Okay, so my daughter dances competitively. She had her first competition this past weekend, and as we were getting ready for it, we talked about how to act. You know, no going diva, and saying thank you to people who come to watch her, etc.
One of the things we talked about was winning. Her dance teachers are super-great at telling the kids to have fun and do their best. They tell them they want to win, but that it's okay if they don't.
I thought that applied to writing as well. Their competition formula can be applied to anything, actually.
1. Have fun
2. Do your best
3. Try to win
Sometimes the fun of writing is swallowed in the business of writing. But today, I'm going back to number one. And that's having fun.
For me, the best part of writing is drafting. I love the exhilaration of fresh words on the blank page, of a story untold. I recently wrote the skeleton of a book in 6 days, and it was awesome. So while I'm not drafting right now, and I don't plan to in the super-near future, I'm going to remember that writing is fun whenever I start to get overwhelmed or frustrated with this industry.
What is your favorite part of writing? Are you having fun?
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18 comments:
Drafting is my favorite. Unfortunately, I'm revising right now. Revising is like exercising for me. It sucks while I'm doing it but I feel so good about myself afterwards. :)
Drafting is the best. Creating new people. Realizing that new idea and putting it down on paper. Thanks for the reminder!
I love drafing best too! When I get down I go ahead and write something for fun - it always, always works! :)
I am drafting to new WIPs at the moment and I am totally digging it! I crave the next time I get to jump back into the creative spaceof my new worlds. It is fun. Especially when I get to have Write Days with cool people :)
I just finished a first draft yesterday, now I'm furiously revising it before I get my next round of edits back for DEFY. Juggle, juggle, juggle. But I agree, I'm the happiest when I'm drafting and lost in the new words. Or even when a revision is going really well. When I'm focusing on the happiness it brings me and having fun!
For me, revising is the best. I need to get in gear and get that first draft written like you.
Drafting hands down. Except right now I'm dealing with Writer's Block badly...but I still love it. I love that the story will hopefully be on its way soon. It's so much fun. Thanks for reminding me :)
My favorite is the revisions!
Although the cover reveal last week for my next book was really darn cool.
I tend to love the whole process, actually - yes, even revision! :) And I am still having fun!
Normally I would say drafting, but today I've been reading through a rough 1st draft and finding the nuggets hidden inside and it's been pretty dang great. Thanks for the reminder (and I hope your daughter had fun)!
Love this Elana and it's absolutely true! Sometimes we need to be reminded that it's supposed to be fun. Luckily, I am having fun at the moment! :)
I try to remind my daughter of that same formula when it comes to playing basketball. And I agree it can apply to writing as well.
As of yet, the fun of writing hasn't disappeared. The post-it notes scattered around me keep me energized. A new shiny here. A self-imposed deadline there for a first draft to finish. A date marking the release of something new. I'm trying to stay focused on the fun and creativity, though the desire to eventually make writing a full-tie gig can be a frustrating underlying current when I don't get something done exactly when I want to.
By the way, what the Frankenstein is it like to finish up the skeleton draft in 6 days. Just...wow!
I love when you can put a scene down and then go back later to read it and think to yourself, man I'm good. It doesn't happen often so when it does it's even more fun.
I love that first drafting session, too. I think the next part if when it finally really comes together and is the story I wanted it to be.
I used to hate drafting, but it's actually what I'm loving most these days! Writing just makes me happy. Everything else that surrounds it? Not nearly as much. Good advice! :)
I love discovering the characters during drafting...but I love seeing 'em shine during editing, too. This is great advice for writing and life!
My daughter danced (with a dance studio) for 10 years and 4 years for the dance and drill team in high school. She is competitive (has her doctorate) but she always had fun doing it.
There are parts of writing that are fun and then there are the others....
Here, here. We all need to remember the FUN in writing. Thanks for the reminder.
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