Today’s post is written by Christi Craig, a semi-finalist in the Write It Sideways regular contributor search. Thanks, Christi!
It’s December, and plenty of writers are still coming down from the NaNoWriMo buzz.
I haven’t seen the statistics, but I assume a fair share of participants made it to the finish line and a significant number of folks didn’t. I’ve done NaNoWriMo twice, the first time figuring out that I can write 50,000 words of a first draft in just under one month, and the second time discovering that I can also choke after 20,000 words.
I didn’t participate in NaNoWriMo this year, but I dove into a similar collective writing experience last October. With a small group of writers, I put all my energy into crafting a workable first draft of a 10,000 word story for an anthology. Ten thousand words, easy enough.
As with NaNoWriMo, there were daily check-ins, virtual cheerleaders on Facebook, and a deadline for completion. And just like cranking out the first draft of a novel, my stomach sank at the thought of wringing so many thousands of words out onto the page.
I had plenty of false starts, with doubts of ever reaching the end. The beginning was never good enough; I returned again and again to page one. I changed the first line, changed it back; killed off the mother, then just gave her cancer; then turned back one more time, thinking Geez, cut the drama already. Like pulling teeth…or (worse) like pulling on a hangnail, going back to the beginning, when you’re desperate to reach the end, stings every time.
Those false starts were not in vain, though, since I learned something from the experience.
One, whether it’s a first draft of a novel, a memoir, a short story, or even a blog post (I won’t tell you how many times I restarted this post…), getting past the first page—sometimes, the first sentence—can be the biggest challenge.
And two, there are several ways to approach a story; employing one or all of those approaches helps us find our way to the end.
1. Write from a different perspective.
Starting over can lead to a new direction or, as in my case, a new protagonist.
In my short story, the protagonist began as a young man who found himself working in the back rooms of a funeral home. But after I wrote a quarter of the way through the story, the energy dropped off.
Frustrated, I went back and wrote from the perspective of his co-worker, a character who had stayed mostly quiet until I turned the spotlight on her. Then, she had lots to say and plenty at stake. Enter, my new protag.
2. Write in present tense.
First drafts can be written in present tense. Believe it or not, finished (and successful) novels can be written in present tense. Jenna Blum did just that in Those Who Save Us and The Stormchasers (one a New York Times bestseller and the other a Boston Globe bestseller). When asked about her choice of tense in writing those novels, she said this:
I wrote both [stories] in present tense because, as one of my Grub Street novelists…once said, the present tense is ‘the tense tense.’ The reader doesn’t have the security of retrospect. . . . [T]he reader is strapped into the immediate experience with the character.
The first draft of my novel-in-progress unfolded in present tense, and the experience I had as a writer was exactly as Blum describes. Getting my main character’s story onto the page was like riding a roller coaster for the first time. I had no idea how to brace myself for the curves; I could only ride the momentum.
And, I could only look forward. A cathartic experience, I really did write 50,000 words in 30 days.
3. Be dramatic. It’s okay.
Like I mentioned earlier, I jump straight to the drama when I write first drafts. It’s almost a genetic reflex, painfully so, and I’ve been told more than once that my characters tend to be too depressed, too serious, too…everything.
However, I’ve learned to accept that my first drafts allow me to pour out that early drama onto the page, so that eventually I find my way to the real meat of the emotion, and to the crux of the story. During my October craze-filled-short-story-writing frenzy, I nixed a ton of unnecessary drama in the final drafts of that story, but I couldn’t have made it to the end of the early draft without letting myself go there in the first place.
In a post on Intrepid Media, Jael McHenry (author of The Kitchen Daughter) offers some first-draft pointers, and she mentions NaNoWriMo as a valid approach. She says:
Perfection is paralyzing. . . . Momentum is your friend. . . . A bad draft is better than none at all. . . . [and] NaNoWriMo isn’t a way to write a book, but it’s one good way to get a book on its feet, off and running, or at least out of the gate.
Get the book on its feet. Get the story started. Go.
What approach will you use today to push through that first draft?
Christi Craig writes flash fiction and short stories, and is currently at work on her first novel. For more about Christi and her writing, visit her website. You can also follow her on Twitter or friend her on Facebook.
I took part in the NaNoWriMo challenge this year for the first time and opted to be a NaNoRebel, writing non-fiction. One of the reasons I did this was from the fear I would get stuck after a few thousand words of fiction. Probably would not have been, still. I was quite keen on writing the non-fiction book anyway and validated at 100K plus words, with still some way to go before I wrap the book up. I do have a story in my mind, though, and I think I’ll refer to your post if I happen to dry out.
Thank you – great post!
I was a nonfiction rebel for my first NaNo, too. I think you’re right, there is security in already knowing the story.
Vidya,
Wow! 100K, that’s wonderful! When we have the story inside us, sometimes all we need is the right impetus to get it out. Sounds like NaNoWriMo was a great success for you. And, I say…fiction or non, work that November round-up. The point is: write.
I took part in Nanowrimo this year and after a while I found my story running out of steam. I had more to tell but I felt like a good chunk of the story wasn’t getting told because my protagonist wasn’t there for it. Enter a second perspective, something I never thought I could manage. Now my story has new life and I’m truly excited about seeing events play out before their eyes.
Kris,
I love it when a simple trick like changing perspective opens up a whole new avenue for the story. I’m glad you found a renewed excitement.
The thing I liked best about doing NaNo is that, if I wanted to “win”, I absolutely did not have time to return to the first page over and over again. I never have trouble getting started, but I do have trouble finishing. Without a finished draft, you don’t know where your story is going and you can begin a meaningful revision. I’ve never tried writing in the present tense. I’d like to hear more about that process.
Susan,
I know there’s a lot of debate about using present tense, but if it can be a successful technique for finishing a first draft, I say try it. You could look at it as, what Andre Dubus calls, “vertical writing.” Spend a day in the head of the character, from waking up to going to sleep. That would have to be written in present tense, and even if you don’t use the results of that exercise in the final draft, it might carry the story to the end.
And when I read Jenna Blum’s post about her novels being written in present tense, I was shocked. I loved THE STORMCHASERS, and never even considered the tense.
Excellent post, Christi! These are all excellent ideas and timely. NaNo taught me that I was in the wrong genre and now I have a couple of more ideas to play with (such as testing out present tense) that will help me to target in on the strongest aspects of my voice and style. Thanks 🙂
Gene,
Great to hear that NaNoWriMo was a success for you as well. We learn so much, I think, in participating in that kind of intensive writing. Good luck with your story!
Fantastic advice, Christi! I’ve done the present tense thing and it helped a lot. I also often change from third person to first if I need to get deeper into the protagonist’s head. Sometimes I’ll change it back to third, but writing a few chapters in first always helps me. Great post.
Thanks, Anne. You mention that you “sometimes” change first person back to third, so does that mean that once in a while those changes in POV stick in the final draft? I can imagine that would present a whole new level of depth to a story.
Wonderful suggestions, Christi! Changing tense works well for me, too (especially when I give myself permission to change it back). 🙂
Lisa,
Ah, yes. That’s the key…giving ourselves permission to do…whatever it takes!
I like the idea that we should be as dramatic as possible in the first draft. It can always be distilled later, and it’s those fiery emotions that really help me connect with my characters.
Unfortunately, I finished my first draft, (I can’t even remember when it’s been so long), only to find myself paralyzed in the revisions. A fear took hold as I realized the last quarter of my book was just crap! I have no idea how I’m going to delve back into that mess 🙁
I’m currently reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron in the hopes that it will help retrieve my creative momentum.
Sharon,
Oh, I feel your pain. Revisions are tough for me as well, especially when it feels like that “finished” draft just lost the last 20,000 words. One thing I’ve done is to just start writing (or rewriting) whatever scene in the novel gets me excited again. Sometimes that means jumping straight toward the end scene, because I have that in mind but I often don’t have the “in between” details that will get me there. I love what you said about “fiery emotions” connecting you with characters. I think we can crank those up in those challenging rewrites as well.
And, I love The Artist’s Way. I’m sure you’ll find your momentum again with that book 🙂 Good luck!
The suggestion to ‘write from a different perspective’ has definitely helped my in-progress first draft. I was stalled and stifled and more than a little confined by my protagonist’s single, increasingly narrow and needy POV, but when I incorporated the POV of 2 additional main characters, the story, and my pen, started flowing…
Cathy,
So cool to hear how that works! Not only does adding another perspective to the story rejuvenate the energy in writing the draft, but it adds depth to the novel as a whole, I think.
There’s two versions of you–the higher self and the local mind. IMO, when I find myself facing writer’s block, it’s because the local mind (ego) has decided to take everything under control. The creative juices then cease to flow and the fingers stop typing.
Great post–thanks for sharing!
Jim,
Love that idea. I admit, when I read your comment, I saw “local” but heard “loco” in my mind…which is about right. My ego does get a little crazy 🙂
I did NaNoWriMo for the second year in a row and have decided that it is not for me.
I really enjoyed this post. 🙂 I will definitely keep these tips in mind when working through my draft.
Ashley,
Sorry to hear that NaNoWriMo was maybe not the most successful experience, but I’m glad the post was helpful! Good luck on your draft!
I’m not exactly an author, just a girl who dreams of being an author. But I do have tons of books ready to be published. I hope I can get one published soon, as I can’t decide which one to send in. I write books like one of my favorite authors, Beverly Cleary. I admire the way she writes, the way she brings you right into the character’s life. But just like Christi Craig, I start my stories over dozens of times. I will remember to keep these tips in mind. Thanks, Christi!
Emily,
Thanks for stopping by. Perhaps you aren’t a published author yet, but – wow – sounds like you’ve authored a lot of stories. That’s great!
Tense is a very personal choice and depends on how we want the “voice” to sound.
“And when I read Jenna Blum’s post about her novels being written in present tense, I was shocked. I loved THE STORMCHASERS, and never even considered the tense.”
Christi, I think that quote says it all. When the focus has been chosen, it is in the end the reader who will decide if it works. Keeping the reader front and center is one way of making this difficult decision. I know only changed the protag, I also went from present to past tense in one book and the sound was better.
Thanks for a great post 🙂
Thanks, Florence. And you present another great point: to turn to readers (best done, in my eyes, before that final draft) to find out for sure if the tense is working. And, if it isn’t, hopefully those readers can tell you exactly why not.
I REALLY like this idea of writing always in the present tense. Also think switching protagonists could be very helpful during the second draft. Personally, I like pasting together shorter items I have written that SEEM to have some subject matter and/or point of view in common, then writing dialogues and actions that begin to tie them together. This way, I ALWAYS know I already have stuff written down to kick-start me, you know?
Rose, I like your idea about inserting dialogue. Because I sometimes get a little description-heavy, I often go back to drafts and look for places where I can use dialogue to move the story along instead. I’m often surprised at how effective– and refreshing– dialogue can be. I just wish I were better at writing it!
Rose,
Hmmm, I’m interested in your idea of putting two shorter pieces together and seeing how they might meet in the middle with dialogue and such. Cool idea! Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve also found changing POV can reinvigorate a story. I recently changed from first to third person in my historical novel and it’s suddenly gotten easier.
Present tense novels feel like metal on a chalkboard to me. I recently started reading an archaeological mystery series that I thought was superbly researched (I’m a former archaeologist), but it was in present tense. I couldn’t get through the second book.
I would consider using it as an exercise, though, to get past a difficult spot.
I’ve rewritten my first chapter and first page several times. Getting the drama in without pulling in too much back story is always a challenge.Jumping into the action at the right place and building from there and taking the reader with me is the key.
I have enjoyed some great books from first person point of view. But it is hard to do and not everyone does it well. Most readers like to know what is going on in the other guys head.
Debra and Cindy,
Thanks for sharing your experiences here. You both bring up great points about present tense and POV. You hit the nail on the head, Debra, when you said these kinds of changes and techniques are great to consider for breaking through the those tough spots, but it takes the right story (and a skillful hand) to make them work well in the final drafts. But, that might be fodder for a future Write It Sideways post!