A Community of Writers Who Use The Marshall Plan®

The writing process

Information

Let's open a discussion of the process of writing. How we go about. Routines and schedules. What works when writing and revising

Members: 20
Latest Activity: Oct 28

Nobody has added any discussions yet! Add a discussion to get started.

Add a Comment

Comment by Evan Marshall on August 19, 2009 at 4:39pm: At this point I think you're beyond the section sheets. I think you should revise the manuscript itself.

Comment by Vickie Britton on April 25, 2009 at 6:17pm: I use a combination of names for the big cities and sprinkle it with made up towns.

Comment by Curt on March 24, 2009 at 5:05pm: I'm using a combination of sorts...using real names for cities, etc. and although I'm using ficticious names for bars, restaurants, and the like, I'm using real places for inspiration.

Comment by Evan Marshall on March 23, 2009 at 8:17pm: I tend to use real names for things like streets and points of interest, but not for places where a lot will be happening, such as a restaurant, store, apartment building, and so on, because using the real places would be too confining. In a made-up place I can do whatever I want. Plus you always need to be aware of possible legal problems.

Comment by J. Scott Milford on March 23, 2009 at 8:12pm: Renee, I like your question about real names, etc. I'm looking forward to reading what others think about it.

I've used real (local) names in my short fiction, but I'm usually applying, say, a street sign and making it the name of a business or person. That's not exactly what you're asking but what you're asking does relate to my unfinished novel as well.

Does anyone have an opinion on Renee's question?

Comment by J. Scott Milford on March 23, 2009 at 8:06pm: I've never written a full novel, so I'm not really sure what would be most effective. But I have a few chapters completed and my own personal rule is to keep going. Personally, if I went back to rewrite or edit anything I've already written, there is a greater chance of me not finishing it. So I feel like it's more important to reach the end of the first draft.

In my own case, I didn't reach the end of my story. But at least this wasn't because I got caught up in editing or rewriting earlier chapters. I got stuck on the time period and the location....which I still need to tackle. (Arrrgh!)

Comment by Evan Marshall on March 21, 2009 at 6:56pm: If it were me, I would go back and make notes on what you've written, indicating changes you intend to make, but I wouldn't do any actual rewriting of what you've done. To me that's like spinning your wheels. It sounds like you're on a roll, and you don't want to lose that. When I write a novel, if something occurs to me, I just make a note and keep going. I also never allow myself to print out the novel until I type THE END. That way I'm not tempted to grab a red pencil and start editing. I don't want to go into the editing phase until I'm really done with the writing phase.

Comment by Evan Marshall on February 24, 2009 at 7:54am: Whatever you call it, I wish it would happen more often! : )

Comment by J. Scott Milford on February 23, 2009 at 7:46pm: Renee, I think you're confusing "frenzy" with "flurry". In my book, a flurry of writing is a few to several pages; a frenzy, is a dozen or more. ;-)

Evan, I'm not sure, but I think 40 pages is considered an avalanche of writing...either that or a mad rush, which sounds more like what you did. :-)

Comment by Evan Marshall on February 23, 2009 at 6:32pm: I think that's true, Renee. Also, when you're writing fast, you don't have time to edit yourself--it's from mind to screen--and for that reason I think you're more creative.