How do you start the writing process when beginning a new story?

How do you start the writing process when beginning a new story? – A kind reader emailed me and I wrote this below:

It first starts with an idea; which comes in many ways. For R.L. Stine (my teen years were filled with reading his awesome Fear Street series)  his always started with a title. I have done that too. A more common way and what we always hear from authors, is from their dreams. And some come from a simple thought or two. I do that alot. For instance…  a girl, a key and a door opening into another world, started off my Anna Kippling Series.

I have heard many times from other authors, keeping a notebook and pen neaby is a must! Even the wonderful Stephanie Meyer kept a notebook nearby as she created her wonderful Twilight sereis.  And I do this too. You never know when your inspiration will come and not all of us remember every bit of it.(that's me!)  Keeping a notebook nearby, in your purse, by you bedside or even velcroed to your hip…always is a must!

So now you have an idea. The next thing is to build a synopsis or as my kids are taught in school a story map (you can google that).  It basically gives you a direction in your story, a map out of where you want to go and where you want to end and what you want to fill all in the middle of it.

I did not discover that until I had completed The Tokens. In writing The stones, I had one then and it went SO much easier for me. I have to jot alot down to keep up with Anna's adventures! Writing your characters out, their features and other important things about them help for later referencing, so you don't always have to keep going back in previous pages or books (I still have to do this sometimes, though :0)

I did not plan to start my writing with a series, in fact when I first started writing Anna's story it was just that, a story. By the time I neared the end, I had all four titles in my head and an idea that… wow! Took me on quite an adventure!

So before I bore you anymore, because I can get lost in all of this :0) Let me sum it all up… I sometimes write only a title ( Molly Woodhaven), sometimes I get them from a dream (The Archers ) and then they start with a thought ( Anna, One of them and a few more). I write it down, sometimes I write a whole scene, sometimes a few of the first chapters. Right now I have two books waiting in line after The battle and The other Vampire, waiting to be finished. How I choose to begin it, to me its just my personality, what comes to my thoughts at the moment and then I continue. I do like books that do get into the action quickly and keep you locked into it the whole while (my preferance as a reader). So any hoot, I hope this answered you question and thank you again for asking it.

I just had to share this because it was a great question and a question I am sure other readers or aspiring authors are wondering. Each author has their own way and this one is mine. I encourage all readers and authors to ask these types of questions, I know I do. There is no shame in asking them, even if you have a few  books under your belt. I am sure many amazing authors doing well in their buisness would be quick to stand up and say, " Hey! Even I still do!"

You are never too old to learn something new…

Thanks for reading!

A