I
have no idea why I was unable to abandon this project. I guess it’s
only because I worked on it for so long that I was just unable to
forgo it. I’m also that type of person who has to finish something.
Not everything, but everything that I’ve given any time to. I have
begun stories that I thought might become something, but after a few
scribbly-scrawly pages I ditched them. This was not the case with
Coppertown. I wrote and wrote and wrote all sorts of small
vignettes, then I began writing the story.
have no idea why I was unable to abandon this project. I guess it’s
only because I worked on it for so long that I was just unable to
forgo it. I’m also that type of person who has to finish something.
Not everything, but everything that I’ve given any time to. I have
begun stories that I thought might become something, but after a few
scribbly-scrawly pages I ditched them. This was not the case with
Coppertown. I wrote and wrote and wrote all sorts of small
vignettes, then I began writing the story.
I
also began to write the story many times. In a way, the entire first
half of the manuscript is the beginning of the story three times.
also began to write the story many times. In a way, the entire first
half of the manuscript is the beginning of the story three times.
I
remember reading I, the Divine and loving that it was nothing
but the first chapter written over and over and over again. It was a
well thought out book and one that was well written.
remember reading I, the Divine and loving that it was nothing
but the first chapter written over and over and over again. It was a
well thought out book and one that was well written.
Not
the case with Coppertown.
the case with Coppertown.
If I
can draw experience from all the other manuscripts I’ve written over
the years, it is this: write them fast. I never spent less than six
weeks and never more than three months on a manuscript. None of
course accept this one. Something else I’ve learned is that the first
half of a story takes about 90% of the time, and the second half goes
very quickly. At least for me.
can draw experience from all the other manuscripts I’ve written over
the years, it is this: write them fast. I never spent less than six
weeks and never more than three months on a manuscript. None of
course accept this one. Something else I’ve learned is that the first
half of a story takes about 90% of the time, and the second half goes
very quickly. At least for me.
The
end of the beginning has taken place for months. Every time I opened
up this manuscript and began to write anew, it was, in a way, a new
beginning. What a hassle.
end of the beginning has taken place for months. Every time I opened
up this manuscript and began to write anew, it was, in a way, a new
beginning. What a hassle.
Moral?
Just write it. Sit down and do it. Don’t drag it out.
Just write it. Sit down and do it. Don’t drag it out.
Next
time:
time:
Finishing
What Was Started Part 3, the middle
What Was Started Part 3, the middle