tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post4946585279437873975..comments2023-05-05T11:15:58.903+01:00Comments on Emma Pass • My Blog: Reaching The Other SideEmma Passhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-2714360950938829982012-08-14T18:24:30.729+01:002012-08-14T18:24:30.729+01:00It is Stephen King - I love that quote! It reminds...It is Stephen King - I love that quote! It reminds me that first drafts *can't* be perfect, and it's only when you start the revision process that you can figure out what it's all about. And yeah… when you have a deadline and you know that your first draft isn't just going to be for you, it's a bit scary! But not too bad. :) Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-42256688795963658762012-08-14T12:54:31.557+01:002012-08-14T12:54:31.557+01:00I think it's Stephen King who likens first dra...I think it's Stephen King who likens first drafts to archaeology! Slowly uncovering a story that's buried in your mind, and it's only when you've finished that you can see what it really is.<br /><br />I rather enjoy first drafts, I can (and do) write any old tosh knowing it can only be improved upon! It’s also quite nice knowing that no one but me will EVER see that draft!<br /><br />I’m sure that feeling changes dramatically when you introduce the concept of a deadline though! Laura Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604133412050870730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-54749462301891777412012-08-07T22:17:21.030+01:002012-08-07T22:17:21.030+01:00Thanks, Angie - best of luck with it! :)Thanks, Angie - best of luck with it! :)Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-64175807257788778582012-08-07T06:32:27.055+01:002012-08-07T06:32:27.055+01:00I hate rewriting, but do it. This is good advice ...I hate rewriting, but do it. This is good advice for any project. I struggle with that looking ahead thing, so I'll take your advice and focus on the next step. :) AngieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-50771886869279884582012-08-06T16:30:35.042+01:002012-08-06T16:30:35.042+01:00Thank you, Polly! Hope you've got those closet...Thank you, Polly! Hope you've got those closets organised now and can power on with the writing. ;)Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-28721053245186914222012-08-05T14:32:18.368+01:002012-08-05T14:32:18.368+01:00Lovely, post, Emma, and timely for me as I'm c...Lovely, post, Emma, and timely for me as I'm cleaning every inch of my house and helping my kiddos get ready to go back to school rather than dive in (so to speak) to my second Neptune book. Once I do actually get my rear in the chair, I find writing fast and lots helps me stay engaged with my story. If I can get lost in it, the process goes so much faster. So I set myself some pretty steep word counts (well, steep for me???) of around 1,500 words a day. I'd much rather power through it, get immersed in it, and not worry about each line being perfect. <br />But rather than get immersed, I really need to finish getting those closets organized! Good luck!Polly Holyokehttp://www.pollyholyoke.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-32624801404315298982012-08-04T16:33:48.493+01:002012-08-04T16:33:48.493+01:00Dan, I know exactly what you mean! I kind of love ...Dan, I know exactly what you mean! I kind of love and dread that bit, all at the same time…Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-25430971731610354582012-08-04T16:31:45.157+01:002012-08-04T16:31:45.157+01:00Thank you, Abi. Yes, I think it depends on the boo...Thank you, Abi. Yes, I think it depends on the book – this one is pretty long, so it definitely helps to *not* look too far ahead!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-15652921398766481152012-08-04T08:55:59.697+01:002012-08-04T08:55:59.697+01:00Stepping stones . . . I like the analogy. I work i...Stepping stones . . . I like the analogy. I work in a similar way. First draft, try not to look too far ahead. And when you've got a first draft, at least there are some words to work with, and I've often forgotten what I've written. Reading back through is then a roller coaster of 'Wow, did I write that?' and 'Did I really write THAT? What on earth was I thinking?'Dan Smithhttp://www.dansmithsbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-85722253211956302402012-08-03T10:52:38.474+01:002012-08-03T10:52:38.474+01:00Lovely post, Em! I like your idea of stepping ston...Lovely post, Em! I like your idea of stepping stones, Emma. I think I write in a similar way, only looking a little bit ahead but normally with a fairly clear idea of where I need to be by the end. It does vary though, according to which age group I'm writing for and can be either planned meticulously, or very random!Abi Burlinghamhttp://www.abiburlingham.talktalk.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-77241495977958153562012-08-02T20:48:24.320+01:002012-08-02T20:48:24.320+01:00Thank you, Evan! Oh, I LOVE those moments - had on...Thank you, Evan! Oh, I LOVE those moments - had one this morning in fact. They make first drafts (almost) bearable for me!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-45952619701731686022012-08-02T20:47:34.352+01:002012-08-02T20:47:34.352+01:00Your first draft post is great, Leigh-Ann. I'v...Your first draft post is great, Leigh-Ann. I've tried patchworking with edits (and it worked quite well) but with first drafts, I just have to get it down in order. It's like it's in my first draft DNA or something! :oPEmma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-9042595649791485522012-08-02T20:43:37.167+01:002012-08-02T20:43:37.167+01:00Editing definitely grows on you the more you do it...Editing definitely grows on you the more you do it! When I was starting out, I didn't like it as much, but now, I LOVE it. Good luck with your revisions!! Got everything crossed for you. :)Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-44281585616203625932012-08-02T20:41:22.796+01:002012-08-02T20:41:22.796+01:00Thank you, Lisa! xThank you, Lisa! xEmma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-1123845164282136462012-08-02T20:40:26.933+01:002012-08-02T20:40:26.933+01:00Thanks for commenting, Robin. Very best of luck wi...Thanks for commenting, Robin. Very best of luck with it!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-33549621792770998272012-08-02T20:39:52.615+01:002012-08-02T20:39:52.615+01:00Thank you, Cameron, and I think your approach soun...Thank you, Cameron, and I think your approach sounds highly sensible, actually! :)Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-49437839981795793912012-08-02T20:37:48.749+01:002012-08-02T20:37:48.749+01:00That's really interesting that you approach it...That's really interesting that you approach it in the opposite way, Julia. Just goes to show that there really is no right way to do it – only the right way for you. Very best of luck with it!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-49550695855232651112012-08-02T20:26:31.490+01:002012-08-02T20:26:31.490+01:00Joe, you're just weird. ;o) I agree, taking a ...Joe, you're just weird. ;o) I agree, taking a break is a great way of recharging the creative batteries when you hit a wall. Hope you've managed to get past yours now!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-58205719841470465362012-08-02T20:26:30.209+01:002012-08-02T20:26:30.209+01:00excellent post. I actually have to have an overall...excellent post. I actually have to have an overall plot arc worked out, but have managed to let myself break the arc to allow for those "it would actually be better if THIS happened " moments.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09467144491669742454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-59199436773766860422012-08-02T20:25:23.949+01:002012-08-02T20:25:23.949+01:00Thank you, Anita. Yes, I've learnt SO much abo...Thank you, Anita. Yes, I've learnt SO much about writing from editing, and it definitely makes it harder in one way, because you have so much more to think about the next time round! Best of luck with your novel, too. xEmma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-69542859235499823512012-08-02T20:21:34.197+01:002012-08-02T20:21:34.197+01:00Thank you, Saviour! Ah, yes, the dreaded deadline…...Thank you, Saviour! Ah, yes, the dreaded deadline… this first draft is being written to one of those! It does make you get it done, though! Otherwise I might procrastinate forever…Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-17199364981984834382012-08-02T20:20:33.445+01:002012-08-02T20:20:33.445+01:00Gah, bad Blogger! Thank you, Elsie. :)Gah, bad Blogger! Thank you, Elsie. :)Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-21847357610837076152012-08-02T20:20:11.597+01:002012-08-02T20:20:11.597+01:00Thank you, Jenny. Perhaps we can swap a bit of our...Thank you, Jenny. Perhaps we can swap a bit of our first draft/re-writing loathing and end up with a happy balance? :oPEmma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-18568226075636682762012-08-02T20:19:33.222+01:002012-08-02T20:19:33.222+01:00I know exactly what you mean, Jo, and I have to sa...I know exactly what you mean, Jo, and I have to say, the more books I've written, the less panicky I get with the messy bits of my first drafts. I think it's an I've reached the ends of novels before, so I can do it again kind of thing!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-61485042744289948932012-08-02T20:11:13.728+01:002012-08-02T20:11:13.728+01:00Thank you, Malaika. I am too! Very best of luck wi...Thank you, Malaika. I am too! Very best of luck with your re-writes (I'd offer to swap you, as that's the bit I LOVE, but I'd better not! :D).Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.com