by Alycia W. Morales @AlyciaMorales

As the Carolinas prepare for Hurricane Florence this week, we are reminded that there are things to do and have in place before she arrives, things to do when she arrives, and things to do after she dies out.

As writers, it’s important to recognize that there are things we should do to prepare before we start a project, as we write our manuscript, and after we’ve written.

Prep Before You Write

Research

Whether you’re writing nonfiction or fiction, there is always research to be done. Statistics to support your points. Stories that add a personal touch to your facts. Conversations with professionals that bring accuracy to your fiction.

Outline

Whether you’re a panster or a plotter, writing fiction or nonfiction, a general outline can always help keep you on track. A table of contents can give you an idea of where your story is going or how to get from point A to point B in your nonfiction. Chronology is important in a fiction novel. Transition from topic to topic is important in a nonfiction manuscript. Outlining can help maintain these.

Imagine

What does your character look like? How does her world affect her? Creating a visual file can greatly help when developing worlds and the people who inhabit them. For nonfiction writers, consider images that would inspire your readers or help keep you focused on your points.

Build Your Platform

Publishers want to know that if they make an investment in you and your book, they’re going to get a return. They want to know you have fans who are going to purchase your book. It’s important to begin establishing your platform before you even begin writing your manuscript.

Prep During the Writing Process

Focus

As fiction writers, it’s important to stick to the story you’re trying to tell. I know from experience how easy it can be to get excited about all the things we can explore in one novel, when what I’m really doing is trying to include five stories under one cover. Pick a story and stick with it. Save the others for a rainy day.

In nonfiction, it can be just as easy to get distracted by all the different points you’d like to share with the world. Again, pick one and stick with it. Save the others for different books.

Set Goals

It’s important to know where you’re going. It’s also important to have a plan on how to get there. And to have options when the unexpected happens. Setting goals can help us meet word counts, make deadlines, and find overall success. Set some goals and do the work necessary to meet them.

Look Ahead

Remember, we’re not finished when we type “The End.” There’s a lot more to do, and we need to be prepared for those things to come.

Prep After the Writing

Editing/Rewriting

All authors, whether self-publishing or traditional publishing, need to have their manuscripts edited. But even before we do that, we should edit and rewrite our manuscripts so they’re at their best when we present them to be edited. Our books have a much better chance at being published when we take the time and make the effort to turn them into the best book we can possibly make them.

Marketing

In today’s publishing industry, authors are expected to help market their books. This can look like a lot of things, including but not limited to book signings at your local bookstores, a book tour, giveaways, speaking engagements, social media events, blog tours, and more. Building a street team can be a key to great promotion for your books.

The Next Project

It’s always a good idea to have the next project in mind as you finish up the first one. Best-selling authors are already contracting for their next series before they finish the first one. Have ideas in mind for what you’re going to pitch next and start writing while you’re promoting your first project.

What are some ways you stay prepared throughout the writing process? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

(And if we are slow to respond, note that the author of this post lives in South Carolina. Hurricane Florence is headed our way. Keep us in prayer!)

Alycia Morales is a freelance editor and writer. Her writing has been in Thriving Family magazine, Splickety Love, and several compilation books. Her editing clients have won several awards for their manuscripts, including finalist in the Selah Award. Alycia’s first ghostwriting project, The Spirit of Hospitality by Larry Stuart, releases in December 2018.

She is also the conference manager and the blog editor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

When she isn’t busy hanging out with her writing friends, her husband, and her four children, Alycia enjoys reading, watching TV, hiking, and crafting.

Follow Alycia at her blogs, Life.Inspired. and The Write Editing. She can also be found on Instagram and Pinterest.