How I Write (a miniseries)

So in the "How I..." series, today we have the process in which I write my stories.  It wasn't always this way, but I've tried lots of things and have sort of found out what works for me and what doesn't.

Like outlines.  *shudders*

The Idea

My writing happens the typical way - I simply get an idea.

But I don't start writing it immediately.  I'm usually elbow-deep in another WIP, anyway, so I stick that idea in my notes.  These are linked to my phone and email, so no matter where I am, I have access to them.

And one of two things happen:

I forget about it.  All excitement I had for it vanished and I'm left with just a threadbare idea that won't take me anywhere.  So I toss it and continue on my merry way.

I remember it.  I can't stop thinking about it.  A character pops up, and I add him/her to the idea.  A plot begins to form.  A world is created.

The Preparation

Full of anticipation, I prepare for the story.  I gather lists of my main characters, and write a page or two in their POVs to discover how they view their world.  I make a Pinterest board.

And when I feel ready, I write a synopsis.  This contains everything I know about the book - how it begins, where it's supposed to go, and anything I know about the ending.  These range from three short paragraphs to pages, depending on what I've gathered so far.

Making a Mess

Then things get messy and painful.  I open up a blank document and wing it.  I start with the beginning and just type and type until I find I've reached the end.  It usually takes me a month and a half to get an entire book finished.  But in the end, I've got a story.  It might be all over the place, but it's all there.  Thankfully, my synopsis guides me a good part of the way.

Break Time

Once I've finished, I push the story aside and try to catch up on things I've neglected while drafting.  I clean my room, organize the backups on my flash drive, get some extra sleep...and try my hardest not to think about the book I just wrote.  Usually this is only a week or two, depending on life.

The All-Important Read-Through

This is where I regret half the things I typed, and fangirl over the rest.  I usually have scenes and characters that I just love love love...and then the ones that need to be taken out.

I start my read-through by copying my draft, scene by scene, into Scrivener (when I draft, I don't even bother with chapters).  I can type up my notes and ideas into the epic little sidebar the word processor comes with.  I summarize the scene, what happens in it, what use it brings to the story, and what changes need to be made.

After moving it over and making notes for each scene, I add another folder in Scrivener and make notes of things that also need to be changed (side plots, character arcs, and things like that).

First Edit

I make said corrections I've already noted.  This can be as simple as catching a few typos, to completely removing or adding scenes.  Sometimes this goes along well, other times, not so well.

Alpha Read

After making any corrections I've seen beforehand, I send the draft off to Sarah, my trusted Alpha reader.  Then I send Evan a copy before I receive death threats.  They both will catch any plot or character holes.

Second Edit

I fix anything they pointed out, maybe things I noticed on my own while I waited for their feedback.

The Order of the Pen

After that, I send the story out to the other folks in my writing group.  They will edit and make notes as they can (for they're quite busy and they are so awesome to take the time and edit for me).

Go Crazy

Once I've sent it out so many times and fixed all the errors...publishing looms on the horizon at last...  It would be my dream to be traditionally published, but I think it would be fun to self publish as well.  I guess whatever form publishing takes, I'm game.

So, what do y'all think?  Is your process similar?  Different?  Any editing laughs you want to share?