BE the book!

I’ve talked before about the blissful zone I hit, when everything in the novel comes together and I’m just running to keep up with the writing.

This usually only happens the second half of the novel. The first half, I’m pushing a rock up hill.

However, even while working on the first half, I write much faster than most writers. One of my fans recently asked what my secret was. I don’t have one as such, but I do have a list of recommendations that I THINK will make you a better and faster writer. Some of these apply to all arts. And of course, as always in things controlled by subconscious compulsions, your mileage may vary. If you find it doesn’t work for you, DON’T do it.

However, you might want to try, more or less in this order

1- set a place aside to write in. Make sure it’s a place where you feel comfortable, and arrange it in a way that’s pleasant to you. (i.e. for me, with my hatred of basements, an office in the basement would be a baaaaaaaaaaad idea. Also, for some reason I have to have SF/F posters/pictures on the wall. No, I don’t know why.)

2 – Now that you’re comfy, arrange for the minimum interruptions you can tolerate. What do I mean minimum you can tolerate? Shouldn’t that be maximum? Well, no. When I had toddlers or even young kids, being in an office COMPLETELY insulated from sound drove me nuts. I had to keep my “ear” on them to reassure myself they were fine. Also nowadays I must be where I can hear the doorbell and/or pounding on the door. Why? Because it has happened before some city service needed my car moved, or a friend needed immediate help. If I can’t hear that type of thing I imagine it, and keep checking on the front door.

3 – arrange for MAXIMUM interruptions you can tolerate and no more than that. (Easier said than done. I have two teen boys. Free to a good home. At least during the work day.)

4 – Use an area/computer you don’t use for anything else. If you play games, do email or social media, do it elsewhere. I have an issue with this RIGHT NOW as I use my computer for promo work, reading news AND writing. Makes it very difficult to concentrate. As soon as I can I plan to split those functions. (Now it only happens when I go to “office-ish.” Note however those are my MOST productive days by far.)

5- Find the music that works. Be prepared for this to be a music the WORK needs, not necessarily you. (Yes, one of my series wants Evita, despite my snark about romanticized communism.)

And now, the most important

6- separate writing and editing. If possible, get separate computers for each.

a) when you’re writing WRITE. Give yourself permission to suck royally. (Nowadays I don’t need to do this much, but there were years when I had to rewrite practically every sentence because I’d never met an adverb I didn’t love, and I seemed to am for the most roundabout way of saying things. I often cut books in half when I edited.) JUST stay with the story. Ignore wording, ignore order you’re introducing things. Ignore everything but being in the story and getting it across. There is always time for

b) editing. Do it in a separate computer. Do it after sending the book to some beta readers. Do it no more than three times. And

c) don’t let the editor in your mind when writing. Writing should be pure artistic fun. (I’m not saying don’t have structure, mind. If you’re like me, you HAVE to work out plot/outline in advance. BUT after that, as long as you’re sticking to it losely, have fun.) REMEMBER scenes can always be moved around – later. Wording can and probably will change – later. You can always drop the character that everyone hated – later. Character names can be changed – later. Not sure if that cathedral is where you need it? Make a note and check… later.

This method works for me. Will it work for everyone? I don’t know. But isn’t it worth giving it a try?