I recently 
learned a valuable lesson after finishing the first draft of my latest novel that you should know for your writing. I realize now that I wrote Hell Bent and Heaven Bound (a 325-page manuscript) using three different methods.
At the time, I had no clue that’s what I’d done because I felt too lost in the day-to-day struggles of trying to create. I wasn’t analyzing my process because I was too busy trying to survive.
One skill every successful writer needs is…
Adaptability – being able to adjust readily to different conditions.
This means if one tried-and-true method of writing stops working, then you must search for a new trick to get the words onto the page. There’s always different approaches, but too many people give up before finding them. They let fear, busy schedules or whatever win. That’s sad, and unnecessary.
Here are the three methods I used:
1. Stephen King
Normally, I write my entire first draft with the door closed (like the master of horror does), with nobody reading it but me. It’s just me, my laptop and my imagination. It’s both wonderful and terrible.
This lasted all of 20 pages with Hell Bent. Since it’s book #2 in the Pennies from Burger Heaven series, I already knew what the story was, but I still had to friggin’ write it.
If you’re a new writer, I highly recommend the Stephen King way. Otherwise, it’s too easy to be influenced by the opinions of others. It takes both time and consistent practice for you to discover your writing style for nonficiton, or your story’s voice for fiction.
Pros – Your story can come alive without the interference of other opinions and criticisms.
Cons – You get no feedback along the way. You don’t know if you’ve got the right plot, how strong the writing is, etc.
2. Read as You Write
I read my book’s opening to my weekly critique group. They loved it, which inspired me to bring 10 – 20 new pages to read each Wednesday night. With this method, some people can write ahead in their story. Sadly, I am not one of those people, so I just did the best I could.
This way worked great for about 100 pages, then I stalled out again. Part of it was timing — my group didn’t meet for three weeks because of vacations. Plus, there was so much chaos in my house with two teenagers home full-time from high school. I lost my momentum.
Still, I needed to try something else.
Pros – If you’re confident enough in your story, or your writing capabilities, it gives you a solid first draft in the end.
Cons – Negative feedback while your story is still in its infancy can be damaging to your confidence. Also, for some people, this method slows them down. They can only write and polish so much from week to week (or however often you share your work with others).
3. Hot Potato Writing
Did you ever play Hot Potato as a kid? You stand in a circle of people with music playing in the background, then throw the ball to someone else because your hands burn from holding the ‘hot potato’. If you’re caught with it when the music stops, you’re out.
That’s how I feel with my first drafts once I find my rhythm. I have words scorching inside me. I’m in pain until I release them onto the page. That helps for about 24 hours, then my discomfort starts all over.
Don’t get me wrong. I often sit at my laptop, my fingers frozen with fear, while the hot potato feeling burns inside me. It’s an awful tug of war between the two extremes, with me stuck in the middle.
I needed this story out of me, but life kept getting in the way: kids, work, my group’s erratic schedule.
I decided to write 10,000 new words a week, so I cranked out 1,400 – 1,500 words everyday, but didn’t have much time (less than 60 minutes each day). Here’s the kicker – I didn’t go back and edit at all. I just wrote like I was on fire.
It will be a hot mess when I go back to revise and taking pages to critique again, but I’m still proud I persevered until I typed The End.
Pros – Quantity. You can get the bones of your story down.
Cons – Quality. It’s far from polished and is a challenge for revisions.
The Book is the Boss
Every book is different, so the creation process is never the same. You also cannot control what life throws at you, so it helps if you learn to modify and adapt your approaches to writing.
How do you write your first drafts? If you’re struggling, is there a new way you could try to write?
Please leave a comment. I’d love to chat.
Pick up your FREE copy today of the mystery, The Moon Rises at Dawn (SkipJack Publishing). Read, enjoy, repeat.
Thanks Marcy – I use a Warm potato method – I write, but but I cannot NOT rough edit it as I go. It’s a touch of OCD that just won’t let me have typos on my screen.
You always make me laugh, Phil. Maybe I can dial it down to use the Warm Potato method myself. FYI, you can turn off the grammar/spell-check, so you don’t see the annoying red squiggly lines alerting you of typos and mistakes.
Potato/poh-ta-toe….whatever works. Right? Take care.
I think I just need to learn to stop procrastinating. I have drafted a daily schedule for meeting several unfinished goals. This includes a set period for writing in the morning, regardless of household chores etc.
Good for you, Nasreen. You already know you need to stop procrastinating, so you just need to follow through with that. I know, I know…easier said that done. However, I’ve found it’s just a matter of making it a habit. It’s REALLY hard to change old ways and will be roughest at the beginning, but will keep easier if you stick with it. You can do it!
Nasreen – trust me – I feel your “procrastination pain.”
Hi, Marcy!
You raise a couple of interesting points in this post.
We’re all different – obviously. If we weren’t, we’d all write the same stuff and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in the end results (yawn, yawn) 🙂
My (Jesuit-disciplined) schooling WILL NOT allow me to ‘ignore’ Spelling and Grammar as I write. I simply HAVE to Edit every sentence as I go. I’ve never felt this hinders the creative process, or slows me down, but it makes my First Draft much easier to polish into something I feel is suitable for others to read.
My ‘solution’ to the dreaded “Writer’s Block” is to have a minimum of 5-6 WiPs “on the back burner” at any given time. When/if I run short of inspiration, all I have to do is switch horses and work on something else – a change is as good as a rest, they say!
I don’t set myself ‘targets’ (e.g. the 2000 words a day you mention) but I DO believe in (self)discipline. If I don’t write SOMETHING, I feel I’ve wasted that particular day. Participating in the annual lemming-run aka NaNoWriMo is something I actually look forward to (and two books I’ve had published started life as NaNo projects …!)
Some work needs more background research than others, and planning ahead is something I know I’m not especially good at – I guess I’ll always be a “Pantser” at heart! Not surprising, really: I was born in the Year of the Tiger, month of the PANTHER … 🙂
Do you believe in coincidence? As I wrote that last sentence, “The Eye of the Tiger” started playing on my local radio!
Best of luck with your writing!
Paul (Bagheera) McDermott
Hey Paul,
I LOVE “The Eye of the Tiger!” This is why I adore discussing writing with other like-minded souls, because you brought up aspects I never would’ve thought of. I’m JEALOUS you have multiple works-in-progress. My brain doesn’t work that way. I’ve got a one-track mind and it’s on one story at a time.
Usually editing as I go is how I work, but I didn’t have TIME to both write and edit the same day. I HAD to keep going. Editing doesn’t slow you down, so keep at it.
Thanks Marcy! As I mentioned over on your article on the Write Practice, I’m currently working on my first draft. I’ve so far, and will continue, to use two of the methods you mention here. I’ve shared each and every chapter with a friend, after writing and then doing a first readability edit. We’re both so enthused about the project that it’s also involved hot potato writing. We ran with it and as a result, while what’s there is great, and we’re REALLY happy, there’s a lot that will need fleshing out, or slowing down.
Hi! I actually just responded to your comment at TWP. That’s GREAT that you’re moving along with your first draft. Congratulations. It’s okay that you’ll need to flesh a lot out because it sounds like you’ve got the momentum on your side. AWESOME! Keep up the good work, and thanks so much for stopping by!
It’s been some time since I’ve done any serious writing. I’m just getting back to it but, you know, procrastination is my best friend, a lifelong buddy so to speak and a black-belt saboteur. That relationship ends today.
I’m a retired print journalist and know in my heart of hearts that I can deal with deadlines. I need deadlines, firm deadlines. And I need to relearn how to write with abandon. It’s been a while.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment, Marcy.
Hi Claudia,
Because I know you’re backstory, I’m going to respectfully suggest you’re being a bit hard of yourself. Life has dealt you some tough hands, so you’ve been dealing with those. However! You are ready to write again, and I happy for you, as well as being happy to cheer you on. Go for it!
Thanks, Marcy. I am ready to write again and happy to be able to work at that in the company of good writers such as yourself and the writers who commented here.
This was helpful. Thanks, Marcy.
I appreciate you saying so, Kelley. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Marcy-
I just wrote a very short story for The write practice online, the theme was First Meetings: First Loves: and how did it end up, no more than 1500 words. Well I had a death in the family so I had 2 days to get my story in. I wrote “hot potato style” which is the way I always write.
I think I told you I had an hit & run accident in Jan & no matter how many words I try & type it’s extremely painful afterwards in my arm. So I either have to use my left hand or speak into the computer. It is typed only with one finger. Anyway, I have so many obstacles writing. So I used that method & polished it quickly in order to get it into the contest. Then as members of the write practice we have to workshop our story with others and then help others edit their work. If I was using this story to publish say on Amazon, I think it may have had it published. I didn’t even count the words and I had over 2,000! I did that story in one hour. I truly think the emotional feelings I was going through with the unexpected death, gave me enough feelings to get into my story. I know a real short story is close to 4,000 words or more but I think I can add on. Problem here is even if I don’t win, First or Second place is the only rewards, it’s going to be published in Wordhaus.
Sorry got off track. So about 10 people gave me their opinions, mostly grammar which is my worst problem, spelling since I did the hot potato method, and the amount of words. Yet no one was helping me decide where to drop words? I got “this story made me cry, I felt like I was spun around and dropped into a basketball hoop, I loved it so much.” Well that’s great but I gave my replies back saying, “thank you everyone, I will fix my grammar, can anyone help me with editing my words?” No one gave me any help on that. It truly left me staring at that story for days until it had to be submitted on Aug 31. Every piece of it needed to be there. I felt like I was killing this emotional heartbreaking story. I eventually edited down to the bear bones and didn’t submit it until midnight on Monday.
Geez I’m writing a story here! Sorry…I guess I use every method when writing and I endorse writing it out and polishing later. Sometimes, which I did get from the contest, were other writers reading and giving me their opinions. Some people actually were rewriting it and then I have to ignore them or put a sweet reply & just say “Thank you”
My question is since it’s going to be on Wordhaus online being published can I explore this story more and get it published on Amazon, obviously more words. Should I put the whole thing on my blog? I know it’s a great story but I don’t want to give it away if I can get it on Amazon.
Again I’m sorry this is so long…P.S. You should have a contest and give away one of your books. ?
Hey Donna,
Congrats on pushing through all those obstacles and getting your story done. Regarding publishing on Amazon, I think it depends on how many words you add to the story if you can do it in addition to Wordhaus. If it’s something substantial, possibly. I don’t have a definitive answer for you (sorry). You need to keep researching. Good luck!
I will Marcy! I think I research every day on how to improve my writing. One day I will have a book. At least I have a good portfolio ?
Well, Marcy. I usually have no problem finding a story beginning. And the ending just finds its way automatically through my mind. And, I see pillars in spots along the way. This is great. However, because I can “sort of” see the story itself, I find myself mentally already feeling as though I have the story finished. The fact is, there is still period and location research to do and filling in the gaps with events and dialogue that I am doing mentally. It leads to procrastination because I feel less drive to sit down and write. What’s wrong and how do I find the drive to “get ‘er done?”
I do understand, Rhonda. I tend to be a pantster and discover my story as I write, but with Hell Bent I though it would be sooooo easy that I knew the whole story ahead of time.
Not so. You still have to have it! I have no magic advice for you is you just have to get the writing done. Write for an hour, or 1,000 words, or whatever you tell yourself.
Now that I say that, for YOU….because you tend to see your full story, maybe you can stay motivated, but using method #2. Reading the chapters to other trusted individuals as you write. Their feedback may help you stay excited about your novel.
Thanks for your comment!
Hi Marcy,
Thanks for the post. I personally don’t thrive on a schedule. I need to feel creative. The problem is that life can get in the way and creativity is stifled.
I have written bits and pieces over the years but only started writing in earnest when a young friend wrote and self published on Amazon (Marcy Clemens…between the ditches)
She read something I had written and encouraged me. I tried NaNoWriMo and the second time, last November I succeeded in the challenge and kept enough momentum to finish a novel. Editing is in progress.
So, I agree that unless you are very secure in your writing, a support group is motivating. So long as it’s the right group. Praise as well as critique that helps you grow and doesn’t stiffle.
The times and amounts we write are likely very personal. Life and creativity weighing in on what we accomplish.
I agree with everything you shared, Ann-Marie. We must all find what works best for us and our writing. CONGRATS on finishing your novel, and the editing. I LOVE the title, “Between the Ditches.” Of course, I’m partial to the name Marcy, too.
It sounds like you’ve found the right rhythm for you. Keep up the good work!
Hey Marcy, thank you for this article it was such a timely piece. When I first moved into my place in May I envisions the perfect writing space. There was no one else here and I have no company on a regular basis so my days are filled with writing. A month later I went in for surgery on my foot and had to rearrange my place to accommodate the power chair I would be in for several months.( still in it, but getting back to being able to walk a bit) Any way, once the desks were moved and I began to try and reconnect with my characters things are a bit out of place- nothing feels right organizational wise, desks aren’t placed right which makes the flow wrong. So I am trying to figure out how I can arrange my place and restart the spark and begin writing again
All of this to say thank you for showing me I’m not alone.
And I tend to write the whole story before I edit for the most part unless it absolutely annoys me to no end.
Hey Debra,
Even though your surgery was necessary and sounds successful, that’s still rough about the temporary chaos in your home. When I’m trying to reconnect with my characters, I always do LOTS of timed writings. For me, I prefer to not type…I buy a big, fat spiral notebook like I used in high school and write nonstop for 15 minutes, or about three pages without stopping, editing or criticizing. I write as fast as I can.
I like writing by hand because it feels different than me typing away at my laptop. I have other friends who prefer to type…whatever works. Anyway, I have conversations with my character — ask them questions, then have them respond. Other times, I write from that character’s point of view. Basically, I just write, then see what comes out.
For you, you wouldn’t even have to be in that room that is currently out of place. If you had your notebook, you could sit on your bed or somewhere else. That’s just what immediately came to mind. Regardless, hang in there, and know, this too shall pass!
I’ve experimented with various approaches to first drafts – write from the idea (or prompt) with no knowledge of more than one or two characters or where the plot is going. I’ve tried outlining/sketching out four chapters at a time. I’ve tried outlining the entire story before writing any first draft. Finally I settled in on my current approach (and that is always subject to change). I use Excel to list characters, events, and locations (setting) and try to determine what chapters or scenes I’ll have in my book. Once I decide where a certain event and characters fall, I can choose whether I want to write the draft to that particular scene. (It could be a scene within a chapter or a scene within a scene between two or more characters. It seems to be working so far in that I try to decide what conflicts, obstacles, twists and turns I’ll have before I spend too much time on drafting the story.
Thanks for the comment, Jack. You’ve done something very important. You kept trying and searching until you’ve found a systems that seems to be working for you. That’s a good lesson for us all. Thanks!
I have to edit as I go (ADHD?), but I find this editing frequently gets redone many times, because that only takes care of micro-editing. The first step should be macro editing, making sure the parts are in the right order first. Have I included the points I want to make? I can’t be sure until I see it in context. Putting down the first draft first before editing is the way to go, but it’s so counter to my inner editor.
I so understand what you’re saying. I absolutely prefer to edit as I go, but my story grabbed hold of me. I was fighting against the clock, so ignoring my internal editor (kicking and screaming) was the only way I could do it.
Who knows what I’ll do in the future, but I’m glad I was brave enough to try something different. STILL! You’re way is much smarter. Best of luck with your writing.
Hi Marcy,
You might remember me. I told you of my age – 79, a widow living alone but for my cay companions and a chronic illness to cope with et al. Because of all those things in my life I do not aspire to writing a novel or more for publication. Instead I enjoy writing short stories, topics of interest to me, autobiographical bits and pieces and lots of poetry too. My writing is for my own enjoyment really. I also joined the 750 Words site. You can write about anything and as many words as you like. I choose to take the challenge to write a minimum of 750 words every day for each month. It usually averages out around 1000 words.
Nevertheless I still have issues to face with first drafts and the editing of! Initially I chose to do my writing on a word doc. Then transfer my work to the 750 Words Site. I am only now finding the confidence to write ‘cold’ straight on to the site.
Like Paul who was educated with the Jesuits, I was educated by nuns in the 1940s and spelling and grammar seemed to assume more importance in those days than the content of whatever we were writing – our essays et al. This means that I do tend to correct as I go along which makes it a little easier when doing a final edit.
For me I find that having to aim for a set amount of words can distract me from spontaneity at times.
I tend to blend both the use of a few bullet points at first for a rough outline as to what my story will be about, then for the rest I am a pantser; so it is a mixture of the two.
I used to belong to an online group who would criticise as I went along, but truly I found that unhelpful and distracting. I prefer to just get on with it. Then of course, as I am not writing for publishers I guess the pressure is minimal compared with authors like your good self.
All in all I just like to write as old as I am!
Best wishes with your book Marcy. I really like your style of blogs. You are always fresh and friendly and are honest enough to admit you too have problems now and then.
Best wishes Leila (Korculablue)
Great to hear from you, Leila. I definitely remember you. I love how committed you are to your writing and it sounds like you’ve found a writing/editing process that works for you. I love how joy it sounds like your writing gives you and THAT is truly all that matters.
Thanks for stopping by MPW.
A quick added comment Marcy – my cay companions should read cat not cay!!! Ooops LOL.
I’m glad I’m not the only one does things like that. 🙂
Marcy – have you tried the “writing into the dark” style that long time pro Dean Wesley Smith advocates?
In a nutshell what he does is write a certain number – I think it was about 500 to 1000, something like that – and then he stops, goes back to the beginning of the last part he wrote, fixes any typos, changes any bits – e.g. puts the hammer in the killer’s hand, etc. – then goes back to where he stopped before and continues writing, etc.
Some writers call it “cycling”.
What he ends up with is a manuscript that’s pretty dang near complete the first time. While he notes that every writer is different, he doesn’t recommend allowing yourself a sloppy first draft. He also follows “Heinlein’s Rules” in writing.
He wrote a book about it if you’re interested in this method. Who knows, it just might work for you!
Thanks so much for sharing that with me. I have heard of cycling/writing in the dark. That’s pretty much what my #1 Stephen King is…when I had over 2+ hours per day to write my first draft….I’d write a new scene, go back and edit it, then move on the next day.
This is the smartest way to write. Sadly, I didn’t have that extra time this summer and I wanted to ALL that small amount in the early mornings to write new words. I even tried to write on day #1, edit day #2, write the next part on day #3, but that threw off my rhythm big time. I just wrote like a maniac.
HOWEVER! You are AWESOME to share about writing in the dark, as well as Dean Wesley Smith’s book. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hope he’s teaching you to write/edit like a pro as you go!
A very interesting post Marcy,
Writing can really be very time consuming and confusing sometimes, especially when the juice stops flowing. But I’v come to understand that the Stephen King method also works for me though, just started using it.
I’ve not heard of the Hot Potato method before now and it sounds so amazing.
I think we should just try and find which ways works for us, the main thing is to get that writing going.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
I’m glad that you’ve found a method that works for you. As for “Hot Potato”, I made that up that name. I’m sure there are other ones out there, but that’s just what I’ve always called it.
Here’s the best thing you shared, “I think we should just try and find which ways works for us, the main thing is to get that writing going.”
Excellent. Thanks for your comment.
I’m so excited to have connected with your site! We met earlier at thewritepractice! I’m the one starting a memoir. I am eating up all of the professional tips I can get! Can’t wait to read your posts!
Memoir Trish!
I totally remember you from TWP! I’m delighted you found your way here to Mudpie Writing. Good luck with your memoir. Speak your truth and learn the lesson that you’re supposed to learn personally, as well as the message for your readers. 🙂
Yes! I am learning so much about myself I had just put away. I am learning who I really am, not who everyone else said I was supposed to be. She is REALLY in there, but oh how she was buried in years, people pleasing, fear, etc…it’s fun to be 10 again and this time grow up to be the writer I think I was meant to be. It was that deep in me that kept sinking until I couldn’t find it anymore….the shallow seeing sand was safe. I don’t want to be safe anymore!
How grateful I am to stumble on same-minded people. This platform spurred me to restart writing again-a mechanism so natural for me to scribble an elusive thought that slups in my rusted brain. But complacency hinders me most of the time I would grab my smartphone to shout out my lazy thought.
Glad to see you here, Olegario. Writing is like anything else of importance to us — it’s a habit. The more you practice, the better you come. Thanks for the comment and good luck to you.