Fill in the Blanks

I finally did it. I wrote several chapters of crap. 

No really. This is a good thing. Stick with me.

Remember when I said there were two things that caused me to be a slow writer? Well, one of them is the bite-sized pieces. With every scene, all I can see is the entire picture.

In life, when I’m in the middle of deep thought, or talking on the phone, I don’t notice the details around me. I don’t pay attention to how the carpet feels under my bare feet, or the cold tile. If there are wood floors, I don’t pay attention to the color of the grain or if the wood creaks as I step. In the middle of something, I don’t pay attention if the place smells like cookies baking or coffee brewing (okay, maybe cookies). My mind doesn’t think about the color and shape of furniture when I sit down to have a conversation with a friend.

When I’m writing, the same thing happens. I see the bigger picture, not the details. I know what I want my characters to feel or say, where I want them to do it, and why. But, what does a room look like, or a restaurant or an office building? If the characters are outdoors, what season is it? Is the sun shining? Is it hazy or raining? Is the weather making an impact on the scene? Is it nighttime with a full or crescent moon?

Not to mention, what are the characters doing while they speak or think? Twirling hair? Pacing? Folding arms? Does someone have bulging eyes? Perfectly groomed hair, or is it messy? Who is short, tall, skinny or plump?

I get stuck trying to figure out the details and I either don’t write at all, or I keep backspacing.

That is why I’m happy to announce that I finally wrote several chapters of crap. You see, my WIP novel has Part One, Part Two, and Part Three. I finished the first part by not stopping to try and fill in those details. I just wrote what was happening between my characters. This is good, because the scenes are written, and now I can go back and fill in those details.

I normally feel as if I’m a terrible writer if I don’t have the details along the way, which causes me to start and stop constantly. This time, I just let loose and wrote crap. Now, we’ll see how I do when I fill in the blanks. I want to get Part One cleaned up before I get to the other two parts, otherwise I’ll have it on my mind and won’t be able to get through what comes next.

Wish me luck.

Are you able to fill in the details in your writing or even your blog on the first go around? If so, please share your secret.