Category: Writing Process

• The Revision Process

  The revision process in novel writing is brutal. No way around it. I’m working through the revision stage of my fifth novel, and it takes a lot of time – a lot of time your mind wishes you could use to be writing your next novel. But it’s necessary, crucial, required, and absolutely worth it.…

  sassevn

  January 17, 2016

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  editing a novel, how to write a novel, novel writing, procedures for writing a novel, revising a novel

• Ideas for Indie Authors: A Novel is Chasing Me. I’m Losing. (and Winning)

  When good ideas impregnate the mind, why fight them? Over the past three weeks, I’ve had a novel idea, actually related to novel-writing, and I haven’t been able to shake it. Even in the midst of revising novel #5, which was supposed to be my priority, this new idea has consumed me every free moment…

  sassevn

  January 11, 2016

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  brainstorming for writing, inspiration, novel writing, writing ideas, writing inspiration

• Which Perspective is Better? A Writer’s Dilemma

  The more I write, the more I analyze my writing. Why do I make the choices I make when writing? The answer to that is unclear. I guess a lot of my decisions concerning writing comes from the gut – it just feels right. I suppose that’s part of the creative process, letting ones inhibitions…

  sassevn

  October 22, 2015

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  approaches to writing, types of narration, writing perspective, writing process

• A Writer Succumbing to Himself

  It never ceases to surprise. The quick recoil in my stomach – the flood of negative thoughts – the cliff of failure just waiting for me to tilt over into the abyss. I’m always taken back by the sudden lack of confidence in writing which inevitably rears its ugly head from time to time. This…

  sassevn

  October 17, 2015

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  ways to improve writing, writer’s fear, writing, writing doubt, writing process

• A Writer Stirring Up the Hornet’s Nest

  Why couldn’t I just let those darn hornets sleep? I was almost finished, and then … I’m sure this has happened to all writers. You are closing in on the end, already with one draft in the books and you’re anticipating finally closing up a project and moving on to something else. But you, in…

  sassevn

  September 28, 2015

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  correcting flaws in a manuscript, editing manuscripts, improving your writing, re-writing, writing ideas, writing process

• Draft Done: Now Can I Hold It Together?

  I’ve just finished the first draft of the first, full-length play I’ve written without collaboration in about 4-5 years. The title of the play is “The Secrets of the Magic Pool.” It’s an allegorical tale of good and evil – somewhat inspired by Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” Well, for the sake of clarity, I was…

  sassevn

  September 23, 2015

  drama, Writing Process

  drama writing, editing manuscript, first draft, playwrighting, second draft

• Tips for Young Writers: Avoid Randomness

  The second full-length play I ever wrote was a collaborative piece with four high school students. We had developed a strong idea, and were fleshing out the details of the story. I was quite pleased with how it was going. And then one of the students got the idea to include a random duck walking…

  sassevn

  September 22, 2015

  Writing Process

  avoid randomness in writing, tips for young writers, writing advice, writing process, writing specifically

• Writing: The Difference between being Finished and being Done

  I don’t know how other people write. That makes sense. I’m not other people. But I do wonder sometimes the various methodologies (or lack thereof in my case) applied to craft. I was particularly thinking about first drafts recently, and I realize that I am a “run and gun” offense on my first draft. I…

  sassevn

  September 8, 2015

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  approaches to writing, approaches to writing draft, first draft, novel writing, second draft, when a manuscript is done, writing

• Hey Old Writers, Have You Worked with Young Writers?

  This afternoon, three young writers walked into my classroom and our little creative writing club was born. I’ve been working collaboratively with young writers since 2007, and it’s a lot of fun. I highly recommend it. I remember what it was like as a young person who wanted to be a writer but was too…

  sassevn

  August 20, 2015

  Writing Process

  clubs for young writers, creative writing clubs, developing writing skills, drama writing, writing, writing clubs, writing with young writers

• Finally, Back to Novel Writing

  I checked. The last time I had written on my fifth novel was March 29, 2015 – more than four months ago. That would seem terrible for a writer but not necessarily. It’s not like I feel off the writing grid and threw in the towel, far from it. Here’s what I’ve been doing since…

  sassevn

  August 9, 2015

  Writing Process

  drama writing, novel writing, planning writing projects, various types of writing, writing ideas, writing process