Well before I start writing, one of the plot ideas I've scribbled in my 'Ideas' notebook has usually been swirling around in my head for a while. Odd scenes, characters, dialogue etc. So when I sit down to start writing I have some key points already established.
I'm a plotter. Have tried pantsing it, but it just doesn't work for me. So the first thing I do when starting a new ms is cover a school exercise book in plain paper, and write in black on the cover my working title, and the names of my hero and heroine - I can't progress until I have those set. Inside the cover I print out and stick the Harlequin line requirements (a reminder of what they're looking for).
Then I start plotting. Yep, the old fashioned way with pen in my notebook. No computer yet - I actually find it much easier to be able to have my notes on the desk beside me while I write.
Back to plotting... I've found Paula Roe's Write A Novel in Three Months suggestions helpful for this. I use the following headings to get the basic idea down:
Book Title
Hook
Setting
Timeframe
Back Cover Blurb
Images that inspire (glued in)
Then pages for the Hero and Heroine:
Character Traits
Background
GMC
Core Belief
Pictures to inspire Hero/Heroine (glued in)
Then onto plotting:
I note the key moments according to the Heroes Journey. I then list the scenes these moments will occur in (just a point for each). Once this is done I start planning approximately which chapter each scene will fall into. Not to say it will finish like this but it gives me an idea of pacing and structure.
Chapter 1, Scene 1. Nope, still not ready to write :o) I have 2 pages in my notebook for each chapter, and I write a few sentences plotting each scene. Sometimes I'll plot the scene straight before writing, other times I'll want to get my ideas down when they come to me. But I always plot my first scene and note the hook it finishes with.
Writing! Now I start writing. I switch to my computer, but my notes are always right beside me. I write in word and use Document Map (a fantastic way to keep your ms organised - check out Paula Roe's notes on using here). I have a very strong internal editor, so I often write with my eyes closed to stop myself editing as I go. But after I write a scene, I will read through it and mark in yellow highlight where I need to come back to.
Once I have finished my ms I start my editing. And here I switch back to paper. I print my ms and use pen to scrawl my edits. The first time through usually has the big edits - moving scenes, block rewrites etc. Once I've been through my ms once, I make these changes electronically. I then send it out to my CPs.
Time to start the process again and tell my next story :o)
