For my first manuscript goal, I'm going to work on a technique from John Braine, a British novelist discussed in James Scott Bell's book, Revision & Self-Editing.
"Braine advocated writing a first draft as quickly as possible, to stay in the flow. No looking back. No pause for major changes. Then after some cooling off, produce a summary of the novel. A synopsis, but one that's subject to change. Because you're going to try to make it better and deeper. You may even change it significantly. The summary should be no more than 2,000 to 3,000 words, and you should produce several versions.
As described by Stephen Koch in The Modern Library's Writer's Workshop:
Tell yourself your emerging story again and again until you have, in capsule, a potent credible version that is propelling you into the new draft. If you like, summarize your first draft version in the first. Then try some other ways of telling it. Change the beginning, change the ending, shift points of view and perspectives. Keep each summary short and try never to devote more than a day's work to any one of them. You are not rewriting. You are summarizing; you are testing possibilities...Don't talk to yourself about the story: Tell it to yourself in this concentrated form. Don't indulge in fancy meditations on theme and do not theorize. But do include images and motifs and moments that you know drive the story forward...
If you produce several of these summaries, and finally fine-tune the best version, the method will give you a roadmap for an organic second draft."
I've been working on my huge chapter by chapter summary. I'd like to finish that and then delve into this. My goal by the end of this week is to have the chapter summary done and at least two summaries as discussed above. I'd like to have my accountability partners review the summaries and give me guidance, advice, or direction when it comes to the bulk of the story.
Wish me luck!
Quote of the Day: Writer's block is a disease for which there is no cure, only respite. ~Laurie Wordholt
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1 comment:
I like these methods. I may have to give them a try myself. They sort of remind me of how I brainstorm at the beginning of a story, before I actually write anything other than my basic ideas. I'd never thought to do it after the 1st draft is written. Interesting.
I am so glad we are getting back on track. It definitely helps to know there is someone out there doing it with me.
I am looking forward to seeing your summaries and will be happy to provide whatever help I can.
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