Writing With the Door Shut

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I came across an interesting post by writer Meg Dowell, Writing With the Door Closed.  She called herself a closed-door writer for her first draft (she has a different approach for the following drafts). She says:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a “closed-door” writer. Not that I’ve always written with the door physically closed — though I often do — but that I’ve always made it a point to work alone. I’ve never consulted others, I’ve never asked a friend what they thought about my story as I was writing it. I just went into my space, closed the door, and started writing.

I’ve been thinking about this, because this is exactly what I do for a first draft.  I have a good number of people ask me what I’m currently working on…family members, friends, acquaintances. And, although I know it gives me an opportunity to pitch my work, I never do.  I’ll just say, “Oh, I’m working on a Myrtle.”  Or “I’m on a Southern Quilting mystery now.”

The reason I’ve always done this is because hearing people’s thoughts on an unfinished novel messes me up.  It’s sort of like telling someone the name you’ve picked out for your unborn baby.  If the name isn’t official yet because the baby is in utero, people seem to feel free to say the name reminds them of someone they didn’t like in 5th grade.  Or to tell you names they’ve always liked. But if you haven’t told anyone the name until the baby is born, they just smile politely and say how cute the baby and the name are.

It’s much the same with a story…and frequently, they mean well.  But it can make you lose confidence in the manuscript or possibly send you off in another direction that you hadn’t planned on going on.

A proviso…there is one time that I can think of where I actively searched out someone’s thoughts on a work-in-progress and that was because I was stuck (these are the days before I started outlining) and was right on top of a deadline with Penguin.   It was very helpful that time because this person knew a lot about the subplot I was working with (a subplot that tied into the mystery).

Everyone is different and other writers might find it very helpful to share their work as they’re writing it…either in a critique group or with friends.

But, if you don’t find it helpful, know you’re not alone.  If you get a lot of questions over the holidays about what you’re working on, you could be vague like I am and not feel bad about it: you could say you’re working on a mystery, a romance, a science-fiction story. And then leave it at that.

Then, once that first draft is finished, it might feel more comfortable to have folks weigh-in.  As Meg Dowell says:

And when that first draft is done and you realize it’s a mess and that you’re going to need some help cleaning it up, go ahead. Turn the knob, let the door swing open, share your struggles. You have something to work with now. You’re going to do this. It’s all going to turn out great. Eventually.

For further reading:

Jami Gold on pros and cons of sharing a work-in-progress.

Caroline Ratajski on why she avoids workshops. 

Elspeth Futcher’s humorous take on why she doesn’t share early drafts. 

Do you write your first draft with your door open or shut?

Photo on Visual Hunt