Kurt Vonnegut said there are two types of writers: Swoopers, who dive in, get it all down, and then go back and painstakingly fix whatever doesn’t work; and Bashers, who go slowly, trying to get it right, one sentence at a time.I’ve worked both ways. But, for longer pieces, I’m primarily a Leaf Raker—from the research phase to the final draft.
Hi David, Thanks for this. Critical time just as I am attempting to get in the rhythm of writing. Between this and what I think I recall Stephen King say, you have to just do it. Something. Just start the writing, or at least commit to sitting Zen-style until something shows up. Is that a thing?
Gratitude from an inveterate basher.
Hi David, Thanks for this. Critical time just as I am attempting to get in the rhythm of writing. Between this and what I think I recall Stephen King say, you have to just do it. Something. Just start the writing, or at least commit to sitting Zen-style until something shows up. Is that a thing?
So that’s how you do it? Was I the North Wind? And was I that cold?!! ;-) it’s a brilliant metaphor…and brilliant writing.
Thanks for the interesting post. I am definitely a leaf raker!