one.
    Patti

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  26. Wonderful first draft advice! My advice is to just get it done and worry about everything else later. Sorry it's been so long since I've been by your blog!

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  27. Pansy?? Seriously?? I had no idea! Wow. I like Scarlett a lot better. Isn't it funny how a name just sort of fits sometimes?

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