Crazy Write!

by Cindy R. Williams

My every other Saturday turn to blog here seems to come way sooner than two weeks apart. I always start my post at least several days prior so I can let it steep. Then come back to it and see if I wrote what I meant to say or roll my eyes and ask myself, "What was I thinking?"

This is much like my writing. I love to do what I call "Crazy Write!" Crazy Write is where you just forget everything, and everybody and lose yourself in creating the story, not worrying about whether you are using correct techniques, or breaking writing rules. You just let your finger fly as fast as they will on the keyboard trying to keep up with the story as it pours out of your mind.

I Crazy Write until I run out of steam or am called back to this planet to take care of real life things. My story simmers and settles then I go back with fresh eyes and take a good look at it. I find that I usually love the story so much because I let myself just spill it out from my crazy brain. I'm often surprised and even delighted at what I wrote and wonder where in the world did this or that come from? When I come back to do some clean up editing, I'm not sick and tired of it. I also am more objective about it and able to cut and toss without feeling like I am severing an arm.

I attended a conference where one of  my favorite authors, Brandon Sanderson, told us he writes his books from start to finish without any editing along the way. If a new character just happens to appear midway, he doesn't go back to the earlier part of the story and work it in until after the entire book is finished. Once done, he ties in all the loose ends and makes it all come together. This intrigues me. It sounds a lot like Crazy Writing an entire book. I decided to try it on a YA project with four characters that have been bantering back and forth in my head. I will tell you how it goes in a few months.

What is your writing style? Have you ever tried to Crazy Write? I would love to hear from you.