My mom is coming to visit, something she does a few times a year. It’s precious time for me, so I will be stepping away from the blogosphere for a short time, sipping tea with her, and engaging in that endless talking thing we do.
So, I’m cranking up the way-back machine and bringing you a couple reposts from 2010! Enjoy!
Creating Something from Nothing (original post 2/2010)
Writing is perseverence.
Writing is Ideas + Skill + Luck.
Writing is striving, and learning, and craft.
Today, for me, writing was an act of creation. I love first drafts!
That first moment where all the pieces – the sketchy outline, the dramatic moment, the bit of dialogue rumbling around in your brain – come alive under your fingers. Little black squiggles become tension, action, and thoughts that create a scene, weave a story, and breathe life into a blank page.
It’s an act of creation that frankly is better than M&Ms and full strength Coke. Combined.
At times, I found myself ducking my head or sighing or propping my elbows up on the table, mimicking my characters to get just the right feel to the scene. I spoke out loud like a mad woman, just to hear the cadence of my protagonist’s dialogue. I closed my eyes to more perfectly picture the peak of the action sequence, feeling my heartbeat actually speed up as I slow-motioned through the scene in my mind.
There’s a reason writers say they are addicted to the craft.
Tomorrow (or next week) I’ll find all the flaws – the typo’s, the hideous grammar, the horrific run on sentences. But today, I revel in the act of bringing story to life.
I love this. It highlights that amazing adrenaline rush you get when you're writing. Forget the typos and the grammar – I agree with you. . . savor it for the moment!
As I'm new to the blog, I appreciate the repost. I completely relate to the "addicted to the craft" line.
Love that! You capture the moment so well.
I absolutely love writing fresh in a first draft. We're oblivious to the errors and poor writing but just totally involved in our story and getting it down!
Enjoy the visit with your mom!
It's okay. I often pour a package of M&Ms into my Coke.
It's not a repost for me! I wasn't blogging yet then.
I totally agree that writing a first draft is the best natural high in the world. At least that I know of.
Thank everyone for the great comments! You're making me want to finish up these edits even more, so I can get started on Shiny New Idea.
First draft writing is my favourite part!!
I just finished Life, Liberty & Pursuit and wanted to tell you I thought it was terrific! I couldn't put the last part down – had to see if Eliza was going to make the 'right' decision! And she did 🙂
Enjoy every moment with your mom. And congratulations on that first draft! No, they're not perfect, but they give us something to work with 😀
@Jemi It makes me all warm and happy inside when a friend reads my book – and that you couldn't put it down? That part totally makes my day!! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
@Julie Thanks! I treasure the time I have with my mom; it's not frequent enough. 🙂
Enjoy your time with your mom and thank you for sharing with us. I like the active description you have given.
I love the first drafts too! the discovery!
Though, I am loving the first stages of re-writes, too – because more discovery comes.
I detest the galley proof process – by then I am DONE with edits/re-writes …DONE!
I like the idea of a way-back machine. Have a great visit with your mom.
And as always, thanks for the great post. You've capture the joy of writing.
@Regina Thanks! We're having a lovely time.
@Kathryn I understand that DONE! feeling! LOL
@Writes Wayback machine credits go to Rocky, Bullwinkle and the folks at Internet Archive. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂