Haunted by an old story... and the ticking clock - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T09:47:46Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:68913?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A69627&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI totally agree with your phi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-09-05:537324:Comment:696272007-09-05T16:31:25.177ZRoger Newburyhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/TrubbleBrewin
I totally agree with your philosophy Angela, and I abide by that self-imposed 'doctrine', especially where making long-hand notes are concerned! I have many notebooks and sheets of A4 paper scattered around my 'office', with ideas for new projects, as well as thoughts for already completed work, in case I get around to a re-write, and decide to include any of the notes I've made.<br />
So much for saving the trees!
I totally agree with your philosophy Angela, and I abide by that self-imposed 'doctrine', especially where making long-hand notes are concerned! I have many notebooks and sheets of A4 paper scattered around my 'office', with ideas for new projects, as well as thoughts for already completed work, in case I get around to a re-write, and decide to include any of the notes I've made.<br />
So much for saving the trees! I agree with Christa in that…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-09-03:537324:Comment:690702007-09-03T08:52:03.650ZRoger Newburyhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/TrubbleBrewin
I agree with Christa in that having several projects underway, no matter what their level of progress may be can be helpful. I read the autobiography of Ronald Woolf, and he suggested that it is usually a good idea to have something to fall back on, if the ideas begin to dry up for the 'job' you're currently working on.<br />
Like Christa, I have a few crime stories on the go, amongst other genres, and coupled with my comedy plays (which are quite prolific!), I wish there were more hours in the day.…
I agree with Christa in that having several projects underway, no matter what their level of progress may be can be helpful. I read the autobiography of Ronald Woolf, and he suggested that it is usually a good idea to have something to fall back on, if the ideas begin to dry up for the 'job' you're currently working on.<br />
Like Christa, I have a few crime stories on the go, amongst other genres, and coupled with my comedy plays (which are quite prolific!), I wish there were more hours in the day. Yet I'm lucky in the sense that I live by myself, so I don't have family 'distractions'!<br />
Even so, some of my earlier work remains in my mind, and I know that some day I'll have to get back to it, and do some major renovations to it, before I re-submit it to agents. I have a whole blog about the…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-09-02:537324:Comment:689152007-09-02T13:56:06.347ZChrista M. Millerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/christammiller
I have a whole blog about the writing/family balance. Funny thing is, I never seem to have enough time to update it more than once every week or two. ;)<br />
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What I usually do is tell my husband, "Look. I HAVE TO work this weekend. What can you do to help me out?" Usually he has to take the kids somewhere, even outside for a few hours (older boy plays, baby boy naps in his stroller). It's never quite enough to do everything, but it's enough to make a dent. Once I've made a dent, it's easier to…
I have a whole blog about the writing/family balance. Funny thing is, I never seem to have enough time to update it more than once every week or two. ;)<br />
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What I usually do is tell my husband, "Look. I HAVE TO work this weekend. What can you do to help me out?" Usually he has to take the kids somewhere, even outside for a few hours (older boy plays, baby boy naps in his stroller). It's never quite enough to do everything, but it's enough to make a dent. Once I've made a dent, it's easier to return to that project when I have a few minutes later in the week.<br />
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I think first draft is the easiest stage of all to do something else: have several projects going simultaneously. I have a handful of short stories, a longer project that may be either a short story or a novella, and a novel. I work on them either when I'm motivated to get a short story finished, or when a flash of inspiration strikes. The possible novella is making good headway like this.<br />
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It's harder when I hit revisions because I like to have more time and energy to chew on things, rather than doing revisions in short bursts when I may not be able to follow ideas through. I'm not sure if this is something I have to learn to manage, or something I have to ride out until both kids are in school! (Which is a few years off.)<br />
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Bottom line, if I'm really champing at the bit to work on something, I ask my husband for time. Usually he's happy to comply and I only really need a day and a couple of evenings of intensive work. Then I pay him back with a date, or pay the family back by going someplace fun.<br />
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I know that's probably all over the place, but so is my process. As long as things are getting done, I don't think so much about the means....