As a writer, do you include all the stages of the writing process when you’re working?

stages of the writing process

Or do you tend to lump all the stages together in an effort to crank out something you can immediately submit for publication somewhere?

​​​​​​​If you’re trying to work too quickly, most likely, you’re leaving out one or more of the following stages of the writing process:

stages of the writing process

Stage 1: Planning Stage

This is a very important stage because without adequate planning you can often get stuck during the next stage (the writing stage).

​​​​​​​During this stage you plan out what you’re going to write.

You might also need to do some research during this stage of the writing process, which includes researching the potential markets for whatever it is you will be writing.

It is at this stage that I usually create a project notebook, or a project folder for shorter projects. I will work on this project notebook for days or weeks before I start the next phase of writing.

stages of the writing process

Stage 2: Writing Stage

You determined who your characters will be, what the plot will be, etc. during the planning stage, so now you’re ready to write.

This is the stage where you attempt to complete a first draft within a reasonable amount of time.

stages of the writing process

Stage 3: Revising and Editing Stage

Once you have a complete first draft, you usually want to let the manuscript rest for a while, so you can come back to it later from a fresher perspective.

When you do come back to the story, you’re ready to edit and revise it.

For many writers, this 3rd stage is the hardest and most time-consuming stage of writing, but it can also be the most enjoyable.

stages of the writing process

Stage 4: Final Polishing and Submission Stage

It never hurts to go over a manuscript (and submissions guidelines for the market you’ll be sending it to) one last time to be sure everything is the best you can make it.

I often use a self-editing checklist at this stage of the writing process, then it’s time to submit the manuscript to an agent or publisher.

Include each of these stages every time you have a new writing project and you’ll be more likely to get published on a regular basis.

Try it!

Suzanne Lieurance
writebythesea.com

P.S. Several self-editing checklists (for different types of writing) are available here in my Private Resources Library for Writers. Free access to this library is available for all Morning Nudge subscribers.

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