My Creative Process

Welcome back, readers! Between studying and (sleeping) writing, I just couldn't think of a post that you guys would be interested in that I could also finish in time. So, I asked on twitter what you guys would like to see and @Hashtag_Ha suggested a little insight into my creative process. I realized I've never really shared information like this before and I think it's pretty interesting so if you were interested in discovering the process behind some of my work like Wicked, Wild, Wonderful and Dreaming Black Boy, here it is!

But, before we jump right in, if you're new to my blog, welcome! I do posts like this all the time and if you like what you read, feel free to subscribe so you can get notified every time I drop a new post! To my constant readers, you guys already know how much I love you! Oh, and don't forget to tap that little heart icon so I can feel extra special! Alright now that that's out of the way, this is: My Creative Process

1. A Seed

Have you guys seen Inception? This is somewhat similar because I'd always start off a seed of an idea and then that small seed would blossom into a full-blown story. The 'seed' is usually a statement I want to prove, disprove or explore or an emotion I feel deeply. From that, everything else comes about. I create the plot, all my characters, my settings, even lines of dialogue around the concept of that simple 'seed'. It keeps the story grounded for me and reminds me of the root of the entire work. That way, I never lose sight of my initial intention and my story remains cohesive.

2. Brainstorm

This where I start to think of all the logistics. How things will work, how this can't work and what's the best fit for the 'seed'. I usually do this in a notebook just so that I can stay physically attached to my writing; it feels more tangible that way. So, for days, I just scribble nonsense. Google character names. Research interesting topics. This is where the story begins to materialize itself for me. The seed is usually at the top of every page as well. I learn from repetition lol.

3. Plot

With the seed in mind, I begin to structure the events in my story around it. I use my same book and give a barely-detailed outline of what I'd like to happen in the story. I usually start off knowing the end and the beginning first then I plot in-between. However, my plots are never strict because I'm a very- well I like to call it- 'evolutionary writer'. That means my plot tends to evolve with enough time and completely change from what it originally was. Quite stressful if I do say so myself but because of that I always make sure my plot outlines have ample elbow room to do whatever they wish when the time comes.

"If everybody dropped dead right now, and I didn't, I would be left with what I had created for myself; and what the hell would the point be if I was creating something that somebody else wanted me to create?" - Billie Eilish

4. Is it love?

It sounds a bit dramatic but I always have to make sure that whatever I'm writing is something I truly love. It can't be polluted by outside opinions or expectations, it has to really come frown. That'll not just help me finish it but also it's therapeutic as hell. I ask myself questions like, 'Does it represent me?', 'If I were a reader would I pick this up?'. Once I go through that checklist I let it out into the world and expect nothing. Once I love it, the opinions of everyone else matters a whole lot less. I've already pleased the most important person. It really is that simple.

Big Tip: Don't write for anyone else. Write for yourself. Trust me.

Conclusion

Writing, though I take it very seriously, is also an outlet for me. It's my therapy in a sense, so my entire process kind of goes off that premise. What about you guys? Is your process like mine? More free? More rigid? Let me know in the comments!

To read more stuff from me be sure to follow me on Wattpad and Medium! To keep up with me on social media, follow me on Twitter and Instagram where I occasionally rant, share music and discuss the pains of being a creator. Oh, also, I share sneak peeks of my novel and new blog posts at times too, if you're into that. Have a great weekend, readers!