First drafts are fun in a manic sort of way. I don’t follow a set rule; I take chances and push the boundaries, my characters and myself and discover more about my plot, character and myself as I write.

Oh, I have this vague idea where I’m going, but I’ve always preferred the scene route. Which means what earlier pages are probably all wrong and will have to be changed.

But that’s okay. I love the rewriting process. It’s like house building.

The contractor battles the elements and scheduling problems when they rough in a house. Once that framework of boards, flooring and roof are done, windows and doors are installed, then the outside detailing is done. From then on the builder can take time (within reason) to finish the interior and make it unique. That shell won’t change much–unless the builder decides to add a sunroom or outdoor patio room. But the interior design will set this house apart from all the others he’s build. It’s the same-but-different thing.

Same with books. A romance is a romance, mystery a mystery, suspense a suspense, and so on. The genre is the same with certain expected elements, but what’s inside is the author’s own unique take.

I can hardly wait to get to that part of fleshing out my new story. Dress up the scenes so the reading becomes visual. Find those gems to further plot/character that are buried under verbosity and polish them so they shine. I want this book to be better than the last.

To get there, I have to keep meeting my daily goal. So I’ll leave you with a quote that says it all, imo.

Behold the turtle! He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out. James Bryant Conant