Learning as We Go
I’ve had a quote on my computer for a couple of years that made sense to me. Or I thought it did. Only recently have I considered how superficial that understanding was. I don’t think any writer can really wrap their mind around this quote until the third or fourth big project. I certainly didn’t. I find the statement rather profound these days. I understand. I can relate and commiserate.
You never learn how to write a novel. You just learn how to write the novel that you’re writing. Gene Wolfe
Different methods, different advents, different character creation processes, different genre/mood/PoV…each one of my projects has been different enough that I couldn’t apply all I had learned from previous projects. I have to learn new things each time. I suspect this will always be true whether I’m working on novel four or novel twenty-four.
Some parts of my process seem to be steady. I tend to write my fiction drafts quickly and without an outline, though I usually prewrite my thoughts and ideas. I tend to agonize over the edits. I tend to think I’ve written a big pile of crap about the time I finish the rough. I never think it’s good enough.
Other parts are entirely different each time. I’ve researched beforehand, after the rough draft was complete, and during the initial draft. One starts as a plot for which the characters came into focus. One was entirely character driven, and one started with the idea of an event that gave birth to characters and plot. Some are written with my eyes closed, listening hard for the next paragraph. Some were written while I was thoroughly distracted with life.
Perhaps the quote I should memorize is to expect the unexpected. That’s the way it seems to work for me. As long as I’m writing and words are coming, I’m happy. The rest I have to figure out as I go along. That’s one of the unique joys of creative expression. Every time I venture out there to start a new story, I begin learning again.
How much of your process is static and how much changes with each project? Is it a personality thing or common to all writers? I’d love to hear how it works for you.
