An idea for a story often starts on a long drive or walk alone, when I can clear my head and stop focusing on my to-do-list. A new thought becomes a seed in my mind and it sprouts, grows and nudges at me, until I must find paper and a pen or grab my iPhone to start typing.
Once I begin writing, the idea unfolds into paragraphs, until I am amazed by the length of the document that appears in front of me. Next, I begin to obsessively reread and rewrite. I also will read it aloud for imaginary audiences and test it out on any willing (and sometimes unwilling) friends.
I continue to make corrections to my writing and add in more details, until polished like a stone in a river, smoother with each correction.
When I am certain that the words I have written are conveying my ideas clearly, I send the document to my editor for review. Once it is returned, I make the suggested changes and then submit my new work to a chosen magazine or post it on my blog.
Each time I write, I am excited by the project and think that it is the my best accomplishment, that is, until the next idea appears and I begin the process all over again.
If the story is to be published, I begin waiting impatiently for it to appear in print. I am always happy to finally see my submission in a magazine and happily file it away whenever I receive a copy.
My new blog is my own way of sharing all of my writing in one organized place. I enjoy adding to the blog, one post at a time.
Q. What is the writing process like for you?
A calendar, hmmm…