In the writing groups I float in, there has been a lot of talk about the steps to writing a novel. Despite having started the MFA track while I was in undergrad (had the opportunity to do a dual program of English Literature and get my MFA, but decided to opt out of it for various reason, one of which was having to play “catch up” because I started my major late), I never really learned the structure of actually writing a novel. In Introduction to Popular Fiction (one of two writing classes I got to take before dropping the Dual program) outlined the typical novel: Beginning. Middle. End. The structure varied depending on genre. So… how does one actually start writing a novel? That question— and the concept of not knowing— really surprises me. My first thought after seeing it pop up so many times was “easy…. Just write!” and, though there were a few similar responses to mine, the more technical replies made me turn inward and examine my own writing process.
![]() There are a myriad of structures of various lengths and breadths. What's my process? I was an Art Therapy major before I pursued English Literature and writing during my time in Under Grad. Writing is like a lump of clay. Its already there, shapeless and blob like. There is a vague vision. Sometimes no vision at all. You work the clay, playing around with it, feeling a shape take form beneath your fingers. When your done moving the lump around, it begins to resemble something. The more you work the clay, the more of that something you have until the sculpture at the very end. Its not perfect, but its there. All that's left is to define it, fire it, polish it, check for any imperfections. Display it. I finish my draft of The Path of the Cave Stars (I have no idea which draft this is... I lost count somewhere after the 4th revision). I am now refining it-- running it through a Text To Speech Reader so that I can hear my words out loud and make further edits as I follow along. Once that process is over, I’ll seek 3-4 Beta readers and shift gears to another project while that's being read.
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![]() As writers, the onslaught of ideas are constant. So is the stopping and starting of various projects! So, how do you get around this? How do you stay focused on your WIP? I am a part of multiple writing groups and forums, and my answers to these remain the same: Progress Journal. I began my Progress Journal in 2019. Until then, I'd never done one. I didn't even know what one was (I thought it was a blog, to be honest). There were various Progress Journals posted, and they were created in various ways. But for mine, I bullet pointed all of my projects at the time (projects, to me, were documents that had more than twenty pages to them). For each of those, I listed the word count thus far, a summary of the plot and how far I'd gotten into the story. I had 10 projects! Eventually, I narrowed it to 3 (some make Progress Journals for each project. I used 1 journal to track my 3) From there, I collected my notes on those three projects, tracked any questions that came up while writing. Any problems I had and how I worked them out. I tracked mile stones like finishing my first draft, edits, and Beta reading troubles. I can see how I solved a problem and problems I've yet to find solutions for. I can look at the information I've collected and find a use for them or scenes I've scrapped but are suddenly relevant again. I've even set goals for myself (you know how much I love goals). Its kept me focused and accountable. With my Project Journal, I was able to finish the first drafts of two out three manuscripts! So, how do you make a Progress Journal? Just as there are various ways to organize one, there are multiple ways to create one.
If you are having trouble getting started on a Progress Journal or just don't know how to structure it, check out the WIP journal on Etsy. I was gifted this journal, and I must say, it is very detailed! I am not a linear notetaker, so a lot of the detail in it pulled me out of my focus. I would say this journal is great for those who plot/outline their projects. However you organize your Journal, I hope you stick with it! I am 2 chapters away from being done with the edits to The Path of the Cave Stars, the first draft of which I completed in 2021. I'll be taking some time off from blogging so that I can focus on the final chapters. Stay tuned for my next blog post on "Next Steps!" *WIP= Work In Progress |
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