For a long time, I've leaned heavily on the side of waiting for inspiration and then writing things perfectly in the first draft itself. This post has inspired me to refine that inefficient approach and make it iterative and predictable. Thanks!
Mordecai Richler, author of "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" and "Barney's Version", once said that if he waited around for inspiration to strike, he wouldn't get any "bloody words" written! I've found this to be true as well.
The secret is -- and I'll be covering this in a future post -- is that you have to invite inspiration in. Instead of waiting for the Muses to come to you, make an appointment with them for a certain time. They won't always show up, especially in the beginning. But eventually, they'll start working with you instead of against you. They'll start working to your timetable. And you'll be much more productive that way.
Thanks for the comment -- glad the post was helpful for you!
For a long time, I've leaned heavily on the side of waiting for inspiration and then writing things perfectly in the first draft itself. This post has inspired me to refine that inefficient approach and make it iterative and predictable. Thanks!
Mordecai Richler, author of "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" and "Barney's Version", once said that if he waited around for inspiration to strike, he wouldn't get any "bloody words" written! I've found this to be true as well.
The secret is -- and I'll be covering this in a future post -- is that you have to invite inspiration in. Instead of waiting for the Muses to come to you, make an appointment with them for a certain time. They won't always show up, especially in the beginning. But eventually, they'll start working with you instead of against you. They'll start working to your timetable. And you'll be much more productive that way.
Thanks for the comment -- glad the post was helpful for you!
Love the pottery analogy so much. Thanks for writing this, Graham!
Thanks Lachrista! It really puts writing first drafts into perspective, doesn't it? Even Shakespeare wasn't Shakespeare in his first drafts...