Going From Idea to Published Book
I read a lot that was repetitive. I still felt like it was worth it. It took time to learn and absorb the material, especially the science, so reading the same thing ten times would drill that into me more. But also, that’s how you learn what is a cliche. You start to realize: Everyone says this, so I won't say it the same way.
Erika Hayasaki • Going From Idea to Published Book
when you learn about an issue and you see everyone is saying the same things about it, don’t say those things again
I read all this history, and archival newspaper clips. I really enjoy that. I wrote multiple chapters of history. But I ended up totally scrapping them. Later, I integrated some of that history into the book. But I basically tore up my first drafts.
When I’m writing early drafts, I start by laying out material I’ve gotten from interviews and researc... See more
When I’m writing early drafts, I start by laying out material I’ve gotten from interviews and researc... See more
Erika Hayasaki • Going From Idea to Published Book
an example of how to piece things together non-linearly: she started with history, then scrapped it, then made an outline and wrote factual stuff, then went back in and added some color, some story, some personal touch