Process Makes Perfect?

The writing process of a an author may seem simple to the outside world. You get an idea in your head and you just write! It's this magical experience that takes you to another world, and the words just vomit out of you.

This is closer to the truth:

We often times have zero control over our muse and when it wants to show up. It may come from a song, a life experience, divine intervention, drugs....

 Each story is different, some characters scream louder than others to be written. Sometimes you have multiple plot bunnies hatching in your brain and you have to start a couple stories at once. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get your characters to talk to you, or amongst themselves.

Sometimes writing is a giant roller coaster ride. (For the record, I hate roller coasters.)

Often times life gets in the way and absolutely no words get written for days, months, sometimes years.

This is pretty much me with every book I write:

Everyone has felt this at sometime in their career (more often than not, about every manuscript)

I wish with all my might that this was a real place. It would make it so much easier!!

Every writer is different with their process. Some write really fast first drafts but spend weeks and months, even years in the editing phase. Some plot every detail out with outlines and storyboards, sometimes even visiting the cities where they're setting their story so every detail is perfect and takes years in the making. Some spew forth words perfect on the first try and immediately land a six figure multi-book deal. (This is probably as mythical as Mr. Snuffeluffagus.)

But the point of this post (if there really is one besides just tossing around really awesome memes) is to say, do what works for you to get your story from your brain to the page. No one way is right. No way is wrong. If it works for you and makes beautiful words, do it. Sometimes it takes a while to find which way works. And that's okay, too. In the end, just never give up. If one way doesn't work, try a new one. Or invent your own. Spew forth all the words, my friends!