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Oh, Geez, Connie, all that hope I pinned on you, dashed upon the rocks!! LOL!

My process (if it can even remotely be called that) is still something of a work in progress...I’m still an embryonic writer, never having published anything--yet.  But keep looking over your shoulders, ladies, I’m catching up!

Sadly, I’m a perfectionist. I think I mentioned this before.  And when things don’t go perfectly, I tend to have a tantrum.  So, I get an idea, run with it...things go awry, I froth at the mouth, get over it...then have another brilliant idea and start the whole cycle over again.

Eventually, I’ll get it together.  My husband will respect my writing time as sacred. My BIL will find a woman stupid enough to let him move in with her, and I won’t get distracted by a bunch of squawking chicks---oh, yeah, and I’ll also magically shed all that excess weight overnight and the boobs will remember they’re supposed to be perky, too! ROTFLOL!!

Aside to Lisa…
It was lovely meeting you! After JPS’s rave review, I can’t wait to dive into Sugar Daddy, but I’m saving it for a long weekend.  I’ll email the pictures as soon as I find the camera.

Connie, that’s ok if you don’t have a process or even if you regularly re-organize it, it’s working for you.  You are a successful author and have a wonderful following. I know I like all your books.

Work is work for me, and very routine...kinda boring.  But I do have a process for cleaning.  I abhor cleaning, but someone’s gotta do it. 

I have to get right out of bed on Saturday, start the coffee, sort the laundry, get the cleaning bucket and start with the bathrooms.  It goes on from there.  I do not veer from that track.  If not, it will not get done.  And I reward myself later in the day by reading for an hour or two (or 4).

My hubby and I were watching one of those showcase home shows. Big, beautiful homes, my husband commented on one with six bathrooms.  I was not impressed, all I said was “that’s six toilets to scrub, not interested.”

Don’t be silly!  I have a process.  I simply add one part hysteria to two parts desperation and sprinkle with a fairy dusting of magic and voila--a completed book! 

The main problem with working on such a subconscious level is that when the magic “goes away”, when your voice gets “quiet and still” for awhile, you’re always terrified because you’re never quite sure it’s going to come back.  But oh, miracle of miracles--it always does! To me, writing is the greatest act of faith in my Christian life.

Teresa Medeiros said… To me, writing is the greatest act of faith in my Christian life.

Teresa, what a wonderful thing to say!

Thank you Prudence!  It’s so true though for me.  We’re essentially creating entire worlds out of nothing but paper and ink and that takes a lot of faith, especially if you’re inclined to doubt every word that you write.

Oh wow. I didn’t think we were really supposed to answer. That blog sounded like it was meant for one person. LOL. Who’s been calling and harrassing Connie? Stop it!

I’m definitely a process girl when it comes to work. For instance, I have today all planned out. Wed is my only for sure work from home only day. Currently, I’m doing online work. Next is working out to Richard Simmons (thankyouverymuchteresa) Then its start a load of laundry, clean kitchen, pack for week end, bake crap loads of goodies for said week end and then cook dinner. Sprinkle in a few computer checks throughout. Now, by the 3rd thing that does not work out according to my timeline I’m gonna be pretty well ticked off and might start spewing four letter words.
Basically my process is an incredibly anal plan that goes into immediate disarray so then I fly by the seat of my pants.
Isn’t that pretty much the way of life? We all have plans but things just take on a life of their own and we just have to do the best we can do. As long as it gets done and we’re happy that’s all that matters. Right?

I’m beginning to think the only process that really works is time in the chair. 

Other than that, I’m getting conflicting info from every direction. 

You’re not helping Connie.  i want to hear: I get one douzie of an inspiring idea, do an over-arching synopsis, flesh out main characters with this form sheet I got from one of the conferences (asking questions like birthdate, parents, schooling, etc), do a less detailed sheet on secondary characters, then paste it all up on the window in front of my desk and genuis occures. 

Course, I’m too rule-averse to follow any of that, but if YOU did it.....

Teresa, I love your wit.  However, there is so much truth to what you said.

I speak at a lot of “Women’s Conferences”.  I will receive a phone call or email asking me to speak and giving me the topic.  Once I accept and have a dead line, all chaos seems to break out in our home, sleepless night take over and my belly begins to flip flop.  I always say this time it will be different.  I am going to be more organized.  I am going to type a little bit everyday.  I am going to set aside great amounts of time for study.
In the words of Rocky the Squirrel (from Bullwinkle) “That trick never works”.

I always ended up spending great amounts of time just staring at my computer screen. Waiting!  Hoping, that all the sudden great pearls of wisdom will just begin to pour out of me.  All that to say, by the end I never hit print until the night before I have to speak.  My house is a mess, my kids are feeling needy and my hair standing on end. 

Like Connine I long for order and routine.

JPerry...ROTFLOL!!  You’d go to paste something up on that window....see the pterodactyl terrorizing your coi and be out the door with your slingshot in one hand and a potato in the other in half a heartbeat.

After stalking the doggoned thing for half the morning, you’d suddenly realize “Oh, I was doing something, wasn’t I?”

Oh Connie,

For this blog, all I can say is--

THANK YOU!

I always think I’m such a loser because I too, do not have that magic, mysterious thing called a Process.

I am trying to get one though. They don’t happen to sell them in the stationary aisle at Wal-Mart, do they? I’ve been feeling like I’ll never be a ‘real’ writer until I distill some magical formula that will work for this book and every book thereafter like a well executed military plan-- boom boom boom, done.

But I guess it doesn’t happen that way for everyone. It’s good to know real writers like you are just as scattered as I am-- and willing to admit it!

I guess I just have to do what works for me, right? Now, if I could only manage to figure out what that might be…

(Oh, and as an aside to Teresa, thanks so much for your encouragement a few weeks ago-- I’m proud to say I did go ahead and write that opening scene that was burning a hole in my brain, and guess what? I got a whole 15 pages done in 2 days. Hardly impressive, I know, but believe me, it’s alot for someone like me! And here’s the kicker: they’re actually decent-- or at least I *think* they are… Thanks again!!)

Julie-Lynn, maybe the trick is admitting that our non-process is working for us and we shouldn’t have to beat ourselves up over it.

I’m a total pantser in every part of life.  I’m an eternal procrastinator and have to be in the right mood to do anything.  That includes clean the bathrooms.

I’m much more efficient at work.  If you saw my office and then looked at my house, you’d never believe they belong to the same person.

I’m just attempting to tackle this writing thing and for right now it’s just showing up on the screen but I’m only at the beginning and the research part is coming up quick.  I - a woman who knows absolutely nothing about cooking - made my hero a chef of sorts.  WTH was I thinking?!?!

New poster here.  Hi, everyone!

Process?  I chose to post the first time on Process?! Ack! I am an unpublished writer, and must say that panic is a huge part of my process.  For instance: I recently sent a query to agents on a novel which I had yet to finish, thinking that I’d have plenty of time to finish because they’d take their time with the rejections, then I could start my next round.
Lo and behold, I got two requests! Let me tell you, that is great inspiration!
Beyond that, I’m a panster, and part of my process is sitting with my ever-supportive hubby at night on the back porch, glass of wine at my side, and writing while he and I plot.  His fav phrase is, “Now write that,” with an imperious wave of his hand.
Great to be here, thanks, ladies, for sharing with us!
Becca

Congratulations chickie!  I’m a big believer in seizing the fire when it comes!  I remember when I wrote NOBODY’S DARLING.  I don’t usually write out of order but one night I was inspired to write the Epilogue. And when I finished the book and got to the part where the Epilogue belonged, boy did I love myself because it was already done!

Oh wow… I’m so not a writer, but a reader and to me, whatever processes that you authors use, or don’t have, even work and work very, very well! 
So, don’t change a thing, ‘cause then there might not be these wonderful stories being written and distributed for our pleasure!

As for work, well I’m a SAHM who babysits from my house.  And if something needs to be done, I’ve learned to just do it because, as Prudence said, if it doesn’t get started, it won’t get done.  And if it doesn’t get done, um… I’ll have to do it later?? 

You ladies do a wonderful job whatever process you have, or lack...you make my world a little brighter and allow me a little time to escape to these wonderful places that you create.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

*laughing* Man, I’m now sorry I didn’t pay up my dues at MORWA--your presentation in April would be worth watching just to see which option you’ll be doing.  I vote for lying.  That’s always fun to watch.

My process.  Depends on the task.

My process for cleaning my room.  I wait until everything piles up to the point I can’t stand it (which takes awhile) OR I need to find something and I know it’s general location.  Then I clean whatever is bothering me or the general location of the desired object. 

My process for cooking.  I do research first.  If it’s something I need to share with other people, I will do an internet search for several types of recipes of the desired entree.  I will then pick the one that either looks the least complicated or contains foodstuff I already have.  Or looks the most delicious.  Then I’ll cook it, dirtying every pan in the house--and let someone else do the dishes because after all, I cooked.

Process for writing.  1) Stick on a movie I’ve watched 100 times so I can tune it out.  (If it’s a new Law & Order, I will be tempted to watch--and I don’t even watch L&O.  But I can’t have silence either; and music is too distracting.) 2) Turn on computer.  3) Adjust pillows so laptop sits higher in my lap.  4) Re-read what I wrote.  5) Open another WIP and type on that a while.  6) Repeat step 4 since that’s the WIP I should be working on; sigh.  7) Type about 3 pages, telling myself it can be cut out later.  Wondering if it’s too soon to shoot characters when only 100 pages into the book.  8) Eat chocolate.  9) Put in a new movie (God, I’ve been “typing” this long?).  10) Write 2 more pages, finish chapter, then immediately start a new chapter and put an opening line.  (So I’ll have something to re-read tomorrow.) 11) Go to sleep dreaming about shooting my characters, which is easier than making them admit they love each other.

Teresa’s “magic” comment reminds me of Mr. Henslowe from Shakespeare in Love, when Henslowe assures Shakespeare it will all turn out.  “How do you know?” and Henslowe says:  “I don’t know.  It’s a mystery.”

Thanks, Teresa! I’m with you.  Must write when the inspiration’s there.  Btw, I’m a great fan of all you squakers.  I can read one of y’alls books in a day.  Not right now, of course, because I’ve got a few pages to write on my own, haha!

I wanted to add that I do know better...I should have finished the book first...*blushing* but as Teresa said, seize the fire, and I knew it would inspire me to finish the book, and it has, in a big way.

Welcome to the hen house Becca!  We’re glad you’re here! 

Becca, your husband sounds hilarious. “Now write that.” I am still laughing, and wondering if your favorite phrase has become “YOU write it,” yet. I love how men oversimplify. Sometimes after an awful day at work I kick through the house growling “I’ll just quit my job and write that bestselling book and not deal with this $@#!@! anymore!” To which DH always replies, “Go do it.” Um, yeah, I didn’t mean TODAY.

Process?

My problem is I’ll get an idea, but once I start poking and prodding that idea, I realize I have no clue where it’s going.  I love to write but I’m SO SICK of writing openings I abandon because I have no idea what to do with them!  Argh!

I have one completed manuscript.  It took me forever to come up with that story and now that it’s done, it’s taking forever to come up with the next one.  *sigh*

But I imagine I will write it the same way I wrote my first: I’ll write the opening, hit some of the high points in the middle, then a few scenes around the end, and finally link them all together.  I do it this way because there are certain scenes I’m so impatient to write I have to get them down in a hurry.  It seems to work for me.

For those who are not aware, my house was robbed on sunday. (while we were at church) My lap top was one of many stolen items.  Good News!  New computer arrived via “brown truck” about 15 min. ago.  Gotta love the UPS guy.  And better yet...........Home owners insurance. 

I agree with KathyK.  Whatever processes y’all use, it seems to be working for you.  Remember the old saying, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’. 

I heartily add my thanks for all of the wonderful books the SR authors write to let me escape for a bit.

--dorothy

ps...Connie....what kind of computer did you decide to get?  Inquiring minds what to know, well, at least I’m curious about it.

I left my lab today, hoping to never lay eyes on another Petri dish and have some “non-science-escape-time” with you ladies...but what do I see first...a Petri dish.

But that’s okay, because this was great post, as always, Connie.  Hmm processes…

I guess I’m more of the “go-with-the-flow” kind of girl.  Or the “procrastinate-till-you-end-up-banging-your-head-against-the-wall” type--which drives my Type A sister crazy.  Anyway, I got this great Confucius quote from a great book by Brian Tracy (for a procrastinator like me, aptly titled “Goals!” and given by my equally Type A mother): “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So I guess my process is just to get started, follow some flexible, sensible plan...and when all else fails, have a Hershey bar or some ice-cream nearby.

My process is that I get a Diet Coke on ice with a lemon, I sit down in my comfie chair, pull the blanket over me, and open the book…

Oh, that’s right, I’m not a writer!

Whatever your process is ladies, I certainly enjoy the end results!

The best process I was ever told for writing is “Butt in chair”, if you can call that a process.

Seems simple enough, but oh so hard to do sometimes.

What pearls of wisdom are here today!

LOL MaryKate, I’m with you on that!
Who says what’s a right process and what’s a ‘wrong’ process? If pulling your hair out, messy houses and angst are your process, and you PRODUCE something, I would say that’s your process! Accept it, get on with it. 
I find I need a routine, weekly, daily, or the things that creep up on you day to day will crowd out the good stuff.  I get as much drudgery done as fast as possible so I can free up at least 2 days of non-domestics.  Then no TV, no phone, no distractions..just the inspiration.

Teresa’s right, if the non-process works, then do it!

Annerailin, my process this book requires that I finish the revisions before I go to the APPLE store and get my BRAND NEW MAC notebook.

This is great incentive. Most of the time. Today, however, having finished a long chapter, I thinking my creative juices need to be restored via a nap. Plus it’s raining and you have to nap when it rains.

But tonight I’m putting in a long haul .

Connie--so glad to hear you made a decision.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy your brand new MAC notebook.  My son wants a MAC book pro....whatever that is.  Since he is graduating from college in May, I told him that when he gets a job and earns his own money, he can purchase anything he wants! 

I agree, rain and naps just seem to go together.  Hope you had a good one.  The sun is shining here, the sky is blue.  Is the rain heading east, should I expect it in a day or so??  lol

--dorothy

Process?  I have no process.  I tried to get a process.  One author said she used index cards, so I bought a bunch of index cards to map out the story.  They are still in the drawer.  Then another said to write down everything you could about your hero and heroine.  I got pissed off when my hero gave me the silent treatment.  Sigh, that’s so like him.  Then there’s that GMC thingy which I thought was a utility company but apparantly it’s this whole big thing about the H/H coming together, getting torn apart, and coming together again.  That’s when my heroine clammed up on me.  So I said, FINE!  Be that way!

Hello, my name is Santa and I’m a panster!

Hi Connie,

Process or no, I really enjoyed “Hot Dish”.

I have a process. It’s guaranteed. Ten minutes before I have to be anywhere, the most staggeringly brilliant writing pops into my head. Seriously. I could be having dinner with the Queen or something, and I’d be in the hotel room frantically typing to get it down before my peri-menopausal memory shorts out one more time. (I’m sure everyone else here is much too young and glamorous to ever have that happen to THEM.)

In the meantime, I am so relieved to read that a best-selling author is still looking for that pearl-strewn path, too .

Julie

YEAH! A MAC! Connie is going to get a MAC!

WHOOHOO!

topic?

There’s a topic?

Oh..process… I pantz it all the way.

My process is reliable in that it’s different with each story and that the process begins when I open a document and begin to type.

By whatever process you use, congrats to all published and unpublished authors.