I am still discovering my writing and editing process. It has been a messy and chaotic ride so far. I may be a little lost in the caverns, but I see a light up ahead that is telling me I’m going in the right direction, hopefully.
Up until recently my writing process has been:
1. Skeleton Outline: Describe the 10-15 Scenes you know will happen in this book
2. Rough Draft: Start drafting based on the outline
3. Re-outline: Given what you now know of your story, outline the book chapter by chapter
4. Draft Again: Write a cleaner more concise draft now that you know your setting and characters more
NOTE: Steps 3 and 4 may repeat multiple times
5. Developmental Edit: Fill in the holes in the plot and character arcs following a complete read through.
6. Developmental Edit 2: Figure out major world building aspects that you missed, and let’s be honest completely ignored. Then go in and do the edit again making the world and characters feel more real and well rounded.
7. Cry
8. ???
9. Profit! (does anyone get this joke?)
I am currently firmly in the step 6 and 7 area of finishing this book.
This book has changed and transformed so much from when I first started that it has taken on a life of its own. It’s hard to believe that when I first sat down to write this story almost two years ago it was meant to be a simple novella retelling of The Little Mermaid.
Now, Drowned Gods and Bloody Skies has become the first book in an epic fantasy series of fairy tale reimaginings. And, I am so excited.
So, yes. This book has taken me probably 10 times longer than I ever expected. Especially as it was meant to be a simple project while I worked on problems in a different project. But, I really feel like this book, this story, is going to be amazing when someone other than me eventually gets to read it.
My goal, as I continue to write and move forward with this series, is that I can cut down on those steps. Maybe one day I won't have to do a second developmental edit or the constant draft-reoutline-draft.
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