The power of going slow when writing (and in life)

Growth, spring and what it all means ... How to step outside of your comfort z...

The power of going slow when writing (and in life)

This week, I started a new novel. I’m very excited about this one as it’s slightly different from the ones I’ve done before, but it is inspired by the last three high fantasy novels I’ve written over the last two years. However, there’s something I need to fight at the moment: the urge to rush.

For about the last 5-6 years, I’ve been a fast drafter. I get the first draft done in 1-2 months after building the idea beforehand. No real editing as I go, just pushing through excitedly to the end. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, I pride myself on my ability to write so much, so quickly sometimes! (Bear in mind that I have worked in schools for 4 years and before that, I was part-time employed while studying and before that a freelancer, so I had more free time than some other full-time workers).

But I feel that this isn’t the right path for this novel. That maybe the reason none of my drafts since 2018 have gripped me enough to keep editing them and want to pursue publishing is because they were rushed.

Maybe going slow is the answer.

The power of a slower pace

In all areas of life, going slow has its place and beauty. When we rush, we miss things. Important things. Rush a conversation, a task, a piece of art, and it loses its value. It doesn’t quite achieve what it may have with more consideration and attention.

I’m not saying I’m going to let what should be a short book take me years to write! That would be a major unnecessary overcorrect on my part. What I am saying, though, is there’s nothing wrong with slowing down and it may help me get this draft right this time. Or rather, feel out the world and the characters in a more intimate and intuitive way.

What’s better – rushing through time with someone you’ve just met, or taking a little time with them here and there to get to know them deeper? It’s like speed dating versus regular mini-dates and phone calls and texts! The same goes for our characters and the worlds we build.

When we are slower, we are more intentional. More considerate and efficient. Our sentences sing. Our characters make more realistic choices. The setting grows and comes alive, becoming its own character (as it should be!). With a slower pace and more time, the story may just come to life in a way rushing couldn’t allow.

In general, I want to calm down. I want to smell the roses. I want to know I’m safe and worthy even if I don’t hustle, grind, and constantly perform as hyperproductive. It’s exhausting. I’ve been thinking about this in terms of my yoga practice. Yoga should be sacred and intuitive and spiritual, not just some rushed, tick-box activity I can say I’ve done for the day and then go on rushing around. I’m meant to take the yogic teachings off the mat into my everyday life. The same goes for my writing. I don’t want to just tick a box. I don’t want to do it because I have to and I’m forcing myself just to get it done. Wham bam thank you mam! No!

I want to enjoy the practice and so I need to slow down and be in it mindfully.

I’ve just finished The Tao of Pooh, a fun little philosophical book that reminded me that things get done when we don’t fuss and fret and force them. That overthinking, intelligence and knowledge are not the ways to happiness and success. It’s achieved with a slower pace, more care, and inner nature.

As I said, fast drafts have their place. In fact, with the summer holidays off, it just makes sense to work hard and get a novel written quickly. But maybe that’s not right for me and this new idea this year. I don’t want to keep doing the same thing expecting different results when I ultimately know it hasn’t worked for me as well as I want it to.

If as I’m going I feel excited and the words are pouring out of me, I’m going to let it happen. That’s my creativity and intuition taking the wheel. What I’m not going to do, though, is beat myself up when I don’t write as much. Or treat every day off as a “must-write day”.

I still have my routines and habits for writing, though. They’re just kinder, longer, more free…

Ideal writing goal so far this year

So this is my plan for right now (my ideas come thick and fast, as you may have noticed, so this may change!).

Weekdays = Write 250 words a day, 3 days a week

Weekends = Write 1,000 words

I ideally want the first draft of this novel completed (how ever rough) before September and the new school year starts. That’s 5 months. As I said, with the summer break, I’m likely to write more than the schedule above, which is only valid for working weeks. However, especially with this Easter half-term break, I’m reminding myself that a break is…a break! I’m not off work to just work myself tired on my novel. Yes, work on them, but not rigidly and rushed so that it exhausts and puts too much pressure on me.

This goal and intention feels good. It’s more time for a draft than I usually give myself, but not an open goal where I allow myself to relax too much and never write anything! I have a different goal for the summer break alongside this, so writing won’t be the only thing taking up my time. Not to mention hopefully some UK trips to make the most of the sunshine.