Monday, January 17, 2011

My Writing Process

Hi, I'm participating in Shallee McArthur's "What's your writing process" blogfest!  See the links at:  http://shalleemcarthur.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-whats-your-process-blogfest.html

My writing process has been a long haul, about 2 years now on the first book, and I have another re-write to do.  I've learned soo much!  I want to share what I did.

1) Have a dream, or idea, for a story.  Just a kernel will do.
2) Research how to write a book in your genre.  I use a couple of out-of-print guide-books by Foster-Harris. 
3) Analyze other "great writers" in your genre.  What works/what doesn't.  What do you like so much that you want to be sure to include something similar in your books?
4) Write first draft without self-editing, then Read your Book!  See my post on How to Start a Story.
5) Revise and send to beta readers.
6) Revise based on beta readers' feedback.
7) Send out a few trial queries.  Give it 3 months.  (I started ideas for my 'book two' during this time period).
8) Send to another beta reader.
9) Revise again (<--this is where I am now!)

Hope this is helpful to you.  Please comment and let me know.  (I moderate comments so it may take a day to appear).
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11 comments:

  1. Summer RossJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    sounds like you have a very structured process.

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  2. ShalleeJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Thanks for sharing your process! Good luck with your revisions-- sound like you know what your doing to get them done right.

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  3. M PaxJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Writing without self editing is hard. It's something I have to get better about on a first draft. Great meeting you! :D

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  4. Rachna ChhabriaJanuary 18, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    You have a very organised process. I like the idea of researching how to write the book in our genres. And also analysing other great writers in our genres. thanks for sharing.

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  5. Michelle MerrillJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    I like how you research other author's in your genre. Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Francine HowarthJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Hi,

    The writing process is a personal thing: whatever works best and feels right will give good results. ;)

    best
    F

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  7. UnknownJanuary 18, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    You have a clear idea of your planning. A linear process that should keep you working.You have included the importance of reading. It is easy to over look that during our writing process.

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  8. MichelleJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    Hi, everyone! Thank you for your comments and for your encouragement. Writing doesn't come easily for me, so I take 'baby steps' to keep moving forwards.

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  9. MariekeJanuary 25, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I'm a week late, but catching up on this blogfest now after I finally put my own entry up =)

    Well organized process! Good luck with the last step! :D

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  10. MichelleJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Thanks, Marieke!

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  11. Tamara Hart HeinerJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    sends pretty much exactly how I do it. Lots of revising and revising in the process too!

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Would love to read and respond to your comments, so please post! I blog Monday through Saturday, mostly as a night-owl. Please remember to type the validation word on the screen that pops up after you comment--my professional code of business conduct contract and code of ethics necessitates that I moderate comments on public social media, so there will be a short delay in viewing your comment online.

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