My Writing Process: 9 Steps from Idea to Finished

A few months ago I asked what types of blog posts you guys would like to see more of, and there was an overwhelming response for craft-based posts. And I’m right there with you. There is a lot to say on the craft of writing—entire shelves are dedicated to it in most bookstores!—but no matter how much has been written before, it seems we’re always discovering or rediscovering new techniques to apply to our work. I love reading new craft guides and am constantly flipping through writing magazines or checking my favorite writers’ blogs to see what new information they may have to share.
By far my favorite craft-related articles, books, and posts are those in which a writer talks about their process.

 

Do you outline, or do you wing it? Are you a speedy first-drafter, or do you take days to perfect each page before moving on? How long do you let sit in between drafts? Do you work with critique partners, and how many, and when do they see it?

 

I’m fascinated by other authors’ processes, because no two are the same. I’ll often hear an author talk about an element of their process and think, I could NEVER write like that! Other times I might think, Oh, that’s a great idea! I’m going to give that a shot. It may stick and it may not, but we are changing and growing creatures, and I think it’s smart to try new things once in a while. You just never know.

 

My writing process continues to change and adapt as I grow more confident in my ability to actually write an entire novel. (Three published novels in the world and some days I still can’t believe it!) I’m learning to trust my writer instincts. I’ve become more familiar with my own creative needs and am learning to recognize, for example, the difference between letting an idea simmer for a while longer vs. straight-up procrastination.

 

Each book comes with unique challenges that can change how I approach it. But the basic structure of my process, from that first spark of an idea to turning in a completed manuscript, doesn’t seem to vary a whole lot.

 

Not everything that I do will work for you, and that’s okay. It’s good to figure out what does and doesn’t work for us and to stay true to our creative selves. I hope these posts will bring comfort to those of you who share a similar process, and motivation to try something new to those of you who don’t. And I hope all readers will find it interesting—if not outright helpful—to see how I work through the stages of each book.

 

Most important, I hope this series of posts will inspire you to write, whatever your process might be.

 

Read the full series:

 

1. Brainstorming & Research
2. The Outline
3. The First Draft
4. Simmering Periods
5. The Second Draft
6. Revisions
7. Beta Readers & Final Revisions
8. Tweaking & Polishing
9. The Publisher’s Editorial Process