A centipede was happy – quite!
Until a toad in fun
Said, “Pray, which leg moves after which?”
This raised her doubts to such a pitch,
She fell exhausted in the ditch
Not knowing how to run.
— Katherine Craster , “The Centipede’s Dilemma”
******************
I’ve been thinking too much while writing the first draft. I know many of the rules of writing, and I’m keeping them all in my head at the same time, and trying to edit at the same time I write. It’s not working. I’m only writing 400 words a day, and have 10,000 words to go.
Until a toad in fun
Said, “Pray, which leg moves after which?”
This raised her doubts to such a pitch,
She fell exhausted in the ditch
Not knowing how to run.
— Katherine Craster , “The Centipede’s Dilemma”
******************
I’ve been thinking too much while writing the first draft. I know many of the rules of writing, and I’m keeping them all in my head at the same time, and trying to edit at the same time I write. It’s not working. I’m only writing 400 words a day, and have 10,000 words to go.
Writing coaches say, “Just write. Don’t edit. Just write.” This is the reason, because too much self-examination can tie one in knots, like the caterpillar. I’m worrying about the book, about what I’ve already written, and distracting myself from the moment.
I need to cut that out.
Words Like Me 