What a fabulous interview! I'm heartened to hear Puchner's perspective on the sentence--I often fear I focus TOO much on sentences and style, but I really believe they're the foundation of all great writing. I'll absolutely check out Dream State now, as well as his recommendations!
I love the part about the importance of revision. Whenever I mentor upcoming science writers, I tell them that 85% of time on any assignment I give them should be spent on revision.
Thank you for reminding me to watch the book club recording! I was waiting until I finished my read and then it slipped my mind last year. That must have been such a cool experience!
I read Dream State and loved it! I think it was your recommendation. Thank you for this. To me, revision is the best part. I don’t like drafting. I find it so hard to dig and dig to find the story, I am so full of self doubt I often quit before finishing, but once I have a story, that part of the writing process is the part I love.
So good to hear that it's been helpful for you too. To get myself to stop writing while drafting, I remind myself that it doesn't have to be perfect, but it just has to be. That gets me off the loop and back to writing.
This was a really impactful interview, Kat. Thank you.
I tend to re-write as I draft. But, I'm leaning into re-writing after I feel solid, during revision. At times, I can get bogged down editing line by line during the drafting process. Exercises where I re-write lines or entire scenes from different perspectives had helped me ensure my lines are as punchy as I want them to be.
Rewriting scenes from different perspectives has help me refine my voice and line-to-line writing so much over the years.
Since you’re trying to line edit more in revision now, how do you give yourself permission to let go of line-level writing in order to focus more on the big-picture story as you write a first draft?
What a fabulous interview! I'm heartened to hear Puchner's perspective on the sentence--I often fear I focus TOO much on sentences and style, but I really believe they're the foundation of all great writing. I'll absolutely check out Dream State now, as well as his recommendations!
Dream State is phenomenal, and I really enjoyed Red Cavalry. Excited for your reads!
This is so great! Makes me envious of folks who can write a stellar sentance AND weave a thrilling story.
Pulling off both prose and engaging plot is quite the feat, especially for literary fiction writers. Thanks for reading!
Great interview!
Thanks for reading!
I love the part about the importance of revision. Whenever I mentor upcoming science writers, I tell them that 85% of time on any assignment I give them should be spent on revision.
Revision is where the real writing happens!
I appreciate your comment! I have been getting a lot of flack from my husband about spending so long on revision.
Revision can definitely feel like a slog to get through, but the book has to take as long as it needs to find its final shape.
This book was amazing and he's such a cool guy. Was at his Oprah Book Club taping and he was incredible!
Thank you for reminding me to watch the book club recording! I was waiting until I finished my read and then it slipped my mind last year. That must have been such a cool experience!
Great questions. Great guest
Thanks for reading!
I don’t only just read it. I felt it. Thank you!
I read Dream State and loved it! I think it was your recommendation. Thank you for this. To me, revision is the best part. I don’t like drafting. I find it so hard to dig and dig to find the story, I am so full of self doubt I often quit before finishing, but once I have a story, that part of the writing process is the part I love.
So glad you enjoyed Dream State! It’s been a year since I read it, and Garrett’s character arc still crosses my mind at least once a week.
I agree 100% about revision. Drafting is always a slog for me, but revision feels more like play. Thanks as always for reading!
Sold. I’m going to read his novel. Thanks 😊
It is FIRE. Cece is a wild, messy character, and I’m here for very second of it. Excited for you to read it!
Thank you! 🙏🏼
So good to hear that it's been helpful for you too. To get myself to stop writing while drafting, I remind myself that it doesn't have to be perfect, but it just has to be. That gets me off the loop and back to writing.
A great mindset for drafting. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
This was a really impactful interview, Kat. Thank you.
I tend to re-write as I draft. But, I'm leaning into re-writing after I feel solid, during revision. At times, I can get bogged down editing line by line during the drafting process. Exercises where I re-write lines or entire scenes from different perspectives had helped me ensure my lines are as punchy as I want them to be.
Rewriting scenes from different perspectives has help me refine my voice and line-to-line writing so much over the years.
Since you’re trying to line edit more in revision now, how do you give yourself permission to let go of line-level writing in order to focus more on the big-picture story as you write a first draft?