Most writers are naturally curious people. We ask a lot of questions about the world. We wonder and challenge and try to make sense of the senseless.
And we love to know how other writers do things—how they write a book, how they manage their time, how they market themselves, how they live, how they breathe.
When I was first starting out as a writer, I was vulnerable to the temptation to do something—everything, maybe—the way someone else did it. I had to write for five hours a day, spend 20 percent of my time marketing, use this story structure, start my stories with a logline before I ever wrote a word, explore these concepts, never start with a theme, blah blah blah blah blah.
I tried. I really did. And I found myself getting burned out, frustrated, and completely overwhelmed.
There are lots of voices out there saying, This is the way to do it, and it’s the only way to do it if you want to be successful. I wasn’t experienced enough to see this for what it was: one person’s advice.
I disagree vehemently with the kind of advice that says, This is the only way to do it. Part of it is my contradictory nature; I don’t like someone telling me I have to do things this one way and that’s the only way, don’t even try to do something different. The other part is something it took me a while to realize: We are all different. We all work differently. We live differently and breathe differently and manage our time differently.
We also write differently.
I’m all for researching the different time management, writing, revision, marketing methods people use. And I’m happy to share my own.
But because every writer is different, we have our own way in which we work best. And we have to find our way.
My way into a story or a piece of writing includes spending a few weeks getting to know my characters or thinking about what I want to say before I even begin on the piece. I research and brainstorm for a few weeks. Then I write a first draft from start to finish, without editing or revision. My revising takes the longest and requires anything from three to eight or so more drafts, give or take a few depending on the story.
That process won’t work for everyone. Because there’s more than one way to write.
Some like the white noise of coffeeshops, some prefer listening to music, some can’t write unless there’s absolute silence. And guess what? For me it’s different for every story. So there’s that variable, too: Stories require different methods sometimes.
We all want some easy formula, some definitive way to write a story (or do things or live life). And those of us who have done it before are seen as experts. Because we’ve done it. But all we can really offer are suggestions.
We all have to find our own way. What works best for us, not everyone else.
Here’s how:
1. Be open to experimentation.
Take a scientific approach. Design your experiments intentionally to draw out a variety of writing methods. Go ahead and collect other people’s suggestions. Gather as much information as you can.
And then design some experiments to intentionally try out a variety of writing methods. And pivot continuously. Every experiment (failed or otherwise) gets you closer to your process and your way.
2. Take notes on what works and what doesn’t.
Every successful experiment requires notes. Ask yourself, What do I like about this way? What do I hate about it? What slows me down? What feels natural to my writing process?
Self-awareness and critical thinking are important factors in improvement—for writing, but also for anything in our lives.
Make a list. Start a spreadsheet. Identify what’s necessary and what’s not. I’ve learned over the years that I don’t need to fill out a long, complex character sheet on my characters, because I get to know them during my lengthy brainstorms. There may be additional things you need, and that’s okay. We all write differently. (Have I said it enough?)
3. Be patient with yourself.
It’s not unusual for me to read or hear about another author’s writing process and think, I really need to try that. Still! After writing more than 50 books!
We’ll fall under the spell of “Here’s how to do it.” But also keep in mind that we never stop growing and evolving and adjusting. Even when you think you have a process in place, you may discover a new method that really works. Stay open to that, too.
It’s all a grand experiment. Keep experimenting.
Take as long as you want and need to find your own process. And repeat to yourself: There is no right or wrong way to write.
Have a fantastic month of experimentation.
