Writers have their own different writing process. But mainly, the process goes as these: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. In this month’s National Novel Month, everything is condensed. It’s unlikely you’ll reach the third and forth step of the process, which are revising and editing. There will be a time for that. So for now, let’s focus on the two process that are relevant for this short time.

Prewriting

Prewriting involved jotting down the ideas, scenarios, and even conversations your characters might have in the story.

For me, this stage in the writing process doesn’t have a time limit, even while I’m already writing drafts and chapters. Prewriting is like getting a feel of your character’s situation, and thinking of scenario through the story. What if, while writing the draft, you’ve thought a better way for your character to react or a better challenge for them to face.

Never limit yourself on one thing. Write down all possible outcomes and scene you think would be applicable to the story. You might find that when you’ve already written the whole story, you’ll see a different point of view in the ending.

Drafting

Drafting is where the fun part of writing mostly happens. This is were you grab a pen and paper, and to other peoples cases they use a computer or laptop – all based on preferences.

Through drafting, you’ll start to understand the character and story you’re creating. But it can be challenging as well. You’ll be visualisation and turning those images in to words. Not an easy task when you have a writers block, which happens when you’re just lost for words and couldn’t visualise any scenes.

During drafting, you can be by yourself knee deep in a world away from your own. I always love this stage in writing from the four. Because anything you write is alive, and many possibilities would come into view. Your mind would also widen in creating these scenarios for your characters. It is when creativity breaks free.

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While writing my novel for National Writing Month, everyday is prewriting and drafting for me. But I focus more on the draft – building the story as I go. But when you write almost everyday, moving the story forwards, you’d sometime forget where you are in the plot. So it is better to think ahead, visualise, before writing everything into a condense chapter.

Always remember to take a break and step back on your work. When you’re in a pinch, it’s best to read a book, watch a movie, listen to music, and be inspired with the world around you. Because we aren’t a machine. Creativity is reflected by life around you.

Write on fellow writers!