Update and Plug

Hello all,

I just thought I'd pop along, say hello and let you know how the old oeuvre is going. My plan was to finish a first draft of my third novel before my baby was born, and it looks like I might achieve that aim with knobs on. It helps that I've decided the book will be 16,000 words shorter than originally estimated, but I've now completed 74% of the book, at 59,344 words. If I continue at my current rate, I'm planning to have the whole thing done by the end of next week. Woohoo!

It's my third book and I learn new things with each one. Up to now I haven't found any significant method which has stuck. I've approached each one differently, and always felt a little lacking in, er, clue. But I think this time I've hit upon one basic technique which works well for me. There's a good chance I'll use it for every book I write from now on, and for what it's worth here it is:

I've attacked the first draft like a thing demented. I've refused to read back anything I've written (apart from when necessary to verify plot points), and haven't even corrected most typos. Rewrites and edits are banned until I have a full first draft, at which point I'll go back (after a significant "percolation" period) and do a full edit. As I've gone along I've had various thoughts about what I've written so far: I've spotted plot weaknesses and inconsistencies, and things have happened in the current action which will need explanations or set-ups in earlier parts of the book, but I've made a note of all these things in a separate file, and will fix / insert them in the second draft. Normally I insert notes in the ms itself, but I've banned myself from doing that. This is because when I've finished, I'm putting it aside for six weeks or more and ignoring it. Then I'll go back and read it, with a (hopefully) fresh head. Which won't work so well if the text is littered with notes and reminders.

I think there are two big benefits to this approach:
(1) It makes the whole thing more cohesive, both in style and substance. I'm writing it in a short space of time, and that means I keep the same tone and style throughout. But because I'm refusing to allow myself any rewrites-on-the-fly, the plot is consistent and simple and makes sense from beginning to end.
(2) It keeps the momentum going and makes doubts harder. My attitude is that this is only a first draft, that it's bound to have mistakes and problems, which can all be dealt with later. This attitude removes a lot of the fear, and helps drive me forward rather than grinding to periodical halts.

Partly I was forced into this method, by a lack of time and an immutable deadline. I may make small changes to the technique for my next book. For instance, I may read and line-edit the previous day's writing at the beginning of each day. I'm a little worried that when I do my first read-through, the presence of typos and lack of basic line-editing may stand in the way of my ability to stand back and judge the book as a whole. I also wonder whether a lot of the smaller-but-necessary changes I've noted in a separate file could have been done on the fly, and again this would make the first read-through more productive.

Another approach, if I had the time and didn't have so many other things I want to do before the baby is born, would be to go back to the beginning as soon as I've finished and make the smaller changes from my notes file, as well as a full line-edit. But the basic principle - write the first draft fast and furious with no rewrites or major edits until it's done - is, I think, sound.

But, you know. That's just me! Might not work for everyone.

In other news, I wrote an opinion piece about popular culture for the wonderful Vulpes Libris book blog, which has appeared today and generated a lively debate in the comments box. Please do join in. It's here.

P.S. Will I win a prize if I finish my first draft next week? Will this motivate any of you first-drafters to get those typing fingers out; try and beat me to it? How exciting if so!