What kind of writer are you? Do you outline methodically or scribble down rough notes? Do you plot or see where the writing takes you? Do you carry a notebook everywhere or do you scribble on whatever’s at hand? Do you write scenes and piece them together later, or are you a start-to-finish writer?
These are questions I’ve asked authors I’ve interviewed for Stories on Stage or Write Note Reviews, and it’s only now that I’m asking them of myself. I’m learning so much about how I write every day. When I was working as a journalist, I’d take notes, type them up as dot points, and then work them into sentences. The order, or the inverted pyramid structure that would prioritise the points, would emerge organically. Sometimes, especially with profiles of people, I’d have a clear idea of my ‘lead’ before I started the story.
Creative writing is different … and not different at the same time. I’ve started using Scrivener and I’m liking the way I can write separate scenes, and move them around as I see fit. I’ve learned that while I like to have some idea of where I’m going, I’m not a full-on plotter. So, I write notes and ideas, but don’t outline everything in advance. Perhaps that will evolve. For now, I’m writing more ‘organically’, as two of my writer friends put it. It works for me.
Editing the Rocky Romance collection has taken up a fair bit of my writing time lately, but now that it’s at proof stage, I’ve turned back to my novel. My lovely critique partner Maureen is the only other person apart from Blue Eyes to have read the first few chapters. You can imagine how good it felt when I got this feedback last week: “I found the two chapters I read to be polished and professional, while incredibly compelling. I am genuinely interested in the fate of your characters already, and feel confident the rest of the story will unfold exactly as it should.” It was just the encouragement I needed.
Before I get back to writing, here are a few photos from my last two weeks.
PS. Click for larger images.
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0 Responses
Great comments and great photos Monique. I am assuming the Rocky Romance will be available at the fair? I attended my first critique session before my writing class, what a difference it made. #iamwriting xxxxx
Hi Rae. Yes, Rocky Romance will be at the book fair.
I think it’s good to get a critique partner. I’ve been tossing it up for a while and Maureen has been on my mind for a while. I’m so glad she and I will be encouraging each other.
Love reading your reviews and your blog Monique. Following your writing progress. Tell me did you find it difficult to use Scrivener? The photos of the ? everlastings are stunning.. cheers Delores
Thank you, Delores. I did find Scrivener a bit mind-boggling at first, especially the tutorial. A bit of information overload at first. I’m still a novice – only been using it a week – but I’m learning a lot as I go. I’m finding the writing by scene approach suits my style.
I just checked out your blog after reading you’re incredibly written post and I couldn’t help but press follow straight away because your blog is truly both amazing and beautiful! I am so happy I came across it (:
I love it so much, as I am sure you can tell! So please keep writing so I can keep reading! Can’t wait to read more from you (:
I’m glad you like Scrivener—it makes writing a long project so much easier.
It’s funny, too, how people write differently—as predominantly pantsers or plotters—and how you just have to discover the style that works best for you. I don’t know how anyone can be forward-thinking enough to plan their whole novel before writing it. I’m just not that organised!
By the way, I love the water drops on the spider’s web!
Finding a critique partner, especially someone you trust to give you honest feedback respectfully and who understands what’s involved in crafting a novel, is invaluable to a writer. You and Maureen will be an inspiration and encouragement to each other and I’m sure there will be so many positive outcomes for you both. As always, your photos are beautiful and remind me to spend more time using my camera. I’ve been thinking of trying Scrivener for long projects. I’ll know who to call if I come up against a glitch or two!