How to Create a Writing Process Plan
Writing a novel is tough. Here's a template that you can use to better understand and utilize a writing process that works for you and is unique to you.
Introduction
Please keep in mind that I’m not insinuating that my perspective of the writing process is right and yours or someone else’s is wrong. I think many people fail to understand that there isn’t just one blueprint when it comes to structuring a story. I know I did.
The writing process is like a blueprint. That blueprint looks different for each storyteller. It’s unique to you. That’s why one type of story structure may be loved by one person and hated by another. Therefore, how someone structures or tells a story and how the audience receives that story is subjective; it’s based on personal preference.
Your Own Blueprint
The writing process1 follows a cycle of steps,2 such as prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publication. However, the techniques used within these steps vary from writer to writer. You may use different techniques to get through these stages of writing than someone else.
The writing process is exactly that: a process. Writing takes time. Everyone works differently. It can take time to discover how you function as a writer. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ways to structure the plot and write your story. Don’t be afraid to go back a step within the cycle of steps if needed.
It took me a long time to figure out what my writing process looked like and I didn’t know where to start. If you can relate, here are some examples and ideas you may want to consider if you’re striving to find an organized structure in your writing process that works for you.
Outlines, Notecards, Whiteboards, and Recordings
Some writers use vague or detailed outlines. Others avoid outlines like the plague. Some use notecards for scenes or jot down ideas on whiteboards.3 Some writers talk to themselves with a recording device in hand and later go back and listen to what they’ve said. It all depends on your tactic.
Screenplays
Some writers start by first drafting their manuscripts in a screenplay format.4 They revise the 120-page document5 until they feel there’s enough of a storyline and character development to transform the draft into a manuscript format.
If you choose to draft your story in a screenplay format, I recommend keeping the script to 120 pages. This is because, from my experience, it helped me to stay concise with the story and eliminate any excess or unimportant details. It also helped me to emphasize the work on characters and their dialogue instead of focusing primarily on descriptions.
Discover Your Writing Flow
Some writers binge-write and take breaks in between writing sessions. Others write for a specific amount of time each day. Some set goals to reach a specific word count or number of pages by the end of the week.
Some writers free-write without a structure or a plan for where the story will go. They simply go with the flow. Others rely heavily on one or more of the seven story structures6 to function as a writer. I used to be a free writer until I realized I needed structure. That helped me to get my stories done. If you struggle to finish stories as a free writer, there’s a chance story structure may help you.
Experiment with these different writing sessions and see which one works best for you. If something doesn’t work, try something else.
Don’t be a Perfectionist
My fatal flaw is perfectionism. While I believe it’s okay to be a perfectionist to a degree, don’t let it control you. I once believed that I needed to write a perfect first draft or else I failed as a writer. Now I realize how harsh and unrealistic that thought process was.
If you constantly put yourself down because your writing isn’t “perfect” or “not good enough,” do not despair. I have a potential solution for you. Although this may seem cheesy, here are some phrases that helped me break away from this lethal mindset. I hope they help you too. Read the following aloud to yourself.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Writing and storytelling are learning processes. It takes time to develop those skills.”
“It’s okay to write messy drafts. It doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, perfect isn’t possible. All I can do is my best.”
“Writing takes patience, practice, humility, and a willingness to learn.”
Do what works for you and gets you to that finish line. Please don’t fall victim to the vicious cycle that I did—revising the same lines over and over and over again for the sake of perfectionism. That didn’t get me anywhere. I challenge you to just write.
Teach yourself to ignore the imperfections during the first draft. Once the draft is finished, go back and re-read what you wrote without making changes (but you can make notes for what you may want to change later). Then revise, revise, revise. Revise until you are proud of your completed creation. But remember, you can’t get there if you’re striving for an unrealistic goal of perfectionism. You’ll have to settle at some point.
Writing Process Plan
I’ve found it helpful to develop a writing process plan before I begin writing drafts. That way I can see what my writing process might look like and go forward with that plan. That way I can identify what techniques within the plan do and do not work for me as I go through the steps. I encourage you to do the same.
Here’s a template. I’ve used my own writing process plan as an example. Feel free to use this as your own personal blueprint and adjust it to your liking.
Step 1: Prewriting
Don’t write a draft until there is a clear beginning, middle, and end
Brainstorm ideas on a whiteboard
Record solid ideas in a document that’s easy to find
Number the scenes
Identify acts one, two, and three within the outline
Identify the inciting incident and the climax
Step away from the outline
Step 2: Research
Research topics related to the story
Research writing groups
Consider friends and family as possible beta readers
Research editors and the different types of editing
Research publication options such as traditional, independent, or self-publishing
Conduct further research about the business of self-publishing as an independent author9
Step 2: Drafting
Return to the outline and make adjustments
Write the first draft as a screenplay
Share with trusted individuals for feedback
Revise the script as many times as needed
Share with trusted individuals for feedback
Transform the script into a manuscript
Step 3: Revision
Revise manuscript
Share with trusted individuals for feedback
Prepare manuscript to send to an editor
Step 4: Editing
Send the manuscript to an editor
Make adjustments
Format the manuscript for e-books and physical copies
Cover design and title
Step 5: Publication
Copyright manuscript
Submit the manuscript to Amazon KDP10
Submit the manuscript to Barnes & Noble11
Submit the manuscript to IngramSpark12
Conclusion
I hope this template is useful to you in your writing process and gets you closer to finishing your manuscript. I wish you the best of luck on your writing journey!
cmsw.mit.edu article, “Resources for Writers: The Writing Process.”
guides.kendall.edu Kendall College article, “Writing Process.”
John August Scriptnotes transcript (scroll to John’s 14th comment, “Are you a whiteboard person, are you an index card person?”), “Episode 3: Cards, Whiteboards, and Outlines.”
writersstore.com post, “How to Write a Screenplay: Script Writing Example & Screenwriting Tips.”
Celtx.com blog, “Script Format: A Beginner’s Guide to Screenplay Formatting.”
blog.reedsy.com Reedsy Blog, “Story Structure: 7 Narrative Structures All Writers Should Know.”
Use my outline template from my blog post, “How to Outline Using the Three-Act Story Structure.”
Definitions and terminology are located in the same blog mentioned above in footnote four.
Visit my blog post, “The Business of Self-Publishing as an Independent Author.”