The number one question I’m asked about writing books isn’t about the mechanics of writing, or time management, or even generating ideas. Instead, my most asked question is how I keep myself focused for the months (or years) needed to finish a novel.

A short pithy answer would be to say that I embrace the journey, but without knowing my process, that’s kind of meaningless. So, let’s start with my process. Here are my four steps to writing a novel.

Step 1: Accumulate ideas

For Bradley’s Dragons, the genesis was my son asking me what type of frogs some tadpoles would turn into. I had no idea. I wasn’t even sure if all of the swimming squiggles we were watching were tadpoles. It was a small mental leap to realize that I also didn’t know what (or who) my kids were going to become.

The idea was invigorating, and I realized it could be the start of a book. I stashed it away until I had other ideas to combine with it.

Step 2: Go! Go! Go!

Once I have enough concepts twirled together, I write the first fifty pages of the story. There’s no outlining or charting. I just write. It’s fast, frustrating, exciting, and maddening all at the same time. Imagine starting a marathon at a dead sprint. That’s what I do, every single time.

Many projects die during this period. Others get put on hold.

Step 3: Get serious

At this point, my first fifty(ish) pages have inspired me to settle in for the long haul. I review themes, characters, tone, voice, and structure, and analyze the project as a whole. Does it really have the legs to go all the way? Can I pull it off?

That last question is best thought of as terrifying. I’ve sprinted the first part of the marathon and am usually more than a little beaten up. Am I going to push forward?

Assuming the answer is yes, I begin the long and sometimes arduous journey of writing the book. Surprising discoveries are made, as are dark realizations. Chapters get written and discarded. Themes change. Characters are erased from existence. Long hours of writing are followed by more long hours of writing.

Weight is gained. Nervous twitches develop.

Step 4: Final edits & polish

There’s a celebratory moment when the book is first “done,” but it’s immediately followed by iterative improvements. In addition to my own editing, I involve early readers and editors. Everything is evaluated and reworked.

The analysis is unflinching and involves moments both heartbreaking and euphoric. For context, I have three full novels, countless picture books, and at least a dozen games that reached this stage, but never made it through. Emil is my most recent book to survive this process.

Motivation is the secret

Step 1 of my process is filled with building curiosity and excitement. When they reach a fever pitch, I move to step 2. At that point, I am absolutely convinced that the book is going to be freaking awesome. I can’t stress this enough. It won’t just be good. It’ll be awesome.

With that driving me forward, I commit to a months-long emotional roller coaster that includes everything from giddy exultation to dark despair.

And that’s what I like.

I understand my process might not be for everyone. It’s safer, and perhaps more efficient, to take a measured approach, to moderate expectations. After all, if we don’t expect to make something great, we won’t be disappointed.

That’s not for me. I’ve tried living in a world of gray, and I hate it. Bring on the highs and lows. Will I get battered and beaten? Probably, but I’d rather train myself to deal with pain than train myself to miss out on excitement.

Embracing the journey is what keeps me moving forward. I don’t ease into a project. I throw myself at it, then fight and claw and cry and laugh until either the book is written, or I’m forced to admit defeat.

How about you? Do you get emotionally invested in your writing? Do you believe that the thing you’re making is freaking awesome?

If not, if you’re living in the gray of moderated expectations, and would like to hop on an emotional rollercoaster, here are a couple hard-earned tips:

Tip #1 – Actively pursue self-confidence

This tip isn’t about getting more confident in our writing, though that’s a good idea. This tip is about gaining confidence in ourselves, in our ability to handle whatever is thrown at us. We need to understand that if our current project doesn’t succeed, the next one will. It doesn’t matter how many punches we take. We’re always getting back up. Always.

How do we get to that level of confidence? Actively pursue it. When we have a success, we celebrate. Whether it’s a chapter or a book or a well-cooked meal, we own our successes. We don’t chalk them up to luck or chance or being in the right place at the right time. Every success is proof that we can succeed again.

Tip #2 – Engage warrior mode

When setbacks happen, and they will, we need to recognize them as the gut-punches that they are. The pain is real. There’s no reason to pretend it doesn’t exist. Failures don’t mean we’re horrible. They mean we have lessons to learn. So, we feel the pain, we learn the lessons, and we throw ourselves back into the fight.

That’s it!

How does it sound to you? If you give it a try, drop me a comment to let me know how it goes.

Regardless of your creative process, though, I hope this has been helpful to you. The world needs what you’re creating.

Never doubt it.

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