Writing

People have asked me how I write. They want to know my routine. They ask me questions like “Do you re-work each section until it is perfect before you write the next one?” or “Do you pick up where you left off or skip around?” or “Do you have it all outlined ahead of time?” Things like this. Some are surprised to find out that I do have it outlined pretty far out. I certainly know my ending scene. Once I read somewhere that JJ Abrams knew the first and last scene of the series Lost when they started filming it. To hold that vision over six seasons amazed me.

Okay, back to writing… I write in order because cohesion is something I am always looking to maintain. I feel that for me, jumping around would make it more difficult to track the developments behind that consistency. I always read what I wrote the day before: I make any minor line-level changes that jump out at me, but mostly I just want the context of where I am picking up.

What they find most interesting is that most days before I write I will watch an episode of a TV series that has the tone I want for the project. A dark project needs a dark show. Something more nostalgic needs a show that is reminiscent, the conflicts more internal instead of a plot-driven thriller.

I know everyone has their own routine. I always try to write in the morning. I always try to take weekends off to spend time with my wife. I do heavier editing after I have completed a few chapters at a time. I use hard copies and Read Aloud to catch proofreading errors and cadence.

Sometimes this routine gives me the structure I need to keep going. Sometimes it is an albatross, and I will take extra days away, or write in the afternoon, or focus more on editing than writing. The project needs to live in the spaces that allow it to breathe.