Writing Update!

It’s been a while (a really long while) since I’ve done an update post for my writing progress. That’s mainly been down to life getting in the way of writing.

In the last month or so, I’ve taken steps to remedy that—pretty much bahookie in chair and head down kind of steps.

What I’m Working On:

I’m back to working on the outline for Deniable Unit . Also, I finally have a working title for DU1: Working the Asset.

Outlining Method

The outlining method I’m using is called Iterative Outlining, a method created by H. R. D’Costa.

A quick reminder of what iterative outlining is: it’s like doing all the developmental editing that usually happens after the story is written, but at the outlining stage—in three phases.

There’s a lot of work upfront, and it seems like it’s neverending, but it’s worth it. So far, I’ve saved a whole lot of time by fixing a plot issue I hadn’t even noticed was there. One that would have cost far more time editing at the end.

The Final Stage

At last, I’m on the final stage of iterative outlining, called the working outline. This one consists of seven editorial passes:

  1. Plot
  2. Structure
  3. Premise
  4. Delight
  5. Four Workhorses
  6. Character
  7. Odds and Ends

Progress

As of today, I’m 70% of the way through the editorial pass for the plot. Woohoo!

progress

My progress will pick up steam as I work through all the passes, and I’ll share how it’s going here on the blog.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll join me as I get ever closer to typing THE END.

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About Me

Hi! I’m Scottish author Susan Tippett Braithwaite. I craft romantic suspense stories featuring Sex, Lies, Scots & Spies where danger and desire meet with explosive results.

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11 responses to “Writing Update!

  1. Aletta - nowathome Avatar

    All of the best! I am useless when it comes to writing 😀

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

      Thanks, Aletta! I disagree; your writing on your posts is informative and entertaining. ?

  2. Cheri Avatar

    I like your title!

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

      Felt good writing it ?

  3. Photos by Jez Avatar

    Woohoo ? Just make sure you’re not finding “little things” to do rather than your outlining ??

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

      Hi, have we met? ??

  4. Chris Hall Avatar

    Great progress, Susan! I like your method of working. As you’ll know I’m not great at the planning part, but I do a lot of editing as I go (some of which I might avoid if I did a proper outline). But hey-ho, that’s the way I go 🙂
    I’ve just passed to 45K word mark, about 75% of the way through my latest wip. Losing clients has its benefits.

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

      Thanks, Chris. Well done on your progress. That’s just amazing!!! (Sorry about the losing clients part. What is it that you do outwith writing?)

      1. Chris Hall Avatar

        Copy-writing, social media management, ghost blogging… basically pretending to be other people online. Clients now either have time to do this themselves or can’t afford to pay me as their businesses are failing (or both). However, I do have one who, as well as being an artist, does consultancy work in the financial sector. I’m his PA and business rescue is the new game in town (every cloud has a silver lining).

      2. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

        I’m sorry to hear about your clients, but as you said every cloud… Hopefully things will pick up for everyone soon.

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