Leigh Bardugo's Blog, page 665
September 18, 2013
Hi Leigh, sorry to bother you. I have a question about writing. Authors always say that for the first draft of a story you just want to get your ideas on paper and throw perfection to the wind. Well, I have a really hard time with that. I can't even get a
Here are some thoughts:
1. Have you read this quote by Ira Glass? When you walk into a bookstore or pick up a favorite read, you need to remember that NONE of them are first drafts. Don’t compare your first draft to those finished works.
2. Don’t fight the critic in your head. When it kicks in with “not good enough, not smart enough, not funny enough,” just agree and move on—”You’re right, this is dreck, but no one’s ever going to see it.”
3. Let go of the idea that this book is The Book. If you’re writing your first book, then take the pressure off of yourself and just accept that this book may just be a warm up. You’ll write a book and you’ll see if you want to rewrite it or move on to another project, but you’ll have the confidence of knowing that you have FINISHED A BOOK. We invest so much in our work, but it’s important that we invest the right things. Ambition—This will be it! The book that makes my career! The book that sells for a million doubloons!—can strangle creativity. So try to invest excitement and curiosity and passion instead.
4. Type faster than you think. I know that sounds crazy, but when I get stuck I just start typing whatever I’m thinking. I type the questions and frustrations in my head. Sometimes I’m not so much writing a scene as describing it to myself (“This is the moment when X will happen and then Y. But how??”)
5. Don’t read reviews. They strengthen the critical voice in your head.
6. Feel free to ignore all of this. Every writer’s process is different. I’ve spoken to authors who start each day by rereading and editing everything they wrote the day before. This would be a nightmare for me, but it works for them. Figuring out what works for you is a process of trial and error, but once you find that process, respect it and don’t worry about what anyone else is doing.
Hope this helps and good luck in your work!
Hey Leigh! I've noticed you use some Loki reaction gifs - is he your favorite character? Any fave quotes from him then?? :P
I do have a fondness for Loki (and anything Hiddles), but I wouldn’t say he’s my favorite Marvel character.
I will also tell you that I find his pointy hat HILARIOUS. I like it much better when he dresses like a puny mortal.
See? He kind of agrees.
supernaturalzombie:
Shadow and Bone Dream casting | Troian...
Shadow and Bone Dream casting | Troian Bellisario as Alina Starkov
“I am a soldier. I am the Sun Summoner. And I’m the only chance you have.”
“I told them you hate herring.”“Why?”“And that you love plum...
“I told them you hate herring.”
“Why?”
“And that you love plum cake. And that Ana Kuya took a switch to you when you ruined your spring slippers jumping in puddles.”
I winced. “Why would you tell them all that?”
“I wanted to make you human,” he said. “All they see when they look at you is the Sun Summoner. They see a threat, another powerful Grisha like the Darkling. I want them to see a daughter or a sister or a friend. I want them to see Alina.”
September 17, 2013
Malinda Lo: 1 week till INHERITANCE! Plus events!
It’s one week until the official publication of Inheritance — that means you have only six more days to pre-order a copy if you want me to send you postcards, other swag, and be entered to win a complete signed library of all my books.Go here for that info.
I figured this was also a good time to tell you about some events I’ll be doing over the next several weeks. I’m waiting on final word for one more event so when I have that, I’ll update my Events page, where you can always see all my events.
Sept. 28
Austin Teen Book Festival
Austin Convention Center
Austin, Texas
Sept. 30
Ask Me Anything at Reddit’s YA Writers board — Stop by and ask me anything!
The Internet Near You
Oct. 5–6
Wordstock
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, OR
Oct. 6, 4 p.m. at the Comcast Stage — Malinda Lo and Marissa Meyer, with a signing to follow
Oct. 10–13
Sirens Conference
Skamania Lodge
Stevenson, WA (near Portland, OR)
Oct. 18-19
Colorado Language Arts Society Regional Conference — Keynote Speaker
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO
Oct. 20 at 3 p.m.
Tattered Cover Bookstore — Book Signing
2526 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO
I will bring Adaptation and Inheritance postcards, bookmarks, and Bin 42 stickers with me! So pleeeeeeease come out and see me so I can give you free things. :)
