TheCO: What does a "typical" writing day look like for you?
LMB:I don’t write every day. I spend some days or weeks on the less visible "pre-writing" phase, getting my ideas in order and captured in a notebook. I work on a book in small sections, in chronological order. I can plot out a section, which may be one or several chapters, then figure out what scenes go in the next chapter, then take each scene and think about and visualize it and, eventually, scribble something between an outline and a first draft in pencil. I choreograph my dialogue very closely—script it—in pencil before attempting to type it. I take these notes, scene by scene, to the computer to turn into the "first" draft. Once I have a chapter assembled in my head, the writing usually goes quickly and intensely, and the chapter will fall out in two to five days. This empties the buffers—when I get it written down I can stop remembering it, always a great relief—and makes room in my limited brain space for the next bit. Then there will be another long apparent pause while the next wodge forms up. Long walks are very good for this part of the process.
TheCO: How do you do your editing? Is this an all-at-once process? Line by line as you write?
LMB: Structural editing almost all takes place at the outline stage, as I shove the scene sequences around and at last into place. Very seldom do I add or delete whole scenes after the first draft. When I complete a day’s work I usually print it out and take the pages away to read in the new format (in a different room and chair, which my body desperately needs by that point), and mark it up with line edit and copy edit stuff—fixing syntax, improving word choice, adding some forgotten bit or cutting something excess that impedes the flow. At the end of the chapter, it goes out (by e-mail, now) to my inner circle of test readers; when they return their comments, I enter changes as I judge useful, and print out the chapter that goes into the accumulating three-ring binder. I look back over this material fairly frequently as I continue to write, and mark up any problems that catch my eye. At the end of the book comes the vast appalling task of going back over the whole thing, and making all necessary changes on all levels. I enter all these, print it out again, read it again, make any other changes that seem required (by this time I’m cross-eyed and thoroughly sick of it all), and produce the first submission draft, which goes to the editor. She returns her comments, I make what responses I’m going to, and back it goes to the publisher. After that there will be the copy edit to read and approve or fix, and finally, the galleys.
Article comments
1 - DrPat
I had passed up Hallowed Hunt because I was so disappointed not to see a new Vorkosigan novel. The peek into the creation process makes me realize that LMB fantasy is all we're likely to get for years.
[sigh]
Thanks for this, theco. I think.
2 - Robert A. Mitchell
If you haven't read Bujold before you don't know what a treat you have in store for yourself, if you have you know how long it seems between books. One of the few authors I know of that never disappoints me. Makes me think, laugh, and buy new books because I can't wait for it to hit the used book store shelves.
3 - Dale Josephs
I've always enjoyed reading anything Bujold has published; and this interview makes her even more fascinating: getting this sort of insiders' view of the creative processes are what really prick my interest.
4 - M. Haller Yamada
Wonderful interview! Can't wait to get Hallowed Hunt, and the next New Thing. (-: The otter analogy is very entertaining.
5 - TheCO
Pat you said:I had passed up Hallowed Hunt because I was so disappointed not to see a new Vorkosigan novel. The peek into the creation process makes me realize that LMB fantasy is all we're likely to get for years.
[sigh]
Thanks for this, theco. I think.
Me personally while the fantasy is different i do find the quality holds up quite well. Curse of Chalion has echo's of Mirror Dance, and Paladin reminds me equally of Barrayar and Memory. Hallowed Hunt is genuinely unique, but of no less quality than the 'average' Bujold.
6 - DrPat
Oh, I bought Chalion's Curse, and read it, and found it enjoyable. Palladin and Hunt will probably also find their way to my shelves (in paperback), now that I know there is no further Miles madness in the works...
7 - theco
Ah, i did see Paladin in pb the last time i was in a store, the cover actually shrank down nicely. Enjoy.
8 - V
If you're the least bit hesitant, go read the sample chapters. I can guarantee that you'll want to buy the book immediately.
9 - theco
Oh, what V said.
Hell, you can always talk your library into a copy and check it out. Then buy your own copy if (read as: when) you decide you adore it.
10 - TheCO
Dale,
There are links to other interviews with Lois on her site, and she's doing a couple more cons this year so you might actually be able to meet her.
11 - Temple Stark
Blogcritics' editors liked this one. It's a pick of the week. Congrats. Put the news up proudly on your site.
Here's a link to the rest of this week's picks
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13 - sid
I'm sorry I am just not a big fan of LB's fantasy stuff...I mean come on, why a sci fi author of her caliber should decide to write about a bunch of barbarians with swords and magic (wtf??!!) is beyond me.
I'm waiting for some sci fi before I'll look at her again.