My novel draft feels so unwieldy at this point, that I'm contemplating forcing myself to write it all out by hand in a notebook. I've done this with other projects, and it often streamlines and focuses the main story. Has anyone recently done this with a large manuscript? - ThreadSky

joybaglio.bsky.social • 120 days ago

My novel draft feels so unwieldy at this point, that I'm contemplating forcing myself to write it all out by hand in a notebook. I've done this with other projects, and it often streamlines and focuses the main story. Has anyone recently done this with a large manuscript?

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karenpalmer.bsky.social•119 days ago

I did it with my memoir. It was slow-going but really helpful. I used a grid composition notebook, which felt small and friendly. Wrote on the right side, used the left for additions to the text or notes.

joybaglio.bsky.social•119 days ago

That's a brilliant idea, to leave one side open for additions.

cieramcelroy.bsky.social•104 days ago

Oof not by hand! But I did rewrite (from scratch) between draft one and two and I found that incredibly effective

rshea.bsky.social•119 days ago

Just finished a first draft by hand and am typing a revision now. First 20 pages were difficult but I relearned cursive and it went faster. I'm liking the texture shift from paper to screen. Feel like I see different opportunities.

joybaglio.bsky.social•119 days ago

Ah, that's awesome! Yeah, writing the sentences out in the notebook always makes me see them differently. I might do a modified version of this.

lateration.bsky.social•119 days ago

good idea.

sparkyponty.bsky.social•118 days ago

I reach a point where I write the remaining milestone chapters from unrelated parts of the manuscript, then fill in the gaps. Like doing the edges and sky first on a jigsaw puzzle. It works for me!

doctorliz99.bsky.social•117 days ago

No - but 700+page phd thesis certainly acquaints me with your chief concern. well defined sections help.

joybaglio.bsky.social•114 days ago

Wow that is an impressive endeavor! And "well defined sections" has become my religion! :) Onward!

doctorliz99.bsky.social•102 days ago

lol - I think it’s the solution. :)

jonheddy.bsky.social•119 days ago

Interesting! I haven’t heard of this approach and am curious how it goes. I recently revised an ungainly novel and found it useful to break it into sequences and then think about how to increase the fidelity between internal and external stakes. Cleared up some plot/character problems I was having.

joybaglio.bsky.social•119 days ago

Yeah, breaking it into chunks is a great approach. I usually think in terms of three acts, so that might be something I do too. Sounds like you are in a good place with yours! Good luck!

jonheddy.bsky.social•119 days ago

Thanks, Joy! It comes out this March :-) Wishing you a smooth journey through this revision.

joybaglio.bsky.social•119 days ago

Ah how wonderful!!! Biggest congratulations, and I look forward to reading it!

jonheddy.bsky.social•118 days ago

Thanks so much, Joy! Feeling quite proud. Would love to send you a copy when I’ve got the paperbacks in hand (if there’s an address you’re comfortable sharing with, you know, a complete stranger 😂)

joybaglio.bsky.social•114 days ago

Ah that is beyond nice of you, Jon - thank you for that offer, and I'll send you a DM!

cbbernard.com•119 days ago

I wouldn't be able to read it if I wrote it by hand! But I had a similar problem with an earlier novel. I knew the throughline of the story but didn't like how I'd told it. So I closed the ms, started a new draft from scratch, and was able to tell the story better and more economically.

joybaglio.bsky.social•119 days ago

Wow I imagine that takes some willpower to make yourself start over like that, but also, there's nothing to lose - so good call. I might try this.

cmattwrite.bsky.social•119 days ago

I read an interview with Lauren Groff and she does the same thing. Starts each draft anew. She reasons that the truly important stuff will still end up in the new draft anyway but it’s a fresh look at the story.

cbbernard.com•119 days ago

You might not need to do the whole thing. The exercise alone might help you understand what's meat and what's fat so you know where to cut.

joybaglio.bsky.social•119 days ago

Yes was just thinking that! Going to begin today and hopefully I get to that understand. Thanks!

cbbernard.com•119 days ago

Good luck!

marksarvas.bsky.social•119 days ago

My partner did this with her novel. Made for a game changing revision.

joybaglio.bsky.social•119 days ago

Good to hear! More evidence that I should proceed with this crazy-sounding plan! :)

stevenroy.bsky.social•119 days ago

I've definitely have written first drafts only to go back and re-outline the whole thing and do a updated version.

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