Coaching Writing
Charlotte Rains Dixon  

Make Work

"Make work" is my all-purpose notation to myself that I use for both notes and on manuscripts.   It is Office_business_desk_237992_l shorthand for "Make it work," and a very handy two words.

If I'm writing notes, and they are a bit sketchy, I add, "make work," because I know in my brain what I mean, I just might not want to take the time to write it all out–these are notes, not the full manuscript, after all.

If I'm editing a manuscript and something needs fleshing out, I'll write the notation, "Make work."

"Make work" can apply to fleshing out a character, dealing with a plot issue, adding in more description, anything.  It is a sign to myself that something isn't working.  Something needs to be dealt with or looked at more deeply.

This week what I needed to make work was a whole lot deeper than most.  It involved re-thinking an entire project, about which I will write more tomorrow or next week.  The experience has also got me re-thinking various aspects of my life.  To wit:

  • What do I need to make work better?
  • What things am I holding onto, trying to make work, that I should instead let go of?
  • What else needs a make work notation in my life–where are things too sketchy?
  • What ideas in my brain need a make work note to bring them to life in the real world?

How about you?  What do you need to make work in your life or writing?

0 thoughts on “Make Work

  1. Elizabeth

    Oh, my. Perfect timing for me to read this. I was driving around today trying to de-stress other people (my kid and her dad), which wasn’t really my “job.” I pretty much was complicit in ruining my own day for myself. I started muttering, “Things have to change. I have to change things.” I like your “make work” line. In manuscripts, I just usually scrawl “fix later.” I do fix them later. Today’s fiasco needed fixing before it happened.

    hee.

    Thank you for sharing this.

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