46. Lost in the Process? Here's the Order to Writing Your Book.

What comes first when writing a novel? The dreaming or the drafting? The plotting or the planning?
⁠It seems simple—until it doesn’t. First-time novelists often hit a moment where they wonder: Am I doing this all wrong?⁠
⁠In this episode, we’re breaking down the order of operations for novel writing, helping you find clarity and confidence in your process. Because spoiler: There’s no “wrong” way, just your way.⁠
⁠Tune into Steps to Story now to get unstuck and move forward with your novel.
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Transcript

STESPS TO STORY EP 46 - Lost in the Process: The Order of How to Write Your Book

[00:00:00] Nicole Meier: As you likely know, writing a novel is a marathon and not a sprint. I use that cliche often because it's so true. Marathons require intention. While it's tempting to dive in and let inspiration lead the way, knowing the order of how to write a book will save you time and frustration.

[00:00:25] Nicole Meier: Welcome to Steps to Story. This season, I'm focusing on helping you grow as a writer and as an author. I'm Nicole Meier, multi published author and certified book coach, here to guide you on strengthening your story and getting it out into the world. This season, we'll explore ways to overcome the challenges that hold writers back, from breaking through creative blocks to fine tuning your story structure and navigating the publishing world with confidence.

[00:00:53] Nicole Meier: Wherever you are in your journey, consider this your supportive space to find clarity, direction, and encouragement. Let's take the next step in your story together.

[00:01:08] Nicole Meier: Hey there, writers, welcome back to Steps to Story. Today, we're tackling a big topic that's often overlooked, but can save you endless frustration and hair pulling down the road, knowing the order of how in the heck to write a book. Okay, I want to start by pulling back the curtain of my book coaching and developmental editing business.

[00:01:28] Nicole Meier: Let's take a new writer, we'll call her Jane. Jane came to me not so long ago with a full novel manuscript. In fact, it was over a hundred thousand words. She'd been working on it for close to three years, and Jane was eager for editorial feedback. In our discovery call, I asked Jane about her why, her goals, and her process.

[00:01:50] Nicole Meier: Okay, her why was that she was a fan of a certain genre and read a lot of books. Great, awesome, love this answer. Her goal was to land a literary agent and be traditionally published. Great, another good answer. Her process was to write by the seat of her pants whenever she had free time. The caveat, she'd never read a single craft book, taken a course, or attended a workshop on how to write a novel.

[00:02:19] Nicole Meier: And this was right about the time during our call when my heart sank. Without reading a single word of Jane's story, I already knew the manuscript would be lacking one big, important element. Yes, Jane could have been the world's biggest genius and her novel might be a true work of art. I could be wrong in my assessment, but honestly, you guys, after over a decade in the writing and publishing world, I can tell you that my money lies on her need to know a bit more about storytelling in order to really make her manuscripts sing.

[00:02:52] Nicole Meier: So let's get into what I recommend when it comes to the order of writing your book. All right, let's start at the beginning. The spark of your idea. Maybe you woke up from a vivid dream, a character popped into your head while in the shower, or you've always wanted to write a novel inspired by your favorite genre of books.

[00:03:11] Nicole Meier: However the idea comes, I suggest that you first let it simmer. Don't rush to bang it out just yet. Instead, enjoy some free time writing or being creative. This could mean jotting down ideas for your characters, considering your setting, or simply journaling about what you already know or think you know about the story's premise.

[00:03:33] Nicole Meier: This is your time to play. Allow yourself to revel in the fun without worrying about whether it's good or if it makes sense. This is where the magic begins. Once you've captured that spark, it's time to set some intentions. Ask yourself, what do I want this book to accomplish? Is it purely for personal fulfillment, or are you hoping to publish and reach readers?

[00:04:01] Nicole Meier: How do you want those readers to feel by the time they reach the end? Defining your why early will help steer you through the murky middle. And yet so many writers tend to skip this step. I'm including myself in this category. In fact, while penning my first novel manuscript, the one I call my practice novel because it still lives in a drawer, I simply wanted to see if I had what it took to write a full 350 pages.

[00:04:30] Nicole Meier: Okay, I was so eager and borderline desperate to get to the next step of being an author that I completely rushed right past intentions and jumped straight into writing by the seat of my pants. A story that seriously lacked in structure and drive. I was all passion and little else. And that's okay. It was part of my learning curve.

[00:04:55] Nicole Meier: But secretly, I would do things differently if I had the chance. Because in my effort to move so fast, I actually wasted a whole year spinning my wheels. No joke. Okay, the next thing I want to emphasize is how important it is to know thyself. Even if you just have a seed of an idea, it's crucial to know yourself as a writer.

[00:05:18] Nicole Meier: So do you typically thrive on accountability? If so, setting writing dates in your calendar or joining a writing group might keep you motivated. This is where a good book coach can come in, too, acting as your accountability partner and co strategist. Or maybe you prefer to write a chunk of pages, pause, and get actionable feedback before moving forward.

[00:05:41] Nicole Meier: This is where a developmental editor can come in. Sometimes you just need to know if your manuscript is headed in the right direction before writing forward. I've done this before for a handful of my own manuscripts. In fact, some stories I decided to put down in the process. It saved me time and frustration and allowed me for some serious reflection on the story I actually wanted to tell versus the one I thought I should or could tell.

[00:06:09] Nicole Meier: Make sense? Okay, there's no right way to begin, there are no shoulds, but there is an opportunity to approach the process in a way that is best suited to the kind of writer you are. Not what your writer friend or your favorite author says works for them. Because remember, each creative being is unique in how they work.

[00:06:31] Nicole Meier: Alright, now that we've talked about knowing your idea and knowing yourself as a writer, I want to move on to the next phase, which is where we enter the research, plotting, and planning phase of your story writing. Here's the golden rule. Don't skip this step. Research isn't just for historical fiction or political thrillers.

[00:06:54] Nicole Meier: Even contemporary stories benefit from authenticity, whether it's understanding your character's profession or the geography of your setting. And, and, and. Research is also about understanding the genre you're writing. Many writers think they understand their audience and genre, relying on best guesses.

[00:07:16] Nicole Meier: But, once they dive deep into the who, what, and how, they actually uncover fresh insights that shift their entire approach. I've seen it happen time and time again. So listeners, if this feels like it might be you, I've got good news. I have a bite sized video course on finding your perfect genre and ideal audience.

[00:07:37] Nicole Meier: You can find it at StepsToStory. com. I'll also include a link in the podcast show notes. Okay, now that we've talked about research, let's move on. The plotting and planning phase are where many writers get tripped up, especially if you lean towards pantsing, which is writing by the seat of your pants.

[00:07:57] Nicole Meier: While it's thrilling to follow the muse, trust me, I've been there, having at least a loose roadmap of key plot points can save you from major rewrites later. Trust me. Writing your entire manuscript before understanding your story arc or learning about story structure often leads to painful iterations on the back end.

[00:08:20] Nicole Meier: Set yourself up for success by blending creativity with a bit of strategy. Need help with this? Awesome! I've got another bite sized video course called Map Your Story. Over at StepsToStory. com. It's one of my favorite ways to help writers create their story roadmap. Again, I'll include a link in the show notes.

[00:08:42] Nicole Meier: Okay, with your groundwork laid, it's time to actually write forward. This is super exciting. However, it's also where many writers struggle to maintain momentum. Ask yourself, do you need a daily word count goal, an accountability partner, a book coach to help you with deadlines and strategy? Knowing how you work best is essential.

[00:09:05] Nicole Meier: I also want to point out that it's okay to pause and reassess your story's direction. Some writers benefit from a sprint and reflect session, writing a few chapters and then seeking feedback to ensure they're on track. If that sounds like you, embrace it. The key is to keep moving even if the progress feels slow.

[00:09:27] Nicole Meier: Once your first draft is done, congratulations, this is major! No matter how messy, or how perfect, it is a big deal. Pop the champagne if you want to celebrate, but also understand that the real work usually begins in revisions. I recommend that you set your manuscript aside for a bit, and then return with fresh eyes.

[00:09:49] Nicole Meier: This is when you can dig into the nitty gritty of refining your plot, strengthening your characters, and polishing your prose. And don't forget to skip the feedback. Whether it's from beta readers, critique partners, or a professional editor, outside perspectives will highlight blind spots and push your story to new heights.

[00:10:10] Nicole Meier: Feedback isn't always easy to hear, but it's invaluable. Don't know how to go about getting feedback? Okay, Reach out to a writer friend or even someone you know in the writing community on social media. Ask them if they wouldn't mind giving you a referral or a suggestion. Still aren't sure? No problem.

[00:10:30] Nicole Meier: Shoot me an email via my website, and I'll happily point you in the right direction. I've got another bite sized video course on how to use the right tools for your own revisions, and I also have a few spots open for my one on one work. Okay, writers, as you likely know, writing a novel is a marathon and not a sprint.

[00:10:51] Nicole Meier: I use that cliche often because it's so true. Marathons require intention. While it's tempting to dive in and let inspiration lead the way, knowing the order of how to write a book will save you time and frustration. So let's recap that order that I suggest. First, let the spark of your idea simmer. Next, know yourself as a writer and set intentions.

[00:11:17] Nicole Meier: Follow this up with good research. Then plot and plan. The next step is to write forward and stay accountable. Follow this up with some seeking of good feedback. Then you can dive into your revisions. And finally, celebrate. You've done an amazing job. Okay, that's it for today, writers. Thanks so much for tuning in.

[00:11:42] Nicole Meier: If you found this helpful, please share it with a fellow writer. And as always, happy writing.

[00:11:52] Nicole Meier: If you want to check out my coaching programs for fiction writers, visit nicolemeier.com. That's M E I E R. And if you liked this episode, I'd love you to take a minute to leave a rating and review for this podcast. This will help more writers like you to discover the show and to get going on their writing journey. Thanks so much for listening.

[00:12:14] Nicole Meier: Until next time, happy writing, everyone.