No Matter What You're Writing, the Process is Important

by Cris Yeager | Digital Media Ghost | GHOSTWRITING, WRITING

Whether you’re writing a best-selling novel or a short story, there are certain steps you can take to make sure your finished product shines. The key to being a good writer isn’t in finding time to write—it’s learning how to develop your writing process.

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The writing process may seem like an obscure thing that only novelists need to concern themselves with, but the process of how to write can actually help to be more effective at everything. Whether it's writing code, making business proposals, crafting an email to your boss, or any number of other things, there are lessons to be learned from how novelists approach their craft. This article will teach you about the process of how novelists write and how you can apply those lessons to your own life and work.

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1) Awareness
A writer, regardless of his or her genre, must be aware of what’s going on in their personal life and in their niche/industry. A ghostwriter, in particular, must understand what’s happening in business today and integrate that into his or her work. Being aware of trends is one thing; but doing something about it (or not) is another. Awareness isn’t just important when you’re writing; it’s important when conducting day-to-day business. Even if you aren't writing anything down, there's always an opportunity to learn about yourself or your audience—be sure to take advantage of it!

2) Goal setting
Too often, we set broad goals without thinking about how to get there. We think in big, sweeping statements like 'write a bestseller' or 'spend more time writing' every day. Sure, these are good goals—but they don’t tell us anything about what to do next or how to take action on them. If you want to spend more time writing every day, for example, be specific about it: Write 500 words before bed each night for one week. Or try setting a goal of 10 minutes per day of focused writing at some point during your week. Setting concrete goals gives you smaller steps toward reaching your ultimate objective.

3) Research
Before you even begin to write—do your research. That way, when it comes time to actually sit down and put words on paper (or screen), everything is clear in your mind and organized into easy-to-digest sections. This will keep you focused throughout each section of  work and also help avoid writer’s block (which inevitably happens if you have not prepared). If someone is ghostwriting for you, they’ll want all their information detailed before starting so they don’t have to constantly email or call with questions about where they should be going next. Take time to review articles, look over financials and create an outline for what you want to include in your writing piece. Speaking of outlining...

4) Outlining
For most writers, writing is a process that occurs in steps. The first of these steps for most is outlining—breaking down what you want to write into individual points and arranging them in some kind of order. In reality, it should be the step before doing the actual writing. Outlining has its critics: Some say it’s stifling and inhibiting. But if done correctly, outlining can actually help your writing be more creative and agile; by thinking through the argument ahead of time, you can make sure it makes sense and is logical (and therefore easier to defend). This approach will also ensure that you’re covering all of the key points rather than relying on memory while writing.

5) Perfect Your Writing Process
Exceptional writers are good at all aspects of writing. Let's imagine there was only one piece of advice you could pass on to other authors. If I could pass on just one thing, it would be for other authors to invest in their skills so they can master their craft. It doesn’t matter what you write—the writing process itself is what matters. Whether you’re working on your next novel or creating content for your business, being able to methodically think through your ideas is important. What can we learn from professional writers about how to write more efficiently and effectively? What will other writers learn from you? Write your own destiny! Literally.

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