At times, there can be a lot of pressure to write novels quickly. Self-imposed pressure, for the most part, when authors, most of whom are in reality hyper-competitive little Hermione Granger Type A's, take a look around and see so many others zipping out three, four or even five or more books a year. Often, that's compounded by a look at our banks statements to create a lot of stress and such the joy from writing.
I have nothing but respect for authors who naturally produce a great volume of great work. From Louis L'Amour to Nora Roberts, there are a rare few who make it look easy and do it oh-so-well. What I'm trying to back away from is the idea that I need to compete on that particular field of battle, that pushing myself to blaze through projects ever-more-speedily is a bright idea. Because sometimes, it's slow cooking that brings out the richest flavors.
I'm not advocating taking three or six or more years on a project or blowing off your deadlines. In my case, I've found I can't sustain the story's momentum if I don't work every, or very nearly every, day, and my slow but steady approach covers a lot of ground. But the time spent walking in a character's footsteps, absorbing the world where she lives, and comprehending the complexities of her life add something irreplaceable to a novel, something that the reader can stop and savor on the page.
It enriches my life, too, as an author. Because when it really comes down to it, do I want to spend most of my time in Deadline Hell or Writing Heaven?
So what about the rest of you? How do you find a balance between idleness and productivity, quantity and quality?
Comments
I'm still evolving. One thing I noticed is if I write too slowly, I lose the momentum. Sometimes my slow writing is the result of not knowing where I'm going ~ and I'm convinced that's when I need the craft thinking cap more than writing. OTOH, I've been in a position in the past where I had to produce a major revision (big rewrites) in a very short time period. I was writing 10 pages/night (after a full 8 hrs at the day job). It was some of the best writing I've ever done. So I'm not sure it really matters whether you're a chapter-by-chapter perfectionist or a fast drafter. Each of us just needs to embrace what works for us as individual writers. After all, the reader only cares about the final product. :-) Anyway, I enjoy reading your thought-provoking posts. :-)
But then, I've never been one of those writers who thrives on deadline pressure or procrastinates till the last possible minute, then puts in a string of 20-hour, hyper-caffeinated days. It just doesn't seem like any way to live to me, but I know plenty of authors who seem to do their best work in a pinch.
They must have stronger stomachs, but if it works for them, more power to 'em.