Thursday, January 5, 2012

The Best Part of Writing

Or, I should say, the best part of the writing process.

I started to write a new story on the first. It's a YA fantasy tentatively called Two Princess, One Prince, and a Dragon. So far, I've written just over 10K.

For me, my favorite part of the writing process is the writing of the rough draft. Getting to know the characters, writing their stories, putting them into awfully tight spots, making them earn their happy endings--that's what I love most.

The best part of writing in general for me would be writing something that readers enjoy.

What do you think is the best part of writing? What's your favorite step in the writing process?

32 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

I much prefer to edit. The meat and bones are already there. All I have to do is add the seasoning. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I agree with Maria - I like editing better. It takes me forever to get the story down on paper. I like having the basic idea down in front of me so I can see it and begin to adjust.

Annalisa Crawford said...

I write my first draft with a lovely fountain pen - I think that's my favourite part, seeing the ink flow and words appear, wondering whether I've got enough of an idea to sustain the length I need.

Although, subsequent drafts and edits are fun because I layer on characterisation and plot and lots of other stuff that gets missed in the first draft... Oooh, I don't know now!

Tonja said...

I get lost in writing the first draft, but I love the feeling when I've edited a chapter and have it all polished and perfect. So I think I like both parts equally.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I love seeing the finshed (in my case )poem. After re-arranging it a few times it's good to see it all done and dusted.

Yvonne.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

I enjoy editing. I don't know why but it is always easier for me to think of the right way to say something after I've already written it the wrong way. ;)

Cherie Reich said...

I love the first drafts. This is when I can see the story taken from my mind and placed on paper. Editing my own stuff takes so much time (longer than editing other people's work) because then I have to scrutinize every word, turn of phrase, and add so much more detail to it (my first drafts are bare bones).

Tanya Reimer said...

Oh I just love to vomit my story out. That first draft is a wild rush that has me addicted.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy getting all of the story down too. I think my favorite is after you've written and polished it a bit, and your story starts to come together. It's great.

Nice to meet you Nicole, and thanks for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

I like the spark. And I like editing, but not my own work.

Becky Mahoney said...

I love the rough draft, too! Editing is great, but those initial discoveries about the plot and characters are just the best for me.

Angela Ackerman said...

I love the brainstorming process. For me there is nothing like sitting down with a fresh notebook waiting for me to fill it. I love jotting down the ideas as they come, tying things together and reaching epiphanies. It leaves me so excited to finally sit down and start to write. :)

Christine Rains said...

My favorite part is writing the first draft too. I love losing myself in a new world. And I'm a pantser. It's all a big surprise to me. I don't like revisions and I really don't like querying, but that's what's in store for me this year.

Brinda said...

I agree that the first draft wins hands down. I hate editing. :(

Mary Aalgaard said...

Oh, it's you! I am already a follower. Now, I'll connect your name to your fun, fantasy blog. Write on!

Play off the Page

Mary Aalgaard said...

Answering your question. Of course, the freshness of starting something new is a rush, but I also love sharing the "finished" product with others. That's when it comes full circle.

Play off the Page

Carol Kilgore said...

I usually like the part of writing I'm doing at the time the best. Except for the drudgery of search for overused words. Hate that part.

Unknown said...

The rough draft is my favorite as well, thanks for following. I have been lurking here for quite awhile now and I enjoy your blog :)

ali cross said...

I pretty much love all the parts, but right at this moment,if you made me pick, I'd say drafting too. I just love the discovery of it all.

Happy writing Nicole!

Green Monkey said...

Hello Nichole,
I'm wiggling in from the insecure writers group.

hmmm... for me my favorite part of writing is when the rough draft morphs into something deep and meaningful. i have NO idea how it happens, it just happens. its...pure and mystical in a no hokey sort of way. (enough said)

Abby Minard said...

I love when the story in my head fleshes out to a legitimate novel. When I'm three quarters of the way through and on the home stretch and I know it'll get done. I also write with the idea I want my readers to feel the same way I did when I read all my favorite fantasy books as a teen.

Sarah Ahiers said...

when i'm drafting, i like editing. When i'm editing, i like drafting.
I always like daydreaming

Li said...

I think my favorite part of the writing process is nailing a particular description, phrase, or ending. I'll be slogging along, and then the perfect word or image comes to mind and I can feel myself break into a smile, and a piece of the puzzle drops into place.

The best part of being a writer is to have a reader respond to something I've written in a visceral way. That tells me that I did my job well!

Thanks for following, Nicole. I'm on board :-)

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Thanks for the follow. I'm glad to find out I'd already joined your almost 4-digit following. Woohoo.

Good question. What I like most about writing is the instant gratification I get from this wonderful blog community. It makes for challenges when transitioning to writing a book. I have to give myself kudos instead.

Good luck with your new story.
xoRobyn

Tracy Krauss said...

I think I tend to agree with you. the rough draft is always fresh and new and exciting ... of course, there is a great sense of satisfaction in the final draft as well, when you feel it is finished and ready for the world ...

Anonymous said...

I find writing the first draft hard at times - pulling out things from the air, letting it flow... and while it is enjoyable to read what I've written, i do enjoy the tweaking and editing of it afterwards... bringing it to life:)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Like you, I like fleshing out a new adventure of old friends -- all my novels occur in a linked universe so background characters in one take center stage in another book. It's like tuning into a favorite long-running TV show. What's Going Wrong Now?

Misha Gerrick said...

Every stage of the process feels awesome. I love editing, where I can see how my story turns into something really worth reading, but whenever I'm exclusively editing, I miss drafting.

There's just something about exploring a new story. :-)

M Pax said...

I like the planning most. The world building.

Good luck on the vote for your book [LinkedIn]. I went and voted for you.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I love the first draft, when it's just flowing out of me and I'm living the story as it develops.

I'm reading Woman of Honor on e-book (won it from J.C. Martin's giveaway), and really enjoying it!

KM Nalle said...

I have to say, I think I prefer the re-writing/editing to the drafting. I do enjoy the surge of creativity with the shiny new story though!

Inger said...

Thanks for visiting my blog, Nicole. If I were a writer, I think I would just blast along with the first draft and then settle down and really enjoy the editing process.