So third novel, eh? How can I be working on a third project when I haven’t published the other two yet? I’m currently tweaking my query letter skills as I solicit for a literary agent for Destiny Seeker, and I have Speechless that has blossomed under multiple NaNoWriMo sessions.

This third novel, The Throwaway Queen, is my way of staying in the writing/creative mode while Destiny Seeker is pretty much finished at the moment, and I’m not super stoked about the massive editing Speechless will require. I started feeling excited about the premise of The Throwaway Queen and decided to take on this new project.

However, as a reformed pantser, it meant that my approach to my writing process has totally changed. If you’re like me, you’re likely looking for the balance between being creative and following a structure. Here’s a few strategies I’ve taken on to ensure this next project doesn’t take literal decades to finish. Hopefully this writer’s life update helps you as you decide to tweak your writing habits to be a more productive and cheerful writer.

1. I’m crafting the synopsis first—not last

To be honest, I didn’t really know the overall theme or synopsis of Destiny Seeker—I was just writing about Ilsi’s adventures. So when it came time to explain the plot to friends and family, it became difficult. How do you express how cool your novel is without the proper elevator pitch?

It took years for me to pin down the overall plot so I could talk about it in my query letter. It also meant I had to revise a lot of the structure so the plot outline and the actual story lined up.

This is legit what happens when you’re a pantser to the max.

So this time around, I’m using Scrivener to plot out my novel. I have a folder specifically for my plot outline and different versions of my synopsis—a short elevator pitch, a cover blurb version, and a longer, fuller synopsis that I could use for query letters. Figuring this part out now will make it so much easier to write this novel and brag about it later.

2. I’m doing my due research

So before you go on thinking that I never did research in the past, I’d like to clarify: I’m researching more about what readers are looking for in books, what’s already been done, and how I can do justice to characters in regards to skin color and sexual orientation.

But there is something to say about doing research before you actually tackle a project. I wouldn’t want something to be unrealistic in a scene and then not only have to edit it, but maybe reroute the whole scene or plot to make up for it.

Most of this research is reaching out to readers (people who read books and/or follow this blog) and the writing community so that I get things right—even in fiction. I wouldn’t say that there was something massively wrong with how I did research before; I’m just doing more smarter research.

3. I’m putting more care into character’s back stories

I used to really hate writing back stories—especially if nothing would be used in the final manuscript. It feels sort of like going backwards, doesn’t it? As a pantser, I just wanted to steamroll right into the story and get on with it.

However, as I’ve started to think about the backstories of multiple characters, it helps me narrow down their voice (that elusive thing we keep wanting to master) and their motives. Basically, I’m helping them think like they would, and not how I would.

4. I’m using Pinterest to help visualize my characters & setting

When pantsing a novel, it feels like you’re making things up as you go: what characters look like, what they’re wearing, where they live, etc. If you don’t have a clear picture in mind, it’s really easy to forget later on and pants again when you re-enter the setting. It created mass confusion for my beta readers and editors.

A funny-yet-embarrassing example was a dragon that was sometimes described as female and other times as male. My editor joked that my dragon was gender non-conforming! Yup, that required a lot of revising, too.

So this time around, I have a Pinterest board that helps me plot out characters, setting, etc. so that I can describe things in great detail, but remain consistent. I likely won’t rely on every single image, but what I contribute also adds to the mood I’m trying to convey. It helps to edit the photo description to mention what I want to “borrow” from the image and use for my novel, such as a hairstyle, face shape, or outfit feature.

5. I’m writing with the publishing industry in mind

I know that many of you want to go traditional and many of you plan on self publishing. Either way, it’s really hard to pitch your book to potential readers. Like, how do you make sure that you’re writing something the readers want, but it’s true to what you want?

As I’m thinking about this new project, I’m soliciting for a literary agent. It’s really eye-opening, but difficult. I’m already having doubts if I’ve missed that train. It’s a scary thought to have when you’re already done with the manuscript.

Okay, so I’ve only solicited 7 agents. I’m being a touch dramatic. But it’s hard to solicit people to be interested in your work if you didn’t have them in mind for the majority of the writing process.

Since I’m sort of juggling these projects at different points in the process, I still think I can give my novel a leg up. For example, a lot of agents are looking for women’s fiction or feminism writings. While I’m not writing a chick flick or an essay on modern intersection feminism, I can still use those interests to catch the agent’s attention and ensure the novel lives up to my claims.

What’s your writing process?

Many prolific writers have a system that works for them—they’ve they’ve tried different tactics and then fell into a groove that works for them. My goal is to find my groove, too.

I want to leave you with this point: I’m in no way bashing pantsers, because deep down, I loved being a pantser. I still want to be one! I’m just saying that it took me over a decade to write my first novel. I didn’t start with the confidence that I could finish or write something of quality. I did finish and I did spend half that time editing and rewriting. If that’s your jam, then don’t fix what isn’t broken.

Finding my middle ground—punnily enough it’s called being a “planter”—will help me get this novel done within a year or two. I hope this insight on my writing process can help you with yours.

What’s your go-to strategy when you’re ready to write? We’d love to hear about it via social media or in the comment section below!

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