Rushing chapters?

[Cathy M.]

When you notice that your rushing through a chapter, or a certain part of a chapter, what do you do to either correct it, work with it, or stop the rushing?
Then, at what point is rushing considered acceptable, or is it not considered acceptable at all?

I've caught myself a few times simply rushing to get to a "good part" which I don't like to do, so I am curious as to what you all think.

 

[Esfires]

Depends on whether you're really rushing or not. If you're rushing to get to the "good part," you need to stop and see why the part you're rushing through is not a "good part." A lot of times I find that the setup for the good parts usually aren't as necessary as I originally thought they were, and can be incorporated into other areas or skipped altogether.

Essentially, ask yourself this about the parts you're rushing through: Why, as a reader, would I want to read these parts? What is it about them that makes them exciting, or interesting, or suspenseful, or touching, etc. If you can only answer that question as a writer (i.e. because these parts "need to be here" for the plot), but you can't answer it as a reader (because, for any number of reasons, they make you want to turn the page), then you need to either change those parts so they're gratifying for the reader, or leave them out entirely.

 

[Brian G Turner]

When you notice that your rushing through a chapter, or a certain part of a chapter, what do you do to either correct it, work with it, or stop the rushing?

I don't as it usually happens in a first draft, where I don't yet know all the story.

Sometimes I think it's good just to have something basic covered in these areas, and then go back and fill them in during the rewrite process.

Remember, first drafts are only that.

 

[thaddeus6th]

I'm glad I can rush, on the rare occasions it happens!

In my WIP the fourth chapter took me bloody ages. I changed one chapter-significant character twice, and another character once. I added a new scene to link two old ones better, I fiddled with the premise and the opening. Once I got 60% of so in it came more easily, thankfully, but to get that far took me ages.

On the plus side it might be the chapter I'm happiest with at the minute, but it took me bloody ages to get it done.

The chapters I wrote more quickly seem ok, although they do sometimes need a bit of fleshing out.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

It depends what stage. At first draft, I rush everything. At second draft, I take my time with everything. But I'd never present a rushed chapter in the final book without revision. Having said that, some are just easier to write than others.

 

[Glitch]

I accept I'm rushing and leave the fine tuning for a later draft.

 

[Mouse]

I wish I was capable of rushing a chapter. Or anything.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Hi,

Do you mean rushing to get to a 'good bit', or rushing to get to a narrative climax? If the former, then I'd echo what has been said above in that you shouldn't be writing anything you don't feel is 'good.' Sure, you can edit out at second draft, but to be realistic, if it is boring at first edit, chances are the author has not done credit to that narrative section.

If - as the author - you are not stimulated by that prior section, there is a danger that your readership with not be stimulated either.

pH

 

[Cathy M.]

Very interesting points, the most echoed so far being to simply leave it until the rewrite.
Thank you for the advice, personal views, and the thoughts everyone!