Can't waste no time!

When do you need to know what you're writing is any good?

Book sales would be an indication, but that's well after the fact. I need confirmation while I'm writing not after.

For me the answer is a two part early indicator of how things will ultimately turn out. Not proofpositive, just sort of a writer's 'canary in the coal mine' heads up about what I've written. 

Once I have storyline in mind, how quickly I can flesh it out before moving on to whatever will be next is part one. The sooner that happens, the less I struggle putting words in my character's mouths, the more certain I am I've not wasted time.

You might say believing not wasting time is a pretty low bar to get over. You'd be right. But you have to start somewhere, and not having to struggle writing scenes and dialog is where I start.

On to part two, a much higher bar.

If I find myself almost believing I am at the place and time I am writing about with the characters I created, I know I haven't wasted time.

Why all this concern about wasting time?

Writing, rewriting (repeat endlessly) doesn't allow for it. I have a very tight schedule preparing The Unlived Lives of Shelly Bennett for publication later this summer. There isn't a reservoir of time allowing me to write 3,000 words one day only to throw them out the next.

They don't have to be perfect (they won't be) but they must be salvageable for the next phase; countless more hours and days rewriting once the first draft manuscript is 'finished' (hint, it never is.)

These blog posts are an example of that process.

As long as you think what you've read is good, we're good; no wasted time.

And when you don't think it's good, keep it to yourself. You'd be wasting your time expecting me to spend my time reading or listening to your complaints.

Another waste of time. 😉