Phrases writers who are studying the craft of writing hear time and time again.
Lesson #9 -- Forget Craft
Are you handcuffed by trying to make your writing perfect even before you tell your story?
NaNoWriMo is not the time to get bogged down in and worry about your craft level. It's all about forward movement. Get your story on paper and let the rest take a vacation until revision time.
In reality, if you've been studying craft, you've been incorporating what you've learned into your writing along the way. You likely don't make the same mistakes you made years or even months ago.
But since there's always more to learn, refrain from focusing on learning now. Whatever you haven't quite mastered, put aside to address in your second or third or nth draft. During NaNo, you're writing your first draft, not your final one. Your job? Write fast and furious, and get the story out!
That's the goal. Pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and story out of brain.
Be willing to allow your story to go places unexpected and to get there in ways unimagined. That's the fun of fast drafting. There's no telling what you'll end up with.
Except that you have an inkling if you've outlined your story in advance. Doesn't mean there won't be unexpected twists and turns, but you'll be able to hogtie your story and drag it back before it goes too far astray.
If you want to.
You might decide that letting your story loose from the barn, the wind behind it, running as fast as it can, is in the story's best interest.
Whatever you choose, keep writing and don't look back.
Does trying to write perfectly hamper your creativity? Does it get in the way of completing your story? What do you do to keep yourself moving forward?
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.
1 comment:
I usually stick a note in my manuscript that says, [This needs serious re-writing]" and just keep going! I agree...trying to be perfect will hamper you. Just get the words/thoughts down. There's time to polish later.
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