Every project starts with an idea.
Some clients come to me with a completed draft… others have a rough story outline, or a partially completed novel. Some just have a paragraph describing their idea.
I’ll use whatever assets you’ve got to work with, and we’ll have a conversation (or two) to discuss your story, themes, concepts, and ideas before writing gets started.
Here’s what that process looks like:
Defining Your Story and Goals
We’ll start with a discussion that defines your project. First, we’ll review your current assets: Do you have an idea, an outline, or a rough draft? Are we adapting a screenplay? (I’ve done several of these.)
Then we’ll talk about your plot, characters, and themes. +
And who’s your audience? Are you working in a genre with specific audience expectations for tropes or character types?
Finally, we’ll talk about your goals for publication. Are you seeking traditional publishing or self-publishing?
This conversation will define your personal goals, the specific requirements for deliverables, and the metrics that will define success for you.
Creating an Outline
If you’ve got an outline already, we’ll review it together to make sure it’s going to work for you. It should deliver a plot that’s well-designed, keeps your reader engaged, and moves your characters causally through their journey. Every chapter should be defined, so we know what needs to happen and how the story is moved forward.
If we’re starting from scratch, we’ll need to create an outline together, or you can step back to create it yourself.
Then things will change! 😀 Because as we write, the story organically makes new demands.
Chapter One
I’ll deliver your first chapter for you to review. This should reflect the structure, style, and voice that best represents you and your unique ideas. Once you’re satisfied, we can move on to the rest of the book.
Progress Milestones
Then I’ll deliver the balance of the book in milestones that we define together. A chapter at a time, a certain word count, whatever keeps you confident that progress is being made. You can review the milestones and offer feedback along the way. I’m happy to do research via appropriate, vetted resources.
Remember what I said about things changing? We might remove, add, or conflate chapters. We might rearrange the order. But fear not… this is about story flow. Your core concepts will be protected, and you’ll be involved every step of the way. If necessary, we can meet up on Zoom calls for updates.
Final Pass
Once all the milestones have been delivered and we have a completed manuscript, you can do a final front-to-back review and provide any final notes. I’ll integrate those notes, and you’ll have a completed manuscript.
Next Steps
Generally, clients then take the finished manuscript to a line or copy editor for a final “second set of eyes” on spelling and punctuation, and to doublecheck adherence to any style guide you prefer. That’s a specialized skill that I don’t infringe on… and even if I were that kind of editor, a fresh set of eyes will ALWAYS catch the things we miss.
From there, you can pursue approaching traditional publishers, or self-publish.
If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need to work with a layout professional to design your book’s interior, and a cover designer for the exterior. Those are very specific skill sets that I don’t pretend to have. 🙂
Want to talk about your story?
“Excellent work and a pleasure to work with!”
Hunan Children’s Publishing House
“William understood the short assignment and provided useful and balanced insight and analysis that will help me to improve the piece. I very much appreciate his professionalism and communication and would recommend him to anyone.”
RK, author (work in progress)
“We’ve worked with a LOT of writers over the years, but this has been hands down one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. Massively over-delivered on the final manuscript. Extreme communication at every step of the way … He took a “so-so” story idea and really made it shine. Highly recommended if you need a stellar creative writer to fine-tune your story, idea, or manuscript!”
TC, author
Chip Street - Writey Guy 