It is virtually impossible to sit down and simply begin writing a manuscript. While some rare geniuses may be able to do just that, the vast majority of authors require some degree of planning before they start. Now how much planning can vary as widely as the subject matter of the book, but some level of prewriting will likely be needed.
Prewriting refers to the process that writers use before they begin writing the first draft of their book (or essay or short story or term paper—you get the idea). Most of it still involves writing, just in a way that is designed to help ideas coalesce, characters form, and plots take shape. Below are some steps that are often used in the prewriting process.
The point here, however, is to pick and choose what makes sense to develop your very own personal prewriting process. Just remember that there is no correct way to prewrite, so play around until you figure out what works for you—and feel free to disregard the rest!
Get out and move
The first major step of prewriting doesn’t involve any writing at all. Instead, immerse yourself in the world around you. Whether that’s a solo walk through nature or sitting at your favorite coffee shop to people watch, the important part is that you’re living life and observing it in all its forms. This is a great way to get ideas flowing and inspire you before your fingers even touch a keyboard.
Figure out your purpose
Don’t worry, I don’t mean your life purpose—just the purpose of your future manuscript! Why do you want to write what you’re preparing to write? Is it a plot that simply won’t leave your mind? Is there a character you’re just dying to bring to life? What ideas or lessons do you want to impart to readers by the time you complete the last word?
Decide on your audience
Once you know why you’re writing, it’s helpful to figure out who you’re writing it all for—this, along with the chosen genre itself, will help determine the tone the book will take, including its formality or lack thereof and the level of background research, if any, that will be needed to make it sound authentic and accurate (think historical fiction, police procedurals, etc.).
Begin brainstorming
While some of us may not have properly brainstormed since our high school days, it really is one of the best ways to get ideas down on paper before whittling down to the good ones.
Some people prefer to do this by listing, which simply means starting with a main idea or character and writing a list with any related words you associate with it. This can be a particularly great way to narrow down an idea that is just too general.
Others gravitate toward the more visual clustering version of brainstorming. Start with your main plot or idea and branch off secondary ideas that come to you, then branch off those secondary ideas.
Or take the journalist’s approach
If either of the above brainstorming ideas seem too haphazard, consider asking and then answering the six journalist questions—which is still the best and quickest way to cut to the heart of the matter: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? You might be surprised at just how much of a book can be explained by using this set of guiding questions.
Or just start freewriting
Freewriting consists of setting a timer for a certain amount of minutes (usually five or ten) and just . . . writing, completely unfiltered, taking heed of absolutely no spelling or grammatical checks. The only rules are to stay on topic and never stop writing. Seriously, don’t stop! Sometimes the strangest, most deeply buried thoughts that come out will prove the most valuable when you finally stop and reread what you wrote.
Outline your story
Outlining is often the last step of the prewriting process. Now that you hopefully have a plethora of different plotlines, characters, themes, and maybe even a couple of cool twists or lines of dialogue at your disposal, you can begin organizing it all into a coherent outline.
Some authors sketch a rough outline that keeps track of only the general direction of the narrative and basic characteristics of the protagonists. Others prefer a much more detailed outline, complete with chapter-by-chapter events, rising action, exact moments of conflict, and more. Regardless of how you outline, making one before you start writing in earnest will help guide you as you move forward through the story.
Andrea Moran lives outside of Nashville with her husband and two kids. She’s a professional copywriter and editor who loves all things books. Find her on LinkedIn.
