Writing fiction is a lot like doing crochet.
For instance, I could say that fiction needs to read smoothly, much like crochet stitches need to be smooth and even. I could draw some analogy between the characters in a story and types of stitches or colors of yarn. Or perhaps compare types of yarn with genres of fiction.
But the similarity I really want to discuss is the process.
When I tell people I’m a writer, they often ask me where I get ideas for my books.
Once in a while, I can point to something that felt like actual inspiration.
I distinctly remember I was swimming laps when I had the idea for what later became Love at Sunset Lake. I pictured a woman driving out of town in a convertible, wearing a long turquoise scarf that trailed behind her.
Wait, you may say if you’ve read Love at Sunset Lake. There’s no convertible and no scarf.
Ahh, but there is an idea of freedom, which is somehow connected in my mind with convertibles. In Love at Sunset Lake, the heroine eventually finds freedom from the sins that haunt her. The idea just changed a lot along the way.
So sometimes, I do feel real inspiration. Some snippet will pop into my mind and it connects, through a weird, illogical path, to another idea, and then I’ve got something I can’t stop thinking about. Or once in a while I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with an idea for the next scene in a book I’m working on.
Most of the time, though, that’s not what my writing process is like.
Inspiration happens far less frequently and reveals far less of the story than I expected before I began writing fiction. Before my first book, I imagined that authors just sat down and words flowed out onto the page. For me, unless I have the story well thought out, words that pour out often end up getting deleted.
My book ideas usually come—not in a flash of inspiration—but step by step, starting with me trying to come up with an external plot. I often start by thinking of two basic types of conflict. Either it’s a case of two dogs fighting over one bone, where the hero and heroine both want the same thing, or it’s a case of two people fighting over an outcome where there will be a definite winner and definite loser, like the sheriff will catch the bad guy or the bad guy will get away.
I’ll latch on to some conflict, say a hero and heroine who both want to buy the same house—which you’ll see in my next Abundance book—and then I work my way out from there, using all the tools I’ve learned through the years of how plot structure works. Basics like asking myself questions: Who are these people? Why do they want the house? What do they want to do with it? And what problems can they face as they work their way through three acts?
In short, my writing process feels a lot like crocheting an afghan. A skein of yarn, then one loop, then a chain, then one stitch after another, and eventually, something snuggly.
A one-sentence idea for a story, then a paragraph, then a short outline, and eventually a book.
Some people work in a creative flash, writing the whole story by the seat of their pants. Not me. I’m a plotter. I’m a crafter. I show up every day and happily build out the story with another row of nice, smooth stitches words.
Eventually, I have a whole book, a book that I hope will make a reader as happy as the process of writing it made me.
What about you? Do you have a craft that brings you joy? Perhaps a special project you are working on these days? Or perhaps a Christian romance you’ve enjoyed where the heroine loves crafts?
I’m giving away a free copy of my latest craft project, my newest book, Love Once More. If you’d like to be included in the drawing, please comment by Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. One commenter on this post will be chosen at random, notified by email, and announced in a Sunday edition. If the winner lives in the US, he or she can pick from a Kindle copy or a paperback. A winner outside the US will win a Kindle copy.
*Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.*
Two orphaned babies, one overwhelmed uncle, one former fiancée…
One way or another, freelance editor Kristen Hamlin will keep her word. She promised to raise her best friend’s baby girls, should the need ever arise, and she meant it. Obviously, the twins should never be given to their workaholic uncle. After all, he’s the same man who broke his engagement to Kristen so he could spend more time with his real love—computers. But when tragedy strikes, leaving the twins as orphans, Kristen discovers that the paperwork was never done. He’s the legal guardian.
Entrepreneur Clay Norris has his hands full, taking care of his twin nine-month-old nieces, not to mention running his computer-gaming company. To make matters worse, his former fiancée claims she should have been given custody of the twins—not him—and has now suddenly moved in next door. Coincidence? He thinks not.
Once the demands of looking after two infants require a team effort, Clay and Kristen are inevitably drawn together. Old feelings rekindle, but the couple struggles to move beyond painful mistakes from the past. As circumstances conspire against them, can they learn to forgive one another, accept God’s limitless grace, and find the courage to take a chance on love once more?
Sally Bayless writes contemporary Christian romance that features compelling characters, real-world problems, and uplifting endings filled with the power of love. She lives in the beautiful hills of Appalachian Ohio and has two grown children. When not working on her next book, she enjoys reading, watching BBC television with her husband, doing Bible studies, kayaking, and shopping for cute shoes. For updates on her writing and a free insider’s guide to her books, subscribe to her newsletter by clicking the newsletter icon below or visiting http://bit.ly/NewsfromSally.
Sally, we are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to our writing process. I have an opening scene in mind. I sit at the computer and let the story reveal itself. Some days the words don’t come easily, but other days it’s like they flow out of my fingertips. I’ve tried plotting, but it just doesn’t work for me. I’m so glad as an indie writer that I no longer have to provide a synopsis to my editor. That was pure torture, and often the finished product was a little off from the original synopsis. I was so relieved, early in my writing career, to discover that not everyone plotted. I wasn’t the only one who wrote a story as one author put it, “into the mist.” Your book sounds like a good read. I love stories with kids.
I’m not a writer but I crochet so I understand your concept. Thank you for sharing.
I enjoy doing cross stitch and crochet, so I understand what you mean about how your process in writing comes together. I love seeing things come together as you take it a little bit at a time.
Ah, Merrillee, I envy you sometimes! Thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much for your comment! Through one medium or another, I think many of us feel a need to create.
Hi Megan,
It is fun to see a project come together! Hope your cross stitch and crochet bring you joy! Thanks for stopping by!
I used to crochet! I can still do embroidery, but have to really take my time so I don’t bother my wrist too much. Now, I love to make cards! I can color them, use markers, use stickers, use material, or whatever I want! It’s fun seeing everything come together!
Like you, I am a crocheter! I love making scarves and hats especially, but have done a couple of afghans as well.
I don’t do much of anything but read and a little gardening. It was interesting to read how your writing process works. Thanks for the chance, and have a wonderful weekend!
Ooh! Cards sound like a ton of fun! Such a great way to be creative! Thanks for stopping by, Trudy!
Hi Victoria! Crochet is fun, isn’t it? And very calming, something I need more of these days!
I like to scrapbook and make cards. Right now I’m scrapbooking vacation photos from several years ago and it’s been fun to relive those memories.
Hi Kathy! I’m glad you liked my post. I hope your garden is doing great! You have a wonderful weekend too!
Oooh! Scrapbooking is so fun! What a wonderful idea to relive a past vacation since it’s hard to travel now. Very smart! I hope your pages turn out great!
Hi, Sally! My interest in crafting seems to go through phases. My wife taught me crochet and I made her a winter jacket that she loved. I have done some painting, lots of sketching and cartoon art. For many, many years my main artistic outlet was photography. The arrival of digital photos turned the whole craft on its head, though. So easy to create raw material but no motivation to create a work of art. It’s all just something to swipe through. These days I’m writing so I get your analogy. One advantage of writing is that you don’t have to undo all the chapters in between in order to fix something near the beginning, LOL!
No need to include me in the drawing. I already have the book and enjoyed it thoroughly!
I use to do cross stitch but then I hurt my wrist. A friend gave me a diamond art painting to do I want to do it just haven’t started yet. I also like to scrapbook. Early in the pandemic I did a quilt top. Its a memory quilt from a trip to the States 7 years ago. someone was going to make it for me but never did. Its the first and probably last but it was fun to do. A Friend is doing the rest of it.
I do understand the crochet concept. I learnt as a child and enjoyed it much more than knitting as its quicker.
Hi, I love to do different types of crafts with my grandchildren and they also love doing crafts, they love to paint rocks, bird houses and flower pots. We have a lot of fun doing these different crafts together. Your book sounds very intriguing and I love the cover, it is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing about the book. And I love how you describe how you write, it is very interesting and it makes a lot of sense. Have a Great weekend and stay safe.
Sally, my first thought was just as well I’m a reader as I never managed to master crochet as a girl, much to my grandmothers chagrin, lol!
Wasn’t it Einstein who said the quote about 1% Inspiration, 99% Perspiration! Excellent preparation means to me that I can read your books and they will flow smoothly and be well thought out, that is something very admirable and a great bonus to me as a reader!
I did participate in a zoom knit a scarf session with the idea of sending the scarf to my mother for her birthday, yes well, let’s just say she may receive it for next year’s birthday, we had a great time though!
Thanks and congratulations on your new book’s release, it sounds wonderful!
I enjoy things that have been crochet but I have never mastered the skill. I say my grandmother passed it to my sister, who is quite gifted which works for me. My hobby is photography and capturing beauty in the small things, so my “crafty” come in setting up the areas before I shoot :)
Hi Lincoln! You’ve done lots of crafting! Good point about writing. I’ve never had to undo ALL the chapters to fix a problem, lol!
Thanks for your kind words about my book!
There must be something about cross stitch. I had to quit it as well when I was having wrist problems. I’ve never heard of diamond art painting but it sounds fun. And a memory quilt is such a nice idea!
I hope painting and scrapbooking brighten your days!
Hi Alicia,
Ooh! Crafting with grandchildren sounds like the best crafting of all! I hope I one day get the chance.
Thank you for your kind words about my book cover. I love it too. I feel so blessed to have such a talented cover artist.
May God keep you and your family safe!
Dianne, thank you so much for your kind words! You’re right that the quote is from Einstein. He refers to genius, but I think it applies to most things in life, including my writing.
I love your attitude about your knitting project. The important thing is that you had fun!
Stay safe!
Hi Jennifer!
I had a very dear friend who was a photographer. I never would have understood how much work can be involved in setting up a photo if I hadn’t seen her work at it and plan it out. It truly is an art!
Stay safe!
I hope to start a Jane Austen quilt as soon as my supplies arrive. They should come this month.
Diamond art is a canvas a little like cross stitch and you have these beads to put on it so instead of stitching you have beads. Still need to start it.
Oh, that sounds fun!
Hi Denise! I am so impressed with people who can quilt! I’m an average seamstress but quilting seems like everything has to be so precise. All those corners that need to be perfect! What is a Jane Austen quilt?
I don’t have any crafting hobbies but I have a wonderful gift for baking and following just about any recipe as long as I have the ingredients for. :-) I suppose that’s sort of a craft in itself! I’ve made all sorts of new things for my family that have surprisingly come out delicious.
I’ve read many books where the hero or heroine are chefs, cooks and a few chocolatiers too. I especially love the ones who craft gourmet chocolates. I’m not a huge chocolate fan, but give me an exceptional piece of handcrafted chocolate & I’m in heaven :-)
Hi Trixi! Hooray for baking! I bet your family loves the treats you make!
Have you read “Sweet on You” by Becky Wade? It features a heroine who makes gourmet chocolates, and I really enjoyed it.
All the best,
Sally
Yes I did, in fact that was the very book I was thinking of when I mentioned someone who makes chocolate confections :-) Books that mention food always make me hungry!
Writing books that mention food is just as bad. And my characters are always eating things I should avoid, lol!