Kitty Johnson's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"
Stop, Start
My favourite way to write fiction is to dive in and keep writing (or swimming) until I reach the end of a first draft. I don’t even stop if I come across something that needs some research - I just type research bla, bla, bla here and press on. That continuity, when you’re fully immersed in your story, is golden. The characters begin to speak to you. You can see the stepping stones ahead. You start to make connections and to see ways you can pull threads together.
Of course, the first draft is a total mess - something I didn’t realise that when I first typed the words THE END. A first draft is your raw material, to be shaped into something that looks like something, not to be sent joyously off into the world straight away the way I did back then. You can’t see what needs work at first - you’re too close to it. It’s vital to leave your words to brew, but it’s not easy to do this. I my opinion though, some distance is essential.
In all my years of writing, I’ve only ever submitted completed novels to editors. (Of course they still needed work - the editing process is lengthy, with many layers).
But this time around, with my current work in progress, that valuable period of continuity - of getting immersed in my draft day after day, and week after week, just hasn’t been possible. I’ve submitted a partial - which had to be very polished - and a synopsis, while much of the rest of the story doesn’t yet exist. I’ve also been doing developmental edits on my previous novel - Closest Kept - (out May 2025), and I’m shortly about to start copy edits. I’ve been busy with publicity activities for Prickly Company as well, including taking part in a panel - Behind Closed Doors - at the Primadonna Festival last weekend. This was a great experience - my sincere thanks to Winnie Li for her excellent interviewing skills, and to Bee Rowlatt, author of the excellent One Woman Crimewave, who appeared on the panel with me.
I may also have gone against my usual habit of putting aside research until later by making the most of the opportunity to perform stand-up comedy as part of the Make Primadonna Laugh event. Well, I like a challenge. It says so in my bio, so it must be true.
I’m definitely not complaining about all the different hats I’ve had to wear lately - it’s such a privileged position to be in, and I’m thrilled to be where I am today.
But characters, don’t think that just because I’ve been distracted I’ve forgotten all the trouble I’m going to get you into. The emotional roller coaster I’m going to make you all ride. It’s coming for you, sooner than you think.
Hold on tight!
Of course, the first draft is a total mess - something I didn’t realise that when I first typed the words THE END. A first draft is your raw material, to be shaped into something that looks like something, not to be sent joyously off into the world straight away the way I did back then. You can’t see what needs work at first - you’re too close to it. It’s vital to leave your words to brew, but it’s not easy to do this. I my opinion though, some distance is essential.
In all my years of writing, I’ve only ever submitted completed novels to editors. (Of course they still needed work - the editing process is lengthy, with many layers).
But this time around, with my current work in progress, that valuable period of continuity - of getting immersed in my draft day after day, and week after week, just hasn’t been possible. I’ve submitted a partial - which had to be very polished - and a synopsis, while much of the rest of the story doesn’t yet exist. I’ve also been doing developmental edits on my previous novel - Closest Kept - (out May 2025), and I’m shortly about to start copy edits. I’ve been busy with publicity activities for Prickly Company as well, including taking part in a panel - Behind Closed Doors - at the Primadonna Festival last weekend. This was a great experience - my sincere thanks to Winnie Li for her excellent interviewing skills, and to Bee Rowlatt, author of the excellent One Woman Crimewave, who appeared on the panel with me.
I may also have gone against my usual habit of putting aside research until later by making the most of the opportunity to perform stand-up comedy as part of the Make Primadonna Laugh event. Well, I like a challenge. It says so in my bio, so it must be true.
I’m definitely not complaining about all the different hats I’ve had to wear lately - it’s such a privileged position to be in, and I’m thrilled to be where I am today.
But characters, don’t think that just because I’ve been distracted I’ve forgotten all the trouble I’m going to get you into. The emotional roller coaster I’m going to make you all ride. It’s coming for you, sooner than you think.
Hold on tight!
