Let’s take a high-level look at my writing process. The tools I use are discussed in a separate article. Their value to me is affected by my process, but is not defined by it, nor define it. So, let’s ignore them for now, and discuss tools later.
Here, I focus on the process I do personally, so engaging other professionals is not discussed. Engaging others involves refining a process to match that engagement, so could be different every time.
Also, publishing is a process on its own (and dependent on the final market/medium), so we’ll discuss publishing later, as well.
Please keep in mind: I am describing my process, not proposing it is perfect or right for you.
My process and overall approach to writing is defined by these big statements.
- I am fundamentally an outliner/plotter.
- I often pants/discovery write, which refines my outline/plot.
- As mentioned in the previous article, I am an editor.
These are my major process steps, which are detailed in the sections below:
- Ideate/Concept Creation
- Concept Development and Research
- Outline/Plot and Character Map
- Review/Write/Rewrite
- Edit and Validate
We’ll take each of these steps one-by-one in the following articles.
Throughout, I include what I call “uncomfortable facts,” which are the tidbits of advice that are hard to say and even harder to hear (if they apply to you). These are not intended to shame anyone. Remember, though I may phrase something as advice, like these uncomfortable facts, it represents why I do what I do, not a prescription for how you should do it. Let’s start off with one right now.
Uncomfortable fact: Writing well is a refined skill. Writing for publication is a profession. Achieving financial or readership success in writing (other than by pure luck) requires research, education, and practice. Everyone is welcome to define success however they want. For one writer, success might be finishing that novel or memoir and giving it to friends and family. That is a completely legitimate goal, deserving no shame or condemnation. But it isn’t my goal, so my process, though it may help that writer, is designed for a different goal.
