"The second draft is on yellow paper, that's when I work on characterizations. The third is pink, I work on story motivations. Then blue, that's where I cut, cut, cut"
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Jacqueline Susann's quote about her writing process provides an insightful glimpse into the careful and structured method she embraced for her craft. By assigning different colors of paper to various stages of her drafts, she signified the layers and depth associated with writing a compelling narrative.
The reference of the "2nd draft is on yellow paper" suggests that Susann devotes this phase of her writing to character development. Yellow, often related to clearness and enlightenment, could represent the process of bringing characters to life, ensuring they are complicated, credible, and dynamic. At this phase, she likely focused on fleshing out her characters' personalities, backgrounds, and relationships, guaranteeing they resonate with readers. Establishing strong characterizations is critical in making the narrative engaging and mentally impactful.
Relocating to the "third is pink, I work on story inspirations", Susann shifts to understanding and refining why characters do what they do. Pink, a color frequently linked to emotion and passion, is apt for this stage. Here, she looks into the driving forces behind her characters' actions. This phase would involve aligning character motivations with the plot to produce a cohesive and compelling story arc, making sure that every action advances the story and lines up with the characters' mental makeup.
Lastly, "then blue, that's where I cut, cut, cut", represents the editing stage. Blue, frequently associated with calmness and clarity, symbolizes the need for objectivity and precision. In this final stage, Susann concentrates on tightening up the story, eliminating unnecessary elements, and refining the prose to improve readability and effect. Editing is vital to distilling the essence of the story, ensuring that every word serves a purpose and adds to the general story thrust.
Through this color-coded approach, Susann's quote encapsulates the iterative nature of composing, where each draft serves an unique function in crafting a refined and engaging story.
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