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Creativity

WODW // My Writing Process

November 19, 2015November 19, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 7 comments
WODW // My Writing Process

A peek at my novel-writing process. // dreams-etc.omI thought I’d participate in Write or Die Wednesday, which is hosted by my friend Mia and her friend Vashelle every other Wednesday. I’ve been wanting to participate in this for awhile but I’m never on top of it enough to have a post ready, but I loved this prompt so I wanted to be sure that I participated in it. I think WODW posts will usually go up on my writing blog, but since this month is NaNoWriMo and I’ve talked about it here, I thought I’d put this up here. This is my process for writing fiction, not blog posts or poetry.

I don’t do a lot of planning ahead of time, but I need to know the beginning, middle and end. I generally have a few ideas for different scenes that I work in as I write. I also need to know the character’s names before I begin; they don’t feel like real people to me until I’ve spent some time on a baby name website looking at different names and their meanings.

I like to have a notebook for each story that I write. I tend to carry this with me everywhere as I’m working on a novel. All of my thoughts and ideas go into this. As I start to think ahead, I jot down different things that will take place and will even outline scenes, if one is on my mind but I’m unable to sit down and write at that particular moment. I’ve adapted the plotting/notebook system that Susan Dennard details in her How I Plan a Book series into my own writing process. When I first read these posts her thoughts resonated with me and as I started to try and adapt her process into my own, it morphed with my own process and became something that works for me.

I can’t plan ahead too much, though. If I do, it takes away from the sense of discovery and from some of the fun of writing. I know there are a lot of writer’s who say that they don’t enjoy drafting, but I love it. (Unless I’m in a really difficult writing period, of course.) I really enjoy when the story is first coming to me and when the writing flows, it’s exhilarating.

There comes a point as I’m nearing my “middle event” that I create a more detailed outline until the middle. And as I’m nearing the end, I know that I need to wrap things up, so I sit down with a blank scrap of paper to create a more detailed outline.

I always use small notebooks, like Composition Notebook sized or the half sizes of a regular notebook. An 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of paper feels a little too overwhelming and I like smaller sizes for planning. I’m not sure why.

If I write by hand, I need a pen, but I prefer to write on my computer, especially if writing is going well. My hand can’t keep up with my thoughts.

And, of course, it helps to have my pup by my side. Just call her my little muse.

WHAT’S YOUR WRITING PROCESS?

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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7 comments

  1. Angela @ Setting My Intention says:
    November 19, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    Thanks for sharing. It’s really interesting to read about everyone’s writing process. I’ve only dabbled in fiction, but want to check on the blog (?) that you referred to. We have numerous barely used composition books around the house from our sons so this sounds like a great way to use them up!

    Reply
  2. Sara Strand says:
    November 19, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    I really need to start carrying a notebook in my purse again because I think of some really great ideas for stories, but also blog posts, and I’m always sure I’ll remember and of course, I never do.

    Reply
  3. Mia says:
    November 19, 2015 at 11:53 pm

    I love what you said about needing to know the names of the characters before you write. I never really thought about it before. I’m totally the person who just uses “he” and “she” and doesn’t think about names until the end, lol. Which makes for a fun revision process. But whatevs. šŸ™‚ I’m so glad you joined us for WODW and it was so cool to read your process. Thanks for sharing! xo

    Reply
  4. Shelly says:
    November 20, 2015 at 2:50 am

    Crystal,

    Thank you for linking up and sharing your writing process with Mia and me for this episode of Write or Die! What I love most is that you *know* what works best for you. I feel like I’m still learning as I go :).

    I too like to use small notebooks. Not only is it less intimidating, but I swear my handwriting is better as well. Haha. I’m one of those crazies that will rewrite an entire page because of one mistake in my penmanship.

    Hope you’ll join us again!

    [P.S. Little One is adorable.]

    Reply
  5. Aly says:
    November 20, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    Hi Crystal! I think it’s so cool that you don’t do a thorough outline before you write. I’ve always liked making outlines because it helps keep me on track, but I can definitely see how that may take away some of the fun/discovery/exploration of writing. The good thing is that it’s your story: you can change the outline/idea whenever you want to šŸ™‚

    Reply
  6. Meghan says:
    November 22, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    What’s your writing blog? I love hearing how people write!

    Reply
  7. Andrea says:
    December 3, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing!! I am so intrigued by how authors write novels. I’ve read a couple of books and just find it so interesting. I like that you enjoy the drafting and outline process. That is something that I always like to do when I write. It just helps me make everything come together more easily.

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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