Writing a novel isn’t a straight path and I doubt I have the same process as another author. Not that I am any better (or any worse) just that my process seems to work for me. It’s messy, frustrating, and unpredictable. But it’s also the only way to get the stories in my head onto the page. Here’s how I go from a rough idea to a finished book.
1. The Idea
It starts with a concept—sometimes a scene, a character, or a “what if” scenario. These normally appear in my head at the most random of times. It can be a moment in a tv show, lyrics in a song, a line in a book or just my brain failing to go to sleep when the rest of me wants too. I don’t sit on ideas for years; I start developing them immediately to see if they have potential. If they hold my interest, they move forward. If not, they get shelved. I have a folder full of story pitches, outline and scenes from various potential stories.
2. Outlining (Sort Of)
I outline, but loosely. I need structure—especially in thrillers—but I leave room for improvisation. Major plot points are set, key character arcs, and the ending. Everything else develops as I write. Outlining is more of a map than a script. What I find happens is that as I write, my characters take over the story and tell me what comes next. My final story hasn’t matched my original outline in any of the three works I’ve released so far.
3. The First Draft
This is where I push through, no matter how bad it feels. I don’t polish as I go (at least I try not to.) I write fast to get the bones of the story down. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s momentum. I aim for 1,000-2,000 words per session, depending on how deep I’m in the zone. Sometimes its more, many its less. Sometimes its just a scene or a line of dialog that popped into my head that I want to get written before my goldfish memory looses track of it.
4. Rewriting (Because the First Draft is Trash, so is the second, sometimes 3rd…)
After finishing the first draft, I step away for a bit. When I come back, I rewrite, sometimes heavily. This isn’t just tweaking words—it’s fixing pacing, character depth, and making sure everything actually makes sense. I find that many times as my characters changed over the story, I need to go back and make sure that they are consistent from chapter 1 to chapter end. Names, places, new plot points. They all have to match!
5. Editing (AKA Cutting the Bloat)
This is where I get ruthless (and sometimes paranoid.) Unnecessary scenes? Gone. Dialogue that drags? Trimmed. Anything that slows the story down gets cut. My goal is a tight, fast-paced read that keeps the tension high.
6. Feedback & Revision
I send the book to a few trusted beta readers and my editor to find out what’s working—and what’s not. Sometimes, their feedback stings, sometimes its good news, but it always makes the book better. I revise accordingly, making sure every scene earns its place. I’ll be honest here though, there have been some suggestions I’ve ignored. Sometimes the vision in my head is key.
7. Final Polish & Release
Once the book is solid, it goes through a final proofread after another short break. After that, it’s time for formatting, cover design, and release prep. Then, I start talking about it online, sharing behind-the-scenes details, and gearing up for launch.
The Reality of It All
Writing isn’t always fun. Some days, I love it. Other days, I wonder why I do this to myself. But at the end of the day, I write because I have to—because these stories won’t leave me alone until I put them on paper. I write for me, not everyone else. Frankly, if nobody ever reads my books, or a single copy never sells, I’ll still do it.
If you’ve ever thought about writing a novel, just start. The process isn’t pretty, but the only way to get it done is to keep going.