writing

How To Write A Successful 1st Draft (Without Stabbing Yourself In The Eye With a Spork)

14th Oct 2016 by C.G. @ Paper Fury 129 Comments

**Writing can be mildly terrifying…particularly if it’s a first draft.**

It’s like going where no one has gone before. It’s like conquering a planet except you’re blindfolded and the planet is full of holes you could fall down and end up in Wonderland and rename yourself Mad Hatter for the rest of eternity BECAUSE WRITING HAS REDUCED YOU TO MUSH.

[Deep breaths. Deep CALMING breaths, everyone.]

NaNoWriMo is coming and that means writing a 1st Draft. And it can be scary! Particularly if you’ve never done this before! Some of us are hardcore veterans and some of us are crying like wretched onions. But guess what? I’M HERE FOR YOU, MY ONION FRIEND. I have written 21 first-drafts so I would like to think this makes me ~~a genius~~ relatively dependable when it comes to dishing out tips and advice.

Today I’ll list some top tips for how to write a successful 1st draft. These tips are FLAWLESS, since I invented them. Although I will remind you that: all writers have difference processes! So if you look at my list and wrinkle your little nose in heinous disgust and retreat back into the darkness hissing, “Noooo, noooo, that is not good for me” then THAT’S OKAY TOO. But maybe something in this post will help you! And if so: MY WORK HERE IS DONE.

And if nothing helps you, then hey, at least you got to spend time with me. And that’s the best thing ever obviously.

When it comes to NaNoWriMo (or actually any novel I write of ever) I am pretty big on planning. Of course YOU DON’T “HAVE TO” PLAN. But I’m going to talk about planning because that’s who I am as a person.
If I am a person?
No one truly knows, to be honest.
There are many different types of outlines and methods and you can GOOGLE THEM because I don’t know how they work. The important thing is just to figure out your (A) beginning, (B) middle, and (C) ending.
That way you lower the risk of wandering aimlessly through the middle of November screaming “WHO AM I. WHAT AM I DOING. WHAT IS THIS BOOK. WHAT IS LIFE.”
Existential crisis during NaNo? Not recommended.
My outlines are bullet point lists…basically like a long synopsis. I plan the full book in my head before I outline, so I’m basically blurbing my own book! GO ME. FYI writing synopsises is so much easier before you write the book.
You know what else is easier to do before you write the book? REMEMBER WHAT JOY AND SUNSHINE FEELS LIKE BECAUSE SOON THEY WILL BE GONE.
I’m kidding, writing is fun. Totally fun. We’re having so much fun all the time.
If you’ve never written a book before I definitely recommend trying some sort of outline. It makes things a little less overwhelming. You have a PLAN. You can DO THIS.
Also planning helps if you have a horrid memory (like I) and end up writing 20,000 words that basically involve characters eating food and then saying “Okay but where was I going with this???”

My tippiest toppiest advice for writing is this: GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO BE THE WORST MULBERRY TO EVER FALL OFF THE TREE.
Also realise that “tippiest and toppiest” are probably not even words, but whatever. Back to the mulberries. Focus on the mulberries because that’s what we’re talking about right now.
Give yourself permission to write badly. To fail. To be imperfect.
Oh don’t don’t dooon’t give me the “well I’m a perfectionist and it’s who I am to try and make it right” lecture because guess what? I’M A (RECOVERING) PERFECTIONIST TOO. I nearly quit writing altogether because I couldn’t get my first drafts “perfect” the first time. That’s ridiculous. The world would probably have decayed into fire and poisoned mushrooms without the glorious blessing that is my writing to the universe.
I had to decided either: (A) I will write imperfect first-drafts and then edit/rewrite them to perfection later, or (B) I will not finish novels and I will be a sad potato.
I chose (A).
PLEASE CHOOSE OPTION (A) WITH ME.
I firmly believe striving for perfection in first draft is the #2 cause writers fail. The first cause is, of course, getting distracted by twitter. DARN YOU TWITTER. IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT.
The object of your first draft is to write a skeleton. An ugly skeleton. It’s to get all the scenes down and to get into your characters’ heads. It’s to actually have fun. Because there’s no pressure to write beautifully! There’s just writing wild words and being a horrible mulberry and enjoying getting to know your children.
YOUR SMOL CHARACTER SONS AND DAUGHTERS. BLESS THEM.
Plus you know how freeing it is to write badly?! It’s AWESOME. It’s fun and exciting and there is zero pressure. Enjoy this. (Editing is actual hell.)

Sticking with a 1st draft can be abominably hard. Especially if you’re aware of how horrendous your writing is. Trust me: I knooooooow. My first drafts are AWFUL.
The trick is to accept your first drafts are about as attractive as a moose — and to realise they’ll get better.
You must believe me now. When have I ever lied to you? (I mean there was that one time I promised you cake and then ate it all myself, but you can’t hold that against me. Move on, fiend. Forgive and forget and all that.) I AM ALWAYS THE TRUTH.
Good writing is rewriting.
I think that’s a quote from a famous person, actually. Or you can pretend it’s a brand new though from me because that’d also be fun.
There are several things I do to motivate myself. Which I’ll share with you, because I’m nice:
- I think about how much I want a career in writing and that ain’t happening UNLESS I SIT AND WRITE THIS BEAST. There’s no greater motivation for me than thinking that one day I could be an author.
- I remember that this book will be better after I rewrite it.
- I picture my book on the shelf and me being famous and all that stuff that will OBVIOUSLY HAPPEN.
- I excite myself by making pinterest storyboards. There is nothing like aesthetically pleasing conglomerations of pictures to make you think “WOAH MY BOOK IS ACTUALLY QUITE AWESOME.”
- I chat with a writing buddy while I draft. For some reason talking about it gets me more excited?!?
- I make sure I have epic scenes I’m specifically looking forward to: like an explosion or a huge plot twist reveal ~~or a super stabby scene~~. And I hype myself up for how fun they’re going to be to write.
- I REWARD MYSELF FOR ACHIEVING GOALS WITH FOOD, DANGIT, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO SOMETIMES.
Reward yourself! It’s a great motivator. Chocolate, for instance, or buying yourself a book or nice stationary, or conquering a small planet and crowning yourself Ruler Of All. Just go for the simple things that make you happy.
Also focus on your writing strengths. For me that’s dialogue. I have soooo much fun writing dialogue in my first drafts. My description sucks. My action scenes are horrendous. My world building is like a bunch of yogurt tubs taped together. BUT HEY, THAT DOESN’T MATTER, BECAUSE I WRITE SOME GREAT DIALOGUE AND ENJOY MYSELF. The rest comes later.
Sometimes it’s hard to remember writing can be enjoyable. But it can.
OH STOP IT.
There are fun parts about writing. Exploding doors. Riding dragons. Majestic hair flips.
Find the parts that make you happy to write and FOCUS ON THEM.
So much focus.
And don’t think your writing strengths are insignificant. Pfft. Lemme let you in on a little secret: half of writing is just faking you have confidence until you get into the habit of being confident. It totally works.
Also please don’t compare yourself to other writers. Is your name Mulgabill? No? Then don’t compare your process to Mulgabill’s.
Trust me, when you get to be an old gnarled writer (like I) you stop caring about other writers’ journeys and you just become a self-absorbed pineapple frond who only cares about yourself and your journey and your process. As it should be. 10/10 would recommend being narcissistic when it comes to your writing journey. You’ll be happier, trust me. I have scientific evidence (myself) to confirm this theory (you’re welcome).

THERE. Now go forth and write a very successful first draft of your glorious novel for NaNoWriMo.

Also, FYI, “successful” means “a finished novel”. That’s the total definition. If you don’t believe me look it up in any dictionary ever. Just remember: PLAN (!) SILENCE YOUR PERFECTIONISM (!) BE A MULBERRY (!) ENJOY YOUR WRITING STRENGTHS NO MATTER HOW SMALL THEY MIGHT SEEM (!!!)

Be writing the writing queen. Because your story is important and deserves to be told. *

* OMG THAT WAS SO SAPPY AND MOTIVATIONAL! AHH!! Aaaaand…I just ruined the moment, didn’t I? #MyBad

do you like writing first drafts?! (i actually love it because freeeeedom!!) or do you struggle to find motivation? do any of these magnificent tips seem helpful to you? what do you think is your writing strength (or what do you particularly enjoy) during first drafts??

What To Do When You Think Your Writing Woefully Sucks

23rd Apr 2015 by C.G. @ Paper Fury 42 Comments

Self doubt absolutely sucks.

When one is a writer and is suddenly struck with that paralysing notion of “OMG WHAT IF EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WRITTEN IS AWFUL?” it’s rather hard to bounce out of it. Have you been there, done that? Me too, my friend, me too.

So. How do we climb out of the “I suck at writing and everything is woeful” hole? What is the golden secret?!

Lucky for you (pfft, I’m joking, lucky for me) I have gathered a conglomeration of writers to discuss these doldrums. I turned my highly powerful puppy-dog-eyes on these fabulous fiends, and they’ve contributed to my post. I’m quite excited to do another collaboration post after the gloriousness that was my 2015 YA book predictions! SO ENJOY. That was a requirement by the way, decreed by your queen. [Me.]

CAIT @ PAPER FURY

I’m going to be super short and sweet I’m always so sweet because everyone below is amazing and sums up my thoughts so well. Doubt sucks, but an important thing to remember is: EVERYONE GOES THROUGH THIS! You’re not alone! Also keep in mind:

If you think you suck, then it means you have excellent taste in art and want to improve. That’s GREAT.
Taking a break or hiatus from your novel is not a bad thing.
Don’t compare yourself to published authors. They aren’t working on their books alone! They’ve got hoards of professional input and (trust me) it changes everything.
Remind yourself why you’re working on this project/novel. Plaster a big sign on your bedroom wall, do WHATEVER IT TAKES, but just keep the reason you’re passionate about your book on your mind.
Definitely eat chocolate. Like, totally ignore the rest of my list, and just eat chocolate. It’ll work.

KARA @ DIARY OF A TEEN WRITER

Literally the BEST thing to do when you’re feeling down about your writing is to take. A. Step. BACK. Because, if you’re all like me, and you’re constantly hovering between those states of this-is-the-best-thing-ever to why-did-I-even-want-to-be-a-writer-oh-gosh-this-sucks, then you’re not really going to be looking at your writing from a balanced, complete perspective. Sometimes the best cure for feeling down about your writing is space. Go for a walk. Watch a TV show. Read a book. See a movie. Eat some chocolate. (I highly suggest this last one. Very beneficial.) BUT, in saying that, don’t let yourself wallow in self-pity for too long, either. Accept that your writing is not going to perfect–as hard as this is for perfectionists like me–and come back to your writing with the attitude that, hey, it might not be the best, but I can always work on it to make it better.

KATE @ THE MAGIC VIOLINIST

This is a tricky topic for multiple reasons. First off, because all writers deal with writer’s block and self-doubt. There’s no avoiding it, I’m afraid. You will encounter it at some point in your life. Second of all, because there’s no one way to deal with it. We’re all unique and handle our writing troubles differently. But hopefully I can at least give you some ideas on how to tackle this gloominess.

When I’m feeling down about my writing, I try hard to balance stepping away and not getting lazy. We all need breaks sometimes, so I’ll take a couple days to read and watch Netflix and recharge. But I can’t wait for too long, otherwise I’ll procrastinate. After those couple days of relaxing, I make myself sit down and write something. It could be anything–a blog post, fan-fiction, a poem, or just a piece of freewriting–but it has to be something. It doesn’t even have to be good. Usually just getting back into the habit of typing on my keyboard is enough to give me that push I need. Don’t worry if you’re feeling down. You’ll be back to normal in no time!

ALYSSA @ THE DEVIL ORDERS TAKE-OUT

You know when people say write the book you want to read? The book you want to read is of course perfection itself. The book you write often isn’t.

When my writing isn’t where I want it to be, I do one of two things. First, I can power on — but switch tactics. Sometimes this means boiling my writing down into a query or a synopsis to get at its essence, or separating it into different documents, or calling upon my wonderful CPs and betas to talk it over. The feeling might be just nerves, but more often it’s a legit problem in my writing. Changing perspectives lets me see what’s wrong and hopefully dig my way out.

The other option is to step away. Not just from the project I’m struggling with, but all writerly things, so that I can recharge completely. Getting a new stack of books is a prime example, but I also dabble in fanfiction, graphic design, and knitting. Yes, knitting. I’m actually knitting a scarf right now. (A scarf with holes, but that’s beside the point.) No, I’m not knitting the names of my enemies into it.

SOPHIA @ RAVENS AND WRITING DESKS

Do you other writers ever just look at this beautiful, heartbreaking, mindblowing, complicated world, and think – I’m supposed to turn that into WORDS? It’s kind of ironic that something so glorious as our planet and the people who inhabit it could make me feel so depressed about my ability to write, but it does. I wonder: How will I ever become skillful enough? How have my favorite authors become skillful enough? WHERE IS THE MAGIC POTION?

You all know, obviously, that there is a magic potion and it is called Practice, but it’s still so easy to get overwhelmed, especially with the idea that all those fabulous authors out there write better than you. (They’re so good, how will I ever get published, I might as well stop writing.) (Bad idea.) The greatest cure I’ve found for this kind of writerly jealousy and despair was an old post by Maggie Stiefvater wherein she shares with us an old excerpt of her childhood writing. Because if I know that MAGGIE used to write that mediocrely, it makes me feel a heck of a lot more confident about my own writing.

Another thing I do to help me when I’m feeling down about my writing is – short stories! The awesome thing about short stories it that they’re short. (No, duh.) You can jot a couple pages down and feel accomplished, and they help get your mind off your current larger project. It’s especially nice to write a short story in a different genre then your main project.

ALLIE @ LITTLE BIRDIE BOOKS

Firstly, I must have some sort of cake (or brownie, I’m not picky) and it must be chocolate. I then proceed to have a carefully constructed ritual of sobbing while eating said cake. Let it never be said writers cannot multi-task!

Then I begin the deconstructing: why am I feeling down about my writing? Am I comparing it to other people’s? If so, I tell myself to GET IT TOGETHER. Not everybody writes the same way and that’s the beauty of being a writer. You get to share your unique voice and ideas with the world. The entire selling point is that it’s something different. So be proud of that. Don’t try and emulate someone else, because then you lose the magic.

If I’m just feeling like my writing isn’t up to standard in general, then I’ve probably lost my mojo/love for the story (this is an incredibly technical term, obviously. Mojo, from the Latin: to be unable to form coherent sentences or thoughts, causing one to eat much cake). The best fix I have for this is going back over and reading my story. From the beginning. I put myself into the mind-set of the reader and just binge. While I’m reading I edit (always useful), but it’s mostly SUPER helpful in inspiring me. I get so many new ideas and start to see my characters in a new light and, really, it just refreshes the story for me. It helps rekindle my love for it and remember why I started writing it in the first place. And that then puts my writerly gears back in action.

Aaand a third and final tip: FORGET ABOUT IT. I don’t mean abandon it entirely. I mean forget about it for a week. Or two. Or a month. Put it off your radar and kick back and relax. It’s not going anywhere and you’ll be surprised how much taking a break will inspire an awesome comeback. Sometimes we get stressed and worry if we don’t write then the world might end and someone will forbid us from ever eating chocolate again. But it’s not true. The world will keep going and taking a break will make you and your story come alive again.

Failing that, return to step one.

SKY @ FURTHER UP AND FURTHER IN

We’ve all been there. WHO WROTE THIS AWFUL MESS OF WORDS AND GIBBERISH? That’s when you realize: Oh. I did. When this happens, what’s a writer to do?

1.) Take a step back. Let your writing simmer for a while. When you come back, you may have fresh perspective. And if you don’t, that’s when you get to edit your writing and hack it to pieces.

Which leads me to…

2.) Kill your darlings. Or, in this case, your not-so-darlings. If you can pinpoint what it is that’s making you go EW about your writing, then fix it, that will probably help you get your face out of permanent cringe mode.

3.) CONFIDENCE IS KEY. Find a piece of writing you do like. Read that. Remember: you. are. awesome. Even if you think some of your writing isn’t awesome, there’s always the next novel. The next sentence. The next word. Believe it or not, you can write awesome things. You’ve got this.

MIRRIAM @ WISHFUL THINKING

Here’s the thing – every writer is going to be down about their writing, at some point. Nobody ever cruises along on a surface of perfection, Nobody writes 10,000 words every day, and nobody leans back in their chair and thinks, “Yep. That’s it. I won’t change a thing.” Personally, I go through phases. I write steadily in the grand scheme of things, but I’ll have a few days or even a week where I feel dry, and the most I can manage is a sentence or two here and there. (Nothing makes you feel more pathetic, as a writer.)

Fortunately, I’ve learned some helpful tricks over the years.

It’s okay. You don’t have to write every day. You can take a break and read a book or watch a show or go for a hike or draw a picture. It’s good to take a break from things now and then, even if it’s only a small one.
Try reading books or watching movies/TV shows in the same genre as what you’re writing, if you lack inspiration. This is a trick that always helps me.
Turn off the music. I have a dozen tailored playlists on iTunes, but sometimes when I’m really stuck, I just need to turn the music off.
Look at why you’re stuck. One of the main reasons I get stuck is because I’ve written something wrong – a character’s name or personality, a plotline that doesn’t need to be in there. Somehow, my subconscious knows that I’m doing something wrong, and it shuts down on me. Look back over things.
Get a second opinion. I have close friends who read what I write and are enormously helpful with this kind of thing – find someone you trust and have them read what you’ve written. Hear them out.

And in the end, curling up with Netflix and a cup of coffee is a perfectly acceptable thing to do. You can write tomorrow.

CHLOE @ THE BOOK HUGGER

I’m sure many of you have experienced the dreaded feeling of believing that your writing isn’t has good as someone else’s. It makes you want to rip whatever you’re writing to shreds. But do not fear! I have tips for you on how to defeat this monster.

Don’t read other young writers’ writing. If you are a young writer, do not read other young people’s writing. This will probably reinstate the self-doubt and end up comparing yourself to others.
Take a break from your piece. Or from writing altogether. Sometimes it’s good to let something sit for two days or two weeks or two months. Whatever seems like the best amount of time for you. Then, when you go back, it will be fresh and your brain won’t be as clogged.
REMEMBER: YOU ARE STILL LEARNING. This tip is especially for younger writers, but also can be targeted at anyone. You are not a professional, paid author. You need to remember that you are not 100% experienced yet and do not have all the skills you’d like to eventually master.
Do not compare yourself with published authors. If you are doing this, just first, STAHP. These authors are published for a reason. They are far more experienced and have gone through a lot to get their books in print. You are not their equal, and therefore cannot compare your writing with theirs.
And lastly, remember: you’re fabulous.

phewf, that’s a lot of info to wade through, but i hope you liked it, my bathymetric blogglings! do you agree with these tips?! do you DISAGREE with any?! totally share in the comments, i want your thoughts! and add to my list: what do you do when you think your writing sucks??

The 10 Types of Writers

7th Mar 2015 by C.G. @ Paper Fury 167 Comments

If you’ve ever wondered what type of writer you might be…I am here to tell you.

Or, well, you’ll tell yourself after you take the super handy quiz I made below. Inspired from doing a 10 Types of Book Bloggers quiz ages ago. Enjoy!

1. THE TURTLE

The easiest way to describe you is: SLOW. You are a strict adherer to the saying “slow and steady wins the race”. You don’t write quantity, you write quality. And it definitely shows (you little genius). Your books are probably long and detailed because you won’t rush this baby.

2. THE SHINY IDEA CHASER

You could fill an entire ROOM with the story ideas you have. You get inspiration from anything! (The shower is notoriously inspiring…where is your waterproof notebook??) You have pinterest boards and word documents and sticky-notes and notebooks and notes on your phone and…and…okay. You just have a lot of (awesome) ideas. You just need time to write them all!

3. THE INTENSE PLOTTER

You have got this sorted. There’s nothing like a 10,000-word outline and a 6-book plan, right?! You know what’s going to happen way before it happens. Sometimes people accuse you of not being spontaneous, but pfft to them. Your books are complex, tight, and delicious.

4. THE NEED FOR SPEEDER

You write fast. Super fast. 10,000-words a day? Pfft. You’ve done it copiously. You write fast and furious and, coincidentally, you don’t write a lot. Your creative well gets depleted fast and you take long breaks to search for inspiration.

5. THE NAONOWRIMOER

You function best on a deadline and with a large cheering-squad. NaNo hits off 3x a year and you’re there for each one. You struggle and revel in the deadline simultaneously. WORD WARS? You’ve got a battle axe.

6. THE ONE-HIT-WONDER

So there was this one time you wrote a book. Aaaand, that was about it. You’re constantly reworking said book. (It’s going to be amazing one day but just…not…quite…yet.) You either would like to write more (if you had the time) or you’ve got a been-there-done-that philosophy and you’re off snorkelling the Mariana Trench.

7. THE PROJECT PROCRASTINATOR

You really suck at the whole “apply seat of pants to chair and WRITE”. But what about pinterest? Twitter? Better do your emails? And you’ve got like 24020 other things to do as well BUT YOU DO LIKE TO WRITE! You just…um…get distracted. Doing write-every-day challenges really motivates you. But, let’s face it, you do more fangirling (dream cast? mini-movie trailers? interviews? drawings?) over your characters than actually writing about them.

8. THE LITERARY AXE-MURDERER

fKilling one character is cute. You kill HUNDREDS. If someone gets out of your book alive they’re seriously lucky (and probably suffering PTSD from your abuse). Your spare nothing. Toughness is life. Okay, so maybe you’re a little crazy, but you know how to break a reader’s feels.

9 THE MULTI-TASKER

That writer’s working on one project? Aww, so adorable. You handle 6+ at one time. Plus you’re doing edits on a few manuscripts, beta-ing for a friend, casually writing a dozen novels, and, oh, plotting 2x dozen more. You’re like an octopus.

10. THE SECRETEST

Shhhh! All your projects are SECRET. Most people don’t even know you write. It’s not that you’re embarrassed, per se, it’s just that writing is incredibly personal to you and you don’t want to show it off until it’s as good as it can be. You would probably die if someone read your unedited work. Well. Scrap that. You’d die if someone read ANY of your work. But you have the world oh-so-curious.
Also! I created a quiz for you! If it doesn’t show up, you can find the link here.