Some of you might have heard the terms "planner" or "pantser" in terms of writing. Someone who is a "planner" tends to utilize some form of outlining system. A "pantser" is... well chaotic. They tend to just write--sometimes even out of chronological order!
Meet me. I'm definitely the type of writer who doesn't really outline my books. I would say that I'm not totally a pantser, but I'm most certainly not a planner.
So what does my writing process look like then??
I have a gigantic amount of notes saved between my phone and in notebooks. Before I published RISING EMBER, I took a writing course created by bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi. I actually won a scholarship to her writing course and it is probably one of my favorite things to have ever won in life! Everything in her course was helpful, but I mostly enjoyed the character creation process she taught.
So there, that's step one.
Well, actually... no. I lied. Step one would technically be just coming up with an incredibly rough story idea! Which happens a lot, mostly when I am doing something that doesn't allow writing ideas down... like showering or driving, you know. It's great. Then I'll say "Nah, I'll remember it."
And poof. It's gone from my brain.
RIP to all the ideas that didn't get written down.
But yeah... story idea first, then a kick-ass character or two that I can tear down and destroy before building back up. I mean, a kick-ass character who goes through some stuff for the plot.
Then the true pantser comes in to play. I'll usually have an idea of how I want the story to start and end, but all the middle stuff comes while I actually sit down and write.
Sometimes.
And then other times I'll be trying to sleep or something and I'll have the most prophetic thoughts rolling through my sleep deprived mind.
Those I write down.
Hence the tons of notes I mentioned earlier that are bogging down my phone's memory.
Even in school I could never get behind the use of outlines. I think my teachers hated me for it because whenever we were required to make one for a project, I always made the most barebone outline.
So really, no matter what kind of writer you are, your method is valid and just keep on going!
Something I have learned over the years of writing is that you need to just write your first draft of something before checking it over. Don't reread your entire manuscript before writing "the end"! You'll just get stuck in a never ending loop of editing. First drafts are supposed to be horrendous. That's their job! I still struggle with remembering this, so it is definitely something to get used to. You can totally leave some sort of note or something by your computer or notebook as a reminder. Or not, y'know.
If there are any writers out there reading this post, first of all, thank you and I think you're awesome. Secondly, if you are ever in a place where you need help or advice in your writing journey, my DMs are always open for you!
And to everyone who does not identify as a writer or an author, thank you as well! I love you guys.
xx
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