3 simple steps to develop your writing system

Tried to write a book but couldn't finish it? Would you like to have some success in writing, but every time you have an idea and you try, something blocks you?

The question you really should be asking yourself is this: Do you have a writing system?

Knowing how to write is only part of the challenge. If you want to be a successful writer, you need to set up a solid and reliable writing system that will help and support your writing process. To do this, you need to experiment with three key steps in order to design the best system for you.

No writing system = no books

Let me tell you about the book I didn't finish. And about that other book and that other book that I haven't finished. Not counting the patterns I started halfway through, or the ideas I jotted down and then lost.

Before I had a system, I started each book a different way. Sometimes I tried to dive into it. Sometimes I tried to draw an outline. I have sometimes tried to use a template to create a synopsis. Before having a system, I finished a total of only one book. It took 3 years and was a complete disaster. I left it for very long periods of time and had to find my way back into the plot every time I came back to work on it.

Since I found my system, writing has become not only easier, but also smoother and faster. Having a complete system has changed the way I write and allows me to approach every job in a consistent, easy and predictable way. It removed the guesswork and guesswork, and as a result, my success rate soared.

What is a writing system?

The word "system" tends to suggest computers, programs, and many technical things that have very little to do with creativity. But this is a misunderstanding. Systems are actually very important and useful for writers. They let him write an already solid first draft and do it more than once.

So what is a system?

The technical definition of a system is a set of rules, an arrangement of things, or a group of related things that work towards a common goal. What exactly does that mean? Well, to put it in the simplest terms, it means a series of steps or procedures that you can take to get consistent results. A good writing system is useful at a wide range of writing levels and has several characteristics:

• Generic - Can be applied to several projects and still produce similar results. In this case, it means you can apply it to any genre or writing project with minimal variations.
• Repeatable : You can repeat the same steps over and over again without having to reinvent the procedure each time.
• Well Defined - Has clear, well-defined steps and tasks that you can start and complete.
• Accessible : Can be used anytime, anywhere, with minimal restrictions on access and tools.
• Easy - It's not hard to implement. It should reinforce and organize the habits you have, not force new ones. Effective writing comes from effective systems and, more importantly, simple systems.

When a writer defines their writing system, they are preparing to actually finish a book and enjoy the writing process.

Design your system

We all want the same thing: to be able to write a good book and then to be able to write another.

We want to be able to effortlessly translate what's on our minds into a story. Well, it's never going to be really easy, but it can definitely be easier once you've designed a system that works for you. Believe it or not, building a system is itself a learning process.

Let's take a look at the three steps to designing a writing system that's right for you.

1. Define your needs

Before you can build a system, you need to know what you're looking for.

Here are some critical questions to ask yourself:

• Am I more of a pantser or a plotter? Do I get carried away with the idea or do I completely structure my story before even writing?
  
• What do I do every time I start writing? I outline? I search? Do I sit down and start writing?
• What is my approach to writing?
• What essentials do I value the most? For example, the texture ? the theme ? the character ?
• What are my writing habits? Do I need time tracking? Do I need motivation? Do I have a reward system?

Knowing the type of writer you are will help you identify the key elements of your system. By answering these questions, you know what your system needs to help you accomplish every time you start writing a new story.

For example, here's how I would answer these questions:

• I'm a pantser. My system needs an editing tool that is flexible and easy to use.
• I tend to start my book with an outline, and then end up following inspiration. My system would benefit from including a format for the structure.
• I write in stages, usually with multiple drafts. So, my system should have a good way to keep track of different versions of things I write.
• I need to have a goal such as a word count, either over a period of time or on a daily basis.

As we said your system needs to be: repeatable, accessible, easy and reinforce what you already do rather than force yourself into something completely new.

2. Evaluate your options

Of course, just because you know what you need doesn't mean it's already available and will fully match the features you need. Nothing ticks all the boxes.

It's not unusual for a new writer to feel the need to adapt their writing method to an existing tool, especially if the tool is popular and well known. I, for example, made this mistake initially with Scrivener . While I'm not at all criticizing Scrivener, who has helped many writers write their books, but it's not for me. Or rather, its many tools and features end up overwhelming me and I end up focusing on a thousand other things and details, eventually losing the flow of inspiration and writing. Although I haven't given up on it completely and still use it sometimes. After a while I looked for something simpler.

I think it's better to mix and match the various options than to force myself to stick to just one. However, there are actually two components to consider: methods and tools.

Methods are the ways you approach writing. This is where the plotter/pantser philosophy comes into play. Not sure if you're a plotter or a pantser? Don't worry, in the next few days I will write an article to help you understand what kind of writer you are.

Tools are what help you in your method. This is where it gets a little more complicated, also because it's easy to get lost among all the tools available. Don't forget, however, that you absolutely don't have to use them all, in fact you can also not use any of them, and that they are there , just to help your writing method.

The tools are available in several categories:

PLOTTING TOOLS

These help you plan your book. It's worth exploring your options based on how much detail you want to go into when planning. Don't forget though that it's also okay not to use any of them if they don't suit you. Some writers prefer to write without planning or just prepare a simple outline in Word.

Here are some examples to get you started:

• Writener
• novel factory
• Quoll Writer
• Plotter
• Trello
• Hiveword

WRITING TOOLS

These are the ones you use to write your text. Tools like Scrivener and Novel Factory also offer an editor for writing and give you the ability to separate scenes and chapters, but some people prefer to keep the book together on something simple like Word or, like me, graphics editing software like Indesign .

Accessibility is also an important factor. I used to write everything in Word, but now I use Google Docs, which allows me to access the document from anywhere instead of having to email copies of the text to myself back and forth or upload them to the cloud, which often causes confusion for the too many existing versions.

EDITING TOOLS

These are the tools that help you put the finishing touches on your book, like checking structure, grammar, and word usage. These tools can vary a lot in terms of functionality. Personally, I'm still looking for the perfect one.

Here are some you can try:

• Grammarly
• Hemingway Editor
• ProWritingAid

Something useful to keep in mind is that no editing tool can ever replace the expertise of a professional editor.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS

These are the tools that help you build habits and stay on track.

Many people don't understand how "project management" works. It simply means setting goals and achieving them in a timely manner. In this, I tend to keep it simple: an excel sheet with four columns. Column A is the date, B is the total words I should write that day, C is the actual word count written, and D is how far behind or ahead I am on my goal.

This method works for me, although I actually tend to be anarchist, because I have enough experience by now, but a few years ago I needed a little extra push to be able to keep up with the deadlines I set for myself.

Here are some tools I've tried:

• Write or Die
• Habitica
• Evernotes
• todoist

Of course, keep in mind that there's nothing wrong with sticky notes and whiteboards to keep you focused, too.

Ultimately, the goal of this tool is to keep you focused. There is no such thing as too simple, too stupid, or too strange. If a great list or a game with your goals works for you, then do it by all means at your disposal.

3. Compile your system

A good writing system will take you from start to finish every time you write . While small parts of it can be modified to fit different projects, you should be able to reference your system and make it work for you every time you write. To achieve this, you should avoid making parts of your system too specific and try to be as generic and flexible as possible.

Here are some examples:

STEP: List all chapter titles before writing

This step is too specific and rigid. You may not be able to think of appropriate titles or want to change titles later. There's also the possibility that you'll feel obligated to stick to the chapter titles you've come up with, which could hurt your writing pace.

ALTERNATIVE: List story arcs before writing

Story arcs are more functional and flexible and give you a better guideline for your writing.

STEP: Write full character bios for each character

Many writers do this, but it's actually not always feasible and it can actually seem daunting, especially for new writers. A challenging task like this could slow you down and make you feel like you're failing if you don't complete it.

ALTERNATIVE: List at least five key facts about each main cast character

This is a less monumental task and is more likely to be completed quickly.

STEP: Use Scrivener to plot each book

Limiting yourself to specific tools is never a good idea. Sure, it's normal to find a tool and stick with it, but it's best to give yourself space to explore. Avoid naming specific tools in your plan.

ALTERNATIVE: Use scheduling software to track each book

This leaves you room to try tools and methods without feeling like you have to stick to one of them.

At the end of the day, a system is what works for you . Customize and modify your plan so that it makes your life easier rather than something you feel obligated to stick to. Using your plan should feel freeing and not forced.

If not, you need to change something.

Understand your system

As a reference, I would like to share the writing method I use. I developed this method working on the repetition compulsion and I apply it every time I write .

1. Determine the idea of ​​the story : summary of a sentence
2. Write the story synopsis — 1-2 pages, focus on what is really the core of the story
3. Develop a Cast —I don't do biographies because I prefer to find out who my characters are in the first draft
4. List Scenes : I use Hiveword or Scrivener for this .
5. Write the first draft : I usually expect 6-8 weeks for this, but no more than 3 months. This draft is very rough and is mainly used to understand exactly what happens in the story. I write with Google Docs for easy access.
6. Plot Development— I'll cover this part in a later article, but essentially this is where I figure out, chapter by chapter, what needs to change from the first draft to the second. This is done with the help of a review list
7. Write a second draft: This usually takes 2-3 months. I have plot development and first draft open as I write and reuse what I can. I also keep a new revision list for this step.
8. I repeat the plot development/rewrite steps (until the book is satisfactory)
9. The book goes to the editor and beta
10. Final review

This is a system that works for me. There may be a better system that works for you, and you may experiment with a few steps that help you figure it out.

Regardless, having a writing system can make the difference between writing a book that ends up in publication or just not.