Monday, June 11, 2012

Draft Zero?

I do not plot my books. I like to see characters develop. I like to be surprised. On my best days, I like to discover a big plot twist at the same time a reader would. My theory is that my subconscious mind is rather brilliant, while my conscious mind is easily distracted, so sometimes it's a good thing to let my subconscious drive a little.

The worst thing about making stuff up as you go along is that your endings stink on first drafts. Or mine do. I came up with some great plotting in my last book towards the end, but the actual climax? It involved a blender. You should trust me that it was terrible. I knew it was terrible as I wrote it.

I also knew I could make all the terrible better in draft two, and draft three, and draft four. And I did.

Book Three is a new adventure for me. Middle Grade. And this time my first draft is...episodic. It has flashes of greatness, but I've decided to lovingly call it Draft Zero. It gave me stuff to work with, and some names, but it doesn't count. Now I've plotted out Draft One, and I have to say that I'm excited. Finally things will make sense! And tie together! And be tense/scary/funny if I can do them right!

Maybe someday I should try plotting. If you want, I'd love to hear your first/zero-draft method--it's one thing I think is worth careful consideration!

I do take notes in a notebook after my first draft. I write my drafts on the computer, though. And my pens are not this cool.



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6 comments:

  1. tlbodineJune 11, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    It's funny -- I do exactly the same thing. I always *try* to outline, but then the draft never resembles the outline at all anyway. Like you said -- my subconscious comes up with better ideas.

    For me the real trick is making sure I do that first draft FAST. Otherwise I flounder around and spend too much time trying to perfect something that's ultimately not ever going to see the light of day.

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    1. Brenda McKennaJune 12, 2012 at 5:49 PM

      I have a strict no-editing policy on the first draft. I learned it after I kept obsessively revising my first book--and it has served me very well. :)

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  2. Ladydragonfly1958June 12, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    If I make an outline, I never get done with it, so I just start writing and keep going til I get tired or think I need to stop. Then I go over what I wrote. Sometimes I just sit and giggle and think...What the heck did I just do? It all comes out in the end.

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    1. Brenda McKennaJune 12, 2012 at 5:51 PM

      Outlines ARE hard! And luckily for us wing-it writers, it does seem to come out. Plus, I love a good giggle. When I told my sisters about the first ending I had for my second book (after they'd read the third draft), we laughed for quite a while...

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  3. Sophie H. MorganJune 13, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    Can't wait to see it! Also, LOVE that: Draft zero. Ha. Very apt.

    Me? I like to plan it all out, and then my characters do whatever they want. But as long as I have the basic plotline, I let them. Otherwise they terrorise me at night...
    :0)

    Do I get to see it after Draft One is done?

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    1. Brenda McKennaJune 13, 2012 at 5:29 PM

      Mine terrorize me at night--I can understand that! Maybe I should try plotting a little more...

      Of course you get to see it! It may not be very good, but you are good, and can only make it better! :)

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