User blog comment:Mikemacdee/How I Write/@comment-26399604-20151231091334

What are you writing?

Currently, the last story I wrote is still under revision. So technically, I am still writing this one.

However, there is a second story I already have elements put together based off a process that will later be described below. I am pretty secretive about topics of my stories until they are fully written, so that’s all I can reveal about that.

How does your work differ from others in its genre?

Every writer for the most part wants to create a story that has not been done yet. However, it can be difficult to do so with most topics already covered. Nonetheless, if I do touch a topic that has been done, then I going to ensure that it is created with a different flavor. I believe the same topic can be used but the execution of the story can allow for a different experience. So, I want my stories contain an interesting element, if not that, an enjoyable journey.

I’ve read stories where plot holes exist, minor or major. Some authors will not mention why a character is no longer present or why the phone in their pocket is no longer relevant, etc. It’s one thing to leave a vague impression of an antagonist to create mystery, but it is another to leave out obvious or small details that were originally mentioned.

To me it’s insult on the reader to invest their time in a piece of information presented to have it “magically” irrelevant, frankly it’s lazy. I hope to include realistic and reasonably explanations for any and all elements in my stories. It’s fine if an explanation will appear in the long-run or it is used to amplify a mysterious background, anything else though is unacceptable.

Why do you write what you do?

At an early age, I was exposed to a great deal of genres. The main three encompassed - Sci-Fi, Adventure and Horror. To this day, my love for those fields remains loyal and I am eager to create works of my own.

How does your writing process work?

It usually begins as a mere idea encircling a character or a scene. From there, I build around that element to see the potential for a story in it. If the story seems to uphold enough elements I believe will make it interesting, I move on to the next step, if not, I scrap the idea altogether.

The process can seem tedious, but this is a process in my head and it usually can be conducted fairly quickly. However, I can run through a number of ideas a day and sometimes it will take a week before I settle on one.

Once I feel the idea has enough elements to make a story, I usually make a skeleton outline of the story’s plot elements – Beginning, middle and end. Afterwards, I mentally start to fill in the meat. Obviously, any research for the topic is done to ensure realistic components are included.

When actually writing a story, I do a great deal of editing and reading. I will write a portion and return to the beginning and read up to that portion to ensure it flows nicely which also keeps me in the mindset. I always read stories out loud to catch any errors.

I usually spend a week on a story, mainly a chapter a day while doing the above process of editing. After I finish a story, I will step away from it for a few days and return to read it in full to see how it still flows. Once I believe it’s complete, I send it out to receive feedback and edit accordingly.

Do you have any artistic pursuits besides writing?

Yes, I have dabbled in several fields. Before writing, I did a great deal of drawing. My sister was the big artist in my family. To this day, I don’t think there is a single style she cannot do. Her craft inspired me at an early age.

I started out drawing on paper first which led to works of art created on computers (she again influenced that). My favorite tool to use is MS Paint. In the future, I want to be able to create my own web comic using this tool. I might be wrong, but I don’t think I have seen full-fledge web comics made from MS Paint. If that is the case, I will be happy to be the first to do so. If not, I’ll still do it nonetheless.

Other fields I have played around included: music, game-making, mini movies, and animations. I could go into great detail about all of these, but I’ll keep it short. Drawing was always the main one.

What literary character is like you?

Since I am still trying find my place in the field of writing, I think it still too early to determine this. I will this question blank, for now…