AUTHORS: How do you structure your writing process?

[Tino]

Hi guys. Thanks for your many answers. It was very enlightening for me to see how many different techniques are utilized for the different layers of a book. :-)

 

[Lonemagpie]

Passage to Marseilles isn't that bad. Yeah, it's no Casablanca, but it's pretty decent in its own right.

 

[GHS]

Some days I feel like writing dialogue, some days I'll concentrate on action or physical description.

How on earth could you get yourself to do nothing but physical desription for hours at a time? I'd have to be on pretty wild stimulants to get through that.

"Surrender your ship," the Klingon commander *VERBED. He unveiled his ultimate weapon. (WHICH IS? DESCRIBE.). "There is no dishonor in losing to a superior enemy. *INSERT APPROPRIATE KLINGON PROVERB HERE."

"Oh, yeah?" Kirk replied. *PHYSICAL ACTION. "Well, you can take your [WEAPON?] and *DO SOMETHING with it!"

OMG, where can I buy this book?!?

 

[Christopher]

It's Star Trek: Mad Libs!

 

[BolianAuthor]

Hi guys. Thanks for your many answers. It was very enlightening for me to see how many different techniques are utilized for the different layers of a book. :-)

No problem. Bottom line, though... just do whatever feels comfortable for you, as the author. If something gets the creative juices flowing, then go with it. These are just what works for us, and might not be what helps everyone.

 

[BrotherBenny]

With the novel I'm currently writing, I started with a beginning and an ending (both of which changed a little from the original) and since the middle is a major historical event, I know what's happening there. That said, I made no further planning than that and everything has evolved organically. The B plot appeared from a simple pace-slowing scene and now weaves through the A plot as if it was supposed to be there all the time; and the flashback chapters have also taken on a life of their own since the original plan for my 1940s character called for one thing and he is now far more complex and interesting.

I planned my first novel and the end result was terrible. I've been more organic this time round and I feel the story to be far more superior. It helps that my plot this time is better too, and I have a greater and more diverse cast of characters to play around with.