My Writing Method

My method of writing involves the following (list is not necessarily in order, or complete, and is subject to change without notice).

• Formulate a theme, motif, and premise, and the ending that supports these
• Identify core conflict
• Set up spreadsheet to track everything
• Create mind-maps to explore ideas
• Keep a writer’s notes file of ideas
• Carry voice recorder at all times for saving sudden ideas that pop into mind
• Design the story arc and overall plot
• Define the major plot points that transition between the stages of the three-act structure
• Devise a beginning and its inciting incident that leads to the first major plot point
• Develop various additional plot points between the major plot points
• Formulate subplots within the story
• Make a step-sheet to plan the incidents of the story
• Describe the characters, including physical traits, habits, back-stories, etc
• Ascertain each character’s ruling passion and motivations at each point during the story
• Create an arc of change for each significant character
• Delineate goals and obstacles and the resulting conflicts
• Sketch each conflicts’ rising and resolution structure and the level of intensity to be reached
• Look for ways to foreshadow events
• Explore if any symbols are appropriate
• Apply the stages of the hero’s journey monomyth
• Utilize the hero’s journey character archetypes
• Create an outline for the story
• Write scenes and let the story reveal itself
• As the story is revealed, plans are invariably invalidated and the planning process must be repeated
• Reiterate the entire process continually, adding details, and looking for places to make enhancements and corrections
• Tell the story, retell the story, write, and rewrite, cycle through the telling process until the story is fully revealed and told correctly
• Edit and refine, and then edit and refine some more
• Hope and pray I can get the finished book published