Drafting

I'm having more fun with this first draft than I usually do with such a beast. The sprint journal is helping me keep my ideas in front of me and in order. I love my characters so I'm excited to sit at the keyboard and write their story every day. Also, with everyone out of the house, I have a lot of time alone to work on my writing.

I recently read an interview with Patrick Rothfuss. You may remember I posted about one of his books during the A to Z titled The Name of the Wind. His second novel, The Wise Man's Fear was

also a great novel. That novel was published in 2011 so it's over four years I've been waiting for the next one in the series. Not as bad as George RR Martin but I'm getting a little impatient. That is until I read Patrick's interview.

Despite the amazing success of his novels, Patrick Rothfuss is a family man first. He also uses his blog for charity fundraising. He does a lot of touring and spending time with his fans. Book #3 is int he works but he seems like such a regular guy with his priorities in order. And he mentioned in the interview that he does 'hundreds' of rewrites for each book. Is that impressive or crazy? But his writing is quality so his process works for him.

Another thing Patrick mentioned in his interview is how his degree as a chemical engineer influences his writing. If you've read his books, you understand what he is saying. I find my science background creeps into my writing too. He also makes the point that writers come from very diverse backgrounds and levels of experience. Not all writers have degrees in journalism or creative writing.

Ridley Pearson mentioned at the recent conference I attended that he does a minimum of four rewrites but eight is not an unusual number. I usually do three drafts before I send anything to my publisher though some books have suffered more rewrites than that.

On a personal note, I won't be posting this Friday as my husband and I celebrate our 33rd anniversary. He'll probably buy me flowers and a gift card to a bookstore. He told me he needs some new socks. LOL. I love that man. A quiet dinner out together will be celebration enough for us. We're so content.

"In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on." Robert Frost

Can you imagine doing 100 rewrites on one of your books? Does your degree or day job creep into your writing? Do you feel like your priorities are in order?

N: The Name of the Wind

My theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge this year is a mishmash of books, movies, writers and TV shows that have in one way or another taught me something about writing and helped me be a better writer. Some inspired my own stories and a few taught me what not to do. Each post is a one minute lesson on writing. And the IWSG blog is participating in the challenge. Check it out.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is a book that could be very confusing if you're trying to figure out a timeline for what's going on. The book starts in the present but it takes only a few pages for the reader knows there's something very mysterious and special about the innkeeper. And something sinister is happening across the lands. But then his simple innkeeper, Kvothe, starts telling his story to a biographer. His tale begins when he was a happy child traveling with his family's company of entertainers. The novel goes back and forth from the far past to the ominous present. Superior writing really makes Kvothe's back story intriguing and at the same time hungering to know what is happening in the present. And how did Kvothe grow from that young, eager student to the

grim, secretive man he is now. And the miserly clues draw you deeper into the mystery. And the second book, The Wise Man's Fear deepens the mystery with sparse glimpses into the present while continuing to delve into the past. In case you couldn't tell, I love this series. Patrick doesn't write as slowly as George  RR Martin, but he's not speedy either.

Lesson: If you do it right, starting a book in the middle (or is it the end?) can really intrigue and capture readers. Bouncing back and forth from past to present can also work, especially if tiny threads connect the events in present and past. Rothfuss has a few secondary characters who are so different and interesting, the reader really wants to know more about them. And he's an expert at feeding the reader tidbits. Painfully slow but worth it. This is something I try to work on in every book. As a reader I love a surprise at the end where I realize all the clues were there and I missed them.

“The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind.” Kvothe in The Name of the Wind

“You are not wise enough to fear me as I should be feared.” Bast, one of the mysterious characters in The Name of the Wind

Do you enjoy books that are written in chronological order or ones that go back and forth from present to past? Are you good at doling out the secrets and clues a bit at a time? Have you read Patrick Rothfuss?

I'm Going As Fast As I Can

If you're a fan of books written in series, you know the frustration of waiting for the next book to be released.  I read many different genres and there are many authors I eagerly await their next work of fine prose.  In mystery and suspense, I love, Preston and Childs, John Sandford, Lee Child, Elizabeth George and James Rollins.  Most of these writers produce a book about once per year. I can live with that.

My first love is fantasy and perhaps in no other genre do authors torture readers with long waits between books.  Patrick Rothfuss made us wait four years between the first book in Kingkiller Chronicles, The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fears.  I'm not sure how long I've waited for Terry Goodkind to come out with his next Sword of Truth book.  I couldn't even guess how long Brandon Sanderson will make us wait for the book following that ten-pounder, The Way of Kings.

I think a big question on fantasy readers' minds is how long it will take George Martin to write the next book in Fire and Ice series.  We waited six years for A Dance of Dragons.  The series if a very involved book with a huge world and a cast of thousands but six years?  I'm wondering if having his books made into an HBO series will inspire him to write faster.  Or, worse case scenario, might it slow him down? 

My fantasy books aren't as long as the big stars I mention as examples. Usually they're about 100,000 words rather than 2K.  It does take me about a year to complete one.  But I'm also working a full time job and raising a family.  Could I do better?  Probably if I let some things go, but as of right now, I'm working as fast as I can.

How long does it take you complete a book? What is the longest you've waited for the next book in a series? What book, besides your own, are you anticipating right now?