The phases of writing!

One of the biggest parts of being a writer is waiting. Waiting to hear about a submission. Waiting for your contract. Waiting for your edits. It's good if you're a patient person, unfortunately I'm not.

At the moment I am waiting for my edits for the She-Wolf sequel - Cranberry Blood. I am also waiting for a contract for a co-authored futuristic YA novel - more on that when the ball gets rolling ;-) - as well as waiting to hear about two other submissions. So naturally while I am waiting, I am working on new projects.

Every writer has a routine, including me, even though I am big on improvising so as you can imagine there is mass craziness going on during the course of each project. That craziness usually goes like this . . .

Phase One - New Idea
Its so new. So shiny. I love it. Lets make a note of it in my journal.

Phase Two - The planning
I love this idea. Okay planning. Plot line. World building. Characters. Chapter by chapter Synopsis (note: there is always room for change) Okay planning done.

Phases Three - Beginning it
Hmmm needs to be a catchy. Hook the reader. Hmmmmm. I can always change it if I don't like it, but still . . . Hmmmm. Oh i know . . .

Phases Four - Writing your story (the first part)
Yes, this is going ok. I cant wait to get to the good bits. Get the ball rolling.

Phases Five - Writing your story still (the middle part)
Then this happens and that. Oh that is a brilliant idea lets add that in. I don't know if i like that, but I will leave it for now. No, it's to soon for that. Oh, easy there tiger. Oh no he didn't!!!

Phases Six - Writing your story... will it ever end? (the last part)
This is complete crap. What am I thinking? This doesn't even make sense. I suppose I could add that in, but I will have to change that other thing. *pulls hair out* Grrr. I hate this book. Why wont it end?

Phase Seven - The Climax
DIE! DIE! DIE! Oh, hang on .  .. There, that is okay for an ending, for now

Phase Eight - Realisation
ITS FINISHED. OH MY GOD IT'S FINISHED. *Pass out*

Phase Nine - The break
*Digs hole and buries story* I will be back in a week, or maybe a month, but I will be back, I promise *Covers hole*

Phase Ten - Edits
*Digs story up* Okay, time to edit. *Reading* Well I like that bit, but I don't think that bit works. Hmmmm . . . *writing* Oh, that's much better.

Phase Eleven - Half way through edits
Oh god I have ruined it. What was I thinking making her do that? I'm so stupid. This book is crap. When will this be over? Why did I even bother writing this stupid story in the first place??

Phase Twelve - Edits finished
Thank you Jesus!I have finished. *cries* Okay beta readers . . .

Phase Thirteen - Beta Readers
*Sends it* You will be fine. Just stay clear, be bold, and wow them all. *Prays* Please don't let them hate it.

Phase Fourteen - Feedback
That's good. That needs fixing. Hated that? Great, I need to change an entire chapter, but overall they liked. Well that's good.

Phase Fifteen - Edits
Oh god why do I have to do this again?

Phase Sixteen - Beta Readers
*scowls at* Be good this time.

Phase Seventeen - Query and Synopsis
Hate synopsis. Hate them. Hate them. Dear publisher, please like my story. Please. Please. Please lovely publisher, please love it. My book is good I swear, and if it isn't I will fix it, I promise.

Phase Eighteen - Feedback
Change this and that and it will be fine. Grrrr*

Phase Nineteen - Edits
Last time. Ha. As if.

Phase Twenty - Sending it to an agent
*Kissing story* We have worked so hard. Impress them. You're amazing. I am so sorry I was so hard on you. You will do great. Now go on before I change my mind.

Yes, I honestly do go through these phases. Although I would like to kill a lot of my characters most of the time, I love writing. Sometimes it isn't pretty, but finishing a project always feels amazing. I love it. And even if I want to kill the story at moment's, I am still proud of of what I write despite the inner critic screaming at me.

I am currently on phase 3 for 2 of my new projects, and phase 5 for the other 3. So I'm not at the crazy midway point yet . . . O_o

My only hope is that you will all enjoy the stories I write, because that's what makes the entire process the most rewarding. :-D

* I would just like to say to my Beta Readers that the grrr is not at them or the wonderful feedback they give me. The grrrrr is simply stress.