Today in the First Draft hot seat is Nancy Doyle.
Nancy was raised in a family of artists (singers, musicians, writers, and quilters) the creative influence was in her blood, and resistance was futile. She has just finished her first novel, Learning Levitation. It doesn’t fit in a traditional science-fiction genre, rather an evolving one. Science fiction romance. Usually, SFR follows formula, combined with science from soft to hard, sometimes military and political aspects, and always adventure in fantastic places. Usually there is a happy ending or at least a semi-happy ending. She is querying now for traditional publication but keeping her ear to the ground as she is aware of the epic battle between agent driven publishing, brick and mortar stores, and e books is raging. Remember Tower Records vs. iTunes? Anything can happen now!
She is fortunate to live in Northern Colorado, which she considers one of the most beautiful places on the planet. She is inspired by its mountains and high desert climate which appear in both her novels, finished and unfinished. When she’s not at home with her husband and animal companions, she’s working an IT job, writing or reading.
When you decide to write something new, what is the first thing you do?
I’m starting first draft on my second novel, Lies and Legends, so I’m using the hard won experience of the first novel, Learning Levitation. This time I’m outlining first, and I’ve already written a loose synopsis. Because I’m a visual person, I’ve filled out detailed written character sketches and, through a combined process of using photographs for inspiration and my own drawings, I’ve imagined my character’s physical appearance.
Do you have a set routine approaching it?
I have a set evening time for creative work of any kind. After dinner dishes are cleaned up, I wander to my office, shuffle through notes and papers, check e-mail, blogs, and whatnot. Once that is done, once distractions are out of the way, I’m ready. I try for two to three pages a night, but I’m happy with one good page.
Pen and paper or straight to the keyboard?
My notes and ideas are often pen and paper. I love using a Gelly Roll Fine red pen. (Shameless plug!) My handwriting is good, and sometimes I enjoy forming letters as much as the ideas I tease from the page. Once the basic outline is done, I head for the keyboard.
How important is research to you?
Remember, Murphy’s Law states: anything is possible if you don’t know what you are talking about. You just have to sound like you do. Often I have no idea how the item or situation in question works, so research helps me make up stuff that sounds plausible. Research is a secret obsession of mine. Sometimes, after hours of fascinating digging, I write one confident sentence and that’s all I need to glue everything together.
How do you go about researching?
I use the fabulous power of the internet. Once I learned how to phrase questions, I was amazed at the answers available in pixel-land. Also, I ask people. If you want to know about birth ask a mother. If you want to know about death ask a combat veteran. Most people want to talk and face-to-face research is often a rewarding experience for both interviewer and subject.
How do you store everything; ideas, research, images that catch your eye?
Sometimes, when I’m driving, I record ideas into my iPod. But, ultimately, I end up with dozens of tattered pieces of paper covered with phrases, single words, or full paragraphs crammed in my purse or pockets. I often print photos of natural locations – beaches, canyons, or jungles that appear in my novel. Everything ends up in a manila folder sitting on my desk.
Tell us how that first draft takes shape?
From my outline I list the scenes in a chapter. I write a single prompt sentence for each paragraph in a scene. Scrivener has ways to do this, but I haven’t mastered the software yet and the novel, like a baby, is coming whether I’m ready or not. So, for now, it’s back to Word, my unstable best friend.
Are there any rituals you have to do or items you must have with you while writing that draft?
Cleaning my desk is a weekly ritual no matter what. I’m a clutter-butt. When I begin writing anything my autograph from Ursula K. Leguin is always nearby. A little glass dolphin swims on my desk, reminding me of the natural world where most of my novel takes place.
Does the outside world exist or are you lost to us for a period of time as the magic works?
My outside world is hard to tame. Noise is a particular problem, so ambient music is a protective curtain behind which I disappear as long as my mojo lasts.
What does your workspace look like?
It depends on the day. Since my office doubles as a guest room and we’ve had a lot of company this summer, there’s been quite disruption in the writing force. From my window, I have a lovely view of our shaded backyard to distract me. I also have a huge wallboard behind me that displays cool ideas and, if I need one, a linear plot diagram.
Edit as you go or just keep getting words out?
This time I’m editing spelling and punctuation chapter by chapter. If I wait until the end of the novel, the nuts and bolts stuff drives me crazy. My biggest challenge is resisting the urge to rewrite a chapter before final revision content editing. I just can’t leave well enough alone!
I see many writers counting words in a day. Word counter or other method of keeping track of progression?
I’ll use Word to count my words. In order to avoid another massive tome that I have to cut, I’m keeping a close eye on the lower left hand corner of the page as I type.
So, that first draft is down. Roughly how long did it take? And what shape is it in?
The first draft of Learning Levitation took 8 – 12 months. It was a convoluted mess, missing an important part of the plot. Holly Lisle’s How To Revise Your Novel course helped me rebuild the disaster.
In what format do you like to read it through, ereader, paper or the computer screen?
The first read through is one of my favourite parts of writing. Terrifying but fun. Even though I create the story on the screen, I always print out a hard copy for a read through before revision. Corrections and revisions are made by hand in ink. Something about ink sliding over paper stimulates my brain.
What happens now that first draft is done?
With Learning Levitation I read it myself, I gave it to two beta-readers, and I read it aloud to my husband – lucky guy! After all that reading, I had a clear idea where the major mistakes were and what a long revision lay ahead.
I’ll bet every author says this at the beginning of a new rough draft, but this time it will be different!
Thanks for digging into the depths of the first draft. It’s been a pleasure having you.
You can find Nancy on her blog Here.
If you want to answer the First Draft questions, please just let me know and we’ll sort out a date!
Annalisa Crawford says
That’s a great photo of your draft, Nancy. I optimise the organised chaos system of writing, and I love using scraps of paper and sticky tape 🙂
nancyrae4 says
My tape dispenser became my best friend during first draft and subsequent revisions!
DJ Kirkby says
I like the photo of your draft, and found your responses to Rebecca’s questions very interesting. Thanks for all the detail!
nancyrae4 says
Thanks, DJ
It was my pleasure. Writing is a fascinating process, don’t you think?
DJ Kirkby says
Yes, I agree! I like how my characters never behave in the way I had imagined they would when I first begin writing their story.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – Thanks for introducing us to Nancy.
Nancy – I agree completely about the value of research! And like you, I simply can’t resist editing for some things as I go. Otherwise it bothers me too much.
nancyrae4 says
Margot, I love research so much I think I must have been a research librarian in another life.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
The nuts and bolts stuff annoys me as well but I usually make it until the end of the manuscript before i start fixing them.
nancyrae4 says
Once I’m more confident I have STRONG spelling and punctuation skills, I’ll wait until the end. But, until then, it’s pick, pick, pick – chapter by chapter:)
Jacqui Murray says
I love using photos to inspire my characters–and my setting.
nancyrae4 says
When people ask me how I visualize my characters, they seem surprised when I tell them I use photos:)
Gwen Tolios (@GwenTolios) says
2-3 pages a day is such an attainable goal.
nancyrae4 says
Usually it is. If it just doesn’t work, I do what I can and call it good:)
Kirsten says
What a fascinating peek into your process!
And I thought I was the only one who came home with parts of my story on a pocket full of Post It notes sometimes. 🙂
nancyrae4 says
You should see the bottom of my purse on a really inspired day.