Michael asked Michael J. Sullivan:

Hey, Michael! I have some ideas for writing, but can’t figure out how to get started. Friends tell me that I should just "start writing" and worry about cleaning it up in re-writes. I have read about other methods, like the "snowflake" method, that require meticulous planning before writing word one. How would you suggest getting the process started? Thanks, Michael

Michael J. Sullivan Hey Michael,
Thanks for asking.So here's the problem with "author advice." Any author can tell you what works for them, but that doesn't mean it will work for you. We each have our own struggles with any particular issue, and it really is a matter of trial and error to find YOUR own solution to any given problem of this nature.

When I started out I was a "pantzer." I sat and wrote and let the story lead me where it may. This was good for me...until...I found myself painted into a number of corners that I couldn't get out of. The result...I would abandon that project and start a new effort. It didn't take too many "half-finished" books to make me see that, for me, that just wasn't an efficient use of my time.

So, nowadays I employ a "hybrid approach...I outline (lightly) just a few bullet points per chapter and then start writing. If I "discover" something new along the way...I'm not so locked into my outline that I won't take that new road...but...and here is the important part (at least for me) I don't change directions without knowing what the new destination is. So I'm always working from an outline...although possibly not the same outline I started with. I think "discovery" writing has a lot of advantages, but it can also be problematic. I found the system that works well for me...and each of those authors who gave you advice, found ones that worked for them. What I recommend is you listen to those...but then find what works best for you.

Again, thanks for asking!

flag