My four step process for writing large stories. This has been my process for multi-chapter stories, especially big bangs. I have even used it for longer one-shots.
-First pass: Get it down! Forget the spelling and punctuation just write the damn story.
This is when the story just won’t stop. I write as fast as the thoughts come into my head. Sometimes I can even watch the story as I’m typing it.
-Second pass: Clean it up! Fix verb tense spelling and punctuation and add some detail.
The second pass is to make it readable. I ignored spelling and verb tense and other things so this pass will correct them and show me where to add more material to the story
-Third pass: Fluff it out and make it flow! Add more detail and put in descriptions or connecting scenes.
This is where rooms are described and small details that are relevant to the story are added in. this is also when I add scenes that need to be added to make the story flow better.
-Fourth pass: Final read through! Check for mistakes or missing details one last time.
Most people would ask a beta to do this but I’m not most people. I don’t like to have anyone read my work until I’m completely finished with it. That being said, there are times when the fest/big bang requires a beta and I have to go find one. I would go through this stage before sending any story to a beta for a final check.
Writing the way that I do it is astonishing to me that I get as much done as I do. It’s a tedious process and it works for me. I have tried other ways but I just get frustrated and never finish what I was working on.
For fan fiction, I try to do all of these steps before it ever gets posted. There are some things that only manage to get the top two.
For original fiction, I always do all four and sometimes I don’t post things for a long time while I’m getting them done. I have been toying with the idea of selling things now so there will be even further delays.
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