"working on a story"

[aamcnamara]

Here's a theory, because I've felt inadequate a few times recently.

When most people think about writers, and the act of writing a story, we think about first-draft, putting words on the page. Outlining, just sitting and thinking, staring at that first draft and trying to see the shape of the story that's in there somewhere, chipping the story out slowly from the stone by changing one word or another... those aren't "really" writing.

So when I say I'm working on a story, most people think I mean I'm typing one paragraph after another. I think I mean I'm typing one paragraph after another. Not "I'm going through a Word document of my third draft, highlighting all the bits I want to change in the next draft, or that I need to think about, transferring notes from my paper copy like 'lifevest?'".

Surely it can't just be me who's gotten this idea? It's pernicious, because all the parts of writing are difficult, so degrading this aspect of the process is entirely unhelpful. And it sneaks in, through the inevitable cracks in your facade.


In happier news, a third of my story is now highlighted in cheerful turquoise! The parts which are not highlighted will have to wait for later drafts, because I can't see what's wrong with them right now.

I've been using an external mouse since my laptop's click-button died. It works very well, except when I want to sit on my bed and work on a story (again, the pernicious!). Then after half an hour my hand starts cramping up because the angles are weird. Oh, technology, why must you make me sad? (Anyone had experience with this problem? I have a MacBook, almost two years old now.)

Comments

[kelljones.livejournal.com]

Yup, not just you. IMO, this is one of the best things about knowing other writers and reading about other writers' processes -- before that, all I had was The Unstrung Harp and Mr. Earbrass to validate my process to myself.

My current discussion with myself on this topic involves trying to reframe the metaphor from a turn on the tap/turn off the tap concept (writing/not writing) to a gathering the supplies (ideas), determining the pattern/schematic, composing key elements, layering in materials/mosaic concept. I'm not sure yet if my subconscious is buying it or not. I would say one key part for me is not to have to validate my process with others; it's hard enough to convince myself most days!

Regarding the mouse: um, maybe try a trackball, or another external mouse (possibly even wireless?) Is it the angle of the mouse-parts that's the issue, or where the mouse sits?

[aamcnamara.livejournal.com]

I would say one key part for me is not to have to validate my process with others; it's hard enough to convince myself most days!
I hear you.

Good luck on the metaphor-shifting. I like the gathering/pattern/composition/layers idea. Now I'm going to spend a while trying to think of a concrete metaphor I could make out of that for myself--laying down silt, compacting it into rock? Something, anyway.

The problem is where the mouse sits--my laptop is on me, the mouse is on the bed next to me. I doubt there's really a solution, apart from actually going in to get my laptop fixed.