My Writing Process: An Ever-Changing Work in Progress

Katie Keridan

Let me start by reminding you of something you already know, which will also serve to clear up one of the most common misconceptions I continue to hear about the writing process: 

There is no right way to write a book.

There are, however, ways to write a book that will work better or worse for you. Part of being a writer—and an important part, if not necessarily the most fun part—is figuring out how, when, and where you’re able to write. 

Here are two key pieces of writing process advice I wish I’d known sooner:

1. Don’t compare the way you write to the way someone else writes. What works for them might not be right for you, and it’s not about writing a certain way…it’s about you getting your words on the page.
2. Be flexible with your writing process, because it will change depending on what’s happening in the rest of your life.

When I first started writing with the intent to publish a book, I was working fulltime as a pediatric neuropsychologist at a children’s hospital. My days were overflowing, so I wrote when I could—at night, usually 10pm-midnight. It’s not a schedule I would encourage anyone to keep, but it’s what I had to work with, so I did the best I could. 

Then I got married and became a stepmom. I also switched from working at a hospital to being in private practice, which gave me more control over my schedule, but also meant that my writing process had to change. Early mornings (rather than late nights) became my new norm, and I tried to save most of my writing for when the kids were at their mom’s house. 

Then the pandemic hit, which caused my writing schedule to change again. I would alternately lose myself in my writing to keep my sanity or not write at all for several days as my husband worked from home and my stepkids did remote schooling from home and we waited in long lines outside of stores for basic necessities.

And now, with both stepkids in college and my husband in the process of retiring, my writing process has changed yet again (and I know this won’t be the last time). But regardless of what it looks like, my writing process is guided by two quotes that I’ve whispered, cried, or growled so many times, they’ve practically become personal mottoes. The first one is:

“The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ~Louis L’Amour

Louis L’Amour was one of my favorite childhood authors (I grew up on a ranch in Texas and loved all things Western, including books). To me, this quote has to do with my frame of mind as much as my physical location. I take my writing very seriously. I treat it like a job because it is my job. I try to start writing between 7:30am and 8am every day, which means sitting down at my desk in front of my laptop in clothes that are not pajamas (because pajamas make it too tempting for me to fall back asleep). I’ve had my coffee, I’ve scrolled and posted on social media, and now I’m ready to put my phone where I can’t see it to focus on my story. I show up and sit down and let my muse know, I’m here and I’m ready. 

That’s me turning on the faucet.

Now, just because I turn on the faucet, does that mean water always flows? Do brilliant words effortlessly spill from my fingers every moment I sit at my desk? Absolutely not! There are times I turn the faucet on and nothing comes out. My muse sees me sitting there but doesn’t deign to join me. And that’s okay. I’ve been doing this long enough now to know that every day isn’t a spectacular writing day. Some days I’m just rearranging the same 10 words. 

But I also know if I don’t take up my position—if I don’t get myself mentally and physically in a place where I can access the storytelling part of me—she will not show up. Occasionally I’ll get a random flash of inspiration while I’m folding clothes. And there are definitely times I have to walk away from the computer, go into nature, do yoga, or play with a pet to clear my mind and come back with fresh eyes. But the most important thing I’ve learned about my writing process is that it wants to find me working (the peril of being a Capricorn with a Capricorn muse). It’s not glamourous and there’s no magic involved, but routine and consistency work for me.

The second quote that guides my writing process is:

“You can’t edit a blank page.” ~Jodi Picoult

After sitting down, showing up, and limiting distractions, the next part of my writing process is very simple—I write. 

Notice I didn’t say, I write well. Or even profusely. Sure, some days that’s how I write, and I love and treasure those days. But most days, I read back over wherever I left off (if there’s anything to read), then I dive in and go where the story takes me. I love lists, so I’m always making notes about things (change the ending to Chapter 16; describe the weather in Chapter 9; strengthen argument in Chapter 18). Checking things off my list is incredibly satisfying and also helps keep me on track with making actual progress.

If I’m having trouble getting started, I’ll write around whatever I’m trying to tackle. Maybe two characters need to have a conversation, but my muse is being stingy with dialogue. If that’s the case, I’ll just start writing facts about the characters, like where they live, what their favorite color is, who their friends and enemies are, etc. Sometimes I’ll create a journal entry for a character to help me get into their headspace. The point isn’t really what I’m writing—it’s that I’m getting words on the page, which makes that blank space so much less intimidating. 

And more often than not, once I start writing and stop stressing about the blank page, my muse jumps in and that’s when the magic happens. 

Below are some suggestions to help you develop your own writing process:

• Look at your schedule and figure out when you actually have time to write (not when you hope to have free time or when you might be available if something else gets canceled). Be honest about your available writing time and start small. Ten minutes of writing a day will result in a book much faster than setting aside hours for intended writing that somehow never happens.
• If your schedule allows you to be consistent with your writing time, do it! Developing a routine makes it easier to get your writing in. If your schedule changes every week or every day, be flexible, write when you can, and don’t get mad at yourself for not being able to establish a routine. Work with the life and schedule you have. 
• Remember that a person’s writing process always reflects their privilege. My writing process is a direct reflection of the fact that I have a husband, my husband has a job, and my stepkids are in college. Someone living on their own, someone with young children, or someone who takes care of their parents/partner/other family members will have a completely different writing process.  

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Katie Keridan has written all her life—from childhood, through college and graduate school, and during her career as a pediatric neuropsychologist. She enjoyed being a doctor, but creating her own characters and worlds brought her far more joy, so she slowly left the medical world behind to focus exclusively on writing. She has written two other novels in the Felserpent Chronicles series, Reign Returned and Blood Divided, and her work has been featured in Highlights Hello Magazine, The Blue Nib, Youth Imagination Magazine, Red Fez, The Red Penguin Review, Sand Canyon Review, and Every Day Fiction. She loves sharing her writing with others who feel different, misunderstood, or alone. Katie lives in Northern California with her husband and two very demanding cats.

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips