I have the worst work habits. Sometimes I look at the pile of books I’ve written and I wonder how they got there. Well, the best way to describe it is “word-by-word.” You put down a word. Then you cross it out. Then write a few more. Stare out the window. Wonder if the can opener needs cleaning. Wonder if someone’s having a hissy fit on a social network. Wonder why you thought this was a good idea for a novel in the first place.
Sometimes you have to go to Bali to clear your head and get some serious thinking done:
And, oh, here’s something. I write my first draft in longhand. In a Clairefontaine notebook with a fountain pen loaded with peacock blue ink. Not because I’m quirky but because I think in longhand. And I’m left-handed so ordinary pens smear my hand as it drags across the page, but Skrip peacock blue on Clairefontaine paper does not.
So now what, you ask? After I bleed blue all over the page, I realize there is no backup copy. If I happen to step out for a while, the house might burn down and the only existing manuscript will go up in flames, like Jo’s novel in Little Women. (I didn’t cry when Beth died. I cried when Amy burned the manuscript.) Sometimes I keep the notebook in the freezer, like Tess does with her notes in The Apple Orchard. I figure that’s the last thing that will burn if the house is reduced to rubble.
Eventually, I fill the notebook with about 100,000 words that loosely resemble a novel. Then I have to type the thing up. I can’t use a typist because I tend to revise as I transcribe. Dragon Naturally Speaking voice dictation software works really well for me, provided the dogs don’t go off on me when someone comes to the door. When that happens, here’s what appears on my screen: hep hep hep hep hep hep hep hep hep hep hep hep hep hep.
Oh, and here’s something. I don’t use Word. I know, I’m awful, but my very first writing software was WordPerfect and my brain is stuck with it. I have to have Reveal Codes and anyone who knows WordPerfect knows why. Please, Word, figure out Reveal Codes! F3! Save my sanity!
Then I print the thing out and my writers’ group has a meeting about it. I’ve been in some writing group or other since 1986 and I don’t intend stopping. Magic happens in a writers’ group–critiquing and brainstorming and commiserating and celebrating. My current group consists of the fabulous Sheila Roberts, Lois Faye Dyer, Anjali Banerjee, Elsa Watson and Kate Breslin. We read and talk about each other’s work and I adore these women and I would pledge them my first born child but she is already married with a kid of her own.
My group meets at a quaint waterfront bakery in a small town. Baked goods make the brain work better.
Moving right along…I rewrite the book a couple of times. At various stages, it looks something like this:
…and then I send it to my literary agent and editor. We have long deep talks about every aspect of the novel. Sometimes we get together in person and they are smart and kind and supportive and motivating and I thank God they are in my life, and this is why they get stuff like cashmere bathrobes and couture watches at Christmas.
And then I put on the Sweater of Immovable Deadlines and rewrite that sucker again.
And at some point my editor says we’re good to go, and my agent says yippee, let’s send that girl her advance check…
…and I get to go shopping and tell people what a breeze it is to write a book.
Stay tuned. The next installment will take us through the cover design and publication process. Sound good?
Thanks for reading!
Menu
28 Responses
I love this entire post. All of it. lol It makes me feel a bit better about my own very disorganized current process. And happy to know I’m not the only person using WP who hates Word. 😉
I am a left handed writer as well and I am grateful for your recommendation on what ink doesn’t bleed/ smear. I will begin using it and let you know how it works.
I love this entire post. All of it. lol It makes me feel a bit better about my own very disorganized current process. And happy to know I’m not the only person using WP who hates Word. 😉
I am a left handed writer as well and I am grateful for your recommendation on what ink doesn’t bleed/ smear. I will begin using it and let you know how it works.
Yes, great post! As readers we are sometimes unaware how much work goes into those wonderful books we hold in our hands. But know, Susan, your efforts are greatly appreciated, and I always look forward to another Susan Wiggs novel to buy enjoy and place on my “keeper” shelf!! TY
Yes, great post! As readers we are sometimes unaware how much work goes into those wonderful books we hold in our hands. But know, Susan, your efforts are greatly appreciated, and I always look forward to another Susan Wiggs novel to buy enjoy and place on my “keeper” shelf!! TY
This is perf.
This is perf.
I smiled the whole time I was reading this 🙂 Perfect! xo
I smiled the whole time I was reading this 🙂 Perfect! xo
Thanks Susan ! Even writing about your writing is a great read !!
Thanks Susan ! Even writing about your writing is a great read !!
That was truly enlightening!
That was truly enlightening!
I write first with a fine point black pen and yellow legal pad. 🙂
It was very interesting to hear about your process.
I write first with a fine point black pen and yellow legal pad. 🙂
It was very interesting to hear about your process.
I absolutely loved this! You are such a gifted writer – including when writing about writing! Love your books, love you! (and vice versa) 🙂
Cheers and congrats on the lovely and wonderful BEEKEEPERS BALL.
Aw, thanks! Nice running into you online!
I absolutely loved this! You are such a gifted writer – including when writing about writing! Love your books, love you! (and vice versa) 🙂
Cheers and congrats on the lovely and wonderful BEEKEEPERS BALL.
Aw, thanks! Nice running into you online!
I just finished reading Beekeeper’s Ball. I loved it. Every time I read something new about the Nazi’s it makes hate them a little more all over again. I was so hoping you weren’t going to pull a l plane crash and Isabel loses her man.
I just finished reading Beekeeper’s Ball. I loved it. Every time I read something new about the Nazi’s it makes hate them a little more all over again. I was so hoping you weren’t going to pull a l plane crash and Isabel loses her man.
Are you working on the sequel to Beekeepers Ball and Apple Orchard? If so when do you think they will be published?
Hi Jackie, I definitely have another Bella Vista book in mind! Not sure when it will be published, but if you join the mailing list at s22529.p716.sites.pressdns.com, you’ll get updates! Thanks for stopping by.
Are you working on the sequel to Beekeepers Ball and Apple Orchard? If so when do you think they will be published?
Hi Jackie, I definitely have another Bella Vista book in mind! Not sure when it will be published, but if you join the mailing list at s22529.p716.sites.pressdns.com, you’ll get updates! Thanks for stopping by.