My writing Process

One of the most common questions I get is, "What kind of writer are you?"

With so many nuances in writing, it's hard to say exactly what type of writer I am. I've been called a story engineer. My writing has been referred to as cinematic. But to answer this question, the pantser-to-outliner spectrum comes to mind.

Pantsers, like Stephen King, start with characters and a problem, then they let the story unfold naturally. Explaining this is a bit like explaining a caterpillar's metamorphosis--we know what happens, we just aren't sure how it happens. It takes fantastic talent to be a pantser. This approach often produces authentic characters and surprising story developments because not even the writer is sure where the story is headed. It can be as if the characters themselves are telling the writer the story.

I am not a pantser.

An outliner is exactly how it sounds. Outliners develop the structure of the story before writing the first draft, often creating detailed scene-by-scene plans. This approach can lead to strong pacing, effective foreshadowing, and tightly woven plots. Most writers fall somewhere between those extremes, and I am no exception.

My process is hybrid.

Covid afforded me some free time to address a few long-delayed projects. My son and I built a 1,500-square-foot raised-bed garden. My friends and I developed an appreciation for good bourbon. And I started writing the first draft of my first novel.

I knew how the story would begin and where I wanted it to go, but after a few chapters, it became clear that I needed an outline.

For me, outlining is less about writing and more about engineering. It allows me to focus on the major scenes, conflicts, character interactions, and story beats before worrying about the prose itself. Many of my favorite scenes began as simple entries in an outline. Once the structure is in place, I return to the manuscript—but I always permit myself to deviate from the plan. Characters evolve, new ideas emerge, and sometimes the story discovers a better path than the one I originally designed.

The real work begins after the first draft is complete.

My second pass focuses on pacing, plot, and overall story structure. I also begin cleaning up obvious issues with grammar, punctuation, and flow. Subsequent revisions refine the prose, strengthen character moments, and improve rhythm and readability.

After several rounds of revision, the manuscript is ready for beta readers.

Beta readers are invaluable. They notice things I've become blind to after living with a story for months or years. They question assumptions, identify weak spots, and occasionally suggest ideas I never would have considered myself.

My beta team includes engineers, authors, science-fiction enthusiasts, a microbiologist, a geologist, and a medical professional. Their diverse backgrounds help me evaluate everything from story structure to scientific accuracy.

Once I've reviewed their feedback and incorporated the suggestions that improve the story, I complete a final polish. By this point, the manuscript is usually in its sixth or seventh draft and ready for submission to my publisher.

From there, professional editors take over. After several rounds of editorial review, I work through their notes, make final revisions, and prepare the book for release.

My writing always begins with inspiration, but it is the iterative process, the insights of trusted advisors, and the refinement of professional editors that transform a great story into a novel worth reading.