Friends expressed disbelief when they heard I wrote my first novel inside six weeks... and published it within eight.
'Finding Rose' emerged as a simple idea. I recalled an episode I experienced as a young boy, before letting my imagination take over for the next 50,000 words.
But I had encouragement. First from my wife, who suggested I write down all the stories I had come out with over the years; then from a former professional author who read a sample of my writing, concluding 'that I could write'.
Book 4 of the 'Love Should Never Be This Hard' series (illustrated here) became a collection of real events built into my stories, but which I fictionalized to make them more interesting. This confirmed I could write in a style that held the reader's attention. (And yes - I did write Book 4 first!)
A disciplined approach to writing
You can do it too, no doubt better than I can. What holds many of you back is the discipline. Try this: - once you start, simply keep going day in day out until a readable result is achieved.
Set achievable goals
On my page 'Write your book' I talk about writing 600 words per hour. I am comfortable with that, but you have to find the rate at which you are confident - and still turning out quality, readable prose. This may be as little as 400 - 500 words per hour.
Or more.
Low output is still OK. What you need to avoid is writing just for the sake of it.**
But don't worry. You may be happier if your output per hour is modest if you are able to compensate by writing for longer periods each day.
(** TIP: If you come up against 'writer's block' it can be dispiriting. ONE way I found that worked for me was to write anyway. Anything, as long as it was vaguely relevant.
The end result could again be speed writing - quality reading. And with less editing needed.
'Aren't you contradicting yourself?' you ask. 'Wouldn't this end up as pages of rubbish?'
Writing is discovery - and self-discovery
Maybe. Maybe not. You may even discover a new thread you hadn't thought of before. A new idea - or 'sub-ideas'.
But there is another factor: re-write your initial draft until you are happy with it.
You should do this anyway. Even if I have written a first draft that (in my opinion) is good to go, I still go back, re-read it, and rewrite it.
I perform this ritual sometimes several days after writing the original.
I call it 'polishing'.)
One size does not fit all - write when you like
Some seasoned writers work through the night, others are more suited to mornings. It doesn't matter as long as you write regularly and strive for an optimum 'x' words per session. But don't punish yourself.
Here's a comparison.
Many years ago I used to go to the gym after a 9-5 working days at least three, and sometimes five, times a week. A typical session would be an hour and a quarter.
Guess what? Some days I just could not face it. But, I argued with myself, you have only been twice this week, so do you really want to fall behind in your disciplined fitness regime?
Answer: No.
So what did I do?
I would still go, but with the promise (just to myself) that I would take it easy and exercise for only half an hour. After ten minutes warm up and a similar period warm down, the ten minutes in the middle would be easy.
The idea of meeting my goals did not 'beat' me. You can guess what happened.
Nine times out of ten I would still manage an hour-plus and leave the session - doubly satisfied, but not having punished myself.
Try this technique to meet your writing goals.
Copy-edit AS you write - not just AFTER
Ready for the best part?
I have talked about reading and re-reading, writing and rewriting to achieve quality results. Within this, of course, is copy-editing by a third party. Essential!
But also consider introducing this process as you write, rather than after you've finished the novel. Then send it out to be edited.
It helps the point I am about to make now.
Writing is - or should be - FUN!
For me, the fun part IS re-reading and re-writing.
Why? Because you get to know your characters better, and your story line, with the opportunity - yes, it's a valuable opportunity - to improve both.
And if you employ an editor during the process, they have the opportunity to, perhaps, point out improvements you may have missed.
You also get the chance to change things, add and subtract sections, or even switch things around.
If you're lucky - hopefully - you will enjoy your own work with each re-read, getting a buzz from your own writing. That can be a real bonus.
Speed writing - quality reading
Finally, I hope the 'speed writing - quality reading' idea helps you put to one side, for a moment, some of the essential techniques and lessons you feel you have to 'learn' to become a good writer, and ways to enjoy writing.
And for one good reason:
Unless you enjoy your own writing, it's unlikely your readers will.
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