When it comes to my writing process, I love to embrace the concept of loose structure. For me, it’s all about having a plan, but leaving enough room for inspiration to strike. Whether I’m working on my weekly schedule or crafting a new story, I need that white space to allow my creativity to flow freely.
Outlining with Flexibility
One of my favorite tools for outlining is good old-fashioned index cards and Papermate Flair pens. I outline each scene or chapter on a card, noting the location, the characters, and one or two key points. This gives me a roadmap, but it’s not set in stone. I can easily move the cards around if something new sparks my interest, take out a scene that isn’t working, or add something fresh. It’s a flexible system that lets me adapt as the story evolves.
Color-coding drafts is a little obsession of mine. I start with one color for the first draft—this time, I used pink index cards—and when I move into the second draft and make changes, I grab a new color. For my current work-in-progress, that meant blue cards for the second draft. When I move to the next round of edits, I might add yellow or green. There’s something about using different colors for different drafts that makes the process feel more organized and visually exciting.
Bringing the Outline into Scrivener
Once I’m happy with the order of my cards, I transfer everything into Scrivener, my go-to writing software for over a decade. Scrivener has a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a fantastic tool for organizing scenes and keeping track of your progress. After the outline is in place, it’s time to dive into the first draft!
First Drafts and Breaks
First drafts are a whirlwind, and they usually take me anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks to complete, depending on how much time I have outside of writing (because, let’s be honest, being a mom and working doesn’t leave endless writing time). Once the first draft is finished, I always let it sit for a while before diving back in. Usually, I give it 1-2 months so I can return with fresh eyes, but my current work-in-progress sat for almost 8 months while I wrapped up another project and got it published.
When I do come back to that first draft, I read through it in Scrivener, taking notes as I go. These notes are often hilariously random, like, What was I thinking? What is with that name? or Who’s Marjorie? (Seriously, who is Marjorie?) Sometimes, it’s a more specific note like, Where did her dad go? or This chapter is missing something—but what?
Setting the Scene for a Writing Session
I have a few rituals that help me settle into a writing session. First, I make sure I have something yummy to drink—usually flavored water—and I always have a reward in mind for when I’m done. That reward could be food, but sometimes it’s just TikTok scrolling time (because, priorities).
Next, I choose my music for the session. Music helps me set the tone for what I’m writing. I also grab my tarot deck and pull a card for the day. If I’m stuck on a problem in the story, I’ll spend a few minutes journaling about how the tarot card might relate to my characters or plot. Sometimes, I just do this in my head and jot down a quick note on a post-it, then get straight to work.
Writing Sprints and Weekly Goals
I like to work in 25-minute writing sprints with a 5-minute eye break in between, and I usually aim for two sprints per session. Ideally, I write three times a week, but when I’m on a deadline, I’ll either add more writing days or extend my writing sessions to cover more ground.
What I love about this loose structure is that it gives me the freedom to adapt my writing routine to the week I’m having. If I have doctor’s appointments or meetings, I can shift things around rather than feel frustrated by interruptions. It also gives me space to think about the story when I’m not actively writing, which allows my muse to work in the background, sparking new ideas and keeping the story moving forward.
Balancing Creativity and Structure
Using this loose structure allows me to honor both the creative side of writing and the structured side of planning. The flexibility gives my characters room to tell me what they need, while the structure helps me stay on track and meet my deadlines. Plus, it ensures that I’m not just reacting to the pressures of life but incorporating them into my routine, so they work with me, not against me.
At the end of the day, it’s all about balance. Writing requires creativity, but it also demands discipline. By using loose structure, I can find the sweet spot between those two forces and keep my stories—and my writing process—on track.
