Friday, July 11, 2008

WIPs and the Wipped...

I've got a few works-in-progress that are officially kicking me in bum. For the sake of my sanity, I'm venting here and maybe I can help another author or artist going through the same thing.

When a WIP is driving you crazy, remember:

1) Deadlines are your friend. Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like knowing that something is due...TODAY?!? AHHH!!!!

2) Don't press the delete button. Just don't. As bad as the scene or chapter might seem, a revision later will take care of it. But if the words are gone, they're gone. And the only way to bring them back is to find one of those Harry Potter hourglass-thingies or a nuclear powered Delorean that can take you back in time.

3) Outlines are awesome. Write one. Then, ignore it. Sometimes a fresher, better idea will come time if you're not shackled to the scene-by-scene rundown.

4) This is for artists in particular: Every once in a while, a drawing just wants to come out ugly, period. Don't fight it. In fact, make the drawing as horrible as you can, then rip up the piece of paper into a bunch of tiny pieces and throw it out. Doing that is like sending the creative part of your brain on a trip to the spa. You feel refreshed, rejuvenated even. And when you sit back down at the drawing table, you know you've already gotten that ugly sketch out of your system and now you can draw something attractive.

On that last note, I'm heading back to the drawing board to finish penciling. :)

Here Kitty

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aww, cute kitty-cat!

Anne Cain said...

Thanks, Lissa! I felt like drawing some kitties because of a certain story I have in progress... ;)

Keira Andrews said...

I've never done a scene-by-scene outline because I find that too binding, but a general outline helps me.

Of course, I'm supposed to be writing right now and not reading blogs. Heh. Okay, back to it!

Anne Cain said...

What I like about scene-by-scene outlines is that I can move parts around to make the story flow better. That's especially helpful for longer stories that might start to sag around the middle.

Anyhoo...write, Keira, write!

K.A. Mitchell said...

Beautiful drawing, Anne. There is so much depth of personality in those eyes.

I personally emjoy having a deadline because it does make my brain come up with creative solutions to previously insurmountable problems. But I also love what Douglas Adams (how I miss new work from him) said about deadlines "I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they go by."

clear skies said...

Deadlines are good, especially when you're a naturally lazy person and need a time line to actually get something done (I have one too). Good luck with your deadline Anne.

Anne Cain said...

Thanks, K.A.! The drawing captures a very similar expression my cats get whenever they want a snack...*g*

That's such a great quote too. LOL! And, gosh, he's right--that whooshing sound missed deadlines make is kinda nice. :o)

Anne Cain said...

Hi, Clear Skies! Thanks so much for the well wishes. I'm chugging along, and making better progress on both the art and writing front. :D

How's your project doing?

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