My Writing Process

As a writer I often get asked what my process of writing is like so here's a brief overview.

1. GET AN IDEA. Yeah, this is an easy one for me. I have so many ideas I can't possibly write a book about each one.

2. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FROM? Again, a question most writers get from non-writers. My answer? Uh...

3. WRITE A BRIEF OUTLINE. For me this is bullet points with main character, antagonist, plot, setting, time etc. I'm a pantser so I write "by the seat of my pants" meaning I don't do detailed outlines or plots. Part of the joy of writing for me is the element of surprise my characters bring to the story and for me, the element is gone if I plot it out ahead of time.

4. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE THE ACTUAL BOOK? Well, it all depends. I've taken two weeks to several months to do a first draft (current novel, I'm looking at YOU!).

5. FIRST DRAFTS SUCK. Yeah, no one writes a novel in one setting and thinks it's brilliant. Well, maybe JK Rowling does. But other than her you need to EDIT said novel. Sometimes several times.

6. EDIT for filler words like really, very, just, only, so...there's a whole list I've got saved. I also use www.editminion.com to find them.

7. READ THROUGH ENTIRE NOVEL OUT LOUD. You can either have your computer do this or read it to your cat. My cat loves when I read to her.

8. SEND TO BETA READERS/CP. Once you feel it's ready enough send it to beta readers. Beta readers are readers who will tell you if your plot makes sense or what's confusing them etc. A CP is a critique partner who probably knows your writing already and will tell you where it still sucks.

9. REVISE BASED ON BETA READERS COMMENTS. If you feel they are relevant to your story use their coments.You don't have to take every single edit anyone gives you if it's not feasible. But I usually let the edits sit for a day or two after I finish crying...er...reading them. Then I look at them again and use the ones I know will help polish my book.

10. WRITE YOUR QUERY LETTER/SYNOPSIS. If you are looking for an agent (raises hand), this is the time to write your query letter. Some writers do this ahead of time to keep their plot in mind. I've done it both ways. Write your synopsis. This is your plot from beginning to end (leave out subplots). JUST THE FACTS. It's supposed to be dry, not flowery.

11. START TO QUERY. if you don't need to do more revising.

12. QUERY IN SMALL BATCHES. Start with 5-10 queries to agents you've researched. If you don't get requests, revise your query.

13. WAIT.

14. WRITE SOMETHING NEW.

15. REPEAT STEP 1-15.

What's your writing process like?

Another Friday

Three rejections of the faerie novel in my inbox this week. One rejection letter was a nice one! It encouraged me to keep shopping the novel around even though it wasn't right for their agency. It was a personal touch that made the rejection a little less painful. I entered the ABNA this week and sent off a short story. I am determined, or tenacious or maybe just stubborn when it comes to sending stuff out.
I am working on my Arthurian inspired novel and am up to 20,000 words on it so far. I like it. The characters seem to be going off in directions that I did not anticipate! A very good thing.
I cannot believe it's coming up on February already! Oh, I came across a singer from Ann Arbor named Jetty Rae that I adore! She has a fantastic voice.

What Makes a Writer Keep Going?

I have had a discouraging day. Nothing in particular happened I just felt drained and unmotivated. I tried to write on a historical YA novel I am working on but only got two pages done. I did edit the next chapter in JESSIE and applied for an online tutoring job but still felt discouraged. I am still in pain from the back injury and am trying to keep a positive attitude but it's almost been a month now and although I am better overall I still have pain and cannot do much without paying for it. I feel like I am spinning my wheels or rather my wheels are stuck in mud and I can't drive out of the mud. Part of the problem is that I am not sleeping well due to pain at night. Sometimes I get up at 3 or 4 in the morning and take pain meds and read until I feel sleepy again. Last night I woke at four, read a bit, then woke up at six. I tried to go back to sleep but had to get up and take pain pills. By then I was awake and the cats were too. I hope that tomorrow I will be able to concentrate more and get some writing done. I looked at AINE on Kindle and think I might put another up when I get another one done that is!!!!