Writing...

[lightofdaye]

Ever work on anything for ages and ages, and feel like you've done a lot only to realise you word count is actually pitiful?

Stupid fiction writing.

Comments

[tamlane.livejournal.com]

I think I worked for 2-3 hours on the same hundred words yesterday. I couldn't manage to push the story forward, no matter how I tried.

[lightofdaye]

Awww. Stick in there, Tam, I know you can do it.

I've been making progress but the fic's barely broken 1k so I don't think it's going to end up as long as some.

[tamlane.livejournal.com]

I'm back on track this morning. But yes, I can sympathize. Although I don't usually worry about word count unless there's a specified min or max.

I read some good advice by my number one author crush yesterday:

When in doubt, remember that the important thing is telling the story. It's amazing how much bullshit is cleared up when you just concentrate on telling the story.

[lightofdaye]

Okay I'm not sure what that means. I think it applies. There are certain moments I want to put into this thing I'm writing that don't necessarily gel with the story. There's not neat place to put them considering what's going on. So I'm going to have not use them... for the story.

And yay! back on track. Well done.

[tamlane.livejournal.com]

That's what it means to me. Be honest to the story you're telling rather than the one you want to tell or the one you think you should tell.

I think he also means don't worry too much about mechanics or details while you're writing. It's counterproductive to narrative flow. No need to make it harder than it already is to get words on the screen.