Rereading Chapters in order to write new ones

[AFriendlyFace]

Hey everyone!

 

I actually had originally thought that the rereading your work thread in this forum might be about this particular topic. When it wasn't I briefly considered starting this topic...forgot, but here it is now

 

 

So I've found that in order for me to be comfortable writing a new chapter of any story I'm working on, I pretty much have to go back and read all the last chapters. Given how long this can take I usually don't bother...and then don't feel as comfortable writing the new chapters.

 

I'm sure most of you skim through your most recent chapter or read the end to pick up where you left off (or maybe I'm being crazy, presumptuous and you guys don't do that at all), but I seriously want to re-read the whole the thing!

 

I thought simply taking notes might helps, and it does, but it's not really that either. I just like to re-read everything to get back into the right 'voice' to write the story.

 

I also find that ideally I write a lot at once. I'm not the sort of person who'll work on a chapter a little bit every day until it's complete. I'm the sort who'll not look at the thing for awhile then pick it up and write the whole thing. I suppose this sorta makes sense given how much preparation it takes for me to get into a 'writing frame of mind'.

 

Does anyone else feel the need to do this too?

 

Does anyone have any suggestions about ways around this? (I really don't like doing it, but when I don't I feel like a lazy, cruddy writer who isn't keeping with the tone of the story)

 

Just a random question,

Kevin

[Graeme]

A lot depends on the length of time since I wrote something. If it's been long enough, yes, I'll go back an re-read things. I won't normally re-read the entire story, but if I'm referring to or using something that happened a few chapter earlier, I'll go back and re-read to make sure I'm being consistent.

 

My memory is usually good enough that I don't have to do that, though, unless I've had a break from writing the story.

 

The business about getting back into the right 'voice' is one I appreciate. I'm often concerned that I don't have a character's voice right, and that's when I'll go back and review early scenes with that character to see if I have it right. Again, it's not the entire story, but focused re-reading.

 

I don't think I can suggest what you can do to eliminate this, because writing is very much an individual art. What works for me is rarely something that will work for you. Sorry, I know that isn't what you wanted to hear, but you have to work within what works for you. Trying to transplant what works for me is rarely going to work

[NickolasJames8]

Hey everyone!

 

I actually had originally thought that the rereading your work thread in this forum might be about this particular topic. When it wasn't I briefly considered starting this topic...forgot, but here it is now

 

 

So I've found that in order for me to be comfortable writing a new chapter of any story I'm working on, I pretty much have to go back and read all the last chapters. Given how long this can take I usually don't bother...and then don't feel as comfortable writing the new chapters.

 

I'm sure most of you skim through your most recent chapter or read the end to pick up where you left off (or maybe I'm being crazy, presumptuous and you guys don't do that at all), but I seriously want to re-read the whole the thing!

 

I thought simply taking notes might helps, and it does, but it's not really that either. I just like to re-read everything to get back into the right 'voice' to write the story.

 

I also find that ideally I write a lot at once. I'm not the sort of person who'll work on a chapter a little bit every day until it's complete. I'm the sort who'll not look at the thing for awhile then pick it up and write the whole thing. I suppose this sorta makes sense given how much preparation it takes for me to get into a 'writing frame of mind'.

 

Does anyone else feel the need to do this too?

 

Does anyone have any suggestions about ways around this? (I really don't like doing it, but when I don't I feel like a lazy, cruddy writer who isn't keeping with the tone of the story)

 

Just a random question,

Kevin

 

The only time I go back and re-read anything is if I need to reference something for consistency. And even then, it has to be something pretty specific, otherwise I already know what's happened for the most part, and I can move forward. If I had to re-read 15 or twenty chapters just to be able to write the next one I'd go nuts and eventually, I'd give up. But I think that one of the solutions to having to do that is to take on the tone of your character. In other words, give her/him a spot somewhere in your mind and when you sit down to write, I think it'll be easier to go with the flow of your story without having to re-read what you already have. Also, don't be afraid to pound out a whole chapter, then go back and read it for inconsistencies. And if you have beta readers, they'll let you know if something's off, too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that re-reading the whole story everytime you sit down to write a chapter sounds like a real ass kicker, and I could be wrong, but it shouldn't have to be that hard.

[Duncan Ryder]

I used to do this. Go back and read from the beginning. And then I'd start rewriting the beginning and never get anywhere!!!

 

Now I let the writing process itself lead me forward. The best advice I've ever been given about writing is that it is the writer's responsibility just to show up at the page. To write. Not to criticize or judge his writing, but to write it. So every day I show up at the page. I do it by hand, with a fountain pen, in cafes. Every day (so I channel Paris, what can I say...) for at least half an hour or so. I play with scenes this way, bits of dialogue, whatever comes into my head.

 

Then when I sit down at the computer, or pull out my little Air, instead of going back and reading chapters, I just look at the last completed scene -- or maybe the last completed scene with that character -- just to get in the mood, get the flow. Otherwise I write forward, using the handwritten notes from where I showed up at the page...

 

And like Nicolas I try to go back only for a specific detail (though I am not always successful...sometimes I do go back and read....)

 

Everyone's different, of course. But I find it fascinating to hear about how other writers actually write...

[sat8997]

or pull out my little Air

 

Totally of topic, but you have an Air? I am seriously in lust with the Air and I have no idea how to even use a Mac. Several weeks ago, I had to take my daughter to the Apple store for service on her iPod and was so captivated by one that she, literally, had to pull me out of the store. I'm sure the sales guy thought he was in for a great commission.

[BeaStKid]

The only time I go back and re-read anything is if I need to reference something for consistency. And even then, it has to be something pretty specific, otherwise I already know what's happened for the most part, and I can move forward.

I do exactly that. If I have to give a reference to a particular event or something that I want to say that had happened in the past, I tend to go back to that chapter and make sure that I am familiar with what happened.

 

Also, I read the last chapter that I wrote to get into the mode of writing. Another thing I do is write outlines for each chapter, scene-vice... like the gist of each scene. For Alpha and Omega, I had made an outline for 10 chapters that got extended to 15 and now I intend to leave it at that. (My muse hit me with two ideas for Alpha and Omega, so most probably, this story is going to be a three part book. )

 

I'm going off topic here... Well, my point is, I do go back and read the chapters, if, I am writing after a long time. But when I am on a writing spree, I just read the last paragraph of the previous chapter and then follow my outline..

 

BeaStKid

[Tiff]

For me it's a little bit of both. If the writing mood strikes, I'll write endlessly without looking over previous chapters. I'll just get it all out there. The only time I would reread the entire series would be to see if whether or not it flows properly, but in that case, it's more of a skim.

 

For something I've been working on long-term and have taken a hiatus from, sometimes I need to go back and read whole chapters to get back into the mindset, get the feel of the character, get into their head. If you pick up wrting after a long break, sometimes the readers can sense you're disconnected from the characters, stories, plot, etc.,

 

Now for something I've been working consistently on, I don't need to go back except to check minor details, like a physical description, because most of it is in my head and is fresh.

[Boy In Doubt]

I too reread previous chapters before writing a new one. But like Graeme said, what works for one writer may not work for another so I guess it's alright to try out different methods until you find what's right for you.

 

I personally despise the rereading portion of my writing sessions as I'd end up editing that piece instead of moving on. Gah! *tugs at hair* Hence my turle/snail/slow-writer's syndrome.

 

But it does help reading the last few lines so you can pick up where you left off and get into writing mode for that particular story. I agree with Tiff about the long hiatus thing. The readers will notice the gap between chapters if the writer isn't careful.

 

Just my two cents.

[Libby Drew]

For something I've been working on long-term and have taken a hiatus from, sometimes I need to go back and read whole chapters to get back into the mindset, get the feel of the character, get into their head. If you pick up wrting after a long break, sometimes the readers can sense you're disconnected from the characters, stories, plot, etc.,

 

Yes, what Tiff said. Yesterday was the first chance I've had to write in weeks, literally. Beyond the usual anxiety of being out of touch with the story for so long, I was actually nervous about whether or not I'd be able to write at all. My life is busy, my writing time limited and sometimes (like now) frustratingly infrequent, so I often need to reread in order to reconnect with the story. Though since many of my chaptered fics are written out of sequence, it's not previous chapters that I'll revisit so much as previously written passages.

[Krista]

I skim and I read the ending of the last chapter to see where I left off and how I want to continue it, but it all depends on how long I've been away from that story. With the story I'm working on now I had to go back and read every chapter because I hadn't touched the thing in so long. Do whatever you feel comfortable with though, if you feel the need to read the whole thing in order to continue then there is nothing wrong with that. Continuity and flow is important and some people can pick up on that with less material than others.. I have a good memory so I can remember things, but I still find myself creating documents with class schedules, day plans, character lists, small out lines and such so that I don't have to read a chapter to find what I'm missing or what I need in order to continue.

[Razor]

Depends on how long it's been since I wrote. I'm lucky enough to be able to speed read and comprehend. Rereading five, ten, fifteen, or even twenty chapters isn't so incredibly daunting if you're going quick enough to be spending a minute or less on each one. Besides, if I wrote it myself, then I already know what the high points were, the spots where I felt the most in character, and the framework of the story.

 

Generally I have goals for chapters; this chapter is about this, this will happen in it, the general feel will be this, I want the reader to think this, etc. Reread the last bit, check any notes, figure out my goal, remember the feel I want, and go.

 

Now, for you guys that write twenty, thirty, or forty page single spaced chapters.... jeez man, fantasy epic syndrome much? No offense of course, but it is one of Stephen King's great downfalls as well as many authors in that sometimes they water down too much and you end up with soup instead of stew; of course you don't want a solid block either, but there's most definitely a happy medium. I tend to not water down enough, I know, but I wonder sometimes why authors write the things they do. If it's not furthering plot, giving insight, projecting a mood, or performing some specific function... why is it there? Guess that's a different topic though, sorry!

[Former Member]

I do re read chapters in order to write new ones. Sometimes i will only read the last few other times i have to read the whole story agian.(thankfully i did this because i picked up on SOOO many lose ends) (only to add new ones HA HA) Tonight i was re reading a story i have been working on for months now it was almost 300 pages *YIKES!!!!* Now i finished it and deleted so much it is down to 82!! GO ME! If i handed it off to someone else to read im sure they could turn it into a 50-70. it was hilarious i was reading things and in 1 scene someone comes along and goes "Hey wanna come to a party?" and the main character goes "Sure i'll be there" Only to fall asleep for a day or 2 that same night! Or they would be planning camping trips only to not go on them. Someone had a birthday in my story and i completly forgot to give them there presents. ONLY to give them there birthday present days later. HA HA HA(Well technically it was kinda a hectic birthday. They ran into a crime scene!) HA HA the joys of writing Horror Fantasy. Or i kept having my 2 main characters fight and fall in love with each other and keep appologizing to each other that it was rather sickening!!!!!. Or id create characters just to kill them later. OR id keep them around for sooo long only to kill them later. HA HA HA!!!! Tonight i killed 2 characters And well one night i'll go back and work on their deaths better. If they ever have like a G A Worst Writer contest i so win!