“That must be so much fun!”
That’s the response I can expect when I tell someone I’m a writer. And they’re absolutely right—writing is a lot of fun. If you enjoy the hair-pulling, brain-busting, making-things-up-out-of-thin-air kind of fun. Just kidding. Sort of.
The truth is, there are days that writing goes smoothly and the words click out of my fingertips almost faster than I can keep up with them. But then there are days (far more than I’d like to admit) where my fingers barely move as I stare at the blank screen for minutes (and sometimes hours) at a time. Those staring days are not quite as fun as the others. And for me, they usually happen during the first draft stage. First drafts and I are not friends.
In fact, the only way I get through writing a first draft is by promising myself that once it’s done, I get to go back and revise it. For me, revision is where the magic happens—where my jumble of mixed-up, nonsensical words becomes a story with living, breathing characters. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a lot of work—and a complete mess as I cross out entire scenes, make notes to move something 200 pages farther into the book, draw arrows up, down, and all around, and scribble so quickly that I can’t read my own scrawl—but it’s an energizing, exciting kind of work. Especially when I look at the end result and wonder how the crazy, contradictory ideas from my first draft have become a story that actually makes sense and has meaning.
But as much as I love revising, I know that other authors love drafting (I’m not here to judge!). So I thought I’d ask the other Inspy authors about their favorite and least favorite parts of the writing process. Here’s what they had to say:
“My favorite part of the writing process is brainstorming a new story! Anything is possible, I’m not yet worried about things like pacing or grammar, and my characters can tell me what they have to say! (Yes, us authors are a bit weird and totally chat with our characters!)” -Teresa Tysinger
“I love and hate all the parts. Some books are like well behaved children while others are uncooperative rebels! I love brainstorming and getting to know my characters. The rest changes with the book’s behavior.” -Jaycee Weaver
“There are moments where I love and moments when I hate each part. And they come and go without any seemingly rational explanation. So I pray and power through until I can love it again.” -Elizabeth Maddrey
“The only thing I can say is I hate writing. I love to have written. The process is messy, but I love the ending. I like editing what I have written.” -Merrilee Whren
“I hate to brainstorm. Outlining is the hardest part. You know, actually coming up with the idea takes a lot of thought. Then I love writing the first draft, and I really love revising. Probably because I feel closer to the finish line.” -Mandi Blake
“I love the first draft because I just write whatever comes out. It feels the most natural and fun. I hate revising, not because I think it was perfect the first time (it never is), but because that’s when I stress over every detail and worry that it’s not any good. It also makes me nervous when I change something, because I feel like it’s going to affect everything else and I’m afraid I will forget to change that same detail in another spot in the story.” -Hannah Jo Abbot
“I enjoy writing the beginning of a book. Anything after that is not fun. Except for when I type ‘the end.'” -Liwen Ho
“I love to write the first draft, except when I hate it, which happens for at least the middle third(ish) of each story. I don’t love OR hate revising. I just do it!” -Valerie Comer
“I love diving into the first draft. Nothing better than seeing where the characters will take me or how the story will develop.” -Toni Shiloh
At the end of the day, whichever parts of the writing process we love, love to hate, or just flat-out dread, I think all the authors here would agree that there’s nothing we would rather do. That’s why, when someone says, “That must be so much fun,” I give an emphatic nod and thank God once again for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream of being a writer. Hair pulling and all!
Your turn: I’d love to know, is there something you love to do (most of the time) but that has it’s hard or less enjoyable parts too? Just a note that I’ll probably be a bit delayed in replying to comments, as we’re on the road today, heading for Texas to go house hunting. Watch for my post next month, all about moving (and books, of course!).
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending. Valerie is living out her happily ever after in Wisconsin with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Visit her at www.valeriembodden.com to get a free story.
I enjoy walking but in the summer morning here in nebraska the humidity makes it hard and sweaty most morning to enjoy the walk.
I do love to knit, but sewing all the pieces together is such a chore.
I think that has been my experience with almost any creative endeavor. I love acting but memorizing lines is a bear for me. I love photography. I like creating the images with the camera but I lose out on whatever experience is involved (like a vacation at the Grand Canyon) because my attention is all wrapped up in my view finder. I enjoy crochet but I struggle to maintain my yarn tension (I always get it too tight).
And oddly enough, writing computer programs fits in this category as well. You can get all excited about putting together all the instructions to make your computer (or phone or tablet) do something really cool. The more complex or sophisticated it is, though, the more likely you are going to need to go back and fix problems.
I wonder if creating and learning will always be like that, but in heaven we will be free of the baggage that makes us dislike the hard parts.
I love sewing but the preparation is difficult. I love gardening but preparing the ground and planting is hard as is keeping it weed free but the difficult part is worth it when you eat that first tomato, ear of corn, etc
I like making cards, but deciding what I want to do and how I want to do it, are my least favorite parts. Of course, no one but me really knows if I did it the “right” way or not, so at least if I make a mistake, no one else knows!
I am praying for you and your family as you embark on this new adventure!
My mom always tells her friends, “Writing is so relaxing for Laurie!” I’ve told her at least 100 times, “Writing is NOT relaxing! It’s stimulating. It’s creative. It’s stressful at times. And it’s hard. But it is NOT relaxing!” Then I hear her tell someone else, “Laurie writes because it relaxes her!” Urgh.
I believe that! Sometimes I ask myself if it’s wise for us to be moving somewhere hotter and more humid, lol!
Oh, knitting! I so admire people who can do it, but I just can’t seem to get the hang of it, even after my daughter tried to teach me.
I think you’re right that this is true of pretty much every creative endeavor, from piano (I’ve very slowly been trying to teach myself to play) to acting to crafting. I can see how it could apply to computer programming as well. I sure am looking forward to finding out what it’s like in heaven!
Actually, I love my job – I love working with numbers :) but it gets overwhelming … and I need a vacation!
Yes! I was thinking about gardening as well. So much work but so worth it when you eat the fruits of your labor. :)
Yes! Those decisions are so hard to make. I think that’s why I find first drafts tough. But you make a good point about no one knowing if you did it “right” or make a mistake!
Thank you, Paula Marie! 💖
Lol! This is too funny–and too true!
It’s awesome that you love working with numbers! But I agree–even with a job you love you definitely need a break from time to time!
I love it when it rains, all the flowers and plants really love it, but then come the weeds, which are no fun to dig out.
I love baking, but sometimes the prep work isn’t the most fun part. Even though I know once it all comes together, it’ll be a sweet treat to eat! It’s SO worth all the hard work though, isn’t it (in writing, baking, gardening, knitting, etc)?
Here’s a quote from Oscar Wilde that I found & like: “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well. If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for. If it is worth attaining, it is worth fighting for. If it is worth experiencing, it is worth putting aside time for.”
Weeds are no fun at all–and plenty of work. But the end result, when all you’re left with is beautiful flowers, is worth it!
Agreed! Sometimes I put off baking for that very reason. But you’re right that the end result makes all that hard work worth it–in whatever hard thing you’re pursuing. Love the Oscar Wilde quote!
I love to purchase and by books. It can be hard to decide which one to read next. Go bless you.
A never-ending problem! But a good one! :)
I love the creativity writing gives me.
I love to read, write, & Draw but can’t always do it with kids.
I enjoy fishing but don’t get to go down to the river due to being busy with house work & lately it’s been raining.
Yes! Even when it’s hard! :)
Kids do make creative pursuits more challenging, especially when you just need a few moments of quiet to think!
We were just saying the other day that we need to get out fishing more. It seems like there are always so many other things that need to be done! And rain doesn’t help either.