My writing process-the first draft

Hello again!

In honor of the fact that my 2nd book is being released in just over a month, I thought I'd share what my writing process looks like; beginning to end. This will take a few weeks, so we'll start out with the first draft.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that I'm a pantser, meaning I write "by the seat of my pants" rather than drafting out my books, but even pantsers need to start out with an idea. That idea can come from anywhere, but more often than not, I take mine from dreams. 

Once I have an idea, I write it down in a journal, even if it's just a line of dialog. Once I've flushed my idea out a little I move it onto an idea document including as many facts as I have about this idea- setting, main characters, general ideas and so on. 

When I'm ready to sit down and turn this idea into a book, I start a document with all the ideas I have and another for my first draft. I don't follow an exact word-count, but I stick to a page count instead, as I find this works better for me.  I try to write chronologically, but sometimes I may skip ahead if I know exactly how I want a later scene to go. If really bog down in the middle, I may skip ahead to an action scene, though I try not to do this too often. 

Along the way I'll do something I call "micro-drafting" where I'll write down whatever happens next very roughly, so I have some sort of outline to follow, you can do this on the days you want to keep writing when you don't have time, so that you have somewhere it pick it back up again. I also try not to walk away from the screen mid-sentence, because it's very difficult to pick it back up again. 

I write with my spell checker on, but my grammar checker off- I don't need those distractions when I'm writing. A lot of people will tell you to never revise while you are working on your first draft, but I don't agree, if I were to leave it, and not change something I know I can do better, I'd never be able to focus. At the end of the day it's all about what works for you. 

After 72 gallons of strong tea, 25 writers block episodes, and 13 screen-beating induced concussions I have my first draft. 

Have a great day, and keep writing!