Gosh, I think my writing process is more like a pantser and then sometimes I will use a process. I tend to go back and forth. I like to layout an outline and try to stick to it. It is hard but it works when you have lots of details and timelines to remember.

I wonder if a lot of authors use a chart on a wall or a diagram of some sort to keep all the dates, events, names, and places while they write their books. I would think you would have to when you write a series of books.

I am usually organized about writing but I have my moments when I just want to get my daily quota of words done!

Heather, I like your process! Very much like my Quill & Scroll. I haven’t used it in a while, but I might pull it out of my bag of tricks if things get too crazy again. Depression is really hard on creative types…because it totally stops our output. But then, I suppose it does that no matter what the job. Thankfully, we’re all becoming more aware of the effects.

Linda, I’m glad the layering article was so helpful! I am feeling 150% better…maybe 200%. Thanks for asking!

I really miss your Marisela series and was hoping to see more of it. What a great heroine.

Hope that your health is improving daily!

LindaC

My current process is to write longhand, then type when I get bored, etc. The key for me is to switch it up when my attention falters, which is often.

Susanna, please let me know how it works for you!

Patricia, your process sounds a lot like mine. I’m very flexible between plotting and not. Just depends on the story.

Cher, you’re funny. I’m not sure I like that picture. In fact, I’m hoping to take a new one soon!

Karen, I’m sorry you missed the meeting, but I’m glad I got the info out there. I offered this workshop to another chapter, but they picked a different one…I was surprised! I think this one is SO much better and I told them that, but well, it was their choice! We’ll see how it goes next week. Yes, the Gemini is fraught with dangers. And I laughed at your story. I studied Spanish in high school and Italian in college and I still get a lot of the words confused, which means I rarely will take a chance at speaking either unless I can verify what I’m about to say first lest I embarrass myself!

Rachie, I wish I could wait for the mood to strike, but I lost that privilege the minute I quit my job to become a full time writer! Oh, and I hate cold toes. Actually, I hate cold any-bodypart. :freezing: Luckily, I’m in Florida and we’re quite toasty right now!

Debbie, I shouldn’t have said I didn’t write at all during that year…I did. I wrote about 100 pages of the book that was rejected. But that’s all. It’s very important that you sleep when the babies sleep whenever you possibly can. Esp. with twins. My suggestion is that you arrange time when the babies are awake for them to be watched by someone else so you can get a solid hour of writing a day. Either the hubby or a neighbor. Just an hour when the babies are being entertained, but you have UNINTERRUPTED time to be creative. It’ll be best for all of you…but you need your sleep!

Les, honestly, I think you need to take a really long break. I know it’s hard when you have deadlines, but I’d say that you need to whittle down your output to the barest of minimums (say 250-500 words a day) and then spend the rest of the day refilling the well, reading books and daydreaming your way back into excitement for the work again. That’s all I can suggest! I’m no expert, that’s for sure!

Roberta, thank you for reading the article even if you aren’t a writer. I don’t believe everyone’s “good story” has to be written. Some just need to be told. I think it’s the oral tradition that keeps our best stories alive, personally. It’s the oldest form of storytelling for a reason!

Never tried the Gemini–I think I’m afraid it would be like the time in high school when I took both Spanish and German and got the Spanish word for tall (alto) and German word for old (alt) mixed up. True story.