Creative Process

[Angela Moore]

I have several books that I want to write and everytime I sit down to work on one, I have this feeling of "How on earth do I start??" I'd love to hear everyone's creative process. I've heard some people who say they just sit down and write, others who have files of concepts, characters, etc.

What is your creative process when writing something as large as a book?

[Liz]

I've got three unfinished books in my files, so with that caveat.... I think that a book project requires some planning.

It's easy enough (ha) to sit down and start writing, but if you're anything like me, eventually you'll come to a point where you'll get stuck, unless you have an outline to keep you on track.

I also am a big fan of the writing group. If you can find one, or start one, other writers can read your work in progress, give you feedback, give you a reality check.

The practice of writing is really an ongoing, lifelong education -- and it requires practice -- regardless of "good" or "bad," sometimes you need to just write.

[Bethany]

I by no means am an example to follow, but I keep a notebook around and jot down ideas. When one gels enough to be a full book, I start my plot points outline. Now, when I say outline, I mean it as loosely as possible. :-) I start brainstorming ways the book could go and then just keep it in a bulleted list.

Then, seriously, I find a bullet that sounds interesting and write it out. This is much easier for non-fiction!

For my fiction works, I find that I really do have to sorta do a character sketch to start of my main character. Unless of course this book has been sitting in the back of my brain for years... then I just sit down and write. I might write a bullet list (short) for plot points--or the main ending (so I know where I am going), but generally, it is getting my ass in the chair and writing.

Sounds crazy doesn't it? I don't even like sharing it... it is a wonder I ever get ANYTHING written. ;-)

[Angela Moore]

Not crazy. This has been very helpful. While I know that everyone has to the creative process that works best for them, I'm always intrigued as to how other people operate. Thanks for sharing this with me!

[Bethany]

Hey you are very welcome. And honestly, each book has been different. The latest bullet point list for an outline, turned into 35 pages of detailed notes and even some scenes I wrote out. But all in all, it still requires I sit in the chair and write! ;-)

[Christie]

What I often tell people who ask me this is dont worry about what you "should" write...just write what creatively comes to you. For me, my creativity comes in waves and when it comes, I need to grab my "surfboard" and ride it out because I may never know when the next one is coming. If I ignore a creative spurt because it's not what I am "supposed" to be writing about, I do myself a great injustice...not writing at all! For instance, I logically should be working on my next book in my Your Big Sister series but it is just not coming to me. Instead a completely different concept...several in fact...have been hitting me and I have been writing like crazy!! I've got like 4 or 5 possible books happening simultaneously. I dont worry about outlines, etc. When a thought comes...I just write and somehow it just turns into something really great!

[Genny]

The best writing advice I ever got was, "just start." Sounds simplistic, I know, but it was that advice that gave me the push to actually sit down and start writing my ideas down. Some of those ideas fizzled and never became anything. Some of them blossomed into a full blown novel manuscript. And some of them became magazine articles. Or poems that were published. But nothing would've happened with any of my ideas if I didn't "just start." Happy writing, everyone!

[Nikki]

Hi Angela,
I don't write books, I make videos. I am a videotape editor/producer. I create all types such as video scrapbooks, advertising/promotional videos, commercials, even tv shows. Basically I'm telling a story using video. I don't sit with a pad and pen (well sometimes I do...) but I have a ton of interviews, photos, music, etc... loaded into my computer and then I am faced with the question of: where do I start? How can I make these hours and hours of material into a video that will thrill my client (selling her product or making her tear up when she watches her daughter's first year of her life scrapbook.) I agree with you that the hardest part is starting. Here's my process: First I storyboard the story. What pieces do I have and how am I going to introduce them to the viewer. Then I just start building my story on my timeline-and it's long, very long. I'd rather cut something out rather than cutting it out and forgetting about it. The only difference between your editing and mine is I do mine visually. I am constantly thinking about how can I make that work? Do I need that? This happens especially in the beginning of a project when I don't quite have the direction yet. I carry around a small notebook so when an idea hits me I don't forget it. I find myself dreaming about it too so I keep paper and a pen next to my bed. I force myself to wake up and write it down. I notice things in my daily life and see if somehow I can use that to make my story work. Good luck and keep us updated on this fantastic site!
-Nikki

[Noelle]

Hmmm...I write songs a lot. But sharing my creative process might help. It usually starts with an idea or strong emotion, then I start to play. It becomes like putting together a puzzle, a piece here, a line there. Not all of the pieces I create end up fitting and they almost never come to me in sequence. Eventually I have a bit of a chorus, a bit of verse, another verse...usually my biggest challenge is the bridge, but not always. I write about my personal experience but I often use it as a seed to grow into a story of fiction. When a song starts unfolding I have to preserve it right away by a) recording what I have so far on voicemail or a tape recorder b) singing it to myself over and over until I am sure I can retrieve it from memory later c) writing it down ASAP. I've learned not to take inspiration for granted. I do my best to keep my heart and mind open to the creative flow. And among all of this there is always a part of me that is conscious of what message I am sending, what words/mantras/affirmations I am creating in my own brain, whether its clever, if people will relate, and lastly if it will sell. And then some songs I just write for the sake of writing or for my own release or just for _______.....not all of my masterpieces will be heard by all and that is totally fine.

If and when you get stuck, shake it up! Turn it around! I studied acting and when I had trouble with a scene or just to further explore it we would do the opposites. For example, taking an aggressive argument between two women fighting and then doing it again from a gushy loving point of view but with the same words. It gave us both a whole new side to the characters we had never even imagined. You could change your writing utensils, your location, your point of view....a friend told me about a new book that is about being present for the significant moments in your life but it was told from the point of view of a letter to an airline. LOL

Don't worry so much about the how and just start...even if you start repeatedly or in different places, just start. :)

[Sugar and Sprouts]

I do the thing we hear about (and rarely do) - I keep an journal by my bed. Sometimes I see the ramblings of a half-drunk-on-sleeps doofus and sometimes I get GOOD stuff! I also just free associate - sit down and write whatever with no purpose and sometimes something decent comes out.

My sister rewards herself (she is writing text books) with chocolate and shoes (for sections and chapters well-done).