When it comes to
finishing a first draft without tinkering too much I really do start out with
the best of intentions. Then, of course, my internal editor starts in with the
but…but…if you don’t add this important bit of information, which you need to
look up right this minute, because…
I believe I’ve
written before about being distracted by the “sparkly”. Research is a sparkly
that I can’t seem to resist. Especially, when I’ve been trapped in the house by
snow and falling temperatures and need a pleasant distraction.
My current WIP
requires a basic knowledge of World War I and bootlegging. Basic, is a relative
term. The time period fascinates me and I keep justifying the time spent away
from writing because I need the information—for background. For a character the
reader will be learning about as the series progresses.
As happy as this
makes my internal editor, it ticks off my muse. She’s promised me a prize the next
time I manage to write an entire first draft without looking up any information.
I could use some new duds for the Romantic Times Convention that’s coming up in
May but I’m pretty sure I’ve already blown any chance of making her deadline by
then.
I joke about my
attention span, but being snowed in for almost two weeks is not conducive to
staying focused. The one thing I do feel that I’ve been accomplishing lately,
is finding out why this character would behave the way he does. Because
everything, from the price of bread to the length of ladies hemlines depended
on and still does depend on what’s going on in the world at the time the
character lived.
I tell myself
that, in the long run, I’m saving time. I know; I’m rationalizing—but I’m
looking for a good argument the next time my muse starts whining.
Do you write
your first draft without stopping or is your internal editor a buttinsky? Humor
me. It will go a long way in alleviating my cabin fever and my curious nature.
Until next
month,
Happy Reading
(and/or Writing)!
Paris Brandon
Bend
Over, Cowboy-5 Stars, Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Cross My Heart-NOR Top Pick
Head Over Heels-5 Hearts, The Romance Studio
Assassin’s Kiss-4 Stars Romantic Times Book Review
