tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post482870502746086543..comments2024-03-18T17:05:21.126+00:00Comments on An Awfully Big Blog Adventure: Permission to be Awful - Elen CaldecottUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-48685290941689377712010-03-11T12:19:39.225+00:002010-03-11T12:19:39.225+00:00I'm doing awful at the moment, and it always f...I'm doing awful at the moment, and it always feels like a big leap in the dark. But like you, I've done this a few times before and I do believe in my book, so its just a question of doing it and doing it and knowing that I've got the time to go right back thru the awful first draft and get it right. Thanks for a great post.Miriam Halahmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04935448538608020877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-40909523329079888102010-03-11T10:17:50.308+00:002010-03-11T10:17:50.308+00:00Yes, a familiar experience, Elen - get the stuff d...Yes, a familiar experience, Elen - get the stuff down on the page/screen then start turning it into a novel. For the one I'm just starting, I'm trying a different approach. I've actually recorded on my blog the first moves I've made and the things I want to bring together - which is scary because it commits meto writing it, and more or less in the way I claim I'm going to.<br /><br />Blogging about the process from idea through intention to execution is interesting, though. I don't really remember the gestation of any of my previous novels, but this time I'll have a record of how it all came together (or not). But the main thing is that it's fascinating way to spend one's time. Good luck with it all.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-24836232093274193102010-03-10T17:48:22.090+00:002010-03-10T17:48:22.090+00:00Actually, I do take some of this to a crit group! ...Actually, I do take some of this to a crit group! But I ask them not to do a line edit - I'm more interested in their response to the characters, or the setting, or even - if they can spot it in the muddle - the theme. Actually, I mostly go to my crit group for tea, cake and a gossip. But they are very helpful with later drafts!Elen Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445201005486291612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-91870726732044164882010-03-10T17:18:38.184+00:002010-03-10T17:18:38.184+00:00Thanks for sharing your first draft experiences. I...Thanks for sharing your first draft experiences. I think that some of us less experienced writers get frustrated too quickly at the early writing stage of a novel and it's good to be told that it's ok to write down a muddle of story. It doesn't mean we're rubbish and have to abandon the idea. <br /><br />I'm usually in favour of writing critique groups but reading your blog has highlighted an obvious drawback with them. You can't take this sort of first draft to a crit. group. It's very much a lonesome task and, as you say, a thrashing out of ideas within your own head. It's an exciting time though, when all the story lines start to form so good luck with the rest of your first draft work.Rosalind Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363027308436257933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-2069458441318571892010-03-10T16:16:42.457+00:002010-03-10T16:16:42.457+00:00I do resonate with this, Elen! I just whack the fi...I do resonate with this, Elen! I just whack the first draft into the computer and then I read it to find out what I've written! That is really hard work, the rest is the enjoyable bit. And I'm so encouraged to find out that I'm not alone.Leslie Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15105465949970430998noreply@blogger.com