A frequent question I get is ‘what is your publishing process like from start to finish?’ and honestly, it’s a messy answer. The creative process for most of us is going to be a little off and wonky. There is no right or wrong if it’s working for the author.
My normal goal is to write a book from start to finish. Every once and a while I’ll start a side project so I don’t lose an idea, but overall, I stick with one. When it’s done I set it aside for a little bit. I usually wait a few days or a week. Sometimes I have an alpha reader give it a look at this point, but not normally. It’s a hot mess. Since the focus is to finish, there are still things missing. I usually end up adding in more description (setting, characters, and the like) on my first round of revisions. I also try to find and catch any plot holes or problems here.
From there I revise it until I think I’ve caught all the problems (or think I have, let’s be honest, I miss some). Every story is very different so it could be two drafts, it could be five. A few times, specifically with Spirit’s Lullaby and Dreamer’s Melody, I found the story needed a complete rewrite. -Again, there’s nothing wrong with how this process goes.
After it’s as shiny as I can make it, I find a few beta readers to shove it at (a nice polite shoving really lol). While they read over things and leave comments I go and work on something else. Sometimes I start a new project, sometimes I finish an old one. Once all the feedback is in I go over it and apply any applicable notes and fix problems. A few times (looking at you Dreamer’s Melody) I might have beta’s re-look at a section once I’ve fixed it up if it was problematic.
Now that all the messy stuff should be fixed, I get a real editor to mark it up. They (usually) find all the remaining mistakes, errors, and occasionally will comment on something that can be tightened up. They are human too so we all try our best here making it crisp and reader ready. After it gets sent back and I apply all the edits, I get it set up and order a proof copy.
I love getting the proof copy. If you follow my facebook you’ve probably seen a video or two where I open it up and show it off before reading over it and hopefully eliminating any last mistakes. As soon as I think it’s good to go, I hit publish.
There are several other things going on in the background of course. I try and show off the cover, make up catchy little taglines, and spread the news as far and wide as possible before release. Somewhere in there I get a cover and write a blurb. While the one story is with betas, editors, or I’m waiting on the proof copy, I’m working on other stories. Every so often, I take a break. I love, absolutely love just writing away, but every now and then I’ll take a day or two off to just enjoy something else. Be it video games, adventures with friends, or being an absolute potato.
And there you have it! The basic outline of my messy process. Every author is going to be a little different. Some love to work on several projects at a time. Some have less ability to get in extensive writing at once. As long as the books are fun and entertaining they are doing it right.
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