“Tell me the secret to writing a book?” “Um, well, you sit down and write a book.”
It’s that simple and that difficult. But the elements that go into it are a lot like puzzle pieces, once the writing is done.
My debut novel, Pieces of Us, is doing better than I ever imagined. It’s not a best-seller, nor is it making it onto the “summer reading list” of anyone famous. But that doesn’t matter. It has sales and reviews and that’s more than I even hoped for.
I wrote it with zero expectations. I am not aiming to become the next (insert popular writer’s name here). Therefore, every purchase and every reaction is a delightful surprise!
In general, this is my writing process.
- Write the first draft. This takes the most time.
- Rewrite the first draft.
- Rewrite so much that it becomes a second draft.
- Run editing programs. Disagree with some of their recommendations.
- Set aside and agonize over certain scenes or characters.
- Fiddle some more and then send to my Beta readers for feedback.
- Incorporate most of the feedback into the second draft, which I should probably call third draft.
- Have Microsoft Word narrate the manuscript aloud. It’s amazing what hearing the book, even with a crappy AI voice, can reveal.
- Run grammar and punctuation check again. By now, it knows to ignore surnames and words I’ve made up for comic effect.
- Mark FINAL and lock to prevent accidental edits.
- Figure out scheduling, cover matter, endlessly until death do us part.
The Next is Yet to Come
Here’s the puzzle piece when it comes to scheduling. When you write a series, it’s wise to provide a brief preview of the next book. It’s a teaser and it’s proof that another book will, indeed, arrive. Book two was finished but I needed book three finalized before I could publish book two! (Are you still with me?)
There are also a million details to confirm before you commit them to print. A couple of my characters do types of jobs I’ve never done. What if someone who does that work reads the book? You want to get it right. That’s just one example. Thankfully, I love research, because there’s a lot of it. Again, I can only imagine what it takes to write a period correct historical novel. I have mad respect for writers.
It’s not a chore, so don’t get me wrong. I love doing all of it. And I just think of my pal Carolyn Arnold and her 40+ books. Two of her series are fourteen books deep and counting. How does she ever keep track of what happens in which volume? It boggles the mind. Carolyn has given me amazing advice, too.
It’s in the Details
I placed a couple of people in a kitchen in book one. When I was writing book three I couldn’t remember if I said the counter was granite or marble? Readers notice little things and I want to be consistent. So I have to go and search for it. Tiny things like this come up here and there.
I also save all of the writing that fails to make it to print. The paragraphs that didn’t work and the ideas that I couldn’t make believable are in a folder. One day, I’m going to look back at that document and think, WTF was I thinking? Actually, I’ve already thought that! 😀
Book two in the three-book series is now available to pre-order for a July 20th release date. At first, I said it would be out in November. But it’s ready, so why hold it back? July 20th, by the way, is my late mom’s birthday. (Her 85th.)
Pieces of Us – Felicity and Mitzi Book One – available now as an eBook or paperback.
Threads of Love – Felicity and Mitzi Book Two – available for pre-order, releasing July 20
All We Are – Felicity and Mitzi Book Three – readying for an October release date.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for reading about my writing. Just, thank you.
Hey Lisa. You are doing an awesome job and my hope is that you keep authoring great stories. As a brother to three sisters and father of three daughters, although none has lost a leg, you are helping me to reminisce about many of my 80+ years of life experiences. Books 2 & 3 are on my literary agenda. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Terry. I appreciate your support more than you know.
You listen to your book as part of the process, really? It does make a difference, do you listen with your eyes closed? If not give that a try, for if you listen while looking your sight will and can override what your hearing.
When reading books, I hear things the sighted may not see. What’s that old movie, “if you could only see what I hear”, you’ll go screeming into the dark.
I don’t read along with it. You’re right, that would defeat the purpose. It’s a very effective method of editing.
Lisa, Thank you for letting us in on the behind the scenes. Writing a book is intense.
I can’t wait to read Threads of Love. You bring your books alive and take the reader on the most amazing and vividly descriptive journeys. So appreciative.
Nancy, YOU made my day!
Scene at a party:
Me: So what do you do?
Other guest: Oh, I’m writing a novel.
Me (in my head): You’re not writing a novel, you’re at a party talking to me! (Outside voice): Oh, really, what’s it about?
Ha!! That’s funny.
I had a hard time telling anyone I was writing a novel. It seemed pretentious to me, especially after I was turned down by a bunch of publishers. “Oh, you have a printing press in your basement and you churn out your FASCINATING thoughts?!” I felt like it wasn’t a novel until people I’ve never met read it and liked it with no interference from me!!! 🙂
People are reading your book and having a reaction to it.
You, my friend, are a NOVELIST!
I am loving “Pieces of Us.” I was hooked by page two, and couldn’t wait to see how the lives of Felicity and Mitzi would play out. The more I read, the more I felt like I knew the cast of characters in real life. Honestly, I don’t want to put it down, and am very much looking forward to books two and three.
Also, can I pre-order “Threads of Love” in a paperback, or is it just on Kindle?
Thanks so much, Claire! You can absolutely pre-order it in paperback. On this site, or the G and F website: gracefullyandfrankly.com. I appreciate this so much.