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A Fork, Knife and Elephant Means What?
 Posted by Autumn Jordon Jan 24 2012, 12:01 am A Fork, Knife and Elephant Means What? They’re all elements in an old parable where a man feels overwhelmed at the daunting task of eating an elephant. I never heard this story until last July, at the RWA national conference. I think it was either Roxanne St. Clair or Harlen Coben and Lisa Jackson who brought the story up during their discussion. Writing a book can be much like eating an elephant at one sitting, if we let it be. First, know writing a quality novel takes thought, sweat and time. A great deal of all three. The project is something you’re not just going to dash off in a weekend. Not even a long weekend. So know your work will take you several months, or a year, or years to accomplish, depending on your time constrictions and ability to type. It’s less intimidating if you think of a huge job as parts. So size up your project. Is it going to be a novella, a category romance, single title or a series of single titles? Once you know the word count you’re targeting, you can break the project into parts. If you want to write a single title at approximately 90,000 words over ten months, you’ll want to write at least 9000 words in a month or nearly 2400 words a week. Break that down to six days a week (I gave you a day off) and you’ll need to write 400 hundred words a day. That big elephant isn’t looking too huge now, right?
Now, imagine writing ‘the end’. You did it! Dance. Yell YIPPY out to the worl. Have some bubbly and chocolate. That’s it. Hold that feeling close.
The warm fuzzy memory will urge you on when you think you can’t possibly do this.
Having all the tools you need, will make the task easier. Think about it. Did you ever make a cake batter with all the ingredients at han
Not every writer writes a book in the same way or in a linear fashion. If you hate writing the end, write it first. If you look at the middle as a swayback mare and you hate facing it, fast draft a few scenes. Last bit of advice, start eating that elephant. The end is non-existent without the beginning. Share:
              
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Love this, AJ. Great advice.
Years ago, we lived in a house with a very long, circuitous driveway. Often when it snowed, I would be the only one home, and I knew the kids would need to walk up from the bus and Hubble would have to drive up from work. So I’d pull out the shovel, look at that endless driveway, and repeat to myself, “One shovelful at a time.” Same principle, and it does get the job done. And, quite frankly, I think I’d rather face that driveway with a shovel than an elephant with a knife and fork!
Morning, Gwyn. It sounds like you had a driveway like mine. One shovel at a time. Positive spin; it’s great exercise and I didn’t have run to the gym.
I thought this post would be appropriate with the Winter Writing Fest heading into it’s third week as a reminder to the participates that a big job can be done. Each sprint they should be thinking I’m going to write a scene, not a book. And if a scene is not possible, then I’ll a goal could be to write the scene over a few days.
A word at a time.
Wonderful post, AJ. No matter what task you’re facing it’s much easier to break it down into baby steps. This philosophy can apply to any situation. After suffering a personal tragedy last year, my days began with one hour at a time, which progressed eventually to one day at a time. I had to laugh when I read the cake baking part. At Christmas I was making a layered dip for my husband’s work Christmas party. Within two hours, I’d made three trips to the store. Yes, it’s always a good idea to line everything up ahead of time.
Oh no, June, that’s not funny, but it is. LOL
Glad you’re back on track. Today, I’m taking my first scene one line at a time. Not worrying about the middle or end.
Hope to see you and others in sprints later tonight.
The end is non-existent without the beginning.
I LOVE that! Will have to keep it in the forefront of my mind as I begin the next one!
Thanks, Autumn.
You’re welcome, sweetie.
I love ‘the end is non-existent without the beginning,’ too, Autumn! And breaking things down into managable pieces is the only thing that keeps me moving forward, sometimes! Great advice to all of us facing that big, scary elephant!
Me too, Tina. I’m a panster at heart, so I don’t get caught up in the whole thing. The story has to reveal itself to me in bits and pieces. I think about making the scene I’m working on the best it can be. Sort of like building a pyramid, one stone a time, making sure the foundation is strong and each floor in secure before moving on.
Great post, Autumn. What I love is everyone is different but the principle is the same – books don’t write themselves. You must start somewhere, and it doesn’t have to be the beginnning. Little bites are managable, which is why the WFF is so good for me. I know I will productive on some level and it doesn’t have to be WC. I like manageable bites…even if I feel like I’m in a hurry and on the go (which I am with this deadline looming) but I won’t try to eat that elephant all at once, that’s for sure.
BTW, wonder if elephant tastes like chicken?
LOL. I don’t know if elephant tastes like chicken and really don’t want to.
I’m loving the sprinits too. Some sprinters are really racking up great numbers but for me just moving forward and really getting into my character’s heads is great.
See you tonight, maybe?
I agree with you Autumn simply moving forward can be just as important as racking up large number counts.
I really needed this today, Autumn. I’ve been spending way too much time frantically looking between the computer and the calendar.
“One bite at a time” is my new mantra.
Don’t stress, Tammy, it will only hinder you. Love the story and it will flow. Glad I could help.
Thank you for this. I’m always making things more difficult than they are. Afraid to start and then once I do I wonder what the problem was.
Isn’that always the way, Rita. LOL.
Love this, Autumn! Thanks for sharing. I tend to let myself get overwhelmed by the elephant in the room instead of looking for ways to make it look less intimidating. And that makes it easy to come up with excuses for not writing and not moving forward.
Imagine that elephant blown into little bits by one of your heroes. Now there are just little pieces to pick up. WINK. You’re welcome, hon.
What a wonderful and timely post, Autumn! I keep biting off more than I should chew, then wonder why my mouth is so full all the time. sigh… I keep saying I’ll never do it again, but lo’ and behold, here I am. I’ll learn someday.
I do the same thing!
We’re all with you, on that one, Darynda. Lesson to learn> say, ah, no.
I love the elephant story! I have a card a writer friend sent me oh…about 20 years ago, lol, that says how do you move a mountain? One rock at a time.
That’s another great one and so true. While visiting a national park in Utah, I wondered how they (workers nearly 200 years ago) managed to dig a tunnel through the hard rock. My DH said, “One hit of the pick at a time.”
Reach the dream, by taking the perfect steps.
Love the shrinking elephant trick!
I really need to get better at working in small increments–I tend to be of the “feast or famine” school.
Sorry, I’m late to the party, Autumn. I was too busy yesterday enjoying myself with Gwynlyn to sign on. This was a great post. Thanks.