Random Thoughts on the Writing Process

Since the publication of my debut novel Final Table, I’ve been asked a lot about my writing process. So here are some random thoughts:

I start every novel I write (working on my fourth now) by thinking: I like this idea a lot, and maybe others will too, but there’s a decent chance everyone else will hate it and that’s okay.

Then, for every character and plot decision, I only consider what’s best for the story and characters. I don't care about potential commercial appeal, or what the reader wants to see happen, or what I want, or whether certain material will be embarrassing when my parents read it. All that matters is: What works for this story? What works for this character?

I’m not saying I don’t very much want readers to enjoy what I write - I definitely do - but I never make story decisions based on what I think readers will like. I understand that some readers are looking for a certain type of story that I’m not looking to write.

I want my writing to be original. It’s fine if some readers rate their new pajama pants higher than my novel, but I don’t want anyone to ever say, “Yeah, I’ve read this type of story before.” That’s the reaction I need to avoid at all costs.

One of the most frustrating parts of writing is coming up with lines I really like but then seeing they just don’t fit with the story. I give them to a specific character and it’s just not working. So I try them with another character and it still doesn’t work. Or they may fit the story, but they make the scene too wordy. So I have to just cut the lines, even if I love them. I have a Word document of pages and pages of lines that I hope to use one day but I just haven’t found a home for them yet.

Sometimes I see writing as a jigsaw puzzle that’s supposed to be 100 pieces but you have 200 pieces and there are a lot of pieces that look intriguing, seem like they must fit great somewhere, but I just try and try and they don’t fit anywhere and I save them in the hopes that they will later work with a different puzzle.

I’m a big believer in the importance of plot structure so I outline a lot before writing. But I’m open to departing from the outline when I finally write the story. What’s most important is having a good understanding of the major plot points and the ending so I know where I’m going, but I don’t always know exactly how I’ll get there. Sometimes the characters surprise me.

Here are my views on writing about sex in novels: Actually, never mind. I’ll save that for another week.

I try to write (or outline) at least a little each day. I usually set a word count goal and push myself to stick to it. Some days are easier than others. I think it’s important to allow yourself to engage in writing that’s really bad and then you never need to show it to anyone. If you’re afraid of writing something terrible then you will probably never write.

Successful writing requires receiving a lot of valuable criticism from others that at times has to be harsh and can be disappointing to hear. You need to have a thick skin and not respond emotionally. You can’t let your ego get in the way of being receptive to critiques that will improve your story.

There’s an old adage that “writing is re-writing” and it’s definitely true. The editing process requires re-reading and re-writing over and over and over. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if a particular scene or line works after you’ve re-read it countless times. A line may feel great the first thirty times you read it, but it can be challenging to assess how it lands with the reader when you’re reading it the next thirty times, or the next thirty, and it’s no longer fresh to you. That’s why it’s crucial to have readers you trust review your writing and provide honest, and sometimes necessarily brutal, assessments.

Writing is very cathartic. There’s nothing else like it. One reason I love fiction writing is because, like everyone, I have many personal experiences that, if I wrote about them publicly in a memoir or in an essay, it would be highly inappropriate. But I’ve been able to write about them in fiction in Final Table and Open Bar and been told they’re interesting, creative, and (sometimes) funny. Then when I tell some people these scenes are based on my real experiences, they don’t really believe me.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the writing process. What works for you? What doesn’t work? And if you have any questions for me about my writing process, please comment and I’ll be happy to answer.

First Book Club Novel

I’m excited to announce that the first novel for the Guys Don’t Read Novels Book Club (open to everyone, not just guys) will be Counting Backwards by USA Today bestselling author Jacqueline Friedland. Counting Backwards is available in two weeks (March 11), and you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold, such as here and here. The inaugural Zoom book club meeting will be in April, with the date and time announced soon.

This is Jackie’s fifth novel, and her previous books have all been captivating page-turners that I highly recommend. She’ll be Zooming in to the book club meeting to discuss her latest novel and answer your questions. Here’s the fascinating and timely description for Counting Backwards: A routine immigration case, a shocking legacy. Jessa Gidney's quest for justice draws her into the heart of an abhorrent conspiracy. As she uncovers her personal ties to a heartbreaking past, her life takes a dramatic turn, in this emotionally riveting novel inspired by true events.

Hope you can join us for our first meeting, and feel free to invite others!

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