A Writer's Different Stages

By Alan Orloff

Thanks so much for inviting me to guest blog today. Us working stiffs have to stick together…

[Thank you, Alan, for being here today!]

If you’re a writer, you’ve been there. Some of us may dread it, others may relish it. Others may lock themselves in their rooms to avoid it. I’m not talking about housework; I’m talking about starting a new writing project.

Typically, I go through different stages.

The Procrastination Stage. I’d like to dive right into something new, I really would, but (inevitably) the idea needs more time to percolate. Then I decide I’ve really got to nail down the outline before starting. And those darn character sketches should be fleshed out. Of course, wouldn’t it be better if I waited until Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter/the new millennium when my story takes place so I can really capture the mood? Wait, there’s a Star Trek marathon on TV? Excellent!

The Abject Terror Stage. OMG! There is no way I’m going to be able to write a novel. No way! Do I remember how to string sentences together? Even though I’ve done it before, this time, the words just aren’t going to come. And if they do, they’re going to stink. Might as well not even try. I AM DOOMED!!

The Time-to-Clean-the-House Stage. (See Procrastination Stage, above)

The Million Questions Stage (sometimes this stage gets combined with the procrastination stage. Who am I kidding? Sometimes EVERY stage gets combined with the procrastination stage).

Will it be fun to write?

Will it be especially difficult?

Will it be marketable?

Should it be first-person or third-person POV?

Vampires or no vampires?

What kind of research will be necessary?

Are the characters “people” I’d like to spend a significant amount of time with?

Are their names easy to type?

Does the project have depth?

Is there series potential?

Will I be able to write this under my own name, or will it be another story by “Chuck Wagon”?

Are there similar works “out there”?

Will this be something my critique group will want to read? (ie, genre, tone)

Can I even type eighty thousand words? And get them all in the correct order?

The Sharpening-of-Pencils Stage. This is where I sharpen all my pencils and align my pads of paper. Make sure my erasers are handy. See to it my muse is fed. (Note: this stage is purely metaphorically.)

And finally, The If-I-Don’t-Start-Writing-NOW-I’ll-Hate-Myself Stage. ’Nuff said.

So, if you’ll excuse me, I have some writing to do. Right after I check my email.

What about you, Stiffs? How do you tackle a new writing project?

The first book in Alan Orloff’s Last Laff Mystery series, KILLER ROUTINE, is now available, at your favorite booksellers and on-line. His debut mystery, DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD, came out last April and was nominated for the Best First Novel Agatha Award. For more information about Alan and his books, please visit  http://www.alanorloff.com/