How I Write

I often get asked if I plan my stories ahead of time or make them up as I write. Technically, the answer is both. But I always have the bones of the story figured out before I start.

I have an undergraduate degree in Journalism and was taught to address the 5 W’s and the H of each news story (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How). I always have these elements of the story figured out before I start writing a book.

Then, after I have the basic elements figured out (and I have come up with a few ideas for twists to keep you turning the pages), I will fill in some of the details of the story to give me a better road map of where it’s going. As soon as I’m comfortable that I know enough about what will happen along the way, it’s off to the races! And there’s always plenty story left to fill in as I go!

Here is a video explaining my process a bit more in detail.