Q&A with Ryan Winfield discussion

As a fellow author (aspiring author), I'm fascinated by how other authors come up with their ideas and the process they use to get those ideas from their heads to the paper. Let me apologize ahead of time for the numerous questions contained here, but I was wondering if you could tell us a little about your writing process?

When an idea hits you, do you just put fingers to keys and start writing away? Or do you take the time to outline the plot and characters? Do you ever handwrite any of your work? Have you ever used a plot board? Do you ever work on more than one story at a time?

Personally, I have ideas running through my mind constantly and I know that if I don't pick and choose carefully, I'd never finish anything. So, how do you know which stories have to be told and which ones don't?

Okay, one final thing--have you ever guest blogged for anyone before? If not, is it something you'd consider doing?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my questions, Ryan.

Hi Kara. Thanks for the questions. My writing process is often as scattered as my thoughts. Notes on scraps of paper, notebooks filled with ideas, pages typed and piled on my desk. I sometimes do work on more than one story simultaneously. I don’t use plot boards or graphs. I don’t plot out an entire novel before writing it. I do do lots of character sketches and backstory work before building the world and setting the plot in motion. Much of the plot comes organically from the first draft. Sometimes I compose at my computer, other times I write by hand and type it up later. I use timed writing techniques—setting a timer for thirty minutes or an hour and writing with pen on paper as fast as I can without pausing. This helps crack into the subconscious and delivers some good scenes.

I don’t spend any time thinking about which stories should be told. I just write. If a story and its characters keep me interested enough to write an entire novel then I have a manuscript. If they don’t the writing gets set aside for something in the future. I never throw anything away.

I’ve never found myself interested in blogging, and with all my energies focused on my creative writing, I don’t think I’d have time for it if I did.

I hope those answer your questions. Keep writing!
-Ryan.

Ahh...another unorganized writer...like me. I already know you and I share the same habit of writing in the wee hours of the morning, like the majority of us, I'm afraid.

Lori -- A lot of writers I know tend to write really late at night or in the very early morning hours. I find I do my best writing at the craziest hours.

Ryan -- (Feel free to answer this too, Lori) A second set of eyes is invaluable. Other than an editor, do you ever let anyone read your work and critique it? If so, do you think it helps? Or do you find that outside comments get you off track to where you see your stories/characters going?

Good question, Kara. I'm very cautious about showing my work to anyone before it's ready. Writing by committee never worked for me and the folks I see doing it turn out pretty generic material. I do feel it's important for me to get qualified eyes on my pages when they're ready, and that's what great editors are for.

I have a few people who look over it for me, and one critique partner in particular I use who gives me suggestions every now and then. I've taken her suggestions occasionally, but only if I think it will be an improvement and won't take the ME out of my writing.

Wow, pretty good info. I'm a pantser (I believe Nora Roberts is also). Not that I'm a fan of how I write, just as long as something decent comes out of it. :) That being said, now (in the present) I'm turning out better material than I was in the past. I like to think that I'm growing as a writer.

I only have a handful of people that read my work. And the editor I've used for my first ebook has just signed on to help for the rest of the series.

Trish

Thanks, Ryan, Lori, and Trish =)

Ryan -- I have to disagree with your statement that people who 'write by committee' turn out generic material. Having a critique partner or an entire critique group doesn't necessarily mean the work will be poor or generic. And if that is the case, then it's a direct reflection on the writer. In my opinion.

Lori -- I have three critique partners and we all share our work. Sometimes their suggestions are great and really improve my novel and other times I thank them for their time and totally ignore what they have to say.

Trish -- I'm a panster too. Although I'm getting to the point where I will start with a very basic outline. It's been my experience that when using the "panster" method you end up with a lot of gaps and flat characters. Again, this is where I find having extra eyes is invaluable. There have been many times when my critique partners have found things I've completely missed.

Just like everything else in life, not every method works for every person. Thanks for a great discussion!

Kara wrote: "Thanks, Ryan, Lori, and Trish =)

Ryan -- I have to disagree with your statement that people who 'write by committee' turn out generic material. Having a critique partner or an entire critique gro..."

I agree Kara...I'm a pantser myself, but I admire the fact that plotters can achieve what they do by planning ahead. I wish I could be that organized. Different strokes...That's why I refuse to give bad reviews on books. Reading is so subjective...what some people LOVE, others hate, and so forth. One person will call a book boring as hell, while others say they couldn't put it down. If I don't like a book I just don't leave a rating or review. I'm a southern girl, and my mama always taught me if I couldn't say anything nice not to say anything at all. I guess that's something you don't outgrow.

Very well said, Lori. I know people who are true blue plotters to a fault. I've seen one very talented author who is so obsessed with plotting everything before she starts writing that she has trouble breaking free from what she's put in place. And as any writer knows, sometimes your characters take over and you have to let them. That can be difficult for a plotter. But as you said....different strokes =)

Oh yeah...I've had a minor character who spoke so loudly to me that he grew to a book of his own. And he's a bad boy!

Bad boys are the most fun =)

May I ask, what books have you published? I'd love to read something you've written.

I'll send you the info privately, Kara, since this is Ryan's feed. Thanks!

Thanks, Lori. And Ryan, you know I'm still a big fan =)

I do have a question when first starting out as a writer and you get writers block what can you do and how do i make the books pop out at folks?

Hi Amanda. If you ever get stuck, you might try some timed writing. I like to set a timer for 30 minutes and write as fast as I can without pausing, no concern for spelling or punctuation, the only rule being that you can't let the pen rest. You usually get some good stuff from the subconscious mind that way. Regarding making a story pop, I couldn't say. I think a storytelling style develops with practice.

okay cool thank you so much

How did you find a publisher?