A Writer's Naughty Thoughts on the Writing Process #Writing #Editing #Creating

All authors have a slightly different process for bringing concepts and ideas to paper (or computer screen), and Patricia Green invited me to share mine in this weekly hop that has authors' attempting to give definition to their creative process by answering 4 questions.  Sounds simple, right?

Question 1: What am I currently working on?

Okay, to start, I ought to change this question to: "What should I be currently working on?" because I find too many things to distract me....  "Oh, look, a shiny object...."  Now, what was I saying?  Oh, yes, I am currently working on meeting the deadline for my Corbin's Bend book that is due to Lazyday Publishing in May. The project itself is unique in that it has ten authors all writing about the same location, but with different primary characters and a mix of secondary characters that may or may not have been created by other authors.  60% of the book is plotted and the rest has notes about the direction I believe the story will take.  I'm also working on a DD book involving an office romance that I'm still plotting out.

Question 2: How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I'd have to say that even though my heroes spank my heroines, they don't do it because they enjoy the act, which is different from most other books in the genre.  The reasons they spank vary, but all of my heroes are extremely protective of the women they care for.  So, as a rule neither the hero nor the heroine receives pleasure from their spankings.  A cathartic release, yes.  A sense of renewal and a new beginning, yes.  But up to this point none of the spankings are what I would call "funishments."  My heroes don't spank because it's expected of them, or because they are sexual sadists who enjoy causing pain even in a consensual context.  And I don't write non-consensual spanking scenes.  That doesn't mean the heroine is looking forward to the punishment, but in my books "no" means "no."  So, as far as that goes, my heroines call the shots.  Though control like that does come with a price.

Question 3: Why do I write what I do?

When Stephen King was asked why he writes horror, he answered, "Why do you assume I have a choice?"  He writes paranormal thrillers because that's the way his mind works.  I write romances because that's the way my mind works.  I have spanking in them because I'm wired that way as well.  Do I believe in equality for all?  Yes, I do.  Do I believe a woman has the right to say and do as she pleases without recrimination?  Yes, and as long as she isn't harming herself or anyone else, most of my heroes would agree with that philosophy as well.  They are not out to turn a woman into a subservient slave, and they can admire a female who has a sharp tongue to accompany her equally well-honed mind.  But if a woman is bitchy because she's looking to start a fight, he'll start adding rules to the game that puts a quick end to that behavior.

Question 4: How does your writing process work?

I start with a concept, an idea, then I play "what if" for a bit to find the best characters, setting and conditions to support my concept.  Next, I do a rough plan for the book with a vague idea for the beginning, middle and end.  After that I start plotting out in a way that usually turns out to be a very rough draft with lots of holes.  I will gather notes and do some research to make sure I'm not writing myself into a corner.  Once my first rough draft is done, I start addressing all the holes in the story.  They're usually problems with the plot in regard to my character's motivation or reactions.  I do more in-depth research at this point and gather details, then after about a week, I do a read through and revise.  I read through the book on average around eleven times.  Once I think it's ready for editing I either send it out or put it through three editing programs.  Then, if my beta readers are available, I send it out to them for a fresh look.  Once I get it back, I revise again, and check sections I've changed to make sure I haven't added too many "that's," or adverbs or messed up with my there, they're theirs or were and we'res, and then I submit it to my publisher for another round of edits.  For me the writing is in the editing, but the fun is in the creating.

Well, that’s my process in a nutshell.

For next week (March 17), I’d like to turn the baton over to Penny Hasler and Anastasia Vitsky. On their blogs, they’ll be sharing their own writing process, and I’m sure you'll enjoy learning how they differ in their processes. (Note: Ana's been caught up in life, work and writing.  She said she'd like to participate, but I'm not sure this is a commitment she'll be able to keep.  If not, I apologize, but life has a way of getting to us all from time to time.)

Here’s a bit about Penelope Hasler:
Penelope Hasler is a postmodern spanking fiction writer who doesn’t write because she’s that darn postmodern. Not really. She’s just lazy. (N.B. Those are Penny's words, not mine.) She enjoys all the normal things that young ladies enjoy – shopping, chocolate, being spanked – and endeavours to imbue her writing with a sense of fun and a dash of insanity. She also enjoys dancing like a robot and honking like a goose. ;-D. You can visit her blog here.

Here’s a bit about Anastasia Vitsky:
Anastasia Vitsky wrote her first spanking story at the age of thirteen and never stopped. She writes female-centric stories of love, laughter, loss, and discipline.  You can visit her blog here.

Hope you continue along with the blog tour and find how though we're all different there's a lot about us that's the same, too.

Thanks for visiting.