Jennifer
asked
Scott Hawkins:
Hi Scott! I LOVED Library at Mount Char. Currently I am attempting to write my own novel, but I am having trouble bringing myself out of the book-mapping stage. I have all of these almost done outlines but feel like I need to finish them before I start writing otherwise I won't have continuity throughout my novels. Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer? Library @MC was done so well!!
Scott Hawkins
Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
Hey Jennifer,
It sounds like you're more of planner than I am, so I'm maybe not the exact right person to ask about this. But I do have a couple of thoughts.
My first couple of attempts at novel writing died on the vine partly because of over-planning. For instance, say I planned a big emotional scene that was supposed to be the climax of the second act (or whatever) but when I got around to actually writing it, it didn't work as well as I hoped. If if was a key scene, the whole book could (and did) stop working. Nowadays I try to do a proof of concept sketch before committing to a strategy.
I also wasted a lot of time sticking to a strict linear order of writing the chapters I had planned out. I was doing chapter 1, then chapter 2, ..... The problem there was that a lot of times when I was working on chapter 5, I was actually more in the mood for chapter 9. Then, when I got to chapter 9, I was actually thinking about chapter 3.
Bear in mind these aren't universal truths, just something that worked for me. But my takeaway from the early efforts was:
1. Write what you feel like that day, in any order. Worry about stitching it together later.
2. If something's working, run with it.
3. Write the scenes you feel passionate about. When you have a few that work, try to structure the book around them.
All that is fine up to a point, but I should also mention that I'm moving away from a strict "no outlining" policy. It can take the book to some interesting places, but you burn a lot of pages to get there. I threw away something like 250,000 words for Mount Char, and a similar number for the one I'm working on now. It's exhausting. There's got to be a more efficient way.
Another couple of tips:
1. Read "how to write" books. Some are better than others, but they all have something useful.
2. Make time to write every day.
3. If you can, go to workshops. I always find them hugely valuable.
Good luck!
Scott
Hey Jennifer,
It sounds like you're more of planner than I am, so I'm maybe not the exact right person to ask about this. But I do have a couple of thoughts.
My first couple of attempts at novel writing died on the vine partly because of over-planning. For instance, say I planned a big emotional scene that was supposed to be the climax of the second act (or whatever) but when I got around to actually writing it, it didn't work as well as I hoped. If if was a key scene, the whole book could (and did) stop working. Nowadays I try to do a proof of concept sketch before committing to a strategy.
I also wasted a lot of time sticking to a strict linear order of writing the chapters I had planned out. I was doing chapter 1, then chapter 2, ..... The problem there was that a lot of times when I was working on chapter 5, I was actually more in the mood for chapter 9. Then, when I got to chapter 9, I was actually thinking about chapter 3.
Bear in mind these aren't universal truths, just something that worked for me. But my takeaway from the early efforts was:
1. Write what you feel like that day, in any order. Worry about stitching it together later.
2. If something's working, run with it.
3. Write the scenes you feel passionate about. When you have a few that work, try to structure the book around them.
All that is fine up to a point, but I should also mention that I'm moving away from a strict "no outlining" policy. It can take the book to some interesting places, but you burn a lot of pages to get there. I threw away something like 250,000 words for Mount Char, and a similar number for the one I'm working on now. It's exhausting. There's got to be a more efficient way.
Another couple of tips:
1. Read "how to write" books. Some are better than others, but they all have something useful.
2. Make time to write every day.
3. If you can, go to workshops. I always find them hugely valuable.
Good luck!
Scott
More Answered Questions
Kelly
asked
Scott Hawkins:
I've read it three times now. I had my husband (loved it) and my book club read it. Book club is meeting tonight! I am curious if Father was the only god? I know that there are his friends, enemies, and creatures but are any of them also deity? And, with that in mind, why is there no catalog of all religions/faiths? I understand you had other catalogs & tossed some so curious if this was one. Thank you!
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Nov 27, 2018 06:24AM · flag