So I want to talk about something different today. This is still totally relevant to the blog, so stick with me.
I took a break from editing (and writing and schoolwork and sleeping and eating and... wait what?) to read a book* that I've been meaning to read for months now. It's a trilogy, so I figured it would take me a while. I started the first book on Thursday afternoon and now it is Sunday night and I am halfway through the third book. Like I've said before, I read fast when the book is good, and let me tell you, this book is good. I was afraid that reading would distract me from editing, which I've been slacking on the last week (school has been busy), but quite the opposite happened. I ended up taking notes on my phone for things that I need to work on that the author of the book did really well. There was a strangely high number of parallels that I could draw between the book and my manuscript. Sometimes scenes in the book reminded me of scenes in my own even though they were completely different simply because they made me think of things I could do better.
I know you've probably seen numerous people advise aspiring writers to read and I'm here to tell you that every single one of those people is absolutely correct. I had always seen advice like that and thought it was only applicable long term, like reading a lot makes you a better writer over time. While I still think that is true, I was not expecting to see the effects so quickly.
My point here is if you're getting stuck either while writing or editing, put it down and read something. Not only will this give you some distance from your own manuscript which is sometimes necessary, but it will also remind you of what you like in books when you read. I have been so caught up in my own story and words for so long that I forgot what I like to read. I forgot how much I love it when a book actually makes me laugh out loud. I forgot how interesting and frustrating it is to have a narrator that second guesses herself. I forgot how much I love sarcastic, sassy characters. I forgot how much I like confident but vulnerable love interests. I forgot how much I love when you feel a character's pain so strongly that you actually physically cry with them. And I forgot how much I love a book that forces me to read at every possible available minute because I just can't bring myself to part from the story.
I think it's hard to remember your favorite parts of a book when you are writing one. It's easy to get caught up in the technical craft and trying to pander to what you think your intended audience wants. Taking the time to relax and read a book made me realize that I am the audience. I am a reader and ultimately, I should be happy with the final product. If I write a book that I don't enjoy reading, then I'll never be happy with it. If I write a book that I enjoy reading not just because it's my story but because it is genuinely pleasurable to read, then chances are other people will like it too.
So take some time to read. Read books in your genre or books with similar elements. Read books that are drastically different too. Don't forget that the joy of reading a truly good book is what inspired you to write a book in the first place.
KMG
*The book series I read was The Selection by Kiera Cass. Definitely check it out if you haven't. It's incredible, as is The Siren by Cass.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Why Creative Word Vomit is a Good Thing
So I'm currently in the read through part of the editing process and it's... different.
Let me clarify.
When I was writing, I was so focused on getting words onto paper (or computer screen) that I didn't bother with anything other than grammar. This resulted in just about every chapter being in past tense (it's supposed to be present tense), some major timeline consistency problems, characters dropping off the face of the earth for like ten chapters at a time, and the realization of something rather interesting.
The story that I set out to write is not the one that came out on paper.
Don't get me wrong, a lot of it is the same, but I ended up changing a major part of the story. I had started out writing about a siren who pursues a music career despite her mother trying to kill her. What I ended up with was the story of a siren whose mother is trying to kill her while she struggles with the realities of being a siren, like the desire to kill.
I liked the idea of the irony of a siren being a professional singer and how that would play out. I wanted to explore that concept. But the more I wrote, the more the music career fell by the wayside and this alternate concept of a siren who doesn't want to kill, but that's against her nature. That second concept was always intended to be in the story, but I never thought it would become a main plot point and major conflict in the story.
So why do I say all this?
As I was writing, I read more writing tips than I probably should have. I kept seeing all these posts about writing the story that wants to be written and just sitting down and letting the story flow out and all I have to say is that those statements couldn't be more accurate. So many times I sat down to write something specific. I had a complete, detailed scene in my head ready to be written. But an hour later, I looked up from the keyboard to find a completely different idea on the screen.
Sometimes your subconscious writer knows better than your logical mind. I ended up with a far better story (I think) kind of by accident, but I'm so glad for it. Now I can confidently edit, knowing I wrote the right story. I know it's often hard in practice to relax and just be creative, but sometimes impromptu creative word vomit is better in the long run.
<3
KMG
Let me clarify.
When I was writing, I was so focused on getting words onto paper (or computer screen) that I didn't bother with anything other than grammar. This resulted in just about every chapter being in past tense (it's supposed to be present tense), some major timeline consistency problems, characters dropping off the face of the earth for like ten chapters at a time, and the realization of something rather interesting.
The story that I set out to write is not the one that came out on paper.
Don't get me wrong, a lot of it is the same, but I ended up changing a major part of the story. I had started out writing about a siren who pursues a music career despite her mother trying to kill her. What I ended up with was the story of a siren whose mother is trying to kill her while she struggles with the realities of being a siren, like the desire to kill.
I liked the idea of the irony of a siren being a professional singer and how that would play out. I wanted to explore that concept. But the more I wrote, the more the music career fell by the wayside and this alternate concept of a siren who doesn't want to kill, but that's against her nature. That second concept was always intended to be in the story, but I never thought it would become a main plot point and major conflict in the story.
So why do I say all this?
As I was writing, I read more writing tips than I probably should have. I kept seeing all these posts about writing the story that wants to be written and just sitting down and letting the story flow out and all I have to say is that those statements couldn't be more accurate. So many times I sat down to write something specific. I had a complete, detailed scene in my head ready to be written. But an hour later, I looked up from the keyboard to find a completely different idea on the screen.
Sometimes your subconscious writer knows better than your logical mind. I ended up with a far better story (I think) kind of by accident, but I'm so glad for it. Now I can confidently edit, knowing I wrote the right story. I know it's often hard in practice to relax and just be creative, but sometimes impromptu creative word vomit is better in the long run.
<3
KMG
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