FAST DRAFTING OR SLOW WRITING?

I am sure you have heard about the plotters and pantsers debate. There’s a new debate in town plaguing writers. Should I fast draft or should I, write slow? I have been asking myself this lately. And, of course, as if often the case, the answer is somewhere in the middle.

A year ago, I read Rachel Aaron’s book from 2,000 to 10,000: How to write faster, write better, and write more of what you love. The idea is very appealing. Who doesn’t want to write faster and better and more? And, as a two time NANOWRIMO “winner”, I know it can be done. At least the faster part. The better part I’m not so sure of. But, isn’t that what we want, at least if we are talking about our first draft. Or what is sometimes referred to as the ZERO DRAFT. Fast drafting makes sense when you just want to get ideas and characters out of your brain and onto the page. This is also an excellent time to be a pantser.

However, if you ever want anyone to read your work, it will require several rewrites. And I have found that when rewriting, I can’t go fast. If I do, my chapter ends up mechanical and without heart. This is when Louise DeSalvo’s book on “The Art of Slow Writing” comes in handy. Because I need to slow down to make sure my character is making meaning of what is happening. As I have learned from @JennieNash and from Lisa Cron of “Story Genius” fame, that is what makes a story.

So, which is it, fast or slow? For me, it’s both.

What do you think? Comment below.