Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I write therefore I...think
I'm taking a class this semester on how to teach writing workshops. It's an interesting class, but not my point today. While slogging through the first of five textbooks (five! Eeek!), I came across a cool idea:
Writing is a tool for thinking. It's a medium, a process for identifying or organizing our thoughts, reconsidering an issue from a new direction, or solving a problem.
And if writing is thinking, then we can look at the entire act of drafting and revising as one of exploration and discovery. (Which personally, sounds much more exciting than revising).
While this is probably common sense, I found it fascinating to see it articulated. And I wonder what it means for my process of writing.
I certainly find it true that while writing, the very act of writing gives me new ideas and new thoughts I would have never had otherwise. The very act of writing propels the new ideas which will be scribbled down next.
I just started a huge round of revisions on a manuscript I finished six months ago. And you know what else I noticed? The more I work on the revision, the more I try to clarify and consolidate, the more I learn about my characters. As I keep revising, I find tweaks in the plot that make it all come together at a new depth. I find ways to increase characterization. I'm not just editing, but thinking it through from new angles as I revise, and strengthening the story in the process.
And how about plotting? If we get ideas from the writing process itself, is it possible to plot out a whole book ahead of time? If we learn characterization from writing the characters, can we ever really know them at the beginning of a book?
So what do you think? Does the very act of writing create new ideas to write? Or do you wait for ideas and then write them down? Do you plot, or do you wait for ideas to come from the writing itself? Do you agree that writing is a medium for thinking?
Writing is a tool for thinking. It's a medium, a process for identifying or organizing our thoughts, reconsidering an issue from a new direction, or solving a problem.
And if writing is thinking, then we can look at the entire act of drafting and revising as one of exploration and discovery. (Which personally, sounds much more exciting than revising).
While this is probably common sense, I found it fascinating to see it articulated. And I wonder what it means for my process of writing.
I certainly find it true that while writing, the very act of writing gives me new ideas and new thoughts I would have never had otherwise. The very act of writing propels the new ideas which will be scribbled down next.
I just started a huge round of revisions on a manuscript I finished six months ago. And you know what else I noticed? The more I work on the revision, the more I try to clarify and consolidate, the more I learn about my characters. As I keep revising, I find tweaks in the plot that make it all come together at a new depth. I find ways to increase characterization. I'm not just editing, but thinking it through from new angles as I revise, and strengthening the story in the process.
And how about plotting? If we get ideas from the writing process itself, is it possible to plot out a whole book ahead of time? If we learn characterization from writing the characters, can we ever really know them at the beginning of a book?
So what do you think? Does the very act of writing create new ideas to write? Or do you wait for ideas and then write them down? Do you plot, or do you wait for ideas to come from the writing itself? Do you agree that writing is a medium for thinking?
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61 comments:
Wow, this is a bit the chicken or the egg...
Came to me today, while processing Sin's blog - keep in mind it's still Wednesday when I'm making this comment - that I really won't know how this one character is going to shake the heroine out of her dead zone until I get there... I can think about that scene, juggle it, wonder...
But until I get there, I won't know. I'm far from that scene in the writing and I don't plot out so much as outline and consider scenes...
I explore possibilities, but the actual discovery isn't likely to hit me until I'm there, in that cabin, watching and listening to Jezebel and Emily battle it out.
For once I feel totally in tune with the discussion topic!
I have actually experienced how writing can bring forth ideas which didn't seem to be in my head before.
When I get hold of a new concept, I'm like a dog with a bone. I have to chew it over and can't let go until I understand it.
I rather think that the process of writing slows down the conscious thought process and gives it more focus. When just thinking about ideas, the images in my head seem to wizz by in a fleeting procession and often repeat cyclically. But writing it all down slows the procession and sharpens the focus so that more detail emerges. The slowing down also seems to allow the subconscious, the source of creativity, more time to work its magic.
Yes Hal, I do agree that writing is an aid to thinking.
What a fascinating Blog! :D
I think this is one of the things I find most frightening about writing. I plot it all out and this kind of stuff can wreak havoc on my best laid plans. :)
Seriously though, I don't think it's possible for me to know my characters completely before writing, even with all the plotting I do. In fact, I usually get half way through (*ahem* now *ahem*) and their characters start to become more apparent to me. The heroines are usually easier for me to figure out. But my heroes always give me a run for my money.
Chance -- I do the opposite. I try to plan out everything, exactly how it's going to look and sound, etc, and then I start writing and BAM! It all changes.
So I think you're on to something awesome in your writing process, that you're comfortable waiting until you get there to see what will happen.
It takes a lot of faith in our subconscious!
Hello Q! I think you're absolutely right about the speed factor, that while writing, we give our subconscious space and time to come out and play. And that, of course, is where the true revelations come from!
I also think writing helps because you don't have to hang on to any thoughts or ideas. You don't have to try to remember anything (because you wrote it down) and so that frees up even more brain power to look for connections or solutions or what not.
Marn - I know! It kind of makes me panic about plotting!
I can't not plot, though. If I don't know what happens next, I freeze up. But this is a good reminder, I think, for me to keep my plotting loose enough to allow room for that discovery that comes with writing.
It also helps me to think of revisions as a continuation of that exploration, rather than just editing (which sucks *g*)
There is a class you can take actually called Discovery where all you do is think about your story. You can make notes and storyboard and collage and create soundtracks. It's freeform thinking to find all those nuggets about your story that are hidden deep. The ones you normally might not find until you're halfway through the rough draft. (Sends a smile Marn's way.)
I haven't taken the class, but since I have too much to do before starting the actual writing of the next WIP, I've been "discovering" it for months now. I have music, pictures, scene ideas and some character study stuff. I'm kind of looking forward to writing the first draft with a better understanding of the story to see if it helps.
Now I'm realizing that's a lot of pressure on the next WIP and I'd better take more notes. :)
I'm also in the boat with you plotters, but I'm not as extreme, I don't think. I'm constantly moving around and changing the post-its on my board. I'm good with things changing, depending on how much they change. If the change is too big, I need a day to recover before I can keep going.
Ter, that class sounds great for me. I'll have to check it out.
I can't not plot either. I need to know what's going on too. But I think now I'm really exploring how I can plot based in characterization.
Since axing half (ok, 1/4) of my story yesterday, I've decided I need to go through and read what I've got, see if I can pinpoint where I went wrong and try to get a real handle on my characters.
On an encouraging note, I'm at the middle point when I HATE the story. The last two MS's, when I got to that point, it usually took a couple more weeks to wade around in the muck before I steamrolled through to the end. So I need to make the most of this middle frustration, use this brief pause in my creative forward motion to get my footing.
Here's the link, Marn.
http://www.storywonk.com/?page_id=45
Class starts Sept 12, but she runs this a couple times a year. I'd take it if I still wasn't in the revision phase. Well, I should be in it but I'm more lingering on the sidelines right now.
:) Thanks dear! :) I'll have to think about this.
It is an investment. LOL! But the good thing with this one is that it's so loose, I'm guessing you could do it with the little ones and manage to still participate. In fact, Lil' Pirate could help you collage. LOL! (glue + toddler = FUN.)
I bet he'd love it. It is an investment though. Especially as Sept is my RWA dues month. bleh. But I'm definitely entering the GH this year so no getting out of that one.... :)
Great post, Hal -- I love how writing can organize my thoughts, and clear out the clutter so I can focus on the important stuff.
Q, your description was perfect -- writing really does aid our thinking. (Which is one reason I love posting comments!)
When I get an idea for a book, I like to scribble down thoughts and bits of dialogue and whatever. When I come back to it, I'm always so surprised at what things the characters throw out there about themselves.
Getting to know the characters is kinda like dating -- it's a progression. I can try to predict what a character will do based on our first meeting, and then try to get them to do what the plot requires -- but that may not be possible for them.
Just look at how differently each of us would react to a certain situation, based on our personalities. :)
So that's why I can't plot ahead of time -- because the plot is different based on which characters are in it. Maybe for those who do plot ahead of time, you "audition" different characters until you find one that fits?
I think writing begets writing, and waiting only begets more waiting--so it's better to write and get more ideas that way than to allow for the Muse to show up. (I know this, but practicing it is another thing.)
I do a hybrid of plotting and writing. Too much plotting for me and I won't write anymore because I've "figured it all out" and I'm not interested in the process anymore. (Like why some people divorce: the mystery is gone.)
Yes, writing is a medium for thinking because I would rather write you an email to explain how I'm feeling than to just say it. I can never just say it, but if I can write it down, I can be a bit more articulate and maybe even understand why I'm feeling that way. So if writing can be a medium for thinking in that basic way, I'm sure it's a medium for thinking in more. I think when theories are written down--that's where the refining begins.
On an encouraging note, I’m at the middle point when I HATE the story.
This is encouraging because I'm at a "midpoint" of mine (and I keep deleting and adding but not really moving forward) and I loathe the MF.
Donna - My stories area character based, but I have to plot the scenes before hand or nothing happens. I don't necessarily plot every scene, and things really change a lot in the beginning of the WIP. For this MS (my first completed I should add) at about 50 or so pages in, two characters showed up that I didn't have in the story.
One was the heroines alcoholic sister, who stormed in, and the other an older neighbor to the hero who sort of snuck in. That's the great thing about post-it notes, they are very flexible. LOL!
I'm going out of order -- sorry! But this was a good question and I wanted to address it before I forgot *g*
Maybe for those who do plot ahead of time, you “audition” different characters until you find one that fits?
For me, I get to know the characters first, then plot based on what they would do (hoping I know them that well by then), and *then* write the first draft. So yes, starting with different characters would lead to a whole different plot, because each character reacts differently. The primary question I ask myself when plotting is "What would *this* character do next"? Or "How would *this* character reply.
Also, because my stuff is so suspense-heavy, my primary focus in plotting is what the villain does, what his goals are, etc, so I know what options are available to my character.
And when I say I have a "plot", it's usually the beginning and end. All that middle stuff I either let come to me, or more often, stop later and plot a bit deeper, once I know the characters better
LOL, Hal -- I like your definition of "plot". That's pretty much my definition too. :)
Ter, that class sounds awesome! I love the idea of all that creative stuff to get your imagination firing on all cylinders! I tried to collage last weekend for this story I'm working on, but I got distracted half way through *g*
If the change is too big, I need a day to recover before I can keep going
LOL! Love this. Yeah, sometimes the big things are freaky. They're *almost* always for the best though. At least they turn out that way for me, after I stop panicking *g*
Donna, yes, plotting is an ongoing process for me. There's only so much you can know before you start writing. So I regularly have to stop to either re-plot, make my plot deeper, or change it altogether. Most of the time it works for me.
It is a lot like dating. You really only learn surface stuff on the first date -- all those layers take time to get too, and that's where the really good characterization is.
I love this blog, Hal!
For me, writing is thinking. That's why I do detailed lesson plans when I'm teaching. I may never do more than glance at the plan once I'm in the classroom, but writing out the points I want to cover is my way of thinking through my purpose and methods for the class hour. I'd be much less effective as a teacher if I omitted this step. The same thing is true with my writing. My process begins when I write extensive biographies of my characters. This is my discovery process. Of course, the characters may still surprise me, but the bones of my story and the essentials of all the characters are in my head once I complete the bios.
I'm not sure writing is thinking for everyone however. I've had composition students who reached their potential as writers only when they talked their first drafts into a recorder. For them and those like them, I think talking is thinking.
Ter - I had the same thing happen. I had plotted this old, stodgy butler, and when he showed up on page, he was a hot blond 21-year-old who was sleeping with the hero (and also a *she*). But she's become not only an integral secondary character, but the heroine of the next book. The story would have lost a lot if I'd tried to force my characters to the plot, rather than letting the plot shift and expand for her presence.
Janga, I do a similar prep for teaching. I'll make myself notes or little diagrams of how to present the info, or what order to present it in (which is a big challenge for me). I don't really use the notes, but they give me the framework I need.
I love the idea of biographies. That sounds like a great process for you, if you get so much good info about the characters. I do something similar -- I free write in their POV, just random things going through their head. It's amazing what will pop up.
I had a cop hero who, while free-writing, said that he had once been a suspect in his wife's murder. And he had been so angry with her that he could actually envision himself committing the murder. He didn't, but the fact that he *could* have made it difficult for him to defend himself. It's important characterization, and I don't know I would have gotten to it another way.
And I totally agree that for auditory learners, it's talking, not writing, that aids in thinking/reasoning. Definitely not a universal truth.
What Hal said. She said it much better than I did. I can't imagine coming up with a story first and then trying to find characters to put in it. Though I've read a couple books lately where it felt like that's what the writer did. She wanted X to happen, so she made the characters do it. There was no regard for who she'd presented these characters to be and how they would have reacted based on their established motivations.
She wanted X to happen, so she made the characters do it. There was no regard for who she’d presented these characters to be and how they would have reacted based on their established motivations.
I think that's a real danger with plotting (or rather, over-plotting). If we get caught up on not wanting to change the plot, or being more enamored with the plot than the characters, this could easily happen.
Eek. Scary! lol
I'm still puzzling over your "nameless writer" from Tuesday's blog, Ter. Now I'll be fixated on the identity of another one. LOL!
Gotta run to the doctor -- I'll be back in a bit to catch up!
I only use "nameless writer", then and now, because, well, you know, karma. :) And the one on Tuesday was not meant to be negative or even a complaint, but you never know who has google alerts and might take something the wrong way.
I think a "nameless writer" is probably safest. I think we can all think of a writer we've "glommed" and eventually we can see the pattern of either their "core story" or their hero/ines. I think we all have patterns in our writings--not just in our hero/ine makeup, but in voice style, plots, themes, et al. I'm sure it's not a conscious thing. We're just writing what is important to us, what our passions are. I don't think Bo'sun implied this was a bad thing--but maybe that she shouldn't read any particular author's books all at the same time because of the burnout. *LOL*
I think you can get burned out on ANY author, because of the patterns.
I think if you get burned out on an author "sooner" rather than later, due to the patterns, I think it's an indication of less compelling writing or consistently not a BIG ENOUGH story.
Right or wrong?
And I'm sure Bo'sun has emailed Janga the answer. *LOL*
I thought about it, but I didn't. LOL! Though I will if she'd like.
There is a difference between a core story or character and literally writing the same thing over and over again. If the only difference from one book to the next is the characters having different hair color, then I think something needs to be changed up a bit. LOL!
Maybe that writer would need to do more thinking. :)
So it's poor writing. *LOL* I think we've all had that favorite author--I can name a couple--where I feel like they're practically phoning it in or something.
I have one author where I feel all her heroes are "alike" in makeup (broody, silent, et al), but within the story, they differ enough where I still enjoyed the story.
I have another author (an author I wanted to grow up and be like) and lately, her last four or five novels have not hit my buttons. It depresses me rather than enrages me because I know she is capable of more, but I know she is probably doing the best she can.
And then there is another author--whose stories I enjoy and at the early point of a series LOVED--who writes in a few different genres and they've all started to overlap and I've gotten annoyed with her books. I buy her now as used rather than new because I can take or leave the storyline. I know they will still be a good read, but I'm not emotionally invested in the storyline. And it annoys me when you don't keep your genres separate. It feels like a cheat.
*LOL* Yes, I think more thinking would be advised, but it's hard to think when a book is expected out every 6 months.
Oh! And how many hours left until you're safe from the Coyote Ugly Condo?
We've submitted the release form. Haven't heard a word from anyone. We also made a demand yesterday morning that the seller never bothered to respond to. At this point, I'm just done. Though who knows what this afternoon brings. *sigh*
I've definitely gotten burned out on authors I love because I'm been gorging myself on their books. Really, reading five or six of any one authors books in a week very rarely leads to good things :)
And I also sort of think that being original has got to get harder down the road, when you have readers and editors expecting certain things from you. If you're supposed to write the same sort of book to appeal to the same sort of readership every six months, it's gotta be harder to be original.
But I too am disappointed when I feel like an author has just phoned it in when they could do so much better.
Good luck, Ter! I'm sure you're ready to be done with this whole thing :)
Is it wrong to throw a party for a house you didn't buy? *LOL* It's like throwing a divorce party, isn't it?
I am, Hal!
I kind of think historical authors have the toughest time in that originality area. It's so hard to sell an historical set outside England (though it's getting better) or outside the Georgian/Regency/Victorian eres. Reader love the balls and the British aristocracy and the light and funny stuff. How do you do that a dozen books in a row and be original?
Yeah, my sister started laughing on the phone last night when she said, "I hope your house doesn't go through." LOL!
I'm going to need a nap more than a party!
I do want to chime in with something Hellie said... I do find that writing, in general, helps me articulate my half-formed ideas. With e-mails, blogs, etc.
I've been e-mailing with Bo'sun and suddenly had revelations that cleared up something I hadn't fully formed...over and over and over. And she knows because I always pause in my text and announce it!
There's something about suddenly having to spit things out in sentence form that can be read and understood...and suddenly I understand it, too! The structure of the English language assists me all the time.
Which is why journals can be powerful tools for figuring out what you really think. What you really want. Even what you really did!
Yeah, I use "Nevermind" a fair amount when I've babbled myself into incoherency.
Ah, the heat has left the central coast and the fog has returned. Which is good news for Bonnaroo, since now I can manage a longer walk... And I'm off! Or, we're off!
Which is why journals can be powerful tools for figuring out what you really think. What you really want. Even what you really did!
I don't think that kind of evidence should ever be just lying around.
I'm more apt to write in circles. LOL!
A lot of Chance's sentences start with "Maybe...." and then end with "...Eureka!" Lots of fun to watch the wheels turn.
I'm guessing pushing through writing the rough draft back in spring made all the difference. And it was easier to get my butt in the chair once the momentum was going. The story would run through my head all day long as the scene would percolate (sp?), making it easier to write once I got home.
From the age of 17 to my early 30s, I journaled all the time. I've no idea why I stopped in my 30s. I just did. And I really should burn all those journals and notebooks one of these days. Especially the ones from my drinking days. Talk about proof of what you did...
Man, I killed it dead.
That's because you won't share any of your journal entries.
PET PEEVE #487: Asking me to look up a student in the University system because you don't have their student number or know if they're in your program, and NOT giving me the correct spelling of the name!
Probably a nap rather than death throes.
You could send me that email during the lull. :)
I used to love book journaling, but I almost never do it anymore. I blog about books, I email friends my opinions, I post on GoodReads or on the EJ/JQ board, but I only record title, author, genre, and grade for the books I read now. :(
Ah, but journals will keep your estate ticking on when you've made the rich and famous list...you die, your heirs find the journals and after going through your fortune buying shoes and race cars...they sell the journals and make sure their kids can buy shoes and racecars.
;-)
Dang! My clever bit about how journals will keep your heirs in fancy shoes just disappeared into the ether...
Should that be hiers?
I can never get this i before e crap straight...
We have the boxes marked "Burn without Opening" for the estate handlers.
Hellie - That's as good as the bookstore customer who comes in...
"I just have to have this book!"
"Yes, Ma'am. The title or author's name?"
"I don't remember! She was on Oprah last month and her book is a memoir. I think or it might be fiction. It's red, with a heart on the cover and I think the word 'love' is in the title. Can't you find it!?"
*slamming head on counter
We have the boxes marked “Burn without Opening” for the estate handlers.
Please, that sort of instruction only encourages people to proceed. You must be joking. You need to mark it appropriately, like "Tax Records 1990-2000"--those will be tossed on principle.
Yes, to the bookstore customers. *LOL* Throw them a bone! *LOL* Hell, you're lucky to find a clerk who even reads in the same genre as you--don't say, "You know, a romance novel with the half-naked guy and the girl in his arms..."
Hal - LOL! I do the same thing in emails to Marnee. Or I’ll realize at the end of a super long email that it was just rambling about whatever plot issue, so I’ll end with something like, “You can ignore all this — I just needed to think it through.”
hahahahaa!!! I love getting these emails, actually. I only have to write back and go, "I LOVE IT! Great idea!"
LOL!!
Hel, we actually have a deal with my bro-in-law and his partner. We'll make sure their boxes get burned if they make sure our boxes get burned...
Of course, the second to go has to find someone else to make the deal with...
I had actual bookstore customers like that.
Okay, Janga, I sent off the email. :)
I haven't looked at those journals in years, no way could I remember enough detail to share. LOL! Hell, I probably couldn't even read them my handwriting is so awful. Even worse in the drunk entries. Thank goodness we didn't have text messaging back in my drinking days.
Chance - I'd mark that box USED UNDERWEAR. Really, who's going to open that?
Uhm, why not just burn them now?
I get the equivalent idiot questions here all day too. You'd think the students being classroom teachers who are teaching YOUR kids would make them exempt, but no. They're not. They're really not.
When I get a smart question, I get so excited. I want to give out gold stars and brownies.
You should!
"What an excellent question! Here's your brownie!"
Well, why not burn them now? I was...well...might have good story ideas in them?
Actually, very little of mine contains stuff that would be bad... Now, the stash under the bed of... nevermind.
I could totally get on board for brownies for good questions.
Or really, brownies for any occasion.
Speaking of which....*off to search for brownies*
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