You better write!

Between my first and second novel, I’ve matured as a writer who follows a process. I read a few books on ‘writing’ and got hold of the nuances. So, just sharing the process here, if you’re an aspiring writer — this might help you. If you’re a good writer/author — this might as well, help you. If you have a better process — oh! Please share it with me.

Step 1:

Write down your vague plot/concept/theme/whatever you think it is — the seed, maybe.

Step 2:

Sleep over the idea, keep thinking about it and see if it matures.

Step 3: First Draft

So, the base ingredient is ready! What next?

• How do you want the plot to develop?
• Define the characters — protagonist, antagonist, side-characters
• Draft an outline, or a flowchart from start to end
• Define these — beginning, middle and end
• Protagonist
• Objective of the protagonist
• What stops your protagonist from achieving the goal in mind
• How the protagonist achieves it finally

Add flesh:

• Love interest of your protagonist
• Some humor, maybe
• Have a sub-plot in mind? Even better!

Now write your first draft. Write 350–1000 words per day and you’ll definitely have the first draft in 3 months.

Step 4: Be your own Devil’s advocate

Read your first draft from first to the end as a reader (don’t consider grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, etc.. just the story now)

• Now be honest, did you enjoy reading it?
• What are the problems in the script, though? How do you think you can fix it?
• Eliminate redundant scenes
• Grammar checks
   Checklist:
• If a scene doesn’t help in advancing the story — eliminate it
• Where the pace slows down?

Step 5: Now it is half-baked! Let’s check if it is publishing-ready

• Major characters are fleshed enough? Worthy of leaving an impact?
• Is the plot moving forward by several steps in every chapter
• Is it engaging the reader in you throughout?
• Are you satisfied with the climax?

Note: Once you read this draft, the emotions that you wanted should resonate.

P.S: You can ask a soul-companion type friend or an avid reader or a good writer or a professional beta-reader to read this draft and get their inputs before you move on to the next.

Meanwhile: Read the manuscript backwards, read it out of order because you’d probably read the first few chapters a good number of times than the latter.

NOW: Take a short break, if you’re rich — go on a vacation.

Step 6: The Final Draft

Do you have appropriate answers for the below:

• A major character that leaves an impact
• Is there a kind of tension built
• What are the emotional trigger points in the script
• When your plot complicates, it also helps in progress right?

Work on changes, if any!

Finally, Have you said what you wanted to say in this story?