One
Everything is written in the same fashion: One word at a time.
This is not an academic point. Hallmark greeting cards, The Bible, every great novel were not started with intention, but one word written on the page.
The Words you write, your first draft, is demonstration of your intent.
Intention alone, with regard to writing, is only an idea.
If every intention to write a novel was realized, everyone would be a writer. They are not, because intention is just a word.
Start by writing just one word.
Continue by writing another after it, and another, and another.
This is how a novel is written. Intend nothing, write down the things you feel and imagine.
2 comments:
I get your point but since we read blocks of text it stands to reason that we would write blocks of text. I have a very strong musical feel when it comes to my writing; one phrase must follow on from the preceding phrase in exactly the same way as a musical phrase does. When I compose (at least when I used to compose) I would work in blocks of four bars usually. I would write a phrase that ended in a cadence and then look for another that would follow on naturally from it. As far as I'm concerned a novel is like a symphonic poem and it should flow from the first line to the last like a piece of music.
Heya, Jim, I absolutely agree, I’ve got a weird (For my generation) penchant for music that has melody and movements. For me blocks of text tend to be chapters, because I view each chapter as its own complete story. I really try hard not to put the pen down until I have finished that story/chapter/block though. I have to get that piece of music down in one piece.
Which is to my disadvantage, because it often means I’ll work for hours without a break. It also really ticks my neighbors off, because I tie music and writing very closely together- to the extent where I’ll listen to something on repeat until I’ve written the story. Music helps me set the mood, in my mind, for the piece.
Like you I believe music, and writing, should flow smoothly from one phrase to the next. Deliberating over words is for the editing desk, when I’m writing I’m trying to capture a spirit and put it to the page as swiftly as possible. Although I still love the idea of being one of those people like James Joyce…
A story about Joyce runs along these lines: A friend of his walked into his writing room one evening and asked, on seeing Joyce with his head in hands,
“What’s happened, James, is it the writing?” Joyce nodded,
“Isn’t it always the writing?” he replied, without looking up,
“Why, what’s happened, James?” his friend asked,
“I’ve only written seven words today,”
“Seven!” said his friend, “But that’s good for you, James,”
“Yes, but I still don’t know what order they go in,” he answered.
Jim runs a great writing blog called, “The Truth about Lies” you can find a link to it on the side bar to the left. Jim’s advice is great, and the wealth of his experience shines through. Thanks for the comment, Jim. At present, the second draft consists of 192 pages, and I’m still trying to sort the order out, your feedback has helped me sort the next in the sequence- Cheers = )
Tom
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