My Writing Process

Recently I sat in on a class and observed a colleague ask her students to describe their writing processes.  I decided to play along and write a few sentences detailing mine, though I didn’t share them with the class.  Instead, I’ll share them here:

1.   I have an idea. 

2.   I think (too long) about the idea, usually while riding the train home. 

3.   I forget the best parts of the idea and means of execution during the walk from the train station to my apartment. 

4.   If I am lucky, I remember some of the idea after walking the dog and fixing a drink and maybe some food. 

5.   I scribble some nonsense. 

6.   Eventually, I turn the nonsense into actual sentences and paragraphs. 

7.   I get lazy and defensive during the editing stage. 

8.   I succumb to doubts and fears and remain inactive for days. 

9.   Alcohol.

10. I suspend my ego and take editorial advice seriously. 

11. I regain my ego and combat the advice. 

12. I temper my ego and make the edits that make sense. 

13.  I rediscover that I am genius. 

14.  I am humbled by the lack of recognition of my genius. 

15.  I collect enough rejection slips to rebuild a rainforest. 

16.  I decide to stop writing altogether. 

17.  I write a blog post.