In an earlier post, I shared with you the first part of my creative process, taking you through the stages of brainstorming and scene design I use to put together a novel. Now I’d like to share what happens next.

With a writing plan in place, I don’t have to think too much about character arcs or the big picture items; I’m free to concentrate on the smaller details. I review the scene plan that I developed during the previous stage, and I let those ideas and storyline requirements swirl around in my head. This is where I allow myself the freedom of getting lost in a scene. I might put on some ambient music, or a movie score that matches the mood of the scene. I may close my eyes and imagine myself in that place, listening to the characters talk with one another. I might pace around my office and let the daydreaming part of my brain construct the scene, filling in the gaps between what is already known.

When the scene becomes real to me, and it begins to play itself out, I do my best to capture what I see and hear and feel. And to a lesser extent, what I smell (not my dominant sense). Dialogue. Characters’ facial expressions and gestures. Parts of the setting that stand out. All of the little details come to life, and I capture them with my limited vocabulary until the scene is sufficiently documented.

I keep repeating this process until I’ve captured on the page all of the scenes from my writing plan. Usually, the process of bringing these scenes to life will stir up other ideas. I might recognize ways to connect scenes with a common thread, or contrast them with their opposing ideas. With new characters in particular, I see their personalities emerge as they find their place within the story. Concepts that I thought were fleshed-out seem to take on lives of their own. And then the first draft is done.

Having walked many miles in the shoes of my characters — or sandals, as the case may be — I’m ready for the second draft. On my next pass through the manuscript, I’m looking for cohesiveness. Would that character actually say those words, now that I know them better? Is that gesture appropriate for that character, given his/her position? Does that scene transition need to be smoothed over? This is where I experience the story somewhere between an author and a reader. I’m making corrections. I’m noticing things that stand out. I’m refining this thing that I’ve created to the point that it accurately represents the picture in my head. And once I’ve reached that milestone, I’m ready to share it with other people.

That’s when the manuscript goes out for editing, but I’ll save that story for another time.

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