I see authors talk about their processes and I wonder about my own. Sometimes I plot, sometimes I pants, most of the time I plants. But I've discovered something today, I absolutely love the first draft. It took me a few manuscripts to make that discovery. I mean really, the first ms I hated the first draft. Hated it so much that I never went back to do revisions. The second manuscript has gone through many revisions and now rewrites, but I think (Okay, I know) that is because I didn't listen to my voice and stick to my guns.

With Cherish Me, I'm writing and listening along the way. Before I started writing this work-in-progress I bought several things of index cards and plotted. Occasionally I'll dig out the cards and refer to them, but mostly I've just allowed my creative side take over and write whatever comes to mind. This is a good thing, because it has allowed me to get to know my characters better. It has allowed me to let my characters get out of the neat little box I had put them in at the beginning of the plotting. I've also seen huge elements that I want to weave into the story itself, and I can't wait to get it all in there.

The first draft is like a courtship of sorts. It's a time for introductions and getting to know each other. The first draft if a place of discoveries. Like digging through the dirt on an archeological dig with the expectation of finding something small but with the hope of discovering the ultimate find that will put your name in history.

Gosh, I hope I'm saying this tomorrow, or even the day after. :)