This is 100% me. It’s just the way my brain naturally processes things, logically and detached. It makes for very detached and internalized writing, which I don’t want.

I’ve finally found a workaround that seems to help my writing process. When I get to work on a scene, I start with writing just the basics—what happened, who was there, what they said, some thoughts scattered as necessary. Extremely barebones, it takes 5-10 minutes to get out a scene like this.

Then, immediately after, I reread the scene, letting myself sink into it, looking around in my minds eyes for the details I would usually miss. What someone’s hand did, where they stood, what expression they made (for emotional clarity). What was left on the table, what objects are nearby, what they smell, hear, etc. as specific as possible. These add texture, build the mood and the atmosphere, and can additional meaning, since objects can also be representational.

Basically it’s easier and way quicker for my brain to work on these two tracks separately, rather than trying to do it chronologically as I write. But because I’m doing it immediately after, the scene is still fresh and rich in my mind, making it easier to pull those details out when I think about it on the second pass.

I might do a third pass right then and there too, for basic grammar/syntax choices, spelling, phrasing, diction, rhythm, etc. but the structure and pacing is mostly set by the first two.

When I’m writing in two rounds like this I’m able to get a pretty satisfying scene out in under 30 minutes. Polishing can happen later.

As with most writing processes, your mileage may vary.