I finally decided I need to keep myself a little accountable on my blog, else I don’t blog at all. This isn’t because I have nothing to share, it’s because I just have so many other things to write, I seldom make the time. From now on, I’m going to write a little update on what I’ve been working on, my current goals, etc. Hold me to this?

But today, a bit about the process of writing novels for me, and some details on the throes I am now in with my latest novel, accompanied by some cute gifs. Because, you know, cute gifs are the best.

First, there is weird obsessiveness.

I’m a messy drafter. I always write chronologically (to force myself to make sense) and I always have a deadline (to force myself to finish). I go off on bunny trails that end up having nothing to do with my outline. Then, somewhere around the middle, I end up losing my way and questioning the entire story. And that often leads to a Netflix binge, which, you know, is never fun (oh but it is), but then there are beautiful epiphanies and new ideas and ZOMG finally finding a voice for the novel and loving it.

Then, drafting.

With my latest manuscript, I ended up doing the same thing I did with Knights of Rilch: drafting the first half a year in advance, letting it sit, and then completely reworking it before drafting the second half. Then (for the first time ever) I actually sent that first draft to two CPs and got feedback that helped me know where to go before my inevitable rewrite, and that was pretty cool. This one has actually been an uber-hard book to hone in on because it is the third in a series, but not the final installment (there are four!), and let’s just say things are getting intense.

And behold, a rewrite.

My rewrites are funny things. Sometimes they’re more of in depth revisions, but I call them rewrites because I cut so. Damn. Much. It is literally unrecognizable when I’m done slicing it. I puzzle the hot mess together into a second draft, filling in the gaps with another 30,000-50,000 words. All in all, I think I must be getting a little better at curbing my bunny trails, because with Rise of Orion I only had to scrap half the scenes during that rewrite. The rest of them just needed full overhauls. I’m so proud of this fact, I could dance all over the coffee table right now. But if writing epic fantasy has taught me anything, it’s that there’s never an easy way to do things, and I did penance for this success: I’ve rewritten the ending about eight times already, and I’m not satisfied with it yet.

Wheeee, big revisions!

Second drafts are the things of magic. This is probably my favorite part of the process, and it’s where I’m at right now. My manuscript feels fresh and young still, but I’m pleased with the structure and optimistic about how to improve it. I usually stay in this phase for months – adding dialogue, changing emotional tone, adjusting scene openings and closes – because I don’t want it to end, but since I’m behind schedule and some of you really want to read this book someday, I might not stay here as long with Rise of Orion. *sniffle*

That harsh, mean revision…in the long, cold winter months.

The next phase is when I get more notes back from CPs and betas and start making tough micro decisions. At this stage with Knights of Rilch, I was still moving scenes around and nixing lines that I really loved. It got painful and involved many a late night moaning session, too much caffeine and too little sleep. After this revision and a break to do life things like wash cloth diapers, I print the thing off, take a red pen, and undergo a final brutal attack on the all the little lurky things before line edits. (Not my favorite part. Not at all.)

Line line line line line edits!

Line edits are kind of the most detailed thing ever, but for some odd reason I love them? Maybe because this is where my line editor, Darci, and I really hit a groove. I become calloused enough to look at things objectively, and yet somehow came up with my most poignant lines right then. At least, that’s how it worked with the last two novels. I read my whole manuscripts aloud multiple times at this point, too, and then I started to get massively pumped that someday soon they would be actual books. People asked me how life was and I spewed gibberish about how in love I was with this story and these characters and their heartbreak but…nobody cared.

Final edits, copyedits, proofread.

After that I get to send it to my editor and she works her seriously brilliant magic to fix all of the remaining problems with my writing. And then I format, send to proofreaders, work with my artist on the design, etc. wherein I have more chances to doubt myself, sink into depression, and emerge victorious.

–Rachel