For the last fifteen years I've had a story developing in my head that I would love to see end up on paper. It started out as a short story in a college writing class and has now expanded into a trilogy. In my head I've got the main plot worked out and I've even managed to put the first chapter down on a computer. The problem is that I tend to edit the thing to death and then I give up and delete it and have to start all over again. I read somewhere that a writer shouldn't eve edit until they are finished but I can't seem to get passed that idea. I can't even allow typos to exit. I HAVE to fix them as I see them.

Is there any hope?

Apparently I allowed a couple of typos to get past me in the last post. Maybe there is hope!

Hi Lobo,

I'm Wendy. My comic memoir, Hide & Seek: How I Laughed at Depression, Conquered My Fears and Found Happiness, will be published by Kunati Books in October. I'm currently writing my second book and am almost done with the first draft. I can tell you from experience that in your first draft it's better to just spit it all out on the page/computer. There's something liberating about feeling like things don't have to be perfect the first time you write them down. Plus, the feeling of completing something is equally gratifying. After you are done with the first draft, you can go back and revise, revise, revise, until you're blue in the face. But my advice to you is not to worry about how the first draft reads because you, most likely, will be the ONLY one reading it.

Best,

Wendy Aron

www.wendyaron.com

Thanks Wendy. I want to see this story come to life. Whenever I think about the main character I feel like I'm responsible for bringing him to life, that he has a story to be shared that can inspire others.

Making a character come to life is one of the most fun things about writing. Good luck!

Wendy

I used to be that way, too. Now I tell that ugly little man on my shoulder named Inner Editor, to take a hike until I'm ready for him. The only time I go back to edit or change something is if it is so glaring it won't let me sleep until I fix it. But most of the time I just... Okay, wait. I'll start at teh beginning. Okay, I'll skip some of this story, and only tell you the tec stuff. LOL

I went to a craft store and bought one of those foam board tri-fold poster boards. On the first third I have the first third of the story. Middle, middle of story... okay, you get the idea. I use post-it notes to plot out my story. Anyway, once I get that first third empty of post it notes, I use that section for notes of what needs work, what needs added, ideas that come to me after I'm past that section. Now, as far as typos, at the end of the day I read what I've written. If I find a typo I fix it. If I find something larger, like a plot hole, I made a note of it on the plot board. The next day I move forward. I DO NOT fix or rewrite. I save that for when I type THE END of the first draft.

How did I get to this point? I got a partner. A fellow writer who expects me to turn in at least four pages a day, five days a week. Oh, hush. I'm not saying you have to do that. That is simply my goal. Make your own. Only you know what you can accomplish. If you need a partner, I'm here. Or you can find a closer friend. But remember the biggest rule of writing. Do not let a friend be your critique partner. They love you. Love is blind.

C. J.

PS-if there is typos...forgive. ;)

Great advice, Wendy! And the best of luck with your books.

C. J.