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Writing Process for Indie Writers

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Seasons greetings,

May your winter holidays be merry and bright – even if it’s just chilling at home or at work.

I have discovered that I like to research any topic that tickles my fancy and I like to organize it. I’m probably a word geek. Yes, a word geek ( or wordsmith, if you will). I can live with that. In my latest research binge and the love of organizing it I have conjured a decent list about the writing process from brainstorming ideas to publication. This list is not the only way to write or the One Great List to rule them all. This a launching point. Tweak as you will for whatever works for you. Everyone is different.

The writing process (checklist)

  1. The idea
  2. Brainstorming (write all your ideas down – do not edit)
  3. Character creation, map your world, worldbuilding (keep collecting those ideas)
  4. Outlining (this is important, but not everyone likes to do this – to each their own – you do you!)
  5. Drafting (do not edit at this point – just write – this might take a while)
  6. Revise (this is the time to rearrange, add, or take out what doesn’t belong – stories have a flow, voice, and rhythm, find it)
  7. Find someone or a few people to critique your story
  8. Revise again
  9. Hire a developmental editor or a talented book-lover  friend to read your story (find those plot holes, things that don’t fit into your story, things that need more explanation, etc…)
  10. Start chatting about your book on social media (Soft Promotion)
  11. Revise again (some of you may start the editing process here depending on how your project is going – every process is different.)
  12. Find beta readers (more awesome critiquing!)
  13. Revise again (with feeling!) and/or self-edit
  14. Hire a professional copy editor (or another talented friend – I will recommend that you pick a different person to copyedit your work from the developmental editor. Everyone will catch different mistakes)
  15. Apply for an ISBN (if you don’t already have one)
  16. Write book blurb, acknowledgments page, and about the author page
  17. Hire a cover artist/ designer and someone who does interior formatting (Some of you are amazing at this already so you’ve got yourself covered)
  18. Promote your book! (Share book teasers, cover reveal, hit that social media pavement, etc)
  19. Send out ARCs! (Advanced Readers Copies) – (Ask for honest reviews in exchange for a free book – optional)
  20. Release your book!!!
  21. Celebrate! (you did it!!!)
Thank you for reading!

There you have it. My long writing process list. This list may go through a few tweaks in the future, but for now, this is what I have. I have learned a lot this past year about writing and publishing and I don’t intend to quit anytime soon.

I hope you all keep creating into the new year. Much love.

Cheers.

JT Harris.

 

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Photo on http://<a href=”https://visualhunt.com/re/9b1f56″>Visualhunt</a>