I wrote my first draft five pages a day for a month. 47,538 words. No outline. I had a list of three characters and the name of their island. Stephen King calls that “pantsing.” In other words, my first draft was a rather messy and non-cohesive collection of stories. I wrote in seven perspectives acrossContinueContinue reading “Writing Process: On the Second Draft”
Tag Archives: writing process
Who Leads: Story or Form?
The piece discusses the relationship between story and form in writing, emphasizing that story ideas often guide their appropriate form. Different formats, including long-form, short stories, poems, and films, reveal new elements of the narrative. Experimentation with forms enhances storytelling, as seen in adaptations like Forrest Gump and Killer Angels, leading to varied experiences and insights.
Revision Practice
The author reflects on their ambivalence towards revising written work, likening it to the structural assessment of a house. They explore personal memories tied to the phrase “two weeks,” stemming from a high school musical experience. The English classroom serves as a sanctuary from time, prompting deeper self-reflection.