As I was writing the blog post for my personal website this week, it struck me that one of my favorite quotes, “There is always more than one right answer,” also applies to writing.
This was never clearer to me than during last week’s write-in with Kinetic and Dreary dwarf. At one point, I asked what software they were using. Surprisingly enough, it turned out that we were all writing in Scrivener.
We flipped around our laptops and showed each other how we use the program.
Kinetic was rocking the meta data features and demonstrated how she used cork boarding to help her in her process.
Dreary had designed a comprehensive Scrivener template with two chapters per act that he applied to all his novels. Having this structure was critical to his process.
I showed them how I use the color-coding features in organizing my scenes and the research folders for storing images of places/people and cover ideas. Being a visual person (and a nonlinear writer), these features were key to my writing process.
The take home message was even though we were using the same software to write novels, we were using it completely differently. We also had divergent processes that were working for each of us.
I found this discovery affirming.
Over the years, I’ve been to countless writing classes and some of those instructors have touted that their way was THE WAY.
Bull.
There are no absolutes in this business other than you must write. We all have to discover the unique process that works best for us. Learning what works for other authors, especially successful ones, can be enlightening and another tool you can add to your arsenal. On the other hand, it may not jive with your style of writing.
Maybe you need to write outdoors. Maybe you need to shorthand everything on yellow legal paper. Maybe you can’t write until your novel has first been dictated to you by your cat. Whatever floats your boat and gets the story written.
What’s unique about your writing process?
The World of the 7 Evil Dwarves 
betternotbroken
/ January 8, 2015I love this. Well, I love the photo so perhaps I am biased, but there is always room for one right answer. I don’t know what it unique about my writing process other than at the moment, I don’t give a hoot about it being right or wrong, just right for me and I adjust it as I adjust and on my own terms. Just write and the rest will follow is my belief.
tararane
/ January 8, 2015It sounds like you have the perfect attitude as a writer. All that matters is that your process works for you. Being flexible and open to adjustment as you go are excellent traits to have. I love your line, “Just write and the rest will follow.” I think I’m going to jot that down and add it to the quotes over my desk =)
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/ February 3, 2015My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I might check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking over
your web page again.
tararane
/ February 3, 2015Excellent! Thanks for visiting and deciding to follow! I also regularly post to my website (www.tararane.com). I hope the content is interesting and keeps you engaged!