Hum. Â So much to say...
First, uh, I've actually got a novel due to TOR by February, so I'm gonna have to bow out of this one. Â I really can't afford to take a one-month detour. Â I might do 50k on my current project, but then again, I might not. Â I have some serious revising to do in the short future.
I don't mind providing some feedback, however. Â That said--I also don't have time to read seven novels next month, so I'm not promising anything. Â
Third, how about we have ol' EUOL spout off some creative writing theory for you all? Â If you're not in a mood to be lectured--or if you've heard me speak on the difference between one-drafters and multi-drafters--you might want to skip to the next post...
Writers come in two major categories. Â I think I've mentioned this on the board before. Â Some of us are what are called 'one drafters.' Â One drafters tend to spend a long time working on a project before actually writing it. Â When they do write, however, they do very little revision, and the draft generally turns out close to the way they wanted it. Â
The opposite of this are the "multi-drafters." Â Multi-drafters tend to start with a blank slate, then work out what they want to say as they write. Â Their work generally turns out very rough, far from the way they imagined it, and requires serious editing.
These are, of course, extremes. Â Yet, many people fall squarely into one group or another. Â Understanding what type of writer you are can help you immensely. Â In this particular project, the multi-drafters are going to have trouble not going back to their old material and revising it. Â The one-drafters are going to have trouble getting anywhere at all, since it makes them uncomfortable to not have a framework for the story.
However, this kind of rushed free-write can be useful for either group. Â You multi-drafters are great at free-writing, and the material you produce will be rough, but could be reworked to become something better. Â The one-drafters will find that the story they write builds a framework for them, and actually does so quickly.
I guess the point of this is directed at you, SE. Â There is no such thing as a 'wasted' novel. Â I suggest picking your BEST idea for this, not your worst. Â The more work you put into your best idea, the better it will become. Â If you are a one-drafter, the project will help solidify what you want to do. Â You'll have to throw the actual writing away and start again, but what you create the second time through will be better. Â If you're a multi-drafter, you will end up with potential chapters and sections that you can incorporate as you continue to work through the story.
The long and short of it is, folks, that any writing at all is going to helpful to your careers. Â Don't look at this as throw-away. Â It might have more relevance than you think.
And Fell, you are hereby re-encouraged to join my Salt Lake writing group. Â Morag's wife will make you cookies if you do.