Voices of Fiction - From Idea to First Draft - Part Two

Welcome to another edition of Voices of Fiction.

Part One , with authors Cherie Reich, Joylene Butler, Karina Kantas, and Jade Varden, proved fun and insightful.

We have another set of wonderful authors participating today. Let’s begin with introductions.

Children’s Picture Book author, Clara Bowman-Jahn, of “Annie’s Special Day” is living the life of her dreams an hour at a time. Link, Blog, Link



Terry W. Ervin II is an English and Science teacher who enjoys writing. He’s an editor for the speculative fiction magazine MindFlights and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies, magazines and ezines. The genres range from science fiction and fantasy to horror and inspirational.
In 2009 Gryphonwood Press published Terry’s debut fantasy novel FLANK HAWK, and released BLOOD SWORD in 2011. He is busy working on the third novel in the First Civilization’s Legacy series. Website, Blog

Vicki Batman likes to kick back with a diet Coke and write crazy things for her characters. She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA, and the DARA, Elements, and RWA-WF chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??" Blog, Blog, Link

Thea Landen writes erotic literature, frequently in a sci-fi/fantasy setting. When she's not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games. Blog, Link, Link




Welcome Authors! It’s wonderful to have you here.

Now, the question is: What steps do you take to move from idea to complete first draft?

Clara Bowman-Jahn: I get my idea and write down my manuscript in long hand with pencil and paper where I can erase where I want. After that, I move to the computer and copy and paste for my complete first draft.

Terry W. Ervin II: My novels start with an idea—an event or situation. Then I devise the world where the event could occur, populate it and begin focusing the characters that will tell the story. I keep notes and ideas, including bits of dialogue in a file. I generally know where the story will start and end. I list the main plot events I anticipate happening along the way, usually in a spiral notebook. It’s kind of like mapping out a vacation—the routes one will take and places to stop and visit. Just like in a vacation, some places are visited longer than anticipated, with a few surprises and additions along the way. Detours occur and places anticipated for a visit get bypassed. But, in the end, the destination is reached.

Vicki Batman: All authors get their work done by "their" formula. I'm big in dialogue. And usually, my work begins with dialogue, something someone has said or I hear in my head. I imagine two people talking and write it down. Because I'm a pantster, I just write and write.

Thea Landen: Once upon a time, I used to just sit down and go. Then I started keeping notes in a separate file as I went along (I'm a typer, not a handwriter). I've finally gotten to the point where I've realized, "Gee, maybe making an outline first, even if it's really vague, is a good idea." I'm nearly finished with the first draft of my WIP, but I've started a few notes for the next one on the list.

Thank you all for sharing your process with us.

Readers feel free to ask questions concerning this topic in the comments or send  additional questions to chergreen@chergreen.com Subject: Voices of Fiction Question, and have them answered by the participating authors in later editions.

There’s also room for more authors to participate. Drop me an email, Subject: Voices of Fiction.

 (Disclaimer - Bios and answers have been posted as submitted by author) 

Voices of Fiction - From Idea to First Draft - Part Three