Today, I’m stepping into the confessional booth of writing processes. It’s time for a heart-to-heart, and I’m laying it all out there. Let’s talk about the rollercoaster ride that is drafting a story—my way. Can anyone else relate to drafting not one, not two, but five versions of a story before even considering an outline?

I’ve always heard tales of authors who approach their manuscripts with military precision, armed with detailed outlines from the get-go. Meanwhile, my process is more like navigating through a funhouse mirror maze. I dive headfirst into drafting, allowing the story to mold and take shape in its rawest form. Only after this initial creation can I stand back, squint a little (okay, a lot), and start spotting the plot holes.

It’s a strange phenomenon, considering how organized I am in virtually every other aspect of my life. Yet, I’m all about the chaos when it comes to drafting. It’s like a series of frenzied writing sessions, one after the other before I can even think about slowing down. And the thought of stopping this frenzy? Terrifying. I fear that if I halt the chaos, the flow will stop, and I’ll be left creatively stranded.

This chaotic process eventually leads me to rewrite the story three or four times. By the time I’m done, the finished product often looks nothing like its original inception. And you know what? That’s perfectly okay with me. This process, as hectic as it is, works. It allows the story to breathe, evolve, and ultimately become what it was meant to be.

So, to my fellow authors who find solace in outlines before diving into the draft, I admire you. But to those who, like me, ride the whirlwind of creativity without a map, know that you’re not alone. Our methods may be unconventional, but they’re ours. And in the vast and diverse world of storytelling, there’s room for all of us—chaos and all.

How about you? Are you an outliner from the start, or do you embrace the creative chaos like me? Let’s open up this conversation and celebrate the diverse methods leading to our final masterpieces.

Until next time, keep embracing your unique process, and remember, there’s no “right” way to create a story. Just your way.

Here’s a virtual high five to our next frenzied writing session,

Joa (Johanny Ortega / J.E. Ortega)