I am so fascinated by how different writers work... I don't talk about a first draft much while I'm writing it as I'm worried the energy of it will somehow dissipate. (I realise now I've written it, that it sounds a little strange) but I certainly don't keep it completely to myself either.
So interesting! I am always fascinated by other people’s process. I’m a bit like you in that I do like some input at earlier stages, if only to help me stay enthusiastic. I used to share works in progress with a good friend. She wasn’t r a writer, but a very astute reader. When that friend became ill, I was very conscious of losing that particular aspect of her perhaps most of all.
I have a tiny critique group – there are three of us, all well established professionals but at pivotal times in our careers. We meet on zoom every week to write and hardly a day goes past without some text discussion of works in progress. We are each other’s cheerleaders and I couldn’t do without them. We all understand the process as well as the words on the page.
I have never ever shown work to anyone before my agent/publisher/editor, when I've reached the point where I know it's as good as I'm ever going to get it on my own. I think if I shared work in progress it would lose its fascination for me. I love how every writer has a different process.
I keep some things forever, if they’re a dead giveaway to the whole plot.
But most things I share here and there in little snippets.
Also, I think everything is WAY different for artist authors… who create characters.
What if someone gave away Mickey Mouse just on a fluke?
You could just describe a mouse character in 15 ways easily… but one drawing tells a whole different story.
I am so fascinated by how different writers work... I don't talk about a first draft much while I'm writing it as I'm worried the energy of it will somehow dissipate. (I realise now I've written it, that it sounds a little strange) but I certainly don't keep it completely to myself either.
I do know what you mean about the energy dissipating. It feels so fragile, early on!
So interesting! I am always fascinated by other people’s process. I’m a bit like you in that I do like some input at earlier stages, if only to help me stay enthusiastic. I used to share works in progress with a good friend. She wasn’t r a writer, but a very astute reader. When that friend became ill, I was very conscious of losing that particular aspect of her perhaps most of all.
I have a tiny critique group – there are three of us, all well established professionals but at pivotal times in our careers. We meet on zoom every week to write and hardly a day goes past without some text discussion of works in progress. We are each other’s cheerleaders and I couldn’t do without them. We all understand the process as well as the words on the page.
I love a support group! I couldn’t do this job without mine.
I have never ever shown work to anyone before my agent/publisher/editor, when I've reached the point where I know it's as good as I'm ever going to get it on my own. I think if I shared work in progress it would lose its fascination for me. I love how every writer has a different process.
That’s so interesting!