The unique thing about creative types is we all do the same “thing” in completely different ways. We use different mediums, different methods, but I think the most important aspect of creative work we do differently is our process.

For writing, it is sometimes the most standardized creative process but it still has different ebbs and flows.

In order to help you identify and create your writing process I want to walk you through mine to give you some examples to build off of.

How I Work My Writing Process

My writing process is different depending on what I am doing.

Client writing process

If I am writing for a client, then I make sure to start in Writer’s Work. Here I get all the ugly on the table. I don’t worry about grammar and spelling too much. Writer’s Work will pick up a lot of the ugly and give me suggestions to make it clearer.

From there, I copy and paste in Google Docs (this is where the final copy will end up, too). I use Google’s spell checker and grammar checker to double check Writer’s Work. I also begin to format headings and subheadings here. I’ll insert all my images and whatnot at this stage, too.

Next, I hop over to Grammarly and copy and paste individual sections into Grammarly and run through everything with a fine-toothed comb. Any corrections get copied and pasted back in their proper sections in the Google Doc.

Once everything has been given the now-twice-over, I read through it all and finish formatting and adding images.

Done!

Personal writing process

Now, if I am writing for myself, I start in ClickUp (that’s my referral link, so if you sign up, even for free, then I get some rewards!) because all my ideas start there and I use their ability to embed Google Docs and jump straight into writing in Google Docs (like I am now!) rather than starting in Writer’s Work. However, I’ll not worry about beautifying it until later.

Copy and paste into Writer’s Work briefly. Clean it up. Copy and paste back into Google Docs.

Format and image away!

Follow through with a once-over in Grammarly and back to Google Docs, format one last time, and BAM! 

Done.

How to Create Your Writing Process

So, here’s the question:

How do you create your writing process?

Well, I have been using Google Docs for years, so I am kind of a power-user at this point. So it was natural for me. I didn’t have to start from scratch and learn something new.

So take whatever you are comfortable with and familiar with and build off of that! This is my first tip for how to create your writing process:

1. Find what you are good at already and start there.

I recommend finding a way to stay on track for your writing process. For my client work, for example, they give me deadlines and I know what I need to do. My motivation is handed to me.

When it comes to my own personal writing, though, if I don’t give myself tasks, stay organized, and stay on top of it, then I slip and can go literal WEEKS without working on any of my own writing.

So, I found that I needed a really good, fun-to-use, user friendly task and project management system. For me, I found that in ClickUp. I previously used a system in Writer’s Work, but it never got me motivated. Now, I have a list of topics to pull from in a messy, disorganized pile called my “Bird’s Eye View” list.

This list has everything from book ideas to blog posts.

Then, I pick a handful at a time, and start assigning subtasks with due dates and scatter them around my schedule in chunks so I know I’ll always have some of my personal writing to do when I don’t feel like working but really should be working.

As an example, I’ll snag two or three blog post ideas. I’ll create a subtask labeled Outline with a due date and space them out over the course of a week or two (depending on how busy my schedule looks). Then, I’ll create a First Draft subtask and assign it a few days after the Outline subtask. Then I’ll do the same with a Final Draft and Publish subtask.

Also, I have “statuses” set up for In Progress, Review, Polish, and Publish. I assign each blog post a final due date that it has to make it into my Publish status.

For me, this has been great because it provides a combination of scheduling it ahead, checking things off, and moving things around. It is a combination of my visual, kinesthetic, and reading/writing learning styles.

However, to some of you, it might seem disorganized or redundant or complicated. But it is my flow that works for me. I like to call this the funky flow. 

So, my second piece of advice for how to create your writing process:

2. Find your funky flow.

In terms of all the copying and pasting and moving pieces around between the different programs, all I can say is that I like to play it safe.

I am actually fairly confident in my ability to write everything grammatically correct and with little-to-no spelling mistakes the first time around. However, I like to have the ability to be sloppy if I want to or if I’m in a hurry with the comfort that my process will pick up the slack.

On days that I feel super confident and productive, I’ll skip Grammarly. Or maybe I’ll start in Google Docs and skip Writer’s Work altogether.

That being said, I really recommend having some process for self-editing that you can begin to ingrain into your psyche. Having a process where you know you will be able to deliver the best content possible will go a long way into helping you write more creatively and efficiently.

Then, on your lazy days, you have a fall back.

For me, it’s Writer’s Work, Google Docs, and Grammarly.

For others, I have heard people use Hemingway or even SlickWrite. And, yes, it is still valuable to run your pieces by human eyeballs, if you can. In my line of work, I don’t typically have a ton of extra time to polish things up before sending it to someone to look over (except for my own personal stuff because I am my own boss and make my own timeline!) and get feedback.

Again, the emphasis here is to do your research and find the editing solution that works for you to make sure you can always produce the best content possible, even on your laziest of days.

When thinking about how to create your writing process you need to always be thinking about how to improve and get better, and that requires you to:

3. Find your editing groove.

One of the most difficult parts of being in a creative industry, even if you are writing technical papers or policies, is being able to write from a place of passion and inspiration.

I’ll be honest, there are days where a client slides me a project across the table and I mentally go, “barf.”

Do I really want to write about drapes again? Probably not. 

But actually, maybe I do? If I can get inspired, that is.

Honestly, my best advice for this step is to find something in your life that inspires you to create. Another personal example, I love podcasts. There are some podcasts I listen to for pure enjoyment and others to learn something.

Some days, I get inspiration from 99% Invisible. Other days, I am inspired by a hilarious joke from My Brother, My Brother, and Me.

The key here is to find some way to seek out inspiration and lean into it to fuel the rest of your creative work – even if it doesn’t connect. Better yet, find a way to make it connect.

I was dreading writing this blog post until I watched a show on Netflix with characters that I absolutely loved and had so much depth to them. Those characters inspired me to help someone else write amazing characters like that. Hopefully, this blog post helps someone accomplish just that.

Were these two things related before I connected them in my head? Absolutely not!

So, find the inspiration and connect it to what you are creating! As you are figuring out how to create your writing process do not be afraid to discover inspiration in some interesting places:

4. Go find some inspiration and sprinkle it on whatever you are creating.

Okay, I hate to be “that person,” but I feel obligated to let you know this.

The best way to create your writing process is to go out and CREATE YOUR WRITING PROCESS!

You know what that means?

Yep, you are gonna have to start writing every single day and playing around with your process until you find your Zen Writing Process.

Want some more clarity on what I mean here?

I just started implementing ClickUp into my writing process within a couple weeks of writing this post. It changed up my entire process.

In fact, I am even thinking of changing up my writing process again!

It’s fluid. The whole process is fluid. So long as it works for you, it works. 

If you are trying to figure out how to create your writing process, then you are already well on your way, just remember:

5. Write and play with the process.

Well, those are my best tips on how to create your writing process. 

I hope this helps! If it doesn’t, then don’t tell me.

Kidding!

I want to know! Hit me up at dylan@dsmstoryforge.com if you have anything you want to say about this post or anything else.

Goodbye, friends!