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Hello everyone, and welcome back to my newsletter! For the past several months, I've taken you through my writing process one step at a time. For our last segment of "A Writing Journey: When Shadows Fall", we'll take a look at this process as a whole. Previous newsletters and prior segments of my writing journey can be found here at my website's exclusive email archive. Stick around until the end for some bonus kitty pictures! |
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As mentioned in my previous newsletter, April began with recovery from my wisdom teeth surgery followed by a week of family time over Easter. I had hoped to spend some time working during this family time, but after getting a cold, I ended up spending most of my writing time napping instead!
However, I still got a fair bit done these past few weeks. I've enlisted several more advance readers, reached out to a number of book bloggers, prepared some marketing materials, and written over 21,000 words on the first draft of the third book in the Shadows of the Vale series.
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My main goals for the month of May are to continue with marketing efforts for When Shadows Fall, make sure everything is ready for the book launch, and continue working on the first draft of the third book in the series.
Some of the specific things I hope to do include arranging some book signings/book readings, reaching out to local stores about book consignments, marketing through Twitter with a daily book quote countdown (one quote from every chapter), preparing eBook pre-orders, and continuing my efforts to reach out to book bloggers.
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Miss the previous segment? |
Part 9:A Journey in Review
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Over the past months, I've shared with you my process for writing a book. Given how many new subscribers we have and with the release of When Shadows Fall on the horizon, I thought now would be a great time to recap everything we've discussed!
My process begins where every author's must; with an idea. Ideas can come from practically anywhere. Often, my ideas come in the form of characters who pop into my head and demand to be written. Other times, it starts with a simple pondering of, 'I wonder what would happen if...' Over time, these vague inklings band together to form a workable concept, and from there, a book is born.
Once I have a solid idea, I start writing the first draft. As a discovery writer, (someone who discovers their story by writing it, rather than planning ahead), this can be a slow process. I often take breaks from my first drafts when I get stuck, and have a bad tendency of starting over multiple times in an attempt to muddle my way to the end. My first drafts are notoriously messy and poorly written, serving more as an extensive outline than a proper draft.
My second draft is a time to fill in the missing gaps and turn a story that resembles swiss cheese into something readable. When it's done, I usually do a quick edit of the draft to improve the reading experience before passing it off to my beta readers. Feedback is invaluable in shaping a book, so I count on my readers to help me discover what works, what doesn't, what changes are needed, and how best to implement those changes.
After the first round of beta readers finishes, it's back to drafting. From here, I go through a cycle of writing a new draft (or revising the current draft if the required changes aren't too extensive) and then finding new beta readers to test those changes.
During this long stage of rewriting and revising, I am often confronted with problems in my story that have not gone away during the natural drafting process. At this point, I sit down to brainstorm ideas and solutions. Sometimes, this process is relatively easy and rewarding. Other times, it feels like hitting my head against a brick wall.
Inevitably, there comes an issue in every story that makes me question my abilities as a writer and despair of ever completing the book. These low points are not eternal, but they do seem to be inevitable. Pressing through them is an important part of my process, knowing that eventually, the pieces will finally fall into place.
Because I usually don't know where my stories are going until I write them, I also take time throughout the process to work on the sequels. This improves my understanding of where the story is going, and allows me to incorporate better world-building and character development in the first book.
Eventually, I have a final draft of the story that I am reasonably satisfied with on a story, character, and plot level. At that point, it is time to turn my attention to the prose. Editing is a long process, and I go through my book many times trying to improve my writing. I'm quite picky, and tend to obsess over getting things perfect, so it can be difficult to force myself to move on from this stage!
At last, it's time for the final touches of proofreading and formatting. After I've fixed up whatever issues my proofreaders find and once I've completed the formatting, the book is, at last, finished.
Of course, the story doesn't end there; writing a book is just one half of the process of getting a book out into the world. Once the book is written, there is a whole process to getting it published, regardless of if you publish traditionally, or if, like me, you choose to self-publish.
Perhaps one day I will take you on a journey of self-publishing, much as I've walked you through my writing process. But for now, it is sufficient to say that our current journey is complete!
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Stay tuned for some fun statistics next month!
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Redbubble has made some changes to the site that I've found a bit discouraging, but I am hoping I can persevere through the challenges and reach a point where my Redbubble store can be successful. I'm happy to report I added several new designs this month!In addition to the Redbubble designs, I received a commission to do some chibi art, as well as finding some time for manga sketching. Overall, it's been a good month for art!
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Clicking on an image will open the sticker version of that drawing. Scroll down and click "view this design on +(number) products" to see all available products for that design! |
And a few of my digital sketches, because why not! |
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Reading: I am currently reading Sword and Shadow, the sequel to The Emperor's Wolves, which I read in December. I am very impressed with Michelle Sagara's writing style, and I can't wait to try out her other series!
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If you've read this far, then you deserve some kitty pictures as a reward! As always, thank you so much for being a part of my subscriber family. ❤
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I get so used to seeing this little face sticking into my work zone! You can just feel the intensity of her gaze while she waits for the love she so obviously deserves. |
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#11 1305 23rd Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 3S4, Canada |
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