C. N. Garraway

Photo by: Juan Ignacio Rodriguez Moronta

The Spark of Inspiration

How do you tackle your writing projects? The way you approach a project can determine how it progresses. What sparks your idea? What do you do with that idea once it forms? Do you start writing right away, or let it marinate?

It all begins with that first spark of inspiration. It can come out of nowhere or while watching TV, reading a book, riding in the car, or even shopping for groceries. Once the idea arrives, I usually write a sentence, and nine times out of ten, that sentence grows into a paragraph. The paragraph becomes a few pages, and those pages turn into more pages. Before I know it, a novel is born.

Naming and Developing Characters

After I have at least a few paragraphs or pages, I start naming characters. Sometimes the names come easily, and other times I use babynames.com. If my character is Latino, I research Latin names—especially if I want them tied to a specific country or cultural background.

Once I’ve chosen a name, I write a short profile of the character. Sometimes I use a character template, though I usually only fill out a few key details. From there, I focus on getting to know my characters:

• I choose their professions.
• Decide whether they have siblings or are an only child.
• Figure out where they live.
• Establish their ethnicity if it hasn’t already been set.

Building a Shared World

Recently, I’ve started linking some of my novels together. I’m building a shared world where many of my stories will take place. I’ve even created a city that serves as the backdrop for my books.

This allows me to design the businesses, nightclubs, bars, and coffee shops that appear in the stories. I might even go back and change the settings of older novels to fit this world. For me, it creates consistency and gives me control over the history, layout, and growth of the city.

Why I Don’t Outline First

One thing I don’t do is start with an outline. I know many writers swear by them, but outlining stifles my creativity. Most of the time, I do have a general plan for where the novel is headed. In fact, nine times out of ten, I already know the ending, which makes it easier to guide the story forward.

As long as I have a few sentences or a paragraph to start with—and a clear sense of where the story is going—I can write without many issues. The story flows naturally, and sometimes I discover the true ending along the way.

Outlining After the Draft

I usually don’t create an outline until after I’ve finished the novel. At that point, I’ll write a summary of each chapter. This helps me during the editing process because:

• I can spot areas that need rewriting.
• I can check for plot holes.
• I can stay organized as I revise.

Your Writing Process

That’s how I tackle my writing projects. How about you? Do you start with an outline, build your characters first, or jump right into writing? I’d love to hear your thoughts.