Love this: "Overthinking can’t breathe life into a narrative that isn’t allowed to grow organically." How true Gillian. I've written two MG manuscripts, and one chapter book for kids - (none published, sadly) - and, looking back, I cant help but think that the magic lay in the initial drafts - not the edited/overworked final copy. I always enjoy these instalments, but lovely too, learning more about you.
Hi Portia, and thank you for your interesting response.
As you'll know there's a lot of discussion about whether it's better to be a planner or a pantser.
I actually don't think that I am either.
My best work (including in quick turnaround TV and radio) has always come out of allowing my thinking to marinade, until I have a sense of the characters and the themes and the world and the beginning and the end of the story and something of the middle, and can see in my mind a 'picture' of the whole thing. It really is a visual thing. When I can 'see' the 'picture' I know I can write the piece, and that the editing will be a pleasure.
The work I've been least happy with has been when I haven't managed to see the picture and have done a detailed scene breakdown (often doing my best to follow screenwriting 3 or 5 or 7 act structure theory), making sure I've covered all the important story and thematic points, identifying my turning points and so on, and then writing the first draft ticking off the scenes as I go. I've written many projects this way - sometimes because the people employing me have required it, and sometimes because I've not been able to find my 'picture'. But the resulting scripts have rarely felt right to me.
But this is just my experience. I believe every writer of stories needs to find their own way. I know people who prefer to tease everything out in advance. They tell me they find a solid structure sets them free. And that's good too.
As a PS...
I'm not sure I've ever been rational or relaxed when I've been working on anything!
"Overthinking can’t breathe life into a narrative that isn’t allowed to grow organically." So we should just get on with writing a draft and, eventually, editing it like crazy afterwards. I keep telling this myself, but I find it difficult to stay rational and relaxed in the early stage. What a compelling backstory you have, Gillian.
Thank you so much for your support and your comment.
I wrote you a long reply earlier, but it seems to have been lost. I think I probably hit 'delete' by mistake.
The quick version of my long reply...
I can only speak for my own method. I've been both a planner and a pantser, but the way that works for me best (though it doesn't always work out) is to spend time thinking and obsessing about characters/theme/storyworld/story until it's all burrowed into the marrow of my bones, and then take a deep breath and start writing!
But every writer finds the way that works best for them.
On a different note, I'm sorry to say I am never rational or relaxed when creating and writing a first draft. Obsessed, despondent, bad-tempered, anti-social are all closer to the mark!
Thank you again for commenting on the piece. You made me think about the how of what I do. I really appreciate it.
I can appreciate how those army life upheavals make a fascinating story, Gillian. Sometimes it's only when someone else asks you that you see what was unusual!
Thanks for this Sharon.
Three books? That’s amazing. I find novel-writing the toughest. Apart from everything else, there’s so much to keep in your head!
My novels - two of them - are also in the cupboard btw, not on the shelf.
As for editing. It’s a tough one. I could be here all day…
Love this: "Overthinking can’t breathe life into a narrative that isn’t allowed to grow organically." How true Gillian. I've written two MG manuscripts, and one chapter book for kids - (none published, sadly) - and, looking back, I cant help but think that the magic lay in the initial drafts - not the edited/overworked final copy. I always enjoy these instalments, but lovely too, learning more about you.
Love this Gillian - feel like I’m in those rooms with you, every step of the way. Thanks so much for sharing. I’m very invested! X
Of course!!! Xxx
Thank you so much! It’s so nice knowing you are out there reading my story and being so lovely! Gx
PS am I allowed to call you by your name? X
Hi Portia, and thank you for your interesting response.
As you'll know there's a lot of discussion about whether it's better to be a planner or a pantser.
I actually don't think that I am either.
My best work (including in quick turnaround TV and radio) has always come out of allowing my thinking to marinade, until I have a sense of the characters and the themes and the world and the beginning and the end of the story and something of the middle, and can see in my mind a 'picture' of the whole thing. It really is a visual thing. When I can 'see' the 'picture' I know I can write the piece, and that the editing will be a pleasure.
The work I've been least happy with has been when I haven't managed to see the picture and have done a detailed scene breakdown (often doing my best to follow screenwriting 3 or 5 or 7 act structure theory), making sure I've covered all the important story and thematic points, identifying my turning points and so on, and then writing the first draft ticking off the scenes as I go. I've written many projects this way - sometimes because the people employing me have required it, and sometimes because I've not been able to find my 'picture'. But the resulting scripts have rarely felt right to me.
But this is just my experience. I believe every writer of stories needs to find their own way. I know people who prefer to tease everything out in advance. They tell me they find a solid structure sets them free. And that's good too.
As a PS...
I'm not sure I've ever been rational or relaxed when I've been working on anything!
"Overthinking can’t breathe life into a narrative that isn’t allowed to grow organically." So we should just get on with writing a draft and, eventually, editing it like crazy afterwards. I keep telling this myself, but I find it difficult to stay rational and relaxed in the early stage. What a compelling backstory you have, Gillian.
Hi Portia
Thank you so much for your support and your comment.
I wrote you a long reply earlier, but it seems to have been lost. I think I probably hit 'delete' by mistake.
The quick version of my long reply...
I can only speak for my own method. I've been both a planner and a pantser, but the way that works for me best (though it doesn't always work out) is to spend time thinking and obsessing about characters/theme/storyworld/story until it's all burrowed into the marrow of my bones, and then take a deep breath and start writing!
But every writer finds the way that works best for them.
On a different note, I'm sorry to say I am never rational or relaxed when creating and writing a first draft. Obsessed, despondent, bad-tempered, anti-social are all closer to the mark!
Thank you again for commenting on the piece. You made me think about the how of what I do. I really appreciate it.
I can appreciate how those army life upheavals make a fascinating story, Gillian. Sometimes it's only when someone else asks you that you see what was unusual!