What’s the hardest part of writing a novel in a month? April is Camp NaNoWriMo – a variation on November’s “write a novel in a month” challenge. The month-long deadline presents many challenges: How will you make the time? Can you generate enough steam to do the work each day? Can you stick to the plan for a […]
drafting
Two Reasons Not to Revise As You Draft
You’ve heard many versions of this advice before: Embrace the ugly first draft. Ann Handley, Everybody Writes Write with the door closed, revise with the door open. Stephen King, On Writing Turn off the inner critic and be fearless. Me, The Writer’s Process No matter how it’s phrased, the advice is sound. Resist the temptation to revise and polish […]
Why Writing is Like Baking Bread
Have you ever baked a loaf of bread, or witnessed a masterful baker at work? Through a mysterious process of beating, kneading, waiting, and baking, an unappealing, gluey mass of dough transforms into fragrant and delectable food. Freshly baked bread is one of the wonders of the civilized world. Baking bread is eerily similar to […]
