After 17 novels, I ought to have a stable and successful method for the whole novel-writing process. Alas, not true! Every novel is different, and more and more, I’m interested in trying new approaches to planning, plotting, and writing more efficiently.

For Pacific Storm, I decided to experiment with the method John Truby discusses in his book The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller. For details on that, check out this post, written last March after the first draft was done.

Short version of that post: After doing a month of prep work, it took me just over two months to complete a first draft, which is remarkably fast for me.

Ironically, it then took me another 2+ months to finish a second, solid draft that I could show to beta readers and to my freelance editor. After that, I spent another 5+ weeks addressing editorial comments and suggestions. So roughly a month of prep time, and six months of writing and revision — which still isn’t bad, for me.

Will I follow the method again? I think so. I’ve also got a new app called Plottr, that I’m eager to try. It looks like it could be quite helpful in organizing ideas, and creating an outline.

Don’t forget — Pacific Storm is out next week, on October 8. The ebook is available for preorder now.

READ THE OPENING CHAPTERS HERE