Scaffolds and Scribbles and Drafts, Oh My!

--Debbie's View

When I write a story in rhyme, my drafting process begins in a burst of enthusiasm and optimism. Usually I’ll have been inspired by an idea or a fun phrase or word or sound; this spark starts the story. The next step in my process involves experimentation, as I try out different rhyme schemes and cadences, and play with characters and plot. I usually enjoy this exploratory period, much of which takes place off-paper. Eventually I arrive at a workable rhythm and a general notion of my story’s arc. I then set up a blank draft to indicate the general structure of my story, including notes about recurring words and phrases. This is the scaffolding for what’s to come.

But when I get to the next step, of fitting my story idea into the structure I have devised for it, the work becomes much more intense and often much less fun. Once I’ve started earnest work on my draft, I find it very difficult to stop until I have a complete first draft. Having an incomplete rhyming story draft is physically painful to me. It gives me a feeling of having been left hanging. So I juggle my work schedule; ignore the dishes, the laundry, and the cats; and stay up far past my bedtime for however many days it takes to churn out a complete first draft.

To my mind, second drafts – at least for rhyming stories – are much less painful.