Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Writers by Design

The past two weeks, I've taken a break from writing. It's good to take breaks, especially after a serious revision . . . at least for me. It helps me to tackle the upcoming project of writing or edits with greater motivation. Last Saturday, I started an edit of my WIP, BOUND, as per beta suggestions. It should be fun.
While I was taking my break, I not only went on vacation, read The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, relaxed, etc., but I watched the full first season of the TV show Jane by Design. Yes, it sucked me in after 10 minutes; TV shows have the keen ability to do that to me. Ok, I'm so in love with this series that I've decided to redesign, re-envision myself through clothing. Yes, my pocketbook didn't like me for it. Sorry, bank account.

At any rate, I've taken some fashion tips from Jane to alter my outfits from that of a trendy librarian to a punky librarian. Uh... I have no idea if that makes sense at all. But, I'm liking the new me who splashes funky styles together to build a nice outfit.

This has to do with writing, too. Building a story is all about combining different elements (plot, characters, tension, setting, etc.). Some work and are beautiful, to die for. Others, not so much. Like in one episode of Jane by Design, Jane strings this rather ugly belt around her waist that definitely did not look good, and people told her, too. She quickly discarded it.

As writers, we compose a story and go back through it and have to get rid of certain parts, maybe even a full chapter(s) because it doesn't help the plot to progress. I've had to do that... my first book was about 100K when I finished the first draft. I remember one chapter that I loved so, so much. A critique partner suggested that it had to go. I dragged my feet, but eventually took the scene out. Now, the book is at 67K. Lots of deleting took place.

But with all the world-building, character development, and everything else that goes into writing a good story, it's all about designing it into something priceless, polished, gorgeous--like pulling together a fashionable ensemble of clothing.

Well, what are your thoughts on this sort of rambling post?

Writing. Jewels.

16 comments:

  1. Truman Capote said he believes more in the power of the scissors than the power of the pen, meaning that by only leaving in the parts that are working hard for the story, it's a stronger piece of work.

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    1. Love it! You have such wealth of knowledge. Thanks for the thoughts. :D

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  2. I know just what you're talking about (didn't we discuss this on twitter?). Best to your revisions. We're still racing, right?

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    1. I think we did discuss this on Twitter... Thanks for your best wishes with my revisions. Woot!

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  3. Funny how that works. I have notes from an R&R, and some of what I'm having to put in is stuff I'd already edited out. lol

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    1. I've never had to do that. But, maybe one day I'll think a deleted scene would still work.

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  4. Good analogy. It's not enough for each element of a book to look good on its own, they all have to complement each other too. Having said that, I know about zero on clothing style!

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    1. Well, that's what you have a wife for. She can dress you fashionably. haha

      I love what you said about the elements comlementing each other. Nice!

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  5. I've never looked at it this way, but you're right. Really all the artist fields (writing included) have to do with design in some way.

    Good luck on those revisions.

    I've been going crazy the past few weeks, editing and writing my new WIP. I'm going away for a long weekend, and will only be bringing my writer's notebook to jot down some ideas and clips of scenes. I'm planning to let my brain rest a bit. It needs it. ;)

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    1. Have a great break. Yes, we need to rest these minds of ours every once in a while! :D

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  6. Fab analogy. So proud of you, girl. You are awesome :D

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  7. I've never been very good at putting together fashionable ensembles of clothing...
    I'm hoping that doesn't say anything about my writing!

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    1. Nah! I'm still a work in progress on the fashionability. haha

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  8. I love your comparison to that TV show and writing. :)

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