The Writing Process...Err...Kind Of

Someone asked me the other day what my writing process was like. The question actually took me off guard because I don't really have a "process". I've written twelve books, and I've approached each one differently. Yes, they all have basic similarities (I like to write in first person, I like mystery/suspense elements, I like for my characters to get naked at least once) You get the general idea.

When I first started writing I was the ultimate pantser (for those of you who don't know, a pantser is someone who makes it up as it comes along). I enjoyed not knowing what was coming next in my books. I figured if I was surprised by the ending, then everyone else would be too. This absolutely drove my husband insane. Especially because he's always my first beta reader and got the pleasure of finding all the plot holes.

When I reached my fourth book, I decided I needed to be a little more organized in my writing. This is a business after all, and I shouldn't approach my writing on a whim (which is pretty much how I approach everything else in life for those of you who don't know me). I decided story-boarding was exactly what my characters and plots needed. So I spent hours cutting out pictures and gluing things on poster board so I could see my story take shape like a movie before I put words on the page. This worked pretty well for me for a few books, but again, for those of you who know me, my attention span has a tendency to be short, so it didn't work for long.

So...there was really only one option left. And I fought it. Hard. I had no other choice but to...OMG...write a synopsis. A complete outline for my entire book. The word "synopsis" still makes me quiver with fear. I absolutely hate them. Every time I write one I think, "This book is going to be crap. There's no spontaneity. My characters will be cardboard. My plot will be predictable. But I sit at the keyboard and write it out as fast as possible (like ripping a band-aid off) just to get it over with. And I've actually found that writing out a synopsis (for the most part) prevents the dreaded writer's block. Now, I don't really believe in writer's block, but I have been in situations where I've been stuck and had no idea what I needed to do next. If I do happen to hit a snag, I'll read my synopsis, find a scene where I DO know what's going on and then write that. Usually I can figure out what's missing from the earlier scene.

I've tried all different techniques and followed numerous bits of advice. I've been to tons of conferences and workshops, and I've gotten advice from other writer pals. I can't say that what works for me today will work for me tomorrow. Like I said, I have a short attention span. Which is why writing is pretty much the perfect job for me--not like selling shoes or teaching school where everything is the same day after day. I never last long in jobs like that. Thank God.