My Writing Process
Wait... There's a process?
This is probably the biggest thing that makes writers think they're doing something wrong. X Author has their shit together and puts out twenty books a year and they outline everything. Y Author only puts out four titles a year and they just sit down and write the book as they come. Both are successful, and from a new author's perspective, they wonder which way they should go.
Start here: THERE IS NO PROCESS! It is whatever works for YOU! Stop comparing yourself to everyone else and figure out how you work best.
If you're anything like me (I'm sorry if you are because my brain is a hot mess on a good day), then your "process" will be very fluid. I learned a long time ago that hard and fast rules are the bane of my writing. If I'm told that I absolutely HAVE TO do it THIS WAY, then my creative side just stops flowing. She's a rebel like that.
So, if chaos rules my brain, how do I accommodate that to make sure I'm working?
I go with what feels right for each book!
1) I always have notes. Sometimes, they're only one sentence long, but that's my starting point. I'm usually in the middle of several other projects when an idea hits, and I will write down everything that comes to mind immediately, so I don't forget later. I have notebooks, phone notes, & voice notes hanging around to go back to later.
2) I don't always use my notes. Wild, right? Sometimes, I start writing down those nagging ideas for a new story, and a week later, I have an entire first draft of a book that was written start to finish without the first note involved beyond a blip of a blur/idea I started with.
3) Sometimes, I take notes as I write (or after I finish writing one book in what will now become a series). See example below.
If, after writing a stand alone, I think it could be a series, I will go through during initial edits/re-writes and clip notes to my story everywhere a new character showed up, a new setting was introduced, or any major event. (I try to do this as I go, but sometimes it kills the writing flow to stop and add comments, so it's possible that I add the comments during the first editing/re-write stage) That way, I can keep all the information straight, be able to double-check appearances, backstory info, etc. when I'm editing or moving forward with another book in the series. (Example above is from one of my WIPs, Waging War).
4) In the event of a large WORLD of books (multiple series), I have my Series Bible that I can drag out. I've shown off my Aces High MC World Bible to readers before, but here is a glimpse...
Some books are planned and plotted while others are a fly by the seat of my pants endeavor that ends when I type the final words. There is no ONE way for me to write a book. Some people are comfortable finding the one that works for them. Others try to emulate their favorite authors and the process they state they use. If it works for you - GREAT! If it doesn't, don't be afraid to experiment and don't be afraid to change things up per book, if that's what is necessary to make your literary magic!
