Friday Five: What I love about writing :D
I have had a super productive writing week. But it hasn't just been productive, it's been so fun! So for this week's Friday Five I'm posting my top five things I love about writing.
1. I love first drafts. Some writers love them, some writers hate them. They terrify and thrill me all at once. Facing a blank page (or computer screen) is scary -- what if nothing comes? what if it's terrible? what if I don't know what I'm doing? -- all pop into mind. But you know what, almost always, something does come, and even if it's not perfect, it doesn't suck, and it does lead somewhere. But the wonderful, 'these are a few of my favorite things' thing about it is the rush of diving in, not knowing where it's going to lead, and being taken on this amazing ride, full of twists and turns and surprises. It beats any amusement park ride hands down -- even, dare I say it, my favorite, Space Mountain!
2. I also love getting to know the characters. It's so frustrating at first because they're strangers and it's hard to write what's going on inside them when I don't know them very well yet. But if I can just be patient while they show themselves through the story, I get to a place where I start to understand them. Then I might take some time away from the manuscript to 'play' with them a little -- through interviews or sketching out their bedrooms or collaging words/images they like, etc. And then, when I know them, it changes the revising process, because I look at a first draft sentence and think, "Oh, she would never say it like that." I didn't know that the first time through, but now I do. So I realize that I really know these people now. They've come alive for me. And that is such an amazing feeling.
3. There's something about the inner world that just draws me. Retreating to my room, creating a space that feels different from the everyday -- by lighting candles or moving things around -- and allowing my imagination to take up the space is a thrill. I almost don't even notice that everything has changed. Unless something happens to take me out of it -- like a phone call I can't ignore or it's time to pick up the kids or whatever. Then I suddenly realize that I was in this other place that felt as if it was a whole different level of life -- not better than the rest, just different, special in its own way.
4. I am learning to love, yes I said love, rewriting! I never thought I would feel that way. My ideal image of a writer's life used to be to write the first draft, then pass it off to someone else who would do all the work to fix it. But with the manuscript I'm currently working on I am LOVING not just revising but rewriting. Usually when I revise, it can be hard to see where the problems are. But in rewriting, it feels like all the junk is just getting left behind without a thought. And not only is the good stuff coming through, but even better stuff is developing! And so I fall in love with the characters and their plight all over again. And even though I think I basically know where it's going this time, there are still so many surprises!
5. Finally, I am really enjoying learning more about the craft of writing and incorporating these new ideas into my draft. There's something really exciting about the idea that we can keep learning, keep progressing, keep improving if we decide to. It feels like a gift, one I am excited to receive.
So there's my top five reasons for today. Ask me tomorrow and I'll probably have five new reasons I love writing. If you're a writer, what do you love about it?
Hope you all have an awesome weekend!
Posted by Cheryl at 1/21/2011 10:15 AM 
Categories: life; inspiration; writing, friday five; writing, Writing, friday five; life; writing, friday five; writing; life, writing, writing craft, friday five; writing; craft, friday five; life; writing; dreaming, life; writing, fun
Categories: life; inspiration; writing, friday five; writing, Writing, friday five; life; writing, friday five; writing; life, writing, writing craft, friday five; writing; craft, friday five; life; writing; dreaming, life; writing, fun
1. The idea part--that first excitement of getting the thoughts from your head onto the paper or screen.
2. I agree about getting to know the characters, and when it's sci fi or fantasy, I also love getting to know the geographic area.
OK, I'll just share my top two...
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Yes! I love that first rush of ideas, and I know just what you mean about #2 -- creating the world and sinking into it. Thanks for sharing those!
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I wish all of the process could be this exciting. Hate it when I bog down and don't feel the thrill. However, I'm over the moon when I'm done and have a piece of work to hold in my hands.
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