 |
| Source: carpediem |
As a freelance editor and writing teacher, I’ve enjoyed
working with all sorts of writers on all sorts of projects. Over the years, I’ve
discovered there are four basic types of writers—and I’ve realized that at
various times during my nearly twenty years of writing and publishing, I’ve fit
into each of these four categories myself.
working with all sorts of writers on all sorts of projects. Over the years, I’ve
discovered there are four basic types of writers—and I’ve realized that at
various times during my nearly twenty years of writing and publishing, I’ve fit
into each of these four categories myself.
Which type of writer are you?
·
The
One-and-Done: This writer revels in the draft, which she pursues with
abandon, forsaking sleep, food, and family for the pleasures of freewheeling
through her story, spilling words onto the page. Forget mere books—she writes
epics, logging thousands of words in each writing session. All year long, she
looks forward to NaNoWriMo, when she throws herself into the challenge of drafting
an entire novel in thirty days. The One-and-Done is speedy, determined,
productive, and wildly imaginative. She has no problem finishing her draft, but
in the glow of her accomplishment, she’s prone to releasing her work too
soon—and suffering disappointment when it isn’t well-received.
The
One-and-Done: This writer revels in the draft, which she pursues with
abandon, forsaking sleep, food, and family for the pleasures of freewheeling
through her story, spilling words onto the page. Forget mere books—she writes
epics, logging thousands of words in each writing session. All year long, she
looks forward to NaNoWriMo, when she throws herself into the challenge of drafting
an entire novel in thirty days. The One-and-Done is speedy, determined,
productive, and wildly imaginative. She has no problem finishing her draft, but
in the glow of her accomplishment, she’s prone to releasing her work too
soon—and suffering disappointment when it isn’t well-received.
·
The
Winchester: Remember the Winchester heiress who feared she’d die if she ever
quit adding onto her mansion? Some writers suffer from a variation on this
malady, writing on and on but never completing a project. Not uncommonly, these
writers tend to share a subconscious fear of finishing, which inevitably
invites judgment. In other cases, the author just isn’t sure how to finish, and
so she keeps on writing and writing and writing and writing…
The
Winchester: Remember the Winchester heiress who feared she’d die if she ever
quit adding onto her mansion? Some writers suffer from a variation on this
malady, writing on and on but never completing a project. Not uncommonly, these
writers tend to share a subconscious fear of finishing, which inevitably
invites judgment. In other cases, the author just isn’t sure how to finish, and
so she keeps on writing and writing and writing and writing…
·
The
Wheel-Spinner: This writer paces nicely through a project. When she hits a
rough patch, she finds her way through to the finish, wisely seeking help
wherever it’s needed. Recognizing the difference between a draft and a
marketable book, she seeks advice on how to improve her project, then rolls up
her writerly sleeves and attempts revision. But somewhere along the way, she
gets stuck. She knows change is needed, but the means to accomplish it alludes
her. Her wheels spin and spin, rutting her road to completion.
The
Wheel-Spinner: This writer paces nicely through a project. When she hits a
rough patch, she finds her way through to the finish, wisely seeking help
wherever it’s needed. Recognizing the difference between a draft and a
marketable book, she seeks advice on how to improve her project, then rolls up
her writerly sleeves and attempts revision. But somewhere along the way, she
gets stuck. She knows change is needed, but the means to accomplish it alludes
her. Her wheels spin and spin, rutting her road to completion.
·
The Sequoia:
This writer is strong and productive, but she started out like all other
writers, as one tiny voice in a big literary forest. Hardy and adaptable, she
learns, grows, and perseveres through the years. Criticism that makes others
wither only strengthens her resolve. She stands tall yet acknowledges her
dependence on a vital ecosystem of fellow writers, devoted readers, and
insightful editors. She’s seen lean seasons and full ones, but by the time she’s
old, you could drive right through her middle and she’d continue to thrive.
The Sequoia:
This writer is strong and productive, but she started out like all other
writers, as one tiny voice in a big literary forest. Hardy and adaptable, she
learns, grows, and perseveres through the years. Criticism that makes others
wither only strengthens her resolve. She stands tall yet acknowledges her
dependence on a vital ecosystem of fellow writers, devoted readers, and
insightful editors. She’s seen lean seasons and full ones, but by the time she’s
old, you could drive right through her middle and she’d continue to thrive.
As a freelance editor, Deb Vanasse enjoys helping all types of
writers. Co-founder of 49 Writers and founder of the
independent authors cooperative Running Fox Books, she has also authored sixteen books.
Her most recent are Write
Your Best Book, a practical guide to writing books that rise above the
rest; What
Every Author Should Know, a comprehensive guide to book publishing and
promotion; and Cold
Spell, a novel that “captures the harsh beauty of the terrain as well as
the strain of self-doubt and complicated family bonds,” according to Booklist.
Her next book, Wealth Woman: Kate Carmack
and the Klondike Race for Gold, comes out in April, 2016.
writers. Co-founder of 49 Writers and founder of the
independent authors cooperative Running Fox Books, she has also authored sixteen books.
Her most recent are Write
Your Best Book, a practical guide to writing books that rise above the
rest; What
Every Author Should Know, a comprehensive guide to book publishing and
promotion; and Cold
Spell, a novel that “captures the harsh beauty of the terrain as well as
the strain of self-doubt and complicated family bonds,” according to Booklist.
Her next book, Wealth Woman: Kate Carmack
and the Klondike Race for Gold, comes out in April, 2016.
I hope to be a sequoia one day. Looking forward to your Kate Carmack book, Deb.