What’s Your Process?

Alright. The whole “process” question is the number one thing I (and many other writers) get asked and, to be honest, it is my least favorite question by far. 

Why? Because:

1.) “Process” is never the point.  And it sure as hell isn’t the “secret solution.”

2.) There is no “process.” My process is: I write.

I sit down, put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, and I make words. It’s the same way “going for a run” mostly involves “putting shoes on” and then running.

As Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, put it:

“Get up at the same time every day, and sweat and labor and barrel through it really awkwardly.”

As Scott Berkun wrote, regarding his “process:”

“I start with the first word of the first sentence and then write the second word. I continue with words until the sentence is done and then I move on to the next sentence. Ok, that’s not useful. Sorry! It’s just hard to take questions like this too seriously as I don’t think there is anything magical in any writer’s process. You have to do the work and as you do the work you figure out which process works best for you. The two words creative and process are oxymoronic in this sense, as anything strictly procedural would by definition not be very creative. Seeing famous writer’s habits is interesting and can give you tactics to try, but you won’t know what works for you without doing the work.”

And with that in mind,

3.) Even if I had one, my “process” wouldn’t matter.

I mean, I could give you insight on what I do, but it doesn’t matter what works for me. It only matters what works for you, as measured by: “whatever gets you to write.” If you focus on that, what does and doesn’t work will become apparent.

Where do you get your inspiration?

This is a bizarre question, because I “don’t.” That’s the easiest answer, because the word “inspiration” means nothing to me. That, or I get my “inspiration” from “everything.” From being a human being who is alive.

Because saying “inspired to write” is like saying “inspired” to “eat or sleep or fall in love or work or move or speak or think.” “Inspiration to write” is just “inspiration to express innermost thoughts.” I don’t even know how these words go together. They don’t. Or they go together so innately that it’s dumb to even call them out.

Write about: whatever’s in your head.

Whatever is begging to be put on paper.

Whatever is hanging on you as you try to go about your day.

Whatever is tripping you while you walk.

Whatever is distracting you from everyday life.

Whatever matters most.

Whatever is THERE.

If you’re not “inspired” to write, then why would you try to be a writer? (Surely you see how illogical that sounds?)

Where do you get ideas?

See above. 

But how do you know which one to choose?

Same answer. See above.

Don’t you get writer’s block?

I don’t believe in “writer’s block.” It’s just a lame excuse. See above.

How do you stay motivated?

See above.

Besides “the innate desire to express oneself” and “the joy of producing work of one’s own?”, I don’t. It’s not about “motivation” – it’s about the discipline to stick with consistent habits even when you don’t “feel like it” (and, if needed, resolving the underlying emotional snags that may come up in protest.)

Everyone you admire succeeded by “doing it” even when they didn’t feel like doing it, and some of the most successful writers feel more like a “mule” or “bulldog” than a “unicorn.” You don’t need “motivation” because you don’t have to “feel like it.” You just do it. 

The biggest factor isn’t inspiration or motivation. It’s perseverance.

How long have you been writing?

I learned to write in kindergarten, wrote some short stories in elementary school, started journaling, never stopped journaling, took Advanced Placement English in high school, minored in English, ran a few stories in my college newspaper, and had a tiny, no-name blog throughout my 20s.

I had like 8 followers. I didn’t care.

I didn’t write to build a following. I write because I like writing.

If you’re asking when I started on Medium: April 2017. I had zero followers. It took me two months to get 500.

(And if you’re really asking “how long do I have to keep at this ‘writing’ thing before it pays off?”, then my answer is: omg give it up now.)

How often do you write?

Every day. 

But like when and stuff?

First thing in the morning (journaling), late morning after some coffee (initial pieces), evening (deeper pieces), more deeply on weekends.

If I have other things going on, I either write first thing in the morning, last thing at night, or at some point in between. (I’m not trying to be evasive. That’s my real answer.)

On the weekends, I usually get indulgent and write for a few hours on end.

But I still write every day, at least for a bit. I write whenever I feel compelled to. I write whenever I have something. I write whenever I can.

How long does a piece take?

“You post, like, an article nearly every day… they must at least take you…hours.”

We all have the same 24 hours, and the day runs out before any piece is “perfect;” I publish when it’s “good enough.”

Are you a speedy first-drafter, or do you take days to perfect?

Some pieces take 30 minutes, others I edit for several hours, some I scrap altogether.

How do you publish so frequently?

I write. And then I either ship it or table it. I don’t sit on something while actively “editing” it for more than a day.

If you’re having trouble posting every day, it’s either because:

a.) You have nothing to write (see “Inspiration” above), or
b.) You’re not making “writing” a priority.

There’s no such thing as “not enough time.” We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and the only difference is what you do with it and what you prioritize.

Do you outline?

Not really. Not in any formal capacity.

So, “you wing it?”

I guess I do.

Do you edit?

I mean… yeah, I give it a once-over before and after I publish. Is that what you’re asking?

No, like… do you have an editor?

Nope. Other than 1 or 2 very punctilious readers who pepper me with corrections in private notes, no. I don’t.

I AM A HEATHEN PLEB JUST LIKE YOURSELF!

Do you work with critique partners?

“And how many, and when do they see it?”

No.

Do you have drafts?

“I’d be curious to know if you keep a list of subjects/titles… or just a bunch of starts.”

Yes, I have drafts.

At any give time, I have like 1–3 dozen drafts and a running list of ideas. And yeah, sometimes I start writing and decide I’m not really feeling it, so I table it. I just ship what I want to ship most each day.

How long do you sit in between drafts?

I don’t know. Sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes “forever” —i.e., I might end up trashing a piece and never ship it.

Do you have an “editorial calendar?”

[Note: I had never even heard of an “editorial calendar” until asked this question.]

No. (But if a calendar works for you, then go for it.)

Do you rewrite?

“Once you write… do you feel like you’ve done the subject justice? or do you sit on some articles for a while til you get them write, er, right?”

Yes and no. I’ll reread right after I publish. I’ll make little changes in the first hour or so. But I don’t really obsess over any one piece so much as I focus on the overarching “block of thought.” “It,” by nature, is always in progress; always being whittled. No article is “it.”

Where do you get your images?

“Do you have a special secret source?”

I used to use Google. Now I use Unsplash. There are tons of other great sources for free stock images, but I’ve found many of them are the same, so I just stick to Unsplash.

Do you do marketing?

Does hitting “publish” on a post and/or tweeting (sometimes) count? If not, then no.

Medium publications? Sometimes.
Non-Medium publications? Rarely.
Podcasts? Rarely.
What about SEO? No.
Some other marketing technique you think I’m coyly avoiding? No.