We talk a lot about planners versus pantsers versus plantsers but we rarely talk about the process of writing. In the long run, whether you outline or discovery write doesn’t matter. What matters most is getting the words on the page. But how do you do that?
There are folks out there who argue that one shouldn’t question one’s own process. They fear that a close examination of their process will destroy the magic that makes it work. Understanding writing processes, their strengths and weaknesses allows you to adapt your writing process to be what you most need to complete your current work-in-progress. That understanding creates the magic that allows you to do your best work.
What is a Writing Process?
If a process is a series of actions that lead to a particular result. In manufacturing, there’s only one way to piece the product together. That linear, assembly line manufacturing process There is no set order of actions that works best for all writers to produce a finished story.
To be clear, this post is about the process the writer uses to put the story on paper or screen and not about the development of said story.
There are six basic writing processes:
- Linear or Chronological
- Out-of-Sequence
- The End First
- Cyclic
- Layers
- Edit-as-you-go
Let’s dive in and explore what these processes are and their pros and cons.
Linear or Chronological
With this process, the writer begins at the beginning of the story and continues with the scene that follows that, followed by the scene that follows, and so on to the end.
Pros
- The Linear process helps the writer to experience the story in a similar way future readers will.
- Writing toward story events that excite the writer keeps them motivated through the less exciting bits.
- It helps the writer develop the story characters in a more realistic step-by-step way.
Cons
- The desire to keep writing, even when one doesn’t know where the story is going, can take the story off on a tangent.
- Writing scenes one isn’t ready to write can lead to pages of sloppy writing such as pace-killing travelogs or “as you know, Fred” dialogue.
- The writer might forget details in the early parts of the story or inadvertently omit or change them in later parts of the story.
Out-of-Sequence
Writing out-of-sequence means writing scenes or chapters that you are most compelled to write each writing session, no matter where that scene falls in the story.
Pros
- This process lowers the pressure of creating the story and helps the writer stay in the drafting mode and keep their inner editor at bay.
- It allows the writer to stay in “the flow” by writing the scenes that they can visualize or “feel” at the time.
- The writer doesn’t get “stalled” by scenes that are more difficult to write.
Cons
- Using this process, it's difficult to remember which scenes you’ve written and which ones still need to be written.
- There’s a risk of a of lack continuity between scenes and accidental omission of important points or subplots.
- The completed draft is often very messy and needs extensive editing to mold it into a compelling story.
The End First
These writers prefer to write the last scene first. This may lead to writing the scenes in a reverse chronological order. Some writers jump to the beginning and write chronologically. They can also write the rest of the story out-of-sequence.
Pros
- Using this process gives the writer a clearer understanding of the story’s stakes.
- That knowledge helps them understand the story’s direction and the steps the protagonist and antagonist must take along the way.
- With the ending written, it is easier to write a blurb and create a book cover.
Cons
- This process can lessen the motivation of the writer because they know the ending.
- To preserve the ending, the writer may dismiss ideas that would change it but lead to a stronger story.
- Knowing the ending can lead to a predictable plot for the reader.
Cyclic
The cyclic process for writing is a variation of the linear process in which the writer writes a scene or scenes one day. The following day the writer reviews all or a portion of the previous day’s work, revising as needed, before writing the next scene(s).
Pros
- The Cyclic Process calms the inner editor so you can keep writing.
- The Cyclic process refreshes the story details and stakes in the writer’s mind at the beginning of every writing session.
- This process shortens the editing portion of story creation.
Cons
- If one has difficulty switching their mindset from editing to drafting, this process can slow or prevent the discovery of new story twists or development.
- This process can significantly slow forward progress.
- One can end up with nicely edited and polished scenes that do not move the story forward and end up cut from the finished piece.
Layered Process
With this process, instead of peeling back the layers of an onion, the writer adds layers. The writer writes the first draft as they see or hear the story in their head. For example, it might be only talking heads or only blocks of action. Each of the next few passes adds a bit to the scene, such as location details or emotions or stage business or nuance to the dialogue.
Pros
- The deliberate additions of the various layers make certain each scene is as deep as needed. This process can be helpful for new writers who have not yet internalized all the parts of a story.
- It allows the writer the time to give thought to each detail of the story, thus making the story richer with more resonance.
- This process allows the writer to add layers of complexity of theme, plot, and characterizations.
Cons
- With this process, there is the potential to forget a layer that would have been apparent writing additional drafts.
- This is a mechanical process that can lead to mechanical characters or action.
- It may take a long time to complete your story.
Edit-as-You-Go
Similar to the Cyclic process, the Edit-as-You-Go process is self-explanatory. Writing and editing occur in the same writing session.
Pros
- Editing-as-you-go produces a cleaner first draft that requires less editing in the final phases of creating the story.
- The writer can keep the story on track with fewer digressions by making quick course corrections as needed.
- This process can create a stronger sense of character and plot.
Cons
- If the editor-mind takes control, the writer can lose their story’s focus and stall out for a time or forever.
- You might get caught in a perfectionist loop and never finish the story.
- For some, it can take much longer to finish their story than writing a draft, then editing it.
Which Process Should You Choose?
When you start out writing, you may choose a process based on a favored instructor or guru you follow. That’s good for learning, but be flexible. Experiment with the different processes. You can even use a variety of the processes listed here or a variation of one.
Make the best choice for the way you think, and for the story you want to write. If you try something new and you feel discouraged or as if you’re working through the desert, go back to what worked before. There is no right way or wrong way. There is only what works and what doesn't work.
Sometimes it’s not a choice. It’s how your brain works. Sometimes you need to experiment with different processes in order to understand what works best for you. Sometimes, you need to change your process within a novel or for the next novel you write.
The reality of writing is that everything changes. That means you might start with one process and end up with another one or two during a single story or over the course of your career. Understanding which of these processes works best for you and your story will help you do your best work.
What is your writing process? How does it help you produce your stories?
About Lynette
Lynette M. Burrows is an author, blogger, creativity advocate, and Yorkie wrangler. She survived moving seventeen times between kindergarten and her high school graduation. This alone makes her uniquely qualified to write an adventure or two.
Her Fellowship series tells the story of Miranda, a young woman who dared to break the rules. But in 1961 Fellowship America even the elite can be judged an unbeliever and be hunted by the Angels of Death. Books one and two, My Soul to Keep, and If I Should Die, are available everywhere books are sold online. Book three, And When I Wake, is scheduled to be published in late 2024. Join her newsletter to receive her latest updates.
Lynette lives in the land of OZ. She is a certifiable chocoholic and coffee lover. When she’s not blogging or writing or researching her next book, she avoids housework and plays with her two Yorkshire terriers. You can find Lynette online on Facebook or on her website.
Image created by Lynette M. Burrows via Webtools word cloud generator.
