Day 79 - focus by Margo C

Photo Credit: Margo C

Some ask about my writing process. (Who am I kidding, no one asked me anything about my writing process. But I need a topic and this sounds like a good, fun one. So let’s figure this out.) Here I will talk about my writing process, why my writing process is the way it is and how I have fared in using my writing process.

My Writing Process is very simple.

Step One: Have an epiphany

Step Two: Think about epiphany for a few months.

Step Three: Consider writing epiphany down.

Step Four: Hesitate.

Step Five: Write epiphany.

Step Six: Realize it is crap.

Step Seven: Go with a watered down idea I had during breakfast.

Step Eight: Sell watered down idea as bestseller.

(I haven’t really gotten to step Eight yet, it’s a work-in-progress)

In all seriousness, my process is lots of little pieces. Mostly I walk around with a little notebook everywhere. Anytime I see something interesting or unusually normal, I write it down and either document it pristinely or comment how it could be made more interesting. Not all comments make it in to a plot idea, not all characters get each trait, but watching people interact is the best way to learn how people interact.

When I write, I usually listen to music. I will write at my desktop computer for several hours. When I get tired, I will curl up in bed with a book or with my laptop and continue to write.

If I can’t sleep or if I am tired of writing for the night, I will read blog entries from bed on my phone and update twitter about how tired I am due to my inability to fall asleep. Generally, this is my writing process.

The only part about my process that is structured is Editing Versus Writing. I never do both. If I am writing, I am not spell checking, second guessing commas or thinking about run-ons. I am just writing. When I schedule time to sit down and edit, I do just that. I sit down and the only thing I do is systematically go through my writing and check off an editing to-do list.

So my writing process would be something like:

1)      Study people interacting

2)      Pull character traits and plot set-ups from authentic interactions

3)      Establish the one main task of the book and the two sub-tasks for the story

4)      Write the three main events (One main, two sub-plot/tasks)

5)      Fill in the gaps between the events

6)      Sit down and edit

7)      Throw it away or send it to my mom and start all over again

As anyone can see, writing is an inner struggle and ongoing torture. The only thing consistent is that I write everyday, without fail. I write. I am a writer and that is what I was meant to do. Does that mean I am a good writer? No. But I am a writer. So I write.

Thanks for reading! I hope this gave you a little insight into my life and methods of madness when it comes to writing!
Comments and ReTweets are appreciated!

Go ahead and tell me about your writing process. Would love to hear it!