“How do you write a book?”
It's a question I’ve been asked a lot, and I still don't have a good answer.
Instead of going with my usual vague response about ideas germinating into
plot twists, character inspiration, and daily word counts, I thought I’d borrow
words from other writers to explain my process.
How I write in five easy steps:
It's a question I’ve been asked a lot, and I still don't have a good answer.
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Photo credit: clarita from morguefile.com
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How I write in five easy steps:
1. “The
best time to plan a book is while you’re doing the dishes.” ― Agatha Christie
I’m always thinking about writing, stories, plots,
characters, descriptions, etc. I cull ideas from news reports, snatches of
overheard conversations, and other weird places like Pinterest, Facebook, and
even my hair stylist (one of the best places to get story ideas, actually).
Those ideas are always churning and activities like housework and long walks
are great for sorting them out.
2. “Just get it down on paper, and then we’ll see what to do
with it.” ― Maxwell Perkins
I literally would not be a published writer without this
quote. I read it years ago when everything I had written was only a few
chapters. Nothing was ever good enough:
the first line, the first paragraph, the first chapter. I got bogged
down in revisions and never moved on to write the rest of the story.
When I read this quote I thought, well, if that’s the kind
of advice he gave to his authors, which included Fitzgerald and Hemingway, then
it was good enough for me. I decided I’d get my ideas down on paper first—the
whole book—then revise.
3. “Writing is like driving at night. You can see only as
far as the headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” ― E.L.
Doctorow
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I generally have a firm grasp of how the story begins and
how it ends. I write mystery and suspense, so I know whodunit, how they did it,
who the suspects are, and how everything wraps up, but that middle part is always
a tad fuzzy. I’ve found once I start writing the details and plot twists come
into focus as I write.
For me, I have to get into the story to know what must happen next. Some writers know their whole book in great detail from beginning to end before they put even a word on paper. My little brain can’t hold all that info at once. I have to ease into it.
For me, I have to get into the story to know what must happen next. Some writers know their whole book in great detail from beginning to end before they put even a word on paper. My little brain can’t hold all that info at once. I have to ease into it.
4. “Books aren't written - they're rewritten.” ― Michael
Crichton
Ah, revision. I actually enjoy revising. It’s always a
relief to me to get the first draft down then I can go back and clean it up. See
#2 above.
5. “The difference between the right word and the almost
right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” ― Mark
Twain
That quote pretty much sums up the final stage of writing,
doesn’t it? When I do the final edit, the line edit, I agonize over the
absolute best word, wrestling with nuance and sentence flow. And, don’t even
get me started on commas….
And one more quote for fun:
Bonus Quote: “Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” ― Groucho Marx
What are some of your favorite writing quotes?
Sara is currently immersed in #5 (line edits) for DECEPTIVE, the third book in the ON THE RUN series, which will be out in July.
The first two books in the series, Elusive and Secretive are available now. Elusive is currently free at Amazon, Kobo, and Smashwords.
Publishers Weekly called Sara’s books, "satisfying," "well-executed," and "sparkling."
Sara loves all things bookish, considers dark chocolate a daily requirement, and is on a quest for the best bruschetta. Connect with her at www.SaraRosett.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.
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