Author Interview: Writing Process
Posted during my Legacy (Saga of the Bold People 2) blog tour.
The one thing I’ve learned for sure about writing is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the writing process. Sure, you can read how the “professional” authors do it and read all the how-tos out there but at the end of the day it’s what works for you. What gets your juices flowing, your plot bunny hopping, and your characters jabbering.
Certainly, all those how-to books are a good place to start. You can try each version out and tailor make it to fit you. That’s what I did. Then I just dove right in, head first. After a while of writing almost nonstop and hopping from project to project, you do end up pinning down a certain process or style or approach. Whatever word you want to use.
For me, inspiration comes in every form—from movies, to books, to daily life, to stray thoughts of “what if?” So once I have the inspiration, I let it simmer and make some notes. I have notepads in every room of my home and even some at my day job, so I am never without the ability to jot down my thoughts.
But as for writing itself, well... I guess it depends on what type of project I’m starting. I use “project” because I have a tendency to plot long and end up with a series when I intended for a single title or trilogy. I have different qualifications and time devoted to single titles than I do trilogies then I do series.
For example, my trilogy, “A Warrior’s Redemption” was written all at the same time. I was on my second draft of the first book, “Healing Lance” before I headed on to the second, “Forgiving Lance.” About halfway through book two, I realized book one needed some work. I was about five or six drafts through book one before I continued forward to revise book two and then start book three, “Avenging Lance.” I knew there was no way I could do the trilogy justice if I only did one book at a time and published them before knowing for sure what to expect from the subsequent books. Perhaps other authors plot better than I do. All I can says is what worked for me. I dreaded the thought that I would write myself into a corner or realize something crucial that should have been mentioned in a previous book that was already published.
For me, a trilogy is mostly one long book cut into thirds. A longer series, however, is a different beast altogether. For those, I have several different options to choose from. I can have each book stand on its own but have an overarching plot thread or threads (The Shifter Chronicles) or have each book stand mostly on its own while each subsequent book layers on the previous ones like a story sandwich (The Stones of Power, Saga of the Bold People, On Wings saga). All these things I have to consider before I start. This knowledge came from trial and error on my part and learning what works and what doesn’t.
I make sure not to plot everything out. While the major points, either character or plot, I map first, I like to leave a little bit of mystery. I like to be surprised by the turn of events that my characters inevitably expose me to. I read or heard somewhere that if you outline a story to the smallest degree, that your brain thinks you’ve already written it and then the mind loses interest. I can say for sure that that is the case for me. If I get bored with my own work, then how can I expect anyone else to enjoy it?
As for single titles, I’m still in the trial-and-error part. I have the least experience with them, and I am working hard to plan more for the future. I find it rather amusing that I decided to go big and run before I crawled. Not surprising, really. I tend to be a late bloomer but once I decide on a direction, I go full-speed-ahead!
I problem is, I think in epic terms and sometimes overlook the nuance and subtly in a shorter, single story. While I enjoy reading such tales, I find them hard to write.
Oh well. Practice makes perfect. And you know who benefits the most? You, the lovely readers!
I hope you stay safe and healthy, and may dragons guard your dreams,
M.D. Grimm
