Everyone has a ‘process’, but it starts with an idea.
1. Ideas for my books are always one to three words:
A Ballet.
A Train Ride.
Day at the Beach.
2. Once I’ve settled on a subject, I decide if my main character a boy or girl and figure out what season it is. That sets my mood for the whole piece.
3. Then, I sketch a tentative outline of ’scenes’.
Boy standing at station in the summer.
Sees train pull in.
Ticket to conductor.
Sits next to window.
Listens to the sounds of train starting.
And so on…
4. I note all important images that pop into mind. “Shiny buttons” on the conductors uniform. “Blurry cows” as scenery rolls by. This is my strength. This is what defines my style and makes it unique.
5. Then I put together some really terrible lines and send it all to my crit partner. She tells me where I’ve left out scenes. I usually leave out a LOT. “Where’s the packing, Deanna?” “Where’s the sand castles?”
6. Then I go back and write good lines and send them to her.
7. I repeat number six until we both think it’s finished.
8. I send it to my agent, who tells me if HE thinks it’s finished. (Usually yes.)
9. Then it goes to an editor, who has me rewrite some or all of it. HA!