My Writing Process

Mandy Eve-Barnett: One of the main questions I am asked is “how do you write, what is your process?” It may seem like a simple question, but it results in a complex answer that maybe wasn’t expected. Every writer has their own process, but it is normally split between panster (free flow) or plotter. A plotter has note cards, sticky notes, a story board or some other framework they utilize to plot and plan the narrative. The panster (free flow writer) does not use any method, although, they may jot down some notes, such as character names and relationships, settings and continuity points as they write.

I am a free flow writer and always have been. I tried to use the ‘romance format’ once, it resulted in the one and only time I had writer’s block, so never again! I will try to explain as best I can my process here, so here goes.

When an idea forms in my mind resulting from a prompt, an overheard conversation, a life experience, a photo or object, a dream or something else, I let it brew in my mind to see if it will gather momentum. Gradually characters form, a setting materializes, an initial story emerges but there is no plot or storyarc just the first instance of the narrative. I allow the story to tell itself, sounds weird I know but it really does flow from mind to fingertip. I find it’s best not to force the narrative but to let it flow at its own pace. On multiple occasions I have thought the story will go in one direction only for it to go in a completely random direction. This for me is the fun of writing not fully knowing where the narrative will lead. As I write, the story plays like a movie in my head, I ‘see’ the settings, the characters, their lives and just like a movie have no idea what will happen.

Some may say my writing process is actually ‘automatic writing’ but it is not, I do have ultimate control over the narrative adding my viewpoints for upcoming scenes and character development – I just don’t force or coerce my Muse but allow the flow to come. I hope that makes some kind of sense, as I said it is difficult to explain the inner workings of a writers mind.