The Process of Writing

When I'm in deep, writing a book, I sometimes switch back and forth between the computer and a notebook.  When I feel a lull, I just switch.  Right now, I'm working on a book for Vampire Max.  I'm carrying around a notebook with me wherever I go.  When I'm home or in a waiting room, out comes the notebook.  Having it with  me, keeps me on the edge so when I've left the day job, I can throw myself back into the story.

Talking with my critique partner usually keeps me on track, as I'm distractible.  Sometimes I'll discuss how the plot is developing or a favorite scene I'm writing.  When I'm writing I am totally there. 

For me the first draft is always a mini version of the book.  Then I dive back in and flesh out everything.  For me, instead of cutting, I expand and really get into the emotions, the description, the action making it more vibrant and intense.  I go chapter by chapter until I am totally in love with the chapters.

Whenever I write a very emotional scene, I usually pace afterward, trying to get all the energy out of my body.  Then at other times, I pause in writing to look up something.  I like to get as much right as possible.  Sometimes I find strange little facts that spice up the storyline.  Sometimes I file them away for another story because it doesn't fit.  The bottom line is the romance between the couple and how it develops, what gets in the way, the obstacles in their lives, and the choices they make.  Every couple is different .  Max has big dreams of love, having lost his true love a long time ago.  The human woman of his dreams is standoffish.  She a widow and was betrayed by her late husband.  She isn't so eager to fall in love.  So one of the obstacles is their different expectations.   There are other conflicts they will face, but that's just the way it is in a vampire romance. LOL 

For me, writing is a very active process even when I'm not glued to the laptop.  There's the tranquil writing into the dark, the going places to verify settings, and the research into dark mysteries. 

That's the tip of the iceberg into the process of writing.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires, Writer's Life, Writing Topics