So, I ask you: Which do you prefer? To write fast or write well?
You're asking yourself: Why not do both at once? Well, in one word: I'm not superwoman... nor am I good at math. Normally, I write my 90,000 word novels in three months. That's an average of 1000 words a day. I like that pace. I can do research and plan and write notes.
However, this month I'm writing at double my rate. I don't have time to research or write down or note-take. I only have time to get words written. So, I can already see multiple places where I know I have to go back and do research into certain situations and events. And because I'm not taking notes, I know I'll have to do that also in the second draft.
Although I have the satisfaction of knowing I'm completing an novel in record time, I have reservations about the incompleteness of it. It's like trying to write when your desk is a mess. Unless you're one of the writers that work better in a mess... like my husband.
Perhaps there's a better solution. Perhaps you know it. Please share.
Clarissa - That's such an important question, and I believe the answer is different for everyone. Since I have a full-time "day job," I don't get nearly as much written in a day as you do. I've learned to pace myself, so it takes me longer to write. I would say that quality trumps quantity of words for me. But that's because I'm a weirdly organized person when I write. I do best by doing my work a small bit at a time.
ReplyDeleteI'm a slow writer because I try to write well on the first draft. I'm a bit of a perfectionist. Sigh. I'm trying not to be so I can progress faster and it works some days and other days...not so much.
ReplyDeleteSometimes there's nothing for it but to get the story down, but when it's spilling out like that, I edit several times before I'm satisfied that I can move on to the next chapter.
ReplyDeleteThe things that go toward smoothing out plot points get put in on the second draft, once I've had a chance to think them through.
Margot, I think being organized is important. I admit that even though I do plan, I often have to re-plan on the re-write because I come up with new ideas but for the most part, writing by the seat of my pants is never fun.
ReplyDeletePalindrome, well, I admire perfection as long as you can finish the book. I think a lot of the classic literature was written with time.
Joy, yeah. I've done that too. If the voices are talking, I have to dictate what they say as fast as possible before I forget their lines. But, when done, I have to go back and smooth out the bumps.
Thanks for your thoughts.
CD
I am the wrong person to comment on this, because apart from short stories, the only thing I have ever written is my NaNoWriMo novel which I eventually finished over two months.
ReplyDeleteLooking back, I realise that all I really wanted to do then was to finish the work, so I could convince myself that I was capable of writing something longer than 3,000 words. If (scratch that, make it When) I write again, I am definitely going to outline more, research more, and come up with something that doesn't need to be completely re-written at edit stage.
But for you, I think it is important for you to try out writing fast for a change.
Hey, my desk is clean I'll have you know!
ReplyDeleteI prefer to write well, which means I don't break any land-speed records.
Rayna, I think you're right. It's nice to try and see if it's possible.
ReplyDeleteAlex, yeah. I think I would and do prefer to write well. I recently saw a photo of a writer's desk and it was a mess. I thought to myself, how can that guy ever concentrate?
To each their own, I guess.
CD
Oh gosh, I wish I could write as fast as everyone in blog land does! It takes me about a year to finish my first draft! I spend so long thinking and thinking and thinking, until suddnely it all blurts out, 20,000 words in one week. Then dry again for another couple of months, thinking thinking thinking... I wish I could stick to a routine and do 1000 a day. It'd be perfect.
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Clarissa. I like to get the words down as fast as I can for the first draft. It's definitely NOT good writing. Then I can go back and play with them, change them, and do what I like.
ReplyDeleteAA, don't worry, you're not alone. I know many writers like you. Sometimes that's the way writers work.
ReplyDeleteTalli, I've noticed that the writing is not good in my book for this draft. But, I guess that's what editing is for.
CD
I prefer to write well...because I think that's more the revision process. Sometimes I feel like I'm tearing out my soul to write something. Usually it's not terrible when it's finally down, but sometimes it's all messy and gross. I like to clean it up and make it something unique and lovely. So I like to write well.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the piece, how much you're in the throes of inspiration, and how much revision you're willing to do with it.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm worried about word count over quality -- such as during Nano -- it needs more revision.
Each novel has its own innate pace. Some are 1K/day, some more, some less. Once I find that particular novel's rhythm and stay true to it, I can maintain quality throughout the process.
Ultimately, the quality of the work will decide whether or not it's published and finds its audience.
Of course, once you're on a regular contract/publishing schedule, you may have to up the quantity, yet still retain quality.
Sarah, I hear you. I feel a quickly written book is a messy book and every day that I write fast makes me feel like I'm adding to an already messy desk.
ReplyDeleteDevon, you're right. It depends on all of the above. Finding your rhythm is key.
CD