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Post by Pru Freda on Mar 29, 2014 2:50:24 GMT -5
How much time do you spend on your first draft and getting the story down, in comparison to rewriting and editing? I seem to spend ages on the former. Have I got it the wrong way around?
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Post by Suzy on Mar 29, 2014 3:05:11 GMT -5
I spend about three-four months on first draft, then about a month (depending on my betas) rewriting, including editing, then a week or so proofreading.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 3:12:06 GMT -5
I can write drafts in 1-2 months, but it really depends on the storyline and how many POVs are in it. Editing I do all the way through in little bits, so I'm not sure how long it takes me.
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Post by scdaffron on Mar 29, 2014 8:50:41 GMT -5
I was somewhat surprised to discover that I wrote my first draft of this book in 9 weeks. I started it on January 1 and finished it March 8 (68K words). Now I'm in the midst of rewriting based on alpha readers feedback. Beta readers should see it in the next couple weeks. Then it goes to the copyeditor and final layout for print and ebook. I think I'll be able to release it in June without any trouble.
It looks like I can do two books/year, which makes me happy. I'd love to get to the point where I'm writing 4 books/year, but I just don't think it's feasible at this point, given that I have 40-hour/week day job.
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Post by Daniel on Mar 29, 2014 9:09:34 GMT -5
If I count all of the revision passes together, the time seems to be about even for me. I want to get to a place where I get the first draft down faster and spend more time in revision, but my internal editor keeps pestering my muse.
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 29, 2014 11:41:12 GMT -5
How much time do you spend on your first draft and getting the story down, in comparison to rewriting and editing? I seem to spend ages on the former. Have I got it the wrong way around? I think most writing teachers would advise you to just pound out that first draft and then spend more time in revision. It's certainly what I tell my students to do. But I can't do it myself with fiction writing. If what I already have isn't working, I can't move forward because what I have generates where I'm going. So getting a *complete* first draft takes a very long time, and by the time it's done, it's been heavily revised along the way and is no longer a real first draft. |
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Post by removinglimbs on Mar 30, 2014 13:15:56 GMT -5
First draft comes fast for me. Revision takes forever.
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 30, 2014 13:19:11 GMT -5
First draft comes fast for me. Revision takes forever. The writing teacher in me congratulates you!  |
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Post by removinglimbs on Mar 31, 2014 9:37:47 GMT -5
First draft comes fast for me. Revision takes forever. The writing teacher in me congratulates you! Haha! Yeah. My (fantastic) hubby arranged for 3 hours of babysitting time for me today. Just so I can write. I have been looking forward to it for days. I plan to spend the entire time (minus the diaper change and inevitable "Mommy!" shouts I'll get two or three times) with my butt in chair, pounding out as many words as I can. I can always edit while nursing the baby (one-handed, laptop on sofa beside me). But writing requires two free hands. |
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Post by vrabinec on Mar 31, 2014 10:52:16 GMT -5
I finished the basic book of my WIP for Nano 2008. I've been editing ever since.
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Post by Suzy on Mar 31, 2014 11:40:35 GMT -5
I finished the basic book of my WIP for Nano 2008. I've been editing ever since. Is this the one we've been waiting for? |
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cate
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Post by cate on Apr 11, 2014 18:51:44 GMT -5
I spend 3-4 weeks on the first draft, then 2-3 weeks in editing, depending on how much I have to fix. My drafts are pretty clean, so it's usually adding detail, with the occasional slash and burn when the plot goes wonky.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2014 8:50:51 GMT -5
I've spent 14 months on my WIP. Sooooo close to finishing it! (In my defense, I've also trad-pubbed 24 nonfiction children's books in that same time period.) My first drafts are very clean. I'll spend a couple of weeks on the polish and then send it to Beta readers.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2014 10:23:35 GMT -5
How much time do you spend on your first draft and getting the story down, in comparison to rewriting and editing? I seem to spend ages on the former. Have I got it the wrong way around? I don't think you have it wrong. Every writer is different. Your process is what is important to your work. Sure you can make adjustments to improve productivity, but only within the parameters you feel comfortable in. When Becca mentions her teaching and then how she actually does it, I admire her honesty and adaptability. Daniel's process is much like my own (inner editor nosing in) and I used to feel a bit guilty about that. It took a long time for me to accept my process, but now I do. (Love your covers...just had to put that in. :-) ) Aithne |
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Post by Pru Freda on Apr 16, 2014 12:22:45 GMT -5
Thanks, Aithne. A high productivity is something I struggle to achieve - I set myself goals and procrastinate too much (and write myself into corners) to ever achieve. Also, I have to remember I'm not as young as I was, and in failing health - sometimes that doesn't help, either.
Thanks for the kind words about the covers. Glad you like them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2014 20:09:58 GMT -5
Thanks, Aithne. A high productivity is something I struggle to achieve - I set myself goals and procrastinate too much (and write myself into corners) to ever achieve. Also, I have to remember I'm not as young as I was, and in failing health - sometimes that doesn't help, either. Thanks for the kind words about the covers. Glad you like them. I understand about health issues... hope you stress less. (I find that helps sometimes.) Your story will come together as you work on it everyday. ~ Aithne |
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Post by Becca Mills on Apr 16, 2014 21:56:24 GMT -5
When Becca mentions her teaching and then how she actually does it, I admire her honesty and adaptability. What a nice way of looking at it. Thank you!  |
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Post by Alan Petersen on Apr 16, 2014 22:57:58 GMT -5
I'm like you. My first two books I've spent many more months in rewrite/editing mode versus writing the first draft. To be honest its a lot more psychological/second book jitters than actually rewriting/editing. I'm trying to cure myself from that disease since it's been 14 months since I published my first book and the second book is still not out.
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Post by Rinelle Grey on Apr 16, 2014 23:13:48 GMT -5
I probably spend about half as much time editing as I do writing the first draft. I do change stuff as I go if I come up with a better idea, or something doesn't fit, so usually the main storyline is fine, and it's just details I'm getting right in the editing. I have become better at this with each book though, the first one too a lot longer to edit than subsequent ones,
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Post by Becca Mills on Apr 17, 2014 2:56:17 GMT -5
I'm like you. My first two books I've spent many more months in rewrite/editing mode versus writing the first draft. To be honest its a lot more psychological/second book jitters than actually rewriting/editing. I'm trying to cure myself from that disease since it's been 14 months since I published my first book and the second book is still not out. You and me both, Alan. I think I will be able to overcome the jitters and get mine out, once I have some solid time to sit down and make it as good as I'm able to. But I understand your anxiety 100%. |
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