As I mentioned in the book summary, I find it useful to create for a story a set of directions, that is some ideas I've already had about the story I am about to write. As a writer who writes a lot, and on different projects, and for numerous series in various genres, this set of instructions is a handy tool to have if I take a break from a story and return to it at some point in the future, whether its months, or even years, later. I will have all the information I need to pick up where I left off.
This is not an outline. I am not putting together chapter lists or scene summaries. (Outlines and chapter summaries are tasks I complete later, usually after I have finished the first chapter; that's just my own process). At this time, I am collating ideas. I am making a record of locations I have envisioned, and becoming acquainted with characters who have made themselves known to me.
And, if there is a timescale involved—perhaps a publisher or an agency has a set submissions window, or a competition has a deadline—I am setting myself a schedule and creating word count goals and targets to enable me to successfully work within that time frame.
What makes me qualified to write this book? I've had work published all over the world, both online and in print (you can find a list of my publishing credits on my website), and I've been writing for many years. I've been traditionally published by a small independent press, self-published, had numerous poems, short stories and pieces of flash and micro fiction included in numerous anthologies, have run a weekly writing challenge on my website (the Weekend Writing Prompt) which is now in its seventh year, and have founded and run my own online literary magazine, so I've had lots of practice to hone and understand my writing process.
The purpose of these notes we are about to collate is to prepare you to begin writing your book. You may even find you include passages and scenes you put together now in your first draft, so don't think this is a waste of time... It might not be.
How to use this book:
This book is set out very simply. There are 6 main chapters, each with a brief introduction (my thoughts) about the subject it is dedicated to. There are also exercises in each chapter, and points to think about. Towards the end of the book is a chapter of writing exercises that you might find useful, and there is a bonus chapter at the end of the book containing some writing prompts. It's up to you how closely you follow the book, and whether you actually work through the exercises and answer the questions.
As I've mentioned, these are the steps I go through when I'm preparing to write, and I work through most of the suggestions most of the time (not always). I make my notes either in a blank notebook, on a couple of blank sheets of lined paper, or in a fresh document on my laptop (though I personally tend to get more out of the exercises when I am writing by hand). And I keep these notes for as along as I need them, adding to them as and when I feel I have discovered something of note. Even when I am no longer actively using them, having instead turned my attention to more detailed outlines and chapter summaries (if I'm using them, I don't always), I will keep them, filing them away in a dedicated story folder.
This is part of my writing process, and something I have crafted over a good number of years of writing, and it is worth pointing out your process might be very different to mine. What works for me might not work for you, and what works for you might not work for me.
Just a note: I would recommend that you don't answer the questions and work through the exercises in the comment section of this book. Rather, keep your notes to yourself, just in case someone comes along and pinches them. Is this likely? I have no idea, but I keep my notes and ideas to myself. Ideas are precious and we don't want to give them away. We want to protect them and nurture them, until they grow into the stories we want to share. But, if you have any thoughts or questions about what is being discussed, then please do put those in the comment section! :-)
YOU ARE READING
Preparing to Write
No Ficción...A Workbook of Prompts and Exercises to help you prepare for writing your story... So you are about to embark on writing your book. Perhaps it's your first book. Perhaps it's your twentieth. Whichever it is, it's always a good idea to create for y...
