Zoë van der Lans-Tassy
asked
Rachel Harris:
Hi Rachel :) We are currently learning about our writing process. So, I was wondering if you have ever thought about yours and how you would describe it. Thank you! <3 (I have to include a question mark, so here it is: ?)
Rachel Harris
Hi Zoe :)
My writing process is a bit weird, or so I'm told, but I've learned that you have to go with what works for you. This is how my brain works best and it allows me to enjoy the whole thing--and that's the important part.
The short answer is that I'm a plotter. A BIG TIME plotter ;) For the longer answer...well, here it goes:
So, when I get an idea, I often write as much down as I know. Sometimes that's a story question, sometimes it's a charcter, sometimes it's a good nugget of plot. I then focus on what the core of the story is and what type of characters would best fit in that world--which ones would have the most complications with that particular set up. I then break out The Positive and Negative Trait Thesaurus books by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi and choose one main flaw and one main positive trait along with a few others to round out their characters. I then ask myself what each character WANTS, what is their GOAL to get it, what is the CONFLICT keeping them from getting it, and where do they END up....and I do this on a few levels. Bare minimum I ask those questions in relation to their general life and then their relationship, as I write romance, but sometimes I also do family or career. That way I have many threads to pull from throughout the book.
I then come up with several key scenes, the most important of which are: the main character's 'Slice of Life' (what is happening just before the story action takes place and you see them in their world), the 'Inciting Incident', three main turning points in the book, the all is lost moment, and finally the resolution. After that, it's all about getting the characters from point A to point B between all those points.
Plotting usually takes me a month, and when I'm done, I really have a short discovery draft, as I recently heard it called. My outlines can be anywhere from 20-50 pages, breaking down each chapter and scene. Once I have that, writing is easy. Oh, and I edit as I go, another supposed no-no, but hey, it's the only way my brain works :)
Hope my craziness made sense and showed that we all have our own process, and once you find yours, embrace it. Hugs! xoxo
My writing process is a bit weird, or so I'm told, but I've learned that you have to go with what works for you. This is how my brain works best and it allows me to enjoy the whole thing--and that's the important part.
The short answer is that I'm a plotter. A BIG TIME plotter ;) For the longer answer...well, here it goes:
So, when I get an idea, I often write as much down as I know. Sometimes that's a story question, sometimes it's a charcter, sometimes it's a good nugget of plot. I then focus on what the core of the story is and what type of characters would best fit in that world--which ones would have the most complications with that particular set up. I then break out The Positive and Negative Trait Thesaurus books by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi and choose one main flaw and one main positive trait along with a few others to round out their characters. I then ask myself what each character WANTS, what is their GOAL to get it, what is the CONFLICT keeping them from getting it, and where do they END up....and I do this on a few levels. Bare minimum I ask those questions in relation to their general life and then their relationship, as I write romance, but sometimes I also do family or career. That way I have many threads to pull from throughout the book.
I then come up with several key scenes, the most important of which are: the main character's 'Slice of Life' (what is happening just before the story action takes place and you see them in their world), the 'Inciting Incident', three main turning points in the book, the all is lost moment, and finally the resolution. After that, it's all about getting the characters from point A to point B between all those points.
Plotting usually takes me a month, and when I'm done, I really have a short discovery draft, as I recently heard it called. My outlines can be anywhere from 20-50 pages, breaking down each chapter and scene. Once I have that, writing is easy. Oh, and I edit as I go, another supposed no-no, but hey, it's the only way my brain works :)
Hope my craziness made sense and showed that we all have our own process, and once you find yours, embrace it. Hugs! xoxo
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