I know there's no such thing really, but I thought it would be interesting for us to post what is our successful formula for writing. Your definition of success could extend from just finishing your work to getting it published.
This formula seems to help me finish (these steps aren't necessarily in order):
1. Think of a pretty good idea.
2. Think of some characters.
3. Give the character something to do, preferably on a small scale. For short stories, this is when I do a little world-building. For novels this is when I do more significant world-building without getting carried away.
4. Outline. This takes a while.
5. While writing, think of cool and interesting places for my characters to interact that may not be specified in my outline.
6. Try to have a villain worth hating or any obstacle that seems insurmountable.
7. If I have too many characters, consider combining them.
8. Write everyday until I get a first draft (this is for stories or novels). If I can't work on my WIP because I'm stuck, work on short stories or flash fiction.
9. After I'm finished, go back and make my characters shine by polishing their dialogue and giving more of a voice and personality to my characters.
10. Clean up some of my settings. If the settings are dull or too ordinary, spice them up.
11. Read and read some more. I'm not one of these people that thinks "I'll get my wires crossed if I'm reading and writing at the same time." I think reading can sometimes spark creativity within you, so go for it.
12. Once my story is finished, let it sit a week. Go back to it and then polish some more.
13. Well, it's as good as it's getting! Start looking for markets.
14. Send it out to a market (this is only applicable to short stories for me at the moment). Forget about it.
15. Immediately start work on something else.
What kind of formula works for you to keep you writing? There's no right or wrong answer of course, but if you have some advice on certain things you do that help you, then share with us here!
Thanks in advance!
This formula seems to help me finish (these steps aren't necessarily in order):
1. Think of a pretty good idea.
2. Think of some characters.
3. Give the character something to do, preferably on a small scale. For short stories, this is when I do a little world-building. For novels this is when I do more significant world-building without getting carried away.
4. Outline. This takes a while.
5. While writing, think of cool and interesting places for my characters to interact that may not be specified in my outline.
6. Try to have a villain worth hating or any obstacle that seems insurmountable.
7. If I have too many characters, consider combining them.
8. Write everyday until I get a first draft (this is for stories or novels). If I can't work on my WIP because I'm stuck, work on short stories or flash fiction.
9. After I'm finished, go back and make my characters shine by polishing their dialogue and giving more of a voice and personality to my characters.
10. Clean up some of my settings. If the settings are dull or too ordinary, spice them up.
11. Read and read some more. I'm not one of these people that thinks "I'll get my wires crossed if I'm reading and writing at the same time." I think reading can sometimes spark creativity within you, so go for it.
12. Once my story is finished, let it sit a week. Go back to it and then polish some more.
13. Well, it's as good as it's getting! Start looking for markets.
14. Send it out to a market (this is only applicable to short stories for me at the moment). Forget about it.
15. Immediately start work on something else.
What kind of formula works for you to keep you writing? There's no right or wrong answer of course, but if you have some advice on certain things you do that help you, then share with us here!
Thanks in advance!