Reflections From A Romance Writer On The Loose

My Pre-Writing Process Step 6. WRITE!

10/22/2016

Here it is the step I've been working to. Writing.
WAIT!
It's not that easy. As I've mentioned I like to write series so it's not like I can just write. Instead I need to make see where the story, or series will fit into my schedule. See it's not as easy as just sit and write. Yet that's what I need to do sit my ass in the chair and write!

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My Pre-Writing Process Step 5 Chapter Points

10/21/2016

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Step 5, Chapter Points, is something that I only started doing about a year ago. I used to be a self-proclaimed panster. That means I just sat down and wrote not have a single clue where the hell I was going. But I couldn't plot.

I am not a plotter. Well that's not true. I can plot the hell out of a story. I've done two that I know every little detail and found that now that I know what's going to happen I've lost interest in them.

So I've become sort of a hybrid in a way. I make a list of things that I really want to happen in each chapter. I want to be sure these points move the story forward, so they need to be in the right order. I consider this a really super light outline. Just enough to know where I'm going, but not to draw myself a complete map of how to get there.

So now that I've got my summary (which has probably turned into a synopsis), my map, my character information, my bible (if I'm writing a series) I am ready to move on to the next step. What else could there be?

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My Pre-Writing Process Step 4 A Series Bible

10/20/2016

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The next in my process is making the invaluable and much needed Series Bible.

Unless the book is a stand alone I do this from the start. However I will admit I writer a lot of series. Now's the time to mention that I like my books in a series to be able to read on there own as well as together. I really enjoy writing series, but I want to make sure I'm consistent with descriptions of my characters and where they live. Keeping track of character features and issues is very important. A family tree and map of the town is helpful too. So all those character sheets I've done get assembled here in the order of how the books will be written and released.

Now I'm off to the next step. Coming?

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My Pre-Writing Process Step 3 Characters

10/19/2016

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I'm ready for step 3. Character Worksheets.

Each and every character gets there own worksheet. Even the minor ones! I know what you're thinking. Why? The answer is easy. You never know when a minor character will become something more. Because I tend to write series based around families and friends I need to know a lot of the players before I start writing. The series arc helps with this, but I still find that I want to know more. Some of the stuff will never make it into the book becoming less important. Yet other things so small I might think they'll be unimportant could turn out to be a major issue at some point.

Along with the character sheets there is a few other things I need to do worksheets for. I will do a family tree and town map. If a certain home, restaurant, or business is important to the story I want all that info at my finger tips.

Now what happens to all this information? How do I keep it at the ready as I write? That's the next step. A Series Bible.

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My Pre-Writing Process Step 2 A Summary

10/18/2016

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Now that I have an idea and probably a title it's time for step 2. The Summary. A good one.

I like to write a quick summary of the idea. It could be a couple of paragraphs about the story, but usually it's more like a page or two. There are a lot of variables that can determine how long the summary turns out to be. If the story is a stand alone it might just be a few paragraphs. If the story for part of a series then it'll be much longer. If it's part of an on-going series I need to figure out where the book fits.

If this is the first book in a new series then I'll need to work up the series arc too. This can take a bit of time, but it's worth it to write it all out for me to see.

I'll use the summary later to write the synopsis, but for now it's just for me to get my thoughts in order. And to get ready to move onto the next step. What's the next step?

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My Pre-Writing Process Step 1 Ideas/Titles

10/17/2016

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I'm going to start this out by saying I don't think there is any right way to prep or plan when you are writing a book. Everyone has to find a process that they are comfortable with, and this is mine.

My pre-writing process has about 6 steps. The 1st step for me is coming up with Idea, or sometimes a Title to work off of.

These ideas can come from anywhere. Sometime I'll be watching TV or listening to the radio when an idea strikes. Wherever I think of something I try to write it down. Then it get's added to the white board of hope. This is where I make list ideas for books, promotional stuff, and anything else I'm hoping to get done or considering doing. Seeing it there gives it some time to take more shape. If after toying with it for a while I decide if its still an interesting idea to me. Sometimes this process can be wiped out by an idea I just can't let go of, which moves it to the top of the list. Then it moves to title time.

I've found that I write better with a title in mind. Again this might not be everyone's preference, but it helps me get a clearer picture in my head. So no matter the idea I try to come up with something. The working title doesn't always end up the same at the end, but it's usually pretty close.

Are you with me so far? Once this is all in place then I'll move on to the next step in my process.

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My Pre-Writing Process Step 6. WRITE!

My Pre-Writing Process Step 5 Chapter Points

My Pre-Writing Process Step 4 A Series Bible

My Pre-Writing Process Step 3 Characters

My Pre-Writing Process Step 2 A Summary

My Pre-Writing Process Step 1 Ideas/Titles

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My Pre-Writing Process Step 6. WRITE!

My Pre-Writing Process Step 5 Chapter Points

My Pre-Writing Process Step 4 A Series Bible

My Pre-Writing Process﻿ Step 3 Characters

My Pre-Writing Process Step 2 A Summary

My Pre-Writing Process Step 1 Ideas/Titles

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My Pre-Writing Process Step 3 Characters