Believe it or not, but we also dream of days like that too. But in reality, things are a little different.
Of course, as writers, we dream more than anyone else to be read and appreciated. We want to share our stories with everyone and turn our imaginary world into a real job. Many have succeeded in making this impossible dream come true. But, for now, we are still fervent dreamers who still need to make a living during the day. In other words, goodbye cosy coffee shops and indulgent writing days. It was nice dreaming of you.
Let’s talk about it
We tend to map out the story long before we get to write it. We talk about it. We question it. We criticise it. We put ourselves in the shoes of our characters, what would they do and why.
The first time, it took several months before anything tangible and usable came out of these discussions. But, with practice, we are getting through the pre-mapping within a few weeks.
Map it out
The advantage of talking about the same story and building it up through discussions is that it is already committed to memory. However, when you’ve already got a day job, you need to record your plan in writing. Indeed, we can only write during our spare time, so there can be extensively long periods where the story can’t progress.
We start with pen and paper before recording the final map through Trello. There are plenty of dedicated writer’s mapping tools around. Trello works for us because:
- it is versatile
- it is not static
- it shows progress
- it can be used to create a full dashboard
- it can be as detailed or high-level as required
- it isn’t designed for the job, so it doesn’t restrict or shape the thoughts
- it’s easy to share and access from any device
Write it
It is a slow process despite our best efforts. Many sources recommend scheduling a strict writing routine to juggle with work and manuscript requirements. The truth is that scheduling writing times doesn’t suit every life and work style. Ultimately, not everyone can leave work at the same time every day. Stressful weeks can be tough to manage. Frankly, the last thing you need when you’re struggling with an urgent deadline is to leave your desk at 5:30PM on the dot because you have to get your next paragraph done. More often than not, work stress, work deadlines, and work load can take over your life, whether you like it or not.
Discipline plays a big role in writing your story. But discipline needs to be uplifting. It should not deprive you of essential sleep, food, or emotional comfort. It’s all about balancing discipline with health, both physical and mental. Sure, I want to write and share my story, but not at the cost of my sanity.
So, we make the most of quiet weeks and times to write a few chapters. There might be some warm beverage involved, but it’s typically home-brewed and served in a cracked mug at our desks. There is no fancy latte art for a variety of reasons involving my lack of skills and the fact that it doesn’t look that impressive with PG tips.
Edit it ruthlessly
Editing is challenging at the best of times. Ideally, we try to leave the manuscript to rest for a few weeks before editing. It’s far too easy to let the memory of what you imagined guide you rather than reading what your clumsy fingers typed.
Are there any plot mishaps? Yes, but there are less frequent than expected. We spend a great deal of time poking holes into the story as we pre-map and map it. Therefore, most edits tend to focus on spelling, grammar, typos, pacing, and missing/inaccurate descriptions. Nevertheless, we had to wave goodbye to many parts we loved and enjoyed because they were slowing down the plot unnecessarily.
At this point, society says it’s good practice to let all your Twitter followers know that you are still working on your book. An enigmatic tweet about your brain misreading typos followed by the necessary #amediting #amwriting hashtags is the quickest way to share your hardship on social media.
Share it with beta readers
Nobody makes you question your worth more than beta readers. Whether they are trying to be supportive or critical, they will always pick up things you never noticed before. A character you thought was loveable turns into a monster in their eyes. A joke falls flat. An emotional scene bores them. That’s when you know you need to get back at the writing desk for some more editing!
Let’s not forget the indispensable shoutout to the Twitterverse. They are dying to know that you are editing again.
How long does it really take to write a book?
It’s a tricky question. It took us several years to get The Dead Shadow done. But the major part of the time was dedicated to building a routine that worked for us. The only way to create something that works when you’ve got no experience or guidance is to get it wrong many, many, MANY times.
*Image from Unsplash