I get a lot of questions from readers and aspiring writers about what my "process" is. Today I started writing my next book, so I figured I should write a post about how I begin. (Note, though, that I started the actual reporting a long time ago.)

So this is what I've done so far today:

ALEXANDRA'S WRITING PROCESS:

1) Write three sentences.
2) Snack time!
3) Write a paragraph. Woo!
4) Still hungry. What's in the fridge?
5) Check Facebook. Come to think of it, there should be a line in between every number that says, "Check Facebook." And email. And occasional random web surfing.
6) Hm I wonder if the cinnamon rolls in that recipe my friend recommended can be frozen?
7) Write one sentence.
8) Facebook friend to ask whether the cinnamon rolls can be frozen.
9) Check Facebook.
10) Write two sentences.
11) Post on my Goodreads friend page a general update that I'm starting to write my next book.
12) Pat self on back.
13) Let's celebrate with a snack!
14) Write two sentences.
15) Shower time!
16) Check Facebook. The cinnamon rolls *can* be frozen, hooray!
17) Look over ingredient list to see what I don't have. Contemplate going to store immediately. But, no...
18) Write one sentence.
19) Man, I really want to bake those cinnamon rolls.
20) Okay, if I really write now, then maybe I can bake them later.
21) Write two paragraphs!
22) Whew, that was a lot. Check Facebook.
23) Write one sentence.
24) Take mammoth break: Go outside, drive on an errand, come home, check emails and Facebook, realize I forgot to go to store to get remaining cinnamon roll ingredients.
25) Write half a page.
26) Write post on Goodreads about ridiculous writing process.
27) Word count: 1,095!

And that's how the magic happens, haha. If I were to do this for 100 days in a row, I would have a book! But I still have a ton of research and reporting to do, so it'll be a while.

First 1,000 words done, though -- not bad! I think I'll celebrate with some cinnamon rolls...