McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Deciding on a Story?
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: MClark on May 07, 2012, 04:08:33 PM ---I'm in favor of finishing the story you have half written. Its Robert Heinlein's 2nd rule of writing : "You must finish what you write." I believe the writingexcuses.com people -or at least one of them- are in favor of finishing what you write also.
--- End quote ---
You have to finish stories, definitely, but you don't have to finish every story you start; there can definitely be better uses for your time. Some stories are nurse logs; and if a story is going to be one, it probably saves time to recognise that early.
Oh, and wrt Heinlein's rules for writing, the recent biography makes it abundantly clear that the way he was actually writing at the time involved blithe disregard for the guidelines he spouted, particularly in re rewriting, so they may want taking with a grain of salt.
MClark:
--- Quote from: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on May 07, 2012, 04:54:04 PM ---You have to finish stories, definitely, but you don't have to finish every story you start; there can definitely be better uses for your time. Some stories are nurse logs; and if a story is going to be one, it probably saves time to recognise that early.
Oh, and wrt Heinlein's rules for writing, the recent biography makes it abundantly clear that the way he was actually writing at the time involved blithe disregard for the guidelines he spouted, particularly in re rewriting, so they may want taking with a grain of salt.
--- End quote ---
Yes, I know RAH's Rule 3 has to be taken with a grain of salt.
What does the recent biography say about Heinlein's writing habits? I assumed he was so bad ass ( he could get it right on the 2nd or 3rd pass, and Rule 3 was more for people who
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: MClark on May 07, 2012, 07:12:43 PM ---What does the recent biography say about Heinlein's writing habits? I assumed he was so bad ass ( he could get it right on the 2nd or 3rd pass, and Rule 3 was more for people who
--- End quote ---
He was rewriting with some regularity while claiming one should never rewrite.
MClark:
Hmm, my last post got submitted while I was writing it, not quite sure how. I do remember some issues with the caps lock, so maybe I hit the wrong key.
I assume Rule 3 had to be taken more metaphorically, as in an author may never quite be totally satisfied with a work, but has to stop at some point and send it in. I quickly learned I could never follow it literally.
Snowleopard:
I've said this before and I'll say it again - it's whatever works for you.
Some writers have everything all planned out - others have only the vaguest idea of
where they're going. Some start at the beginning and go onto the end and others
jump around. Again - it's what ever you're comfortable with.
Putting down something you're stuck on and working on something else is perfectly fine in my
books. Gives you a chance to sneak around the backside of the writing block.
Wishing you luck.
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