Today I’m participating in the writing Process blog tour. I was invited by Chris Joy Jackson. Charis is not only working on a fantasy novel but she is also a film-maker. She was recently named the “Most Outstanding Young Writer” by Christianity today. Find her post at randomthoughtsanddreams.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/lynne-stringer-at-www.html. The rules are simple, I answer four questions below about my writing and process.

1. WHAT YOU’RE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I am currently working on a space opera series called “The Remnant”. The series will be made-up of “episodes”, each a novella of around 30,000 words. I am applying final touches to the pilot episode and seeking a professional edit. At the same time I’m making a start on the second episode.

I jokingly refer to the series as “Star Trek” meets “Battlestar Galactica” meets “The Love Boat”. It’s about the passengers and crew of a luxury cruise ship that flee from Earth-controlled space when a surprise invasion leaves the planet of their birth under alien occupation. They must become more than a group of tourists – they must build a new community of humanity – cut off from everyone they know.

2. HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN YOUR GENRE?

I think the cruise-ship thing gives it a reasonably unique angle. This is not your typical warship. The characters are not warriors. They are completely out of their depth and must grow into the people they need to become in order to survive.

The idea of writing this series in episodes – modelled after modern TV story-telling is not unique – but a reasonably new idea.

3. WHY DO YOU WRITE OR CREATE WHAT YOU DO?

I grew up with Star Trek and Star Wars so space opera is in my blood. Like most authors I create stories that I’d like to read. All writers bring something of themselves into their work – creating something unique that nobody else could have made.

I’ve been making up stories and writing them down for as long as I can remember. I guess that’s in my blood too.

4. HOW DOES YOUR WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?

My process always begins with an idea. That idea is always either plot or premise. I think about the ideas in my head and sometimes one of them will grab me by the brain and refuse to let go.

The story begins to take shape in my mind and I mentally plan it.

When I’m ready to start working on the project I’ll launch into my outline. The first step is to identify the 3 major plot points at 25%, 50% and 75%. These are the pillars that support the entire story. I’ll also begin thinking about character arc (I may not even have much in the way of characters at this point so they need to be developed).

When I have a broad overview of the plot I’ll start outlining in earnest. I identify all the scenes – focusing on one act at a time. I identify whether the scene is an action scene or a reaction scene. By the time my outline is finished I have approximately one paragraph per scene. This is all done in Scrivener.

Now I start the first draft. This is possibly the easiest part. I can whip out first-draft copy at a reasonable pace armed with my outline. Despite being extensive, the outline doesn’t tell me everything. Some times I’ll get to a scene and need to leave the computer, go for a walk, and figure out the exact details, then come back.

Once the first draft is done the hard part begins. Editing is still something of a “black art” to me, but I’m getting better. I seek some feedback, try to correct identified plot problems, and give the whole book at least one pass – looking for things I can fix. Then it’s off to the editor, which is the season I’m in right now.

Well that’s me. Next I’m handing on to Jessica Scoullar. Jessica is hard at work on a fantasy novel. She’s recently made the decision to dedicate herself full time to her writing. Why not show her your support by heading over to her blog. scoullar.net/jessica/blog.

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