Just like a lot of other authors, I’m very interested in how other writers write. I’m constantly watching YouTube videos and reading blog posts about the process other writes go through when they’re working on a book. The great thing is that there’s no right or wrong way to draft. Everyone does it differently and all that matters is that you have a draft in the end.
So I thought I’d go into detail about my process.
Step One: Pick an Idea
I have a spreadsheet filled with book ideas (over seven hundred of them, and no, I’m not exaggerating), so when I’m ready to write a new book, I open my spreadsheet, scroll through, and pick one that sounds fun to write.
Step Two: Fill Out Character Profiles
I create two character profiles for my hero and heroine and take a day or two to fill them out. Both profiles usually end up being five to six pages. I’ve learned the hard way that my writing flows better when I know all the minute details about my characters. Some people might say I’m being too detailed and that it doesn’t matter that my hero’s first job was at a sub shop in college. But what if I’m writing a scene where the hero and heroine are eating sandwiches and I remember where his first job was and he can then he spill some great sandwich making tips that he learned at the sub shop? That would make the scene a lot better and it can only happen if I have that “insignificant” detail in his character profile.
Step Three: Fill out First Five Chapters in the Outline
Yes, I use an outline to write. I honestly don’t know how people who don’t use outlines write, because I need to know where the characters and the plot are going. I can’t just make things up on the spot. On the other hand, I don’t like to plot too far ahead, so that’s why I only outline the first five chapters before I dive in to a new draft.
Step Four: Start Writing
At this point in my life, I’m able to write four thousand words a day. I know I won’t always be able to draft this fast, but right now, I can. I’ve gotten so used to writing a lot of words each day that it’s usually pretty easy to get my writing done in a few hours.
Step Five: Continue Outlining and Drafting, Outlining and Drafting
Once I reach chapter four, I go back to my outline and write down what happens in the next five chapters, then keep on drafting. And once I hit chapter eight, I write down what happens in the next five chapters and keep on drafting. This continues on until I finish outlining the whole book and not long after that, I type “THE END”. It’s so satisfying when I can do that.
So there you have it, a summary of my drafting process. Some writers would probably be horrified by it, others might love it and have a similar process. It’s taken me years to fine-tune how I write a first draft and I commend anyone out there who’s doing the same.