Completing a chapter

[Empathy]

I know there was a good discussion on chapter length, but I was wondering how long it takes everyone to complete a new chapter. On certain stories it can take me the better half of a month and on some just a few days.

[NickolasJames8]

It just depends on what kind of mood Im in....I can knock out a short chapter in about an hour or I can do a long one in about two...I just finished a 50KB chapter in about an hour and a half, but I was really focused on it and I had good music playing (a must)

[Graeme]

It is so variable I wouldn't try to put a figure on it. Sometimes a chapter will just flow out and I can have it done and ready for editing in a day or two. Other times I've sat on a chapter for weeks while I let the issues with it stew in the back of my mind.

 

It's not writing time that's the issue, but the time it takes to have the chapter in your mind ready to write. That can take a long time as you try to work out what is going into the chapter and then making sure the story flows well. The chapter I'm currently working on for my latest story has been sitting there for about five weeks. I'm going to have to scrap a lot of what I've written because it didn't work... but I've decided to take a break and do some consolidation work on the earlier chapters instead. When I get back to it, I'm sure I'll be able to knock it off in a week, maybe two.

[Empathy]

It is so variable I wouldn't try to put a figure on it. Sometimes a chapter will just flow out and I can have it done and ready for editing in a day or two. Other times I've sat on a chapter for weeks while I let the issues with it stew in the back of my mind.

 

It's not writing time that's the issue, but the time it takes to have the chapter in your mind ready to write. That can take a long time as you try to work out what is going into the chapter and then making sure the story flows well. The chapter I'm currently working on for my latest story has been sitting there for about five weeks. I'm going to have to scrap a lot of what I've written because it didn't work... but I've decided to take a break and do some consolidation work on the earlier chapters instead. When I get back to it, I'm sure I'll be able to knock it off in a week, maybe two.

 

 

Actually I don't work the stories out in my head before, not really. There may be one or two things that I want to have happen just to connect them to other thigns but for the most part I free write. I really don't like it when I map out a story. I find myself getting bored with the story pretty quick. On the other hand that could contribute to the amount of time it takes for me to complete a chapter.

[Graeme]

I don't map out a story, either, but one piece of advice I was given when I started is to have a rough idea of what's happening in the NEXT chapter as you write the current one. That helps maintain the flow of the plot and helps avoid running the story into a deadend. I know what's coming up and I write towards that. Otherwise, the details come along when I try to write.

[Tom]

I find that there are a lot of diffrent things that affect my writing. If I feel tired or stressed out, I have to force out two or three sentences every few days, usualy deleting most of it when the urge to write takes hold.

 

The story I am writing is completely 'free form', letting the charicters guide it, so my writing speed varies by how well I can 'Listen' to them. When I have other things going on, I am genrally fighting myself to hear what should be in the story

[Krista]

Well I can sit down and write a chapter to a story in about an hour flowing or not. I do have a rouch idea of a main point I want to cover in the chapter that I'm writing on though. When I have trouble then I just don't write. I also hate when I have to stop in the middle of a chapter because I made the mistake in starting it in a time frame that isn't open for me.

 

So I always try to write a chapter in one sitting and that rarely takes me longer than an hour to do.

 

Krista

[JamesSavik]

Over night. Or months. Or maybe even years. It all depends on... I don't know. Inspiration? Self-criticism?

 

Feedback- the idea that people like what you are doing- can motivate you but that alone will not sustain your efforts.

 

If what you are writing is too close to home, you can become uncomfortable with a subject. Having others read it is like going to the mall dressed only in your boxers. That'll slow you down.

[DarkShadow]

I usually start with about three sentences that describe the entire story. One that explains the beginning, one that explains the end, and then a couple for a very very general feel of the story and plot. After that... it's a free for all of imagination. It's the part I love and sometimes despise about writing.

 

I generally write between three and five pages an evening after work. (usually only 3) From seven pm until about midnight I am planted before my computer. One day a week, usually on the weekend, I don't write at all. I rent some movies... get messed up in the head and veg.

 

As for editing, I could (and have) gone back to the same single page and rewritten it up to fifteen times even if it was only changing one word or sentence. I could edit for an eternity and never find the things fresh eyes will.

 

Each new evening I reread everything that leads up to where I left off (within the chapter) and then begin. If it is the beginning of a new chapter, I read the previous one to get back into the feel of the story.

 

For me to write a good chapter, I figure it takes about five days. I have had some go much quicker, and some move at a snail's pace. Generally, five days for one 'decent' chapter that can be sent off to the editor. If I haven't spent at least that much time, I will be getting back a revision that most resembles an autopsy of changes. I would like to think I don't give my editor that much work for a single chapter. It makes things move faster for me and them.

 

I've found going through and changing simple grammar and punctuation takes less time than approving changes made by my editor. To do anything less in my opinion is laziness. If we don't even try to improve the structure of our writing and leave it all to someone else, then what is the point? Anyone can tell a shitty story.

[jalaki]

Hmm...*tries to think back to what being a writer is like* Hahaha....but yeah, generally I'd say it would be a few days between 'posting' of a chapter, to count that as completion....but of actual writing time, that can vary greatly. If I'm all focused and know what I'm trying to accomplish with it, I can churn it out pretty quickly (couple hours tops). On average I'd vernture a guess of about twice that.

 

Then of course, as Kitty mentioned, there's the "post-writing processing" which can sometimes take much longer than the first writing did

[jalaki]

I don't consider that as "post-writing". It's still a part of the writing itself.

 

Going back through and doing the hard work may not be as fun as first getting the story out, but it's an essential part of the writer's craft. An artist doesn't just walk into his or her studio, splash some paint onto the blank canvas, and say "I'm done."

 

Well, yeah, I consider it a part of the overall process, as well, I was just using that as a shorter term than saying something like "the editing and revising after writing the first draft." I was thinking along the lines of the movie term "post-production" where you'd have stuff that still counts as "making a movie" but isn't the filming/acting/etc most would probably think of as the 'defining' part of the creation of the movie. Hooray for my weird analogies!

 

But yes, a definitely-integral part of the overall writing process, hence why I was saying "a few days" - to include the revisions, editing, etc - instead of the "few hours" I mentioned about doing the overall "rough draft" type.

[Graeme]

As someone wise said to me the other day, there's a difference between being a good story-teller and a good story-writer. They are very different things. When the reader is lucky, the two come together in the same person.

Absolutely!

 

A good story-teller is one that has something interesting to say. A good story-writer is one who can say something very well. A good author is one who can do both.

 

I've seen lots of great ideas ruined by bad story-writing -- the delivery of the idea failed to meet the quality of the idea itself. Equally, I've seen some great writing, but the story itself was nothing special.

 

I didn't start writing until I thought I had an idea that was original and interesting, and I then tested myself to see if I could deliver on the idea I had in my mind. I was happy enough that I proceeded. Since then, I'll admit that not all of my short stories are that original and some of the delivery could be improved, but I wasn't interested in starting until I thought I could reach a credible standard in both of these areas. I still know that I've got a long way to go, but I can see how I've improved and I'm looking to continue to improve... a process that I don't expect to ever stop.

[JamesSavik]

I have heard that the best writers are the best rewriters. Typically any first draft will still require a lot of work.

 

A guy that I talked to last summer said write your first draft and put it away for a few days- a week. Then come back to it fresh to make your revisions. Sometimes you'll just want to nuke it and start over.

[Boy In Doubt]

It usually takes me about 2 weeks to really complete a chapter. I do some proof-reading the week after I'm done then when I feel I'm ready, I post the chapter.

I also like to take notes whenever I come up with ideas (dialogue, plot, anything that can be added to the story). But I do wish I could finish a chapter in two hours and then worry about the rewriting the rest of the week.

And sometimes the most frustrating thing is writer's block. Imagine your mind screeching to a halt mid-chapter. Ughh! Don't you just hate that?!

[Jack Scribe]

And sometimes the most frustrating thing is writer's block. Imagine your mind screeching to a halt mid-chapter. Ughh! Don't you just hate that?!

 

Or, personal problems that just pull you out of the creative loop.

 

This thread is very revealing because there is no absolute answer. Nick - who I really admire for his talent and tenacity...and is 15, going on 30 - grinds out a chapter in a couple of hours. Graeme mentioned that he has been grappling with his story for five weeks. Kitty, rightly so, threw in the extra time needed to complete the editing cycle.

 

I love the analysis of an good author being a combination of a good story teller and a good story writer. To fall in this category is a prime goal for me (The other being accepted and read ).

 

My style is to have one chapter completed, with editing, every week. However, prior to posting the story, I will have a minimum eight chapters "in the can." This way, I can go back and correct a character or a detail of the plot if something in a later chapter alters your original idea. This also allows for any block or interruptions. Finally, behind this discipline is to have the ability to post one chapter per week so that the reader can keep pace and sustain interest.

 

I tried, in the beginning, to outline the first story. But I found that the characters took on their own distinct lives and the plot would take sudden turns I had not planned orginally. After Chapter Three, I went "free-form."

 

Hope this makes sense.

 

Jack