I Think I'm Doing It Wrong

So we've talked a lot here in the past about how we all write, what constitutes routine, where motivation comes from, what we do when we get stuck and just our general approaches to writing. And I always find it interesting to read about the different thought processes that each writer goes through in writing a book.

My process has never been that complicated, at least to me. I've always tried to keep it simple. I usually start with a first sentence and then let the ball roll. I try to write every day. I use my computer, but I occasionally scribble notes on stickies or in a notebook. I'll edit both on the screen and on paper. Nothing terribly unique. I've always felt that the less complicated I made it, the less there was to get in the way of actually my writing of the book. Strip it down and just go.

But I just read this and, uh, wow. And then I look at the careers of each of these writers and the success they've had and I think, man, maybe I need to start taking this a little more seriously and write on my roof or something because there is some crazy, elaborate stuff here. Margaret Atwood's advice cracked me up and I loved Michael Ondaatje's refusal to acknowledge writer's block.

And I'm not critiquing anything these folks do as part of their process - anything a writer needs to do to get the words to the page the way they want them is what they should do. I just think, for me, that doing some of those things or creating a more elaborate routine might prevent me from writing at all.

Read the article. Share your thoughts.
Jeff

(Hat tip to Sarah Weinman for posting the article.)

BABES IN JOYLAND
There was a recent article in Entertainment Weekly celebrating the 20 year anniversary of Say Anything and that seminal scene of John Cusack holding up the boombox, playing "In Your Eyes." It's a actually a pretty funny article because the writer actually did that for a girl back in his youth and both Cusack and Cameron Crowe talk about how many people come up to them and tell them the same thing, that they did that for a girl and that it worked most of the time. Also a funny anecdote about how Gabriel originally denied Crowe permission to use the song. Anyway, if I had to nominate a new, contemporary song for that kind of thing, I'd pick this one. I could totally see myself holding up a boombox outside someone's window and blasting this song. If they still made boomboxes. (Gosh, don't you just hate it when there is no official video for a song??? I hate that. Should be illegal.)

Comments

[Becky Hutchison]

I can't read Sarah's article right now, so I'll have to get back with you on that. However, I do remember reading in an article about Nora Roberts writing habits. She goes to her office and works something like a 9-5 day, and as part of her morning routine, plays a computer game for about one hour. She's pretty prolific, so I'm guessing it's a good way to start the day.

[Karen Olson]

I think if worked remotely at all like any of those writers, I'd be locked up. I'm with you: just write the first sentence and go from there. No charts, no hands in the air, no dictating into little machines. Yikes.

[J. Carson Black]

Here's my routine. I go to Office Depot and buy out ALL the index cards in the place, and they have to be in colors. Then I get colored markers. I get the Bic Liquid Silver Can't You Believe it's Not Butter roller pen, and stick it in a drawer. Then I take a bath in buttermilk. Here's the tricky part--you must *not* dry off. Still slippery, I sit cross-legged on a bathroom mat and say over and over, "I am THE bestseller of the WORLD."

Then, I open my computer file marked "Great American Novel" and look at the opening line, which currently contains the word "The."

Tired from all this exertion, I climb into bed and watch the shopping channel.

Another day of writing, another Mission Accomplished!

[Lori Armstrong]

Those literary bastards don't have to worry about a fucking plot, so their method ain't one I'd adapt. Might show my ignorance but the only person's names I recognized on that list were Margaret Atwood and Laura Lippman's.

I am bowled over by her chart, colored strings, and index card method.

It depends a lot on if you're writing under contract and *have* to show your editor you know the story and can craft a beginning, a middle, and an end -- and lots of time approval on the outline/synopsis means money.

I'm an outliner. I usually have a notebook with me, and I jot down things that occur to me as far as changes, additions, character traits, setting, plot points. Sometimes books require figuring out a character arc ahead of time, but usually for me, all that nitty gritty stuff comes AFTER I've finished the book (rough draft stage)and can figure out what it needs, what needs to be cut, etc. I do go through 5+ full drafts after I'm finished with the rough draft.

[Gerard]

Man oh man, that is a crappy song.

[rc helicopter]

Impressive blog! -Arron