I’m in that phase after I’ve finished a writing project when I’m playing catch-up. You know the to-do list: cleaning the house, yard work, catching up on reading the magazines, papers and library books that have piled up, cleaning off the desk where I can actually see it, etc.
As I’m doing some of these tasks, I’m listening to conference workshops on my MP3 player. I listened to one yesterday that resonated with me. It was from the 2004 RWA National Conference and was called “Using Sense-ational Writing to Create a Real Fictional World” given by Cheryl St. John. She said a couple of things that sound contradictory at first but actually make sense (at least to me) when you step back and look at them. She said she thought a unique voice was revealed and a story was given a sense of immediacy if the writer got the story down on paper in an impulsive first draft, but she also mentioned that you should strive for the perfect word to convey the thought in your head. That last part might seem like it would slow down the impulsive first draft, but I think if you don’t spend eons looking for that perfect word, it’s not a problem. It’s possible that you might spend the extra time looking for that perfect word after the impulsive first draft is done and you’re going back through revising, editing, strengthening.
The longer I write, the more I realize just how different writers’ methods are. Me, I like the idea of the impulsive first draft because I tend to lose my momentum and find it easier to procrastinate if I don’t have a page goal for each day (10 pages is a good average). That doesn’t mean I’m advocating finishing the draft and tossing it out into the world before it’s been revised. Quite the contrary. That’s part of the beauty of an impulsive first draft for some writers. When they get the story out of their heads and onto paper quickly, that leaves more time to revise the story into something that editors will be clamoring to buy. And that’s what the vast majority of us are in this business for — to sell our work.
– Enter abrupt change of topic here — 
Well, we ran the heat for the first time this weekend. It’s cloudy, windy and darn chilly today. Bleh. But thankfully, the weather forecast looks brighter and warmer later in the week. I am so NOT a fan of cold weather.
October 25th, 2005 at 9:05 am
I hate cold weather. Basically I am cold from October till June. And I even have a wood stove!
Teri
October 25th, 2005 at 9:21 am
Trish, I love this idea of an impulsive first draft. Though I plan out the basic framework and character arcs, if I can write with my head down, it frees up my creativity. Plus, I LOVE revising.
You could spend tons of time looking up the perfect word. I know, I’ve done it. I admit.
Okay, so maybe this method of writing is like shopping with my husband. Get in, get what you need, get out. (drafting) Halfway home, return to store for things you realize you forgot. (revising)
October 25th, 2005 at 9:43 am
Teri, I know what you mean. My husband even bought me typing gloves last Christmas because my hands get ice cold. In the winter, I sit here at the computer with a blanket on my lap, typing gloves on my ands and a space heater next to me. I’ve even been known to wear an outside winter hat inside!
Heather, funny shopping comparison.
October 25th, 2005 at 9:03 pm
Oh, I loved this post, Trish. I wish I could write an impulsive first draft. But gosh, I’m so dang blasted anal, it’s not funny. I’m working on two books at once and it’s driving me nuts. I nitpick over everything. Word. Character. Plot. Why can’t I just WRITE!? It’s driving me mad.
Tanya