Sunday, April 28, 2013

Frosting can go here and here....

In May's issue of Romance Writers Report, multi-pubbed author Ann Aguirre is interviewed and says:

"I tend to write lean drafts, however, and sketch in the story, then add detail in multiple revision passes. It's not unusual for me to add 10-15,000 to a book before it's final; that includes descriptions, the pretty writing, and the like. I think of it like building a house. First you lay the foundation, then you install wiring and installation, then the plaster goes up. The decorative touches come last."

I jumped up and down. Literally. With joy. This is how I write, albeit much more slowly than Ms. Aguirre. I am on my third pass through my WIP. I have the plot. I know my characters. I am trimming unnecessary elements and layering in the descriptions, the pretty writing. Specifically deep POV motivations.

Things are clicking faster for me. Thanks to workshops and critique partners, I am learning to recognize where I can layer in emotional descriptions and deep POV. Someday I hope these will come more automatically, say in the first draft. But it they don't--if I still layer in the pretty things like frosting on a cake--I don't have to worry that I'll never be a romance writer. I just have to believe in my process.






5 comments:

  1. That's a very good description. My first draft is my way of plotting, and then I add the layers, delete what's not necessary, and strengthen the characters and situations.

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  2. Good post! I'm jumping up and down with you because that's how I write too. And I'm super slow! I just got my RWR today and I'm going straight to that interview. Thanks for the heads up!

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  3. I do the same. I'm driven to get my drafts down and then go back and add all the good stuff. But...when I opened this post I was hoping we'd be talking about belly-button frosting ;-)

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  4. I'm not as conscious about doing that, Ana, but I definitely add (and delete) as I go along through my editing process. Some spots are perfectly described as is, others need more "frosting." Great way to describe it!

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  5. Love the frosting analogy, although it did make me want to eat a piece of cake, too.

    I think edits are definitely a way to put the frosting, aka decorations, on our mss.

    Sounds like you are making great progress...good luck!

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