by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
It’s always a little frustrating to me when writers say a particular approach to writing is the only way to go. Just because something is right for you doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.
I’m a fast writer. But that’s not going to work for everyone. Sometimes writers are deeply into word-crafting. Sometimes writers have complex plots and universes to world-build. Some writers have less time to devote to writing or are writing while wrangling young children or helping their parents. And some writers might just be very slow to put words on the page, which could be related to insecurity or not having a plan for their story.
There are also slow writers who feel that you can’t create a thoughtful or entertaining story without laboring over every word. It’s possible that this approach might be truer for literary fiction than for commercial fiction. But there have been entertaining and interesting quickly-written stories at least since the days of pulp fiction from the 1920s-1950s. You can write fast and create books that are fun to read.
As with many things in life, there can be a touch of truth in both approaches. I write quickly and edit slower. Maybe a slow writer who wants to speed up a little could find ways to rev up the process (detailed outlines, skipping description and chapter breaks until the second draft) without feeling pressure.
But the point is that you don’t have to follow anyone else’s method. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You’re free to go with whatever works for you or change it if or when that method no longer helps you create.
Are you a faster or slower writer? Do you ever feel you should speed up or slow down?
Writing Myths: Slow vs. Fast Writing: Click To Tweet
Slow writer! But not because I don't plan. I literally write and type at a slow pace.
Fast typist here, which does help!
Well said, Elizabeth. I happen to be a slower writer. As I write, I think about what's happening in the scene, and I'll sometimes go back and revise as I go. That takes time. My way isn't the best way; it works for me. For other people, different ways of writing work better. I think the key is to experiment and find the kind of writing process that's the most successful. It doesn't always happen the first time, but eventually you find what works.
Experimentation is definitely key here! And sometimes methods change.
I'm definitely a slow writer who wishes to be a fast writer like you. I agree with you that there is no right way to be a writer.
Nothing wrong with slow writing as long as writing is happening. :)
In spite of my wonderful outlines, I am a slow writer. When I get the three wishes from my genie (I think she said next week she'd think about it), I'm wishing to be a fast writer. Part of my problem is my perfection problem that spills into all aspects of life, including writing.
Everyone in my family is a perfectionist, except for me, ha. It’s not a bad thing!
I’d like to meet with that genie of yours, too!
That's why I tend to write the first draft in longhand. I don't feel the pressure to make it perfect like I do when I'm typing it on the computer. I write faster, too.
So interesting that you remove the perfectionism by writing longhand!
Couldn't agree more!
When I first started writing, I felt like a complete failure because I couldn't figure out how to outline before I wrote the story. I spent years trying to "fix" that when it wasn't broken in the first place. Outlines simply aren't for me and my brain.
As to speed, I think I'm pretty fast now that I've found my groove, but my progress isn't a steady line – some scenes take me days (and days) to write – others are done in minutes. Same with edits :)
I’ve heard from lots of writers that outlining sort of “breaks” the writing process for them! So glad you found what works best for you!
Yeah, what you said.
I've been both. Some stories come easy and some feel like they are forced from my fingers and take forever to get from brain to page.
That makes a lot of sense! Some stories are definitely easier to tell.
I might be in-between. Process wise I set myself up to write as fast as I can. I don't labor over every word trying to perfect my sentences. My intention when I start a draft is to write straight through. Often words don't flow and i dont know what direction to take, so I'm slower getting them down. I do my best to stick to my daily word count, but a lot of days its like pulling teeth, like today. I doubt my ideas a lot.
I can totally understand how that could slow you down. Sometimes when I’m not sure about story direction, I make a list of all the possible directions I could go in, no matter how absurd. Then I can pick the top 2 approaches a bit easier, then narrow it to one.
It depends on where I am in the story/my process, you know? When I'm feeling my way through the characters and story developments — I prefer to think of myself as a "best-laid plans…" kind of writer — the writing can be slow. And it can be a downright snail's crawl when I'm trying to force something that isn't working. But when I'm in the zone and I've got the characters as well as the story, I can be really fast. I defy anyone to turn my experiences into some kind of advice — other than what you said elsewhere, "as long as it's happening!"
The interesting thing to me is how every writer has a process that works for them. And often, one that changes!
Slow. Turtle. Snail. I've tried to speed up, but it has always taken me longer overall. Sigh.
You’re still really productive, Carol!
Hi Elizabeth – I think if you're a novel writer it's in your genes, and so you will write, write and write – be it slow or in a rush. One needs to be professional in one's approach – as you are … when you're writing to be published. So any which way, which satisfies the author … cheers Hilary
As long as we get it done! Thanks for coming by, Hilary.