My Writing Routine

1.    Maps

 

Before I start writing a novel, I sketch out the rough outline onto my laptop. This is usually no more than a few (grammatically incorrect) paragraphs with haphazard punctuation. Just enough to give me the brief story, together with a few (hazy) character outlines. This is my map to show me where I start and where I will end up. This is maybe nothing more distinct than 'they escape on a spaceship as a thousand volcanoes explode'. I will figure out the rest later during the writing and editing phases.

 

2.    The First Draft

 

This is where I turn the dream into reality. I type the words as quickly as possible and write for about an hour a day. In a single sitting I spit out 300-1000 words. After 3-4 months I have finished a novel that is somewhere between 40,000 and 60,000 words in length. Now it’s time to kick back and relax, right? Wrong.

 If you want to check out my novel - Jack Strong and the Red Giant - about a 12 year old boy's adventures on a spaceship check out the link below:

Jack Strong and the Red Giant

3.    Other projects

 

After I've finished my novel, rather than taking it easy for six weeks, I move onto other projects I normally don't have time for, such as writing blog posts, poetry (check out my collection of sonnets, Made in China), and revising past novels such as my Jack Strong series. This allows me to spend time on other work, whilst simultaneously keeping my writing skills sharp. It also gives my mind a bit of a rest after writing about the same characters every day for several months. I am now ready to enter the next phase of the writing process: editing.

 

4.    Editing

 

This is where the real magic happens. This is where I turn that old rusty suit of armor I jotted down earlier into something fit enough to attract the gaze of kings and queens. I start off correcting all the typos and punctuation errors. Then I move onto word choices, re-writing and deleting as I see fit. In the final couple of drafts I consider plot, characterization, and the layout to a greater degree. Only when this process is finished do I pass the manuscript to my Beta readers.

If you like what I have to say about writing, why not check out my podcast 'What! The Heys' where I take weekly deep dives in the worlds of writing and literature:

 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1021147

5.    Beta readers

 

I send my novel to approximately 4-5 beta readers. These are people who are keen readers and who will give me honest, constructive feedback. Whilst I’m waiting for them to give me advice, I complete the synopsis, type my query letter, and sketch out the elevator pitches. I write them whilst the book is still fresh in my mind. And then it’s onto more poetry, blog posts, and revision of past novels. And who knows? Maybe a short story or two.

 

6.    Feedback

 

When I finally receive feedback from my beta readers, I type their comments onto an excel sheet and look for common issues. Then it’s one final edit, before it’s time to send off query letters to my list of Literary Agents and cross my fingers one more time. Maybe this time I will get lucky.

If you like what I have to say about writing, feel free to check out my poetry collection on life in modern China:

Made in China

 

7.    Reading

 

Whilst all this is going on I am constantly reading. Whatever I can get my hands on – YA, fantasy, sci-fi, books by Hemingway, Orwell, and Dickens, poetry, history. No genre lies outside my grasp. Inspiration can come from many avenues after all.