Have you stood in awe of authors who are able to write not
only one book in a short amount of time, but two or three? Sure . . . some
people are just more prolific than others. You may even attribute their ability
to having no children at home or writing full time. But the truth is, all
writers need to decide how they’re going to use available hours. Today, author
Jordyn Redwood shares what she learned about writing and meeting deadlines.
Enjoy! ~ Dawn
Devouring
the Elephant
by
Jordyn Redwood
I'll never forget when I got "the call" from my
agent that I finally had a book contract. Years of hard work had finally paid
off and my baby was going to be published. It wasn't long before my exuberant
thoughts were replaced by the fear creeping into my mind that culminated into
one thought.
He is going to expect me to do this again!
Yes, I was going to have to write another book. Trouble was,
I had the luxury of years to write Proof
and not under the pressure of any sort of deadline. If I didn't
"feel" like writing a particular day—no one but me really cared.
Now, I had to write another one under a deadline and that
worry began to eat away at my self confidence. Am I just a one book wonder? Can
I write a 100,000 word novel in six-nine months?
These are some things I found that helped me write a novel
in a much shorter time frame than the luxury I had of refining and refining
words on my debut novel.
1.
Write your first draft with little editing. This at first was hard
for me but I have found it truly freeing. Whatever the length of the writing
project it is you're writing, the first draft is just about getting words onto
the paper. I've even stopped researching small points during the first draft as
well. I'll simply make a notation in the ms and know this is an area I'll
buffer up during the editing phase.
2. Make
a goal and stick to it. I try and work well ahead of my
publisher's deadline because real life does happen. But just like a real job, by signing a contract you have
made a commitment to produce a product for your publisher. People are depending
on you to finish it. Make a goal but definitely reward yourself when you finish
it.
3. The
BIC technique works—which stands for butt in chair. You
have to sit and get the words onto paper. The reality of a professional author
is that you will have to write when you don't feel like it. When you might be
mildly under the weather. When the plot isn't working...
4.
There is a dark point in writing every novel—but there is always light at the
end.
I've yet to come across an author who doesn't have a point in writing each
novel where they doubt their qualifications as an author. Recognize this for
what it is—a journey. There is wonderful moment where you get to type "THE
END" and release your baby into the world.
5. Take
a day off each week. The Lord says to do this for a reason. Spend
time with the Lord and your family. No one goes to their death bed wishing they
would have worked more.
Above all, enjoy the struggle and the fun. Writing is a
wonderful, unique adventure. What about you? How do you make your goals
feasible?
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Jordyn Redwood is a pediatric ER nurse by day, suspense
novelist by night. She hosts Redwood’s
Medical Edge, a blog devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors
write medically accurate fiction. Her debut novel, Proof,
garnered a starred review from Library
Journal and has been endorsed by the likes of Dr. Richard Mabry,
Lynette Eason, and Mike Dellosso to name a few. You can connect with Jordyn via
her website at www.jordynredwood.net.
