I like that article

Interesting article and thanks for flagging it up FT! It's a great quote from Terry Pratchett. I really hadn't thought about that but of course it's exactly right.

I guess as with most things, there are probably two basic approaches here: the splurge it all out and refine it later method and the try to get it right first time way. I've always tried to get it right first time. Partly, this is because I do a lot of sifting and planning in my head before writing anything and partly because I get more psyched up when trying to get it first time. It helps me push through all those comforting padded notions that I can always refine it later. It makes me reach for something different or new right now, rather than decide I'll be creative later. Feels a bit how I imagine stand-up comedy does, when every word that emerges will get cheered or rubbished.

Terry

It's a good article - as someone with two unfinished MS it resonates.

I hate writing when I feel like I am clawing for every word - though that can take less editing - or less obvious editing.

I also like writing at speed and losing myself in the story - but know then that while there may be a series of imaginative leaps there is also going to be a lot of work needed to get out of the swampy bits in between

Sarah

Sure, some people can get it right first time and good luck to them. And I suspect the more books you write the better you get at planning ahead. But certainly in the early days it helped me to learn that it's OK to write a rubbish first draft. It stopped me being too precious about it for one thing, and take risks I wouldn't otherwise take. Word processors make deleting rubbish so much easier. I expect it was harder in Jane Austen's day.

I imagine she'd spend a lot longer thinking it out in her head before committing to paper?

Must have been a lot harder even in recent times when paper was difficult to get hold of - WW 2 - and you could still lose an MS on a bus or train?