The number one question I’m asked about writing books isn’t about the mechanics of writing, or time management, or even generating ideas. Instead, my most asked question is how I keep myself focused for the months (or years) needed to finish a novel.

A short pithy answer would be to say that I embrace the journey, but without knowing my process, that’s kind of meaningless. So, let’s start with my process. Here are my four steps to writing a novel.

For Bradley’s ...