The 7 Stages of The Writing Process
Whatever you are writing – from a blog to a book – you will go through eight distinct stages in the process.
They are:
- Choosing
- Allowing
- Capturing
- Drafting
- Deepening
- Completing
- Sharing.
Producing a piece of writing is never a linear endeavour and the eight stages don’t operate as separately from each other as putting them into a list might imply. But understanding the shape and order of the process is crucial for writers.
Not knowing what stage you are in can lead to confusion, frustration, despair and ultimately, throwing the work aside.
I have seen so many writers who start to edit or judge their writing (stage 7) when they are only in the or first draft (stage 4), or even the germination (stage 2), point in the process — and thereby strangle their work before giving it full form.
When my first novel Lovers’ Hollow (600 pages and five years in the making) was published, people used to ask how long it took to write. I would smile my rueful smile and say, “All my life”.
They nodded because this, in a sense, is true of every piece of writing that takes itself seriously — but I also meant that it had taken me far too long to put this work together.
Now I know why. Now I know that the first stages of the writing process – Preparation, Percolation and Planning – are the keys to writing fast while writing well.
To writing efficiency, if you like.
Efficiency is a word that brings most writers, and writing students, out in a rash but I’ve learned the hard way, as well as through editing and mentoring other writers, that efficiency is what makes writing pain-free and fun.
Understanding the stages of the process and doing only those tasks appropriate to the stage you are in induces that delectable condition called “flow” — where the words seem to appear of their own volition and all we writers have to do is turn up at the page and get ‘em down.
Each stage has its own distinct challenges, tasks, demands and rewards.
I will explore each of the stages in detail over eight individual posts.
First up: Preparation
[...] own joys and challenges. Here’s a link to an old post looking at the 7 stages in relation to writing and a close up on Planning & Preparation (2 more P words) for a long piece of [...]
[...] many resist this third stage of the writing process, considering the very word “plan” to be limiting — even stifling. Maybe [...]
@ Six Pack – you’re welcome. will hope to totally impress next time
Not that I’m totally impressed, but this is a lot more than I expected when I stumpled upon a link on Furl telling that the info here is awesome. Thanks.
[...] the stages of writing process. Any piece of writing moves through distinct, though not always separate, phases. I have seen so many writers who start to edit or judge their writing (stage 7) when they are only [...]
[...] the stages of writing process. Any piece of writing moves through distinct, though not always separate, phases. I have seen so many writers who start to edit or judge their writing (stage 7) when they are only [...]
I’m in the drafting stage. I do numbers 6, 7 and 8 together. I always write the first draft as if it’s the final draft, IOW that I’ll hit print and send it off. Of course I will make changes (deepening, etc.), but I don’t intentionally leave “stuff” to be fixed or crafted later. This makes me write tighter and stay on track. Great post to make us writers think!
[...] My favourites below: Understand the stages of writing process. Any piece of writing moves through distinct, though not always separate, phases. I have seen so many writers who start to edit or judge their writing (stage 7) when they are only [...]
Great post!!
Fascinating approach. I, too, look forward to reading more…
Thank you.
[...] the stages of writing process. Any piece of writing moves through distinct, though not always separate, phases. I have seen so many writers who start to edit or judge their writing (stage 7) when they are only [...]
Hi Rosemary. You’re right, I’m not a fan of asking friends or family for feedback, as they generally (and wisely!) operate from a policy of love you = love your work.
Editing as number 7, that’s brilliant. As you say, all too easy to get lured into that too early. And you’ve completely left out ‘sharing with the family to see what they think’ – very wise. Can’t wait for more, Orna!
@ Iseult – welcome to the site, Iseult. Look forward to your feedback.
@ Jacqui. I would guess that, when it comes to your prose, you may be heading straight for stage 4 – drafting – before giving enough time and attention to the preceding stages. A short poem can arrive, as if fully sprung, onto the page — and we think there was no germination or preparation or planning. In truth, what has happened is that stages 1 to 3 have happened subconsciously. A longer piece of prose won’t allow you to do that. If you consciously work through stages 1 to 3 (see tomorrow and days following), you should find stage 4 happens automatically.
Mmm, interesting. I look forward to reading about each stage in more detail over the coming days.
my problem is getting started after 4yrs.I can write a short poem…but prose eludes me.