No, speed does not kill. But not every successful writer works in this way. It's good for some, but others work at a different pace. Fredric Brown's wife said her husband was known to just walk away from anything he was working on to think it over for awhile. He would only return to his work after he had been struck by a particular bit of inspiration.
As I've said many times, you're absolutely right, Bill. It's a struggle for almost anyone to begin writing like I recommend.
It was a struggle for me too at first. In fact, I tried it (but gave it a real try) in order to prove to myself it wouldn't work. But it does.
There are only two kinds of fiction writers: those who are able to ignore all the 'common wisdom,' trust themselves and their characters, and Just Write and those who bend to the various fears and stick to all the safety nets.
And that is perfectly fine. Doesn't affect my bottom line in the slightest.
That's why I only recommend writers give writing into the dark a real, honest try. Most who do never go back.
But then, most are so inundated with the myth that 'writing is hard' they won't even try WITD. Frankly, that has always amazed me. If they try it and prove to themselves it won't work, they can always go back to outlining and all that, constructing stories instead. But most of them will never even try it. The prospect is just too frightening.
And just so we're on the same page, I'm not talking about 'speed." I write only about 17words per minute. The only difference is trusting or not trusting in one's self and one's characters, and realizing the story is only a little entertainment. It's nothing more important than that.
No, speed does not kill. But not every successful writer works in this way. It's good for some, but others work at a different pace. Fredric Brown's wife said her husband was known to just walk away from anything he was working on to think it over for awhile. He would only return to his work after he had been struck by a particular bit of inspiration.
As I've said many times, you're absolutely right, Bill. It's a struggle for almost anyone to begin writing like I recommend.
It was a struggle for me too at first. In fact, I tried it (but gave it a real try) in order to prove to myself it wouldn't work. But it does.
There are only two kinds of fiction writers: those who are able to ignore all the 'common wisdom,' trust themselves and their characters, and Just Write and those who bend to the various fears and stick to all the safety nets.
And that is perfectly fine. Doesn't affect my bottom line in the slightest.
That's why I only recommend writers give writing into the dark a real, honest try. Most who do never go back.
But then, most are so inundated with the myth that 'writing is hard' they won't even try WITD. Frankly, that has always amazed me. If they try it and prove to themselves it won't work, they can always go back to outlining and all that, constructing stories instead. But most of them will never even try it. The prospect is just too frightening.
And just so we're on the same page, I'm not talking about 'speed." I write only about 17words per minute. The only difference is trusting or not trusting in one's self and one's characters, and realizing the story is only a little entertainment. It's nothing more important than that.
Thanks Uncle Harvey!!