How you would achieve this, I have no idea. How I am – well on the way to – achieving this is what this post is about. Some of this may work for you, or not. ---- All rights reserved. nd.com Read on...

The first draft is crap – deal with it

That reality was one of the toughest ideas to overcome – understanding that it is just fine to write a first draft that you would only consider using as lavatory paper (and then only in secret just in case anyone gets even a glimpse of the text). No one will read the first draft. With my first draft, not even me! I’ll get to why in just a moment, but first another important step: I stopped editing.

Once I came to terms with the prospect of writing rubbish I began to be far more productive, but very soon fell back into the pit of over eager editing and the resulting snail’s pace in progress because I was editing too much too early.

A pen and a Moleskine

I learned writing by hand prevented editing beyond a scribbled-out paragraph or two and a scrawled note in some nearby free space. I calculated that my handwriting would squeeze around 90,000 words into a standard Moleskine lined notebook (spend money on a decent quality notebook so you are less inclined to actually use it as toilet paper later).

This process brought me to a first draft in a couple of months. The pages filled, the story unfolded, and I found myself rapidly heading to the start of the second draft.

I kept the pace of the writing moving forward as consistently as possible. When something blocked that momentum or where some scene or action could not be worked through at that point, I simply wrote “stuff happens here to get them to the station” or similar. Can’t deal with it now? Then move on and deal with it later – you’re going to have to re-write it all anyway!

Engagement

Writing by hand seemed to have the additional benefit of embedding the text deeper into memory, to the extent that, while writing the second draft, I rarely have to reference the notebook. This is good because I do not have the neatest handwriting, particularly when ideas are in full flow.

More of the right tools

The second draft had to be transferred into some electronic form. Having as much love for Microsoft Word as a Marmite encrusted stick of celery, it took some time and exploration to discover Scrivener. This tool does what I need it to, doesn’t try to teach me how to write, doesn’t get in the way when I want to write, and has just the right level of organisation and customisability to tailor it to my needs, while ensuring I do not lose endless hours messing with too many needless settings. It’s not perfect, but it’s just right for me.

I do not use post-its or cards stuck to cork boards to play with the story, but I frequently use my large whiteboard for brainstorming plot points and working through the odd character crisis. Whiteboards are essential.

The serialised audiobook

Now this stage is likely not for everyone, but starting early 2008 I committed myself to releasing the second draft of the novel as a weekly 20 minute audio book. This established a predictable regime of writing around 3,500 words per week and structuring the work to ensure the story is continually developing in order to keep the audience’s attention. It means not only I am imposing a deadline, but so are those who email me in anticipation of the next episode.

The process also forced me to read the text aloud, frequently bringing to light issues with the text, grammar errors, plot problems, and particularly highlighting poor dialogue, which could be immediately fixed. Being the second draft, the audio version is not perfect by any means, but the benefits of this part of my process far outweighs concerns over an uncorrected error here and there.

Vacations, sickness and work trips aside, this has kept me on track. It is not without its stress, of course, as I am adding several hours each week in recording, editing, mixing and publishing the audio files, plus online promotion and building an audience. I currently have well over 90,000 words under my belt. Without this self imposed routine, I am convinced this book would not be as far along as it is right now.

What’s next?

A third draft will be necessary, as will having a trusted friend or two reading the text and providing constructive criticism. The text must be edited to improve pace and flow in some areas, of that I am already aware. And certain (and irritating to me) aspects of my natural and imperfect writing style have to be polished.

There’s a lot more work to be done and since that is in the future I do not feel able to discuss a process that I have not yet personally applied – so more on this subject in other posts.

I am looking forward to starting on the second book in the series, with the knowledge and experience of the first behind me. I may find a slightly different process, or an identical one. Processes are always subject to change, but one thing of which I am absolutely certain is that its first draft will be hand written in a spanking new Moleskine.

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2008 is doing a grand job of eliminating noise and embracing substance – I am sensing an optimism on one particular area that I have not seen for the past two years. This year, podcasting (for want of an alternate name) is finally forging onwards and upwards.

Is podcasting truly mainstream? Big media content is perhaps getting there. Independent content – in which I am far more interested – certainly not yet. Are independent podcast producers earning those big bucks so many (even secretly) craved? A few are earning a living for sure, but money has not skyrocketed through the roof. Are the podcast stars’ names being heard in coffee shops and bars around the globe. Nope.

So what is driving my optimism?

Despite news such as the last UK podcaster discussion forum closing down this month due to lack of real interest by the majority of the members, things are most certainly looking up. New show submissions to BritCaster.com (long overdue a face lift, but on the cards), are up around 200% – that means several every week now. Not only are the numbers picking up but the quality is, too. Rarely now – unlike the past couple of years – do I manually verify a feed’s content to discover some pointless show filled with un-witty ranting (the bane of podcasting) – there are great ideas surfacing, new concepts, show structures, producers new and old are once again thinking about the show they want to produce, then getting off their sofa’s and actually producing them.

Collaboration

I have always tried to wave the flag of collaboration being the strength of independent media vs the big media companies. But podcast producers – perhaps because most of the early adopters had little or no media or production background and did not know how, let alone appreciate the importance and value, of finding others with whom to collaborate (something that was the primary goal of the discussion forums at BritCaster.com).

It is happening at last. I am hearing of a great many collaborations. Everything from groups of people gathering together to achieve a goal, to simple subcontracting of tasks to other producers (money is changing hands, too).

Where is it all happening?

It is not in the forums, that is for sure. Some say it is within the various social networks, but I am hesitant to suggest that is the primary means of connecting people. I believe it is nothing more high-tech than good old-fashioned organic networking – perhaps lubricated by an online network or two – social or otherwise – here and there.

I would love there to be a more open, public space where the convergence of ideas can be seen to take place, because the the more visible this kind of activity is, the more is seeds offspring and inspiration in others to give it a go. One of the gripes of those approaching podcasting with intent to create is the lack of accessible information on where to start. Underground activity serves no wider purpose and has hindered growth of the medium in the UK.

Thankfully, 2008 is a time of resurfacing and we will see a great deal of very positive and creative work coming out of podcasting, and if you are part of the current resurgence of energy or looking to become a part of it, congratulations!

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The above is a shot of what is sat on the corner of my desk right now – and it brings me joy. Despite only relatively recently discovering this hefty tome, I can quite honestly say it is the single most important tool for writing after a pen and paper – I place this book as more important than computers and word processors!

The Synonym Finder by J.I.Rodale, first came into my life thanks to Jen (and further thanks to her for sourcing this copy), who has a treasured hard cover version shipped with the rest of her most precious books when she moved from the US. Mine is a lowly, but pristine, soft cover version as the hard cover is impossible to locate (even a well cared for soft cover is no easy find!).

This is no ordinary Thesaurus

Oh no. This book is magical.
I have owned and used thesauri in the past and found them to deliver less than they promise. Lists of alternate words would pass my imagination by and the book would return to the shelf with a shove of dissatisfaction.

The Synonym Finder, on the other hand, rarely fails to surpass my expectations. Perfectly usable alternative words pop out of the pages in bunches, offering more choice than you can imagine thus breathing life and colour into one’s writing.

What are you talking about?

If you have never used one of these, or have never undertaken any serious writing, let me offer an example scenario:

1. You read back along a recently written paragraph, only to discover you have used the word ‘disgust‘ in each of the three sentences. The word fits very well in the context of each.
2. Your choice is to completely re-write two of what are already excellent sentences, or, you reach for your Synonym Finder.
3. Under ‘disgust‘ you see: nauseate, sicken, turn one’s stomach; satiate, glut, surfeit; offend, repel, repulse, outrage, scandalize, shock; gross out; cause aversion, dissatisfy, annoy.
4. You discover at least two words you can use to simply swap out two instance of ‘disgust‘, and you may find a word or two that suggest a little more than you had originally written providing the inspiration to expand on your first words.

Many sentences in TableRappers has been saved from the cringe reaction as a result of this book, and it will therefore remain a critical part of my writing arsenal.

Now it is at this point I would normally provide you with a nice, clean Amazon link so you might delve further and make a purchase. Sadly, this book is not easy to find, and the majority of copies available will be used to some degree (thankfully the one photographed above, that arrived in the post today, is almost as new).

The place I would start is AbeBooks.co.uk. I have purchased from these guys a couple of times now and have been extremely happy with the speed or service, and the pricing of books. They list rare and out of print book, mostly used but some are brand new, from across the globe. Obviously costs for shipping will be higher if the book you want is coming from another country, but you can often find appropriately located copies to keep costs down.

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