The process: Tuesday’s version
There comes a point where there are too many thoughts to follow, too many threads to tie together, to rely on your brain or a mere notebook. It’s time to break out the big revision guns.
Jumbo sketchpad and Sharpie. Flowcharts. I’m actually making flowcharts. I didn’t think I was that kind of writer. Learn something new every day, I guess. And really, whatever works… I just need to be able to see what I’m doing as clearly as possible. Today that means huge sheets of paper and flowcharts and bulleted lists. It means writing out, longhand, all the things I think I already know about this particular subplot and the people moving around in it, to see if it’s actually adding up to what it’s meant to.
So far so good. Only two major scenes/hurdles left in this draft. I’m feeling mostly good and hopeful.
Are you writing a book or a script? I thought it was a book, but you used the word ‘scene’. Very cool. I just had a thought of something I want to write, so I may have to follow your lead with the ‘big guns’.
Posted by: Christie
Can I have one of those big guns? I’m about to go to my death, I mean, my programming exam…and my programs don’t compile…and my programmer husband wants to know why a tech writer needs to do this stuff anyway and why don’t I just stick to writing…and my kid needs a bath…
On second thought, maybe I need more than one flowchart for this…
Posted by: Lee Ann
Are you writing a book or a script? I thought it was a book, but you used the word ‘scene’. Very cool. I just had a thought of something I want to write, so I may have to follow your lead with the ‘big guns’.
Posted by: Christie
Can I have one of those big guns? I’m about to go to my death, I mean, my programming exam…and my programs don’t compile…and my programmer husband wants to know why a tech writer needs to do this stuff anyway and why don’t I just stick to writing…and my kid needs a bath…
On second thought, maybe I need more than one flowchart for this…
Posted by: Lee Ann
I forget, is this the second novel or more revisions of the first? Either way, I totally understand. I, too, am a fan of the flowchart and bulleted lists, but it feels really weird doing them. I feel like I’m in elementary school working on a project for english class.
Next you should make shoebox diaramas to show specific scenes. That would rock.
Posted by: Jenn
Yup, sometimes you need to make with the visual aids. I’m a big fan of index cards and masking tape, m’self.
Posted by: mindy
I can barely write 3 coherent blog entries a week. I am so impressed at your ability
to string words, ideas and plots together into an actual novel. You go, girl!
Posted by: Carole
OK, so I know i’m a big geek, but I love these “behind the scenes” peeks
at the process. I guess that it’s a natural part of your evolution as an artist
to introduce whatever new tools and elements help (eg flowcharts). It’s all so exciting!
Posted by: Regina
yes! for dioaramas! hee hee, just kidding. that would maybe be a little too much extra work.
all sounds good to me. keep going!
Posted by: carolyn
Very neat to see it unfold. Good and hopeful bodes well!
Posted by: Kathy
I forget, is this the second novel or more revisions of the first? Either way, I totally understand. I, too, am a fan of the flowchart and bulleted lists, but it feels really weird doing them. I feel like I’m in elementary school working on a project for english class.
Next you should make shoebox diaramas to show specific scenes. That would rock.
Posted by: Jenn
Yup, sometimes you need to make with the visual aids. I’m a big fan of index cards and masking tape, m’self.
Posted by: mindy
I can barely write 3 coherent blog entries a week. I am so impressed at your ability
to string words, ideas and plots together into an actual novel. You go, girl!
Posted by: Carole
OK, so I know i’m a big geek, but I love these “behind the scenes” peeks
at the process. I guess that it’s a natural part of your evolution as an artist
to introduce whatever new tools and elements help (eg flowcharts). It’s all so exciting!
Posted by: Regina
yes! for dioaramas! hee hee, just kidding. that would maybe be a little too much extra work.
all sounds good to me. keep going!
Posted by: carolyn
Very neat to see it unfold. Good and hopeful bodes well!
Posted by: Kathy
“Flow” is good, fluidity is good, esp. when the novel’s called _Drowning Practice_.
I actually came in here to make an Aunt Flo(w) joke, but I’ll just stick to saying “whatever it takes to see the big and little details together.”
Posted by: spaazlicious
Carolyn’s comment makes me want to see some fourth grader build a diorama based on Drowning Practice (I mean that in the best way–as in, the book becomes a classic…OK, maybe not in fourth grade. You know what I mean, though, right?)
Mindy’s comments gave me deja vu.
My Mac thinks your Mac is totally hot.
Posted by: Em
I like to write this way too sometimes. The computer doesn’t always work for putting complexities together (and taking them apart).
I’m a big fan of THE OUTLINE too (though my usual writing is totally different animal than fiction).
A good friend has just found an agent for her novel–it’s so fun/exciting to watch both of you emerge as novelists.
Posted by: Steph
Yeah, I end up cutting things up into bits and taping them together – it’s really like a jigsaw puzzle in some ways, at some points in the process.
Posted by: Patti
It’s funny how similar your process is to my process for writing software.
Same-same, I guess, except that if you reference a character without introducing them first, your book doesn’t burst into flames.
You should hold on to those big sheets and auction them off later through the gift shop.
Posted by: David
I’m glad you’re feeling good about your draft. I admire you!
Posted by: Shannon
“Flow” is good, fluidity is good, esp. when the novel’s called _Drowning Practice_.
I actually came in here to make an Aunt Flo(w) joke, but I’ll just stick to saying “whatever it takes to see the big and little details together.”
Posted by: spaazlicious
Carolyn’s comment makes me want to see some fourth grader build a diorama based on Drowning Practice (I mean that in the best way–as in, the book becomes a classic…OK, maybe not in fourth grade. You know what I mean, though, right?)
Mindy’s comments gave me deja vu.
My Mac thinks your Mac is totally hot.
Posted by: Em
I like to write this way too sometimes. The computer doesn’t always work for putting complexities together (and taking them apart).
I’m a big fan of THE OUTLINE too (though my usual writing is totally different animal than fiction).
A good friend has just found an agent for her novel–it’s so fun/exciting to watch both of you emerge as novelists.
Posted by: Steph
Yeah, I end up cutting things up into bits and taping them together – it’s really like a jigsaw puzzle in some ways, at some points in the process.
Posted by: Patti
It’s funny how similar your process is to my process for writing software.
Same-same, I guess, except that if you reference a character without introducing them first, your book doesn’t burst into flames.
You should hold on to those big sheets and auction them off later through the gift shop.
Posted by: David
I’m glad you’re feeling good about your draft. I admire you!
Posted by: Shannon
Ha, flowcharts and bulleted lists rule my world. I wouldn’t get a damned thing done without them. Such the visual person I am.
Posted by: Shelley
ah! Sketch pads, bizarre diagrams and obscure cross-referencing. Yay! I have all of this to look forward to *grin*
Go you 🙂
Posted by: Monica
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Ha, flowcharts and bulleted lists rule my world. I wouldn’t get a damned thing done without them. Such the visual person I am.
Posted by: Shelley
ah! Sketch pads, bizarre diagrams and obscure cross-referencing. Yay! I have all of this to look forward to *grin*
Go you 🙂
Posted by: Monica
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