I have to think Finch comes from a wealthy background, because only wealthy people can conceive of writing without worrying about financial concerns. For most of us that it is a major concern that ways as much on us as getting the right words.
Literally have rewritten a piece so many times I'm almost ready to give up on it. Also it's so hard when so many of our writing ventures are based on an algorithm. I work three part time jobs outside of writing right now to make sure I have basic bills covered.
Right? I hear you. Man, oh man. I write for 5 websites. Plus Medium and Substack. I have a piece I'm working on now that's on the 4th time around. So it's still a newborn. lol. Doesn't have it's walking legs yet, much less running
I have a lot of my writing sitting on my computer, in what I call my mulch pile. It is easier to see weak spots after not looking at it for a day, a week. or even months and years. Didn't know I was following the Charles Finch rule of good writing! And I got a book published.
The best-paying piece I've ever written in my life took me a couple of hours to finish (although I'd been turning it over in my mind for years). Medium has paid me $28,860.65 as of today.
I've written much better pieces that have earned just a few bucks.
That's the real killer part of writing. The turning it over in our minds for weeks, months, years. Kudos to you for how well that did. One day maybe I get so lucky lol.
Something similar happened to me: I wrote a novel that my agent loved but was never able to place with a major publishing company. Next, I entered a contest with a short novel I wrote for that purpose (it had to be related to the city of Cologne); there was almost no time and I finished it in a couple of weeks - bingo! It was one of the winning pieces. I am publishing it here on Substack in English (On a Knifes's Edge). https://anettepieper.substack.com/p/on-a-knifes-edge-part-1
I've started reading what you posted so far. I'm on vacation now, with limited access to the Internet, so I'll read all your posts when I'm back home. Great idea, your new susbstack - exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, Michelle, I'm thrilled!
Lovely advice. Seems apparent again and again, though slowing down also feels counterintuitive to today’s ethos of just do it! Still, it’s hard to “show don’t tell” when you’re barreling down the freeway.
Any chance of you posting the link to the Medium piece? I’m guessing I’m not the only curious person here.
I had a conversation with a fellow writer yesterday. She's been working on this one story for 6-8 weeks (and to tell you the truth, I'm tired of editing it). I told her my Substack posts took about 6 hours (800 words). I always hold them for a few days and review them before posting. She said, "Because I was previously a poet, I'm looking for the perfect words and tone." Then I got it. I, on the other hand, was looking for universal appeal in my stories. Connection. We agreed to disagree and are having lunch tomorrow!
I love the different perspectives. One thing I thought of after I published (of course) was that journalists don't have the leisure of time. Often they have to get good at banging it out and editing super fast. It's a skill learned, no doubt about that.
I like what he says about letting things take their time, which appeals to me because I'm glacially slow at putting words on paper, screen, whatever. And yes, having achieved "perfection," I let whatever it is sit for a while -- even just a week -- and with fresh eyes then see the multitude of glaring imperfections. So I fix them, and again achieve "perfection" ... until I look at it a few days later to see yet more ripples in that heretofore glassy surface. And I fix them too.
Still, that road to perfection (the unachievable quest) can become what I think of as "the Möbius Highway," because no matter how many times I come back to a piece that was "perfect," I find flaws to fix, however many potholes I fill, I'll see more the next time I come around. At a certain point, I can lose sight of what I was trying to say in the first place, and it hits me that I've steamrolled the life -- whatever was interesting, fresh, and good about the original -- right out of it. I think there's something to be said for knowing when to accept that perfection will not be achieved: to understand when to stop fixing things, and just leave it alone.
But that's hard to do.
Walter Mosely had some thoughts on this:
"I say that once I finish a draft, I reread the book. There I find things that are wrong or that don’t work. At that point I make the necessary changes through a new draft. I read the book again. More problems and another rewrite. This process might be repeated twenty times, more. Finally, I reread a batch of changes, see problems in the work, and yet realize that I have no answers. That is when the book is finished. The novel will never be perfect, and neither will you."
So I guess it becomes a matter knowing -- as the saying goes -- "when to say 'when'."
You described my process perfectly. When I realize I'm changing words back to the way I changed them the last time, I declare the book finished. Not perfect. Finished.
Yeah. Some writers brag about writing a book a month on Reddit and I can't help thinking, "How can you be consistently superb when you rush your manuscripts like that?" You can't IMO. I write two novels a year on average and it's HARD. I can pound out a fast first draft, but it's a mess and needs rewriten four or five times, which takes months. Then beta read, returned, rewritten, problems fixed, etc. I never release a book until I am happy with it.
On the other hand, stuff I've written off the cuff, editorial wise, has been some of my best writing, since I didn't think about it much or agonize over making it perfect. You just can't win, lol.
Makes me think those book a month writers must be doing formulaic writing. And sure, there's a market for that. Romance novels come to mind, but I'm sure there are formulaic stories in every genre. But it also makes me think of Rothfuss taking 13 years to finish his novel. I doubt a 30 day novel could hold a candle to one written with a little more patience
Somewhere in the spectrum, there has to be a consideration of the reader. If you want to write for a reader who just wants a quick beach read and nothing more, then go ahead and rush the writing. I mean, do it well enough to sell, but just enough. But if you want to write for a reader who will sit and marinate in your words, connect with your emotions and consider your argument, then, I think, you've got to slow down and be considerate, intentional, about the writing.
Every time I read one of your posts, I have the same thought: Oh, I wish I wrote this. Even if you are breaking the Charles Finch rule, there’s such care and patience in your writing...something I wish I had more of when I sit down to write.
On the other hand, I don’t think I ever got over the disappointment from my journalism days. The articles I poured the most time and emotion into didn't really perform well. It was just the nature of the media I worked in... Editors and readers seemed to appreciate short, easily digestible pieces, so eventually I just gave up. But here I am, trying to recover :D
I use Substack as more of a conversation with readers, too (in some cases, it’s a conversation with myself I suppose). Just me, thinking out loud and if anyone relates, great! If not, at least I’m enjoying myself
Stay intentional, Linda. I'm a master and continuous learner of communication. When I sift through 50 years of advice, conversations, and possible things to experiment with, the one piece that shows up as The One place to start and finish is intentions. People and customers are real. Everything else is ephemeral.
You are so right, we really do need to stay intentional. Lose sight of intention and next thing you know, you're wandering in a dark forest. Thanks, Georgia. I appreciate you :)
Stuart that made me laugh. Because I used to do that, too. Hit publish and then see the typo I missed, the sentence that could have been clearer. I am learning to slow down a little. And thank you, too :)
I have to think Finch comes from a wealthy background, because only wealthy people can conceive of writing without worrying about financial concerns. For most of us that it is a major concern that ways as much on us as getting the right words.
Well, he did go to Harvard. His father was a famous art critic. And he went straight into writing, so he's never done anything but write.
I know that type. Edmund Wilson, whom I admire, followed a very similar career path (except he went to Princeton).
Literally have rewritten a piece so many times I'm almost ready to give up on it. Also it's so hard when so many of our writing ventures are based on an algorithm. I work three part time jobs outside of writing right now to make sure I have basic bills covered.
Right? I hear you. Man, oh man. I write for 5 websites. Plus Medium and Substack. I have a piece I'm working on now that's on the 4th time around. So it's still a newborn. lol. Doesn't have it's walking legs yet, much less running
I have a lot of my writing sitting on my computer, in what I call my mulch pile. It is easier to see weak spots after not looking at it for a day, a week. or even months and years. Didn't know I was following the Charles Finch rule of good writing! And I got a book published.
You are so right, when I go back to old pieces they get so much easier to fix. And I am heading over to check out your book and congratulations!
You might want to go to Finishing Line Press to order my book - Dreams of the Floating House. Enjoy!
Love that “the mulch pile”…..
"Mulch pile" — now, there is a term I am happily stealing.
I was just thinking that and saw your comment Jan. lol
"Mulch pile" — now, there is a term I am happily stealing.
The best-paying piece I've ever written in my life took me a couple of hours to finish (although I'd been turning it over in my mind for years). Medium has paid me $28,860.65 as of today.
I've written much better pieces that have earned just a few bucks.
There is no rhyme or reason to it.
This: https://medium.com/minds-without-borders/we-could-learn-a-lot-about-sex-from-the-dutch-8864066b2d99
is not better than this: https://medium.com/p/45af92ec7b89
At least not in my opinion, but the second one made very little.
That's the real killer part of writing. The turning it over in our minds for weeks, months, years. Kudos to you for how well that did. One day maybe I get so lucky lol.
At least one of your stories should have made you $100K by now! What is Medium thinking?!?
God, I wish. I have a piece with over 300K views. It's not my top paid. Lots of external traffic. Ugh lol
Something similar happened to me: I wrote a novel that my agent loved but was never able to place with a major publishing company. Next, I entered a contest with a short novel I wrote for that purpose (it had to be related to the city of Cologne); there was almost no time and I finished it in a couple of weeks - bingo! It was one of the winning pieces. I am publishing it here on Substack in English (On a Knifes's Edge). https://anettepieper.substack.com/p/on-a-knifes-edge-part-1
Take a look if you like!
Anette, if you ever want to self-publish on Amazon, hit me up.
Thank you, Michelle! I am planning to publish on Amazon, so I'll contact you if I may!
Check out my new substack, The Indie Author. And let me know what topics you would like to learn about.
I love seeing people connect in my comments. Make this place feel more like a community than just a newsletter :)
I've started reading what you posted so far. I'm on vacation now, with limited access to the Internet, so I'll read all your posts when I'm back home. Great idea, your new susbstack - exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, Michelle, I'm thrilled!
Lovely advice. Seems apparent again and again, though slowing down also feels counterintuitive to today’s ethos of just do it! Still, it’s hard to “show don’t tell” when you’re barreling down the freeway.
Any chance of you posting the link to the Medium piece? I’m guessing I’m not the only curious person here.
Oh sure -- here's a friend link in case anyone is not a member there.
https://medium.com/middle-pause/no-one-really-tells-you-the-hardest-part-of-getting-older-ddd4ec40dc81?sk=bdaa3d2aa46626004875d4b89adbcbae
Wow Linda. Wow. What a read. Thanks.
I'm glad you liked it Kathy :)
I had a conversation with a fellow writer yesterday. She's been working on this one story for 6-8 weeks (and to tell you the truth, I'm tired of editing it). I told her my Substack posts took about 6 hours (800 words). I always hold them for a few days and review them before posting. She said, "Because I was previously a poet, I'm looking for the perfect words and tone." Then I got it. I, on the other hand, was looking for universal appeal in my stories. Connection. We agreed to disagree and are having lunch tomorrow!
I love the different perspectives. One thing I thought of after I published (of course) was that journalists don't have the leisure of time. Often they have to get good at banging it out and editing super fast. It's a skill learned, no doubt about that.
I like what he says about letting things take their time, which appeals to me because I'm glacially slow at putting words on paper, screen, whatever. And yes, having achieved "perfection," I let whatever it is sit for a while -- even just a week -- and with fresh eyes then see the multitude of glaring imperfections. So I fix them, and again achieve "perfection" ... until I look at it a few days later to see yet more ripples in that heretofore glassy surface. And I fix them too.
Still, that road to perfection (the unachievable quest) can become what I think of as "the Möbius Highway," because no matter how many times I come back to a piece that was "perfect," I find flaws to fix, however many potholes I fill, I'll see more the next time I come around. At a certain point, I can lose sight of what I was trying to say in the first place, and it hits me that I've steamrolled the life -- whatever was interesting, fresh, and good about the original -- right out of it. I think there's something to be said for knowing when to accept that perfection will not be achieved: to understand when to stop fixing things, and just leave it alone.
But that's hard to do.
Walter Mosely had some thoughts on this:
"I say that once I finish a draft, I reread the book. There I find things that are wrong or that don’t work. At that point I make the necessary changes through a new draft. I read the book again. More problems and another rewrite. This process might be repeated twenty times, more. Finally, I reread a batch of changes, see problems in the work, and yet realize that I have no answers. That is when the book is finished. The novel will never be perfect, and neither will you."
So I guess it becomes a matter knowing -- as the saying goes -- "when to say 'when'."
When to when -- boy, isn't that the truth lol
You described my process perfectly. When I realize I'm changing words back to the way I changed them the last time, I declare the book finished. Not perfect. Finished.
Yeah. Some writers brag about writing a book a month on Reddit and I can't help thinking, "How can you be consistently superb when you rush your manuscripts like that?" You can't IMO. I write two novels a year on average and it's HARD. I can pound out a fast first draft, but it's a mess and needs rewriten four or five times, which takes months. Then beta read, returned, rewritten, problems fixed, etc. I never release a book until I am happy with it.
On the other hand, stuff I've written off the cuff, editorial wise, has been some of my best writing, since I didn't think about it much or agonize over making it perfect. You just can't win, lol.
Makes me think those book a month writers must be doing formulaic writing. And sure, there's a market for that. Romance novels come to mind, but I'm sure there are formulaic stories in every genre. But it also makes me think of Rothfuss taking 13 years to finish his novel. I doubt a 30 day novel could hold a candle to one written with a little more patience
Def not!
Somewhere in the spectrum, there has to be a consideration of the reader. If you want to write for a reader who just wants a quick beach read and nothing more, then go ahead and rush the writing. I mean, do it well enough to sell, but just enough. But if you want to write for a reader who will sit and marinate in your words, connect with your emotions and consider your argument, then, I think, you've got to slow down and be considerate, intentional, about the writing.
I write because it keeps me sane…and it’s fun. After two full careers spanning forty years, I just started my third.
Oh my gosh that's wonderful to hear. And you're so right -- it keeps me sane to, and it really IS fun.
Every time I read one of your posts, I have the same thought: Oh, I wish I wrote this. Even if you are breaking the Charles Finch rule, there’s such care and patience in your writing...something I wish I had more of when I sit down to write.
On the other hand, I don’t think I ever got over the disappointment from my journalism days. The articles I poured the most time and emotion into didn't really perform well. It was just the nature of the media I worked in... Editors and readers seemed to appreciate short, easily digestible pieces, so eventually I just gave up. But here I am, trying to recover :D
Oh my gosh, Nina -- journalism is a tough gig. The pace is crazy. And thank you for the kind words. :)
"I won’t list all his achievements because good grief, I’ll sound like the guy’s mother." 😂
lol, I am tickled that you enjoyed that
I use Substack as more of a conversation with readers, too (in some cases, it’s a conversation with myself I suppose). Just me, thinking out loud and if anyone relates, great! If not, at least I’m enjoying myself
Right? That's how I feel, too. Sometimes a ton of people relate and other times, meh. lol
Stay intentional, Linda. I'm a master and continuous learner of communication. When I sift through 50 years of advice, conversations, and possible things to experiment with, the one piece that shows up as The One place to start and finish is intentions. People and customers are real. Everything else is ephemeral.
You are so right, we really do need to stay intentional. Lose sight of intention and next thing you know, you're wandering in a dark forest. Thanks, Georgia. I appreciate you :)
Charles Finch
I like this Charles Finch. He makes such sense and because I’m in the lucky position of writing for pleasure I’m slowing down now, this minute…
Right? I like the things he has to say, too. Thanks, Wendy :)
Intention is how we build the foundation under our castle of dreams’
Being impatient is a habit I struggle with. I too am eager to hit publish- inevitably editing that article within 15 minutes
Thanks for sharing this Linda
Stuart that made me laugh. Because I used to do that, too. Hit publish and then see the typo I missed, the sentence that could have been clearer. I am learning to slow down a little. And thank you, too :)