Story Writing Stuff (My Flawless Plan)

MRE's FLAWLESS * NOVEL ATTACK PLAN

1. Discover idea and brainstorm enough to start writing.
2. Write first three chapters.
3. Write first draft of Synopsis.
4. Finish first draft.
5. Take a few weeks off.
6. Reread first draft. Read straight through first time. Maybe pinpoint ‘theme’ or purpose for the story if it hasn’t been found already. Wait a week.
7. In the meantime write out character journals. Figure out backstory and character quirks. Fill out questionnaires. Know their wants and needs. This research will possibly help in the plot solidifying.
8. Work on one liner as soon as you pinpoint the purpose.
9. Read through again. Write down brief descriptions of each scene. Highlight favorite parts or important pieces in the scene. Decide which ones are worth keeping or not.
10. Write saved scenes down on flashcards.
11. Use 3-Act-Structure Scene List and see which scenes are there and which scenes are needed.
12. Brainstorm new scenes and then compile flashcards.
13. Start second draft. Macro-edit. Rearrange scenes. Write new ones.
14. Write second draft of Synopsis.
15. [Do you take a break between second and third draft??] Do micro-edits. Sharpen characters. Sharpen dialogue. Description (All different senses). Cut purposelessness.
16. Bribe, threaten, force someone to read finished project, if someone hasn’t already.  

*I should probably warn you that I have yet to follow this list from start to finish so I don't technically know if this is flawless. However, I was quite pleased with myself when I finished compiling it, and I intend to try to follow through with it. I mean...it looks good; so there's that. I've done most of the different steps on different books, and I hope I've included ways to really sharpen each part of a story. What does your story writing system look like? Do you have a groove figured out yet?

I'm about finished with the first draft of a story, and it'll probably be the one that gets to test this flawless plan. I always feel a little rudderless when I finish a story and have to take a break from it. I never know what is the next most important story or work for me to do. I think I'll probably begin by writing a synopsis and maybe some character journals for another comparatively unmessy project. I do have a messy one. Fantasy. Kinda Urban Fantasy. It was written in the days where I didn't really have the big picture figured out so it's a bunch of random scenes, pretty much. I don't know if I should arrange it like a romance. Maybe. I don't know. It takes place over a span of many years, and I always have difficulty writing those kinds of stories. Eventually.

*REAL LIFE RANDOMNESSSSS*

Winter has been insanely long here. We're going to have a white Valentine's Day which hasn't really happened for awhile. The days have started getting into the 30s, but there is still at least a foot of snow most places. We've also been having a lot of freezing rain and stuff. Gave the snow a reflective layer which was kinda cool, but I also felt like I was going to die most of the time, including when the car was in park AND had the emergency brake on and still moved after I got out.

I finally got an Instagram. I post a lot on it because of all the pictures I take everyday. If anyone is interested, I go under the same 'Sagebrush_Girl' as here. I still want to post pictures here, but I am trying to figure out exactly what I post about on this blog. I've been mostly doing random, 'whatever I think of' stuff, and now I think I should figure it out and stick to it since I've had the blog five months. What is your favorite stuff to read that I've posted? Suggestions are warmly received.

Lastly, I'm going to be an aunt for the second time! I have a step-niece, and now my brother and his wife decided to have a child, and it's a little boy! Very exciting. I just wish I didn't live across the country from them. Anyways, I'm over here settling down for a four hour (till 1 AM) babysitting stint with much hope for great writing accomplishments. Maybe even finishing the book.

I hope all of you are well!