Writing

My Writing Process Collab with Kristianne from Whimsical Wanderings

Before we get started I just want to give the HUGEST THANK YOU to all of you wonderful readers who signed up to join my beta reading team for Heir to His Crown. When I first put the post up, I was thinking oh, wouldn’t it be awesome if I could get like ten readers, but I only thought I’d get about five. Guys, so far I have 24 readers who have signed up. Like all of y’all are just a HUGE blessing to me and it means beyond words that 24 people would wanna read something li’l ole me wrote. THANK YOU SO SO SO SOOO MUCH!!!! Also, it’s still not to late to join the team. Sign ups are open until the 24th, so be sure to get your spot today! Read more here!

Now, let’s dive into the post for today. First I’m doing this AWESOME collab with the AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, Kristianne from Whimsical Wanderings!!!! *applause fills the blogosphere* Y’all NEED to check out her blog and follow her right o’er here! Today I’m going to be sharing my writing process with all of you!!! Make sure to check out Kristianne’s site for the post where she shares her own writing process as well. These posts are really fun because it is SO cool how each writer has his/her own unique writing process. It also gives me a lot of relief to know I’m not the only one who doesn’t do my writing process like normal, sane people. Well, let’s do this!

MY WRITING PROCESs

STEP ONE

It all starts with that spark! Basically, the first question or idea that a new story could grow from. I’ll turn the idea over in my head for a few days/weeks/sometimes months, thinking plot and storyline over. Oftentimes I’ll be doing this while I’m in the middle of another book, so I know what to start next after I’ve completed that. So where do I get these ideas from? Honestly, ideas come from everywhere, but to be a little more specific….

INTO THE LAMP: The idea for this story first came to me when I was watching this movie with my fam. In the story, there was a kid who found a genie and it had more of a modern setting. Around this time, I had gotten obsessed really into Disney’s 2019 Aladdin movie. I mean, how could you not?

At the same time, Katherine had done this drawing of a girl genie dressed in pink, and I remember as the movie I watched with my fam ended, I had one thought: What if a teenage boy found a teen girl genie? And that thought moved to many thoughts: What if this girl genie was a “girly-girl”? How would the boy react to that? And that started the idea for Into the Lamp – my YA contemporary retelling of “Aladdin”!

HEIR TO HIS CROWN: So I had read this book once, and I just really didn’t like it. (In case there’s any fans of this series reading this, I shall refrain from stating what the book was.) However, I did like the idea of the princess in the story reclaiming her throne that had been overthrown and really wanted to write a book that basically fixed this book. (Yes, I’m that kind of writer. 😉 ) But, every time I got an idea it ended up being WAAAY too similar to that book. BUT then as I was watching Lord of the Rings are we seeing a trend of me watching movies and getting book ideas? and Aragorn was having to reclaim the crown of Gondor, it hit me! The problem with my story was that I was trying to write about a princess taking back her crown, and I kept reverting to that other story subconsciously. BUT if it was a prince instead, I would branch off and write my own story. And that’s what I did!

WHAT LAY BEYOND THE WOODS: Well, this story has a, er, complicated back story. I first got the idea sometime after reading the Ascendance Series by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I was sad to have the story finished, so I thought it was time to get to work on a novel set in the middle ages. I did some research into the middle ages and found some interesting information about serfs, and it gave me this whole story idea surrounded around Mawdelyn (and orphan girl) and Luther (a serf). Now, I know what yer thinking, where’s Robyn Hood. While, obviously the plot has changed drastically from my first couple of started but never finished drafts. After reading The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle, I decided to do a Robyn Hood retelling and What Lay Beyond the Woods came to be. Don’t worry Mawdelyn and Luther, y’all are still gonna show up in the story.

STEP TWO: 

Now, after I get that spark, I’ll normally do very minor plotting here. Basically this is where I lock myself in my room for hours and act out my entire story from beginning to end. (Just kidding, I normally do this over a few days/weeks and I actually do it during every spare moment I have, brushing my teeth, eating, when I’m supposed to be writing, etc.) Soooo long story short, I have always loved acting. I say I’m a decent actress and have done a lot of skits/plays at my church before!!!!!!!! Well, it’s just like me to find a way to incorporate acting with my writing. I’ll seriously “act out” just about every scene in my novels. (Which is why I’ve gotten a few bruises from the fight scenes…hey, no one said writing was easy. XD) (Fun fact: because I started Heir to His Crown during a writing competition, I actually skipped this part and have been going full-blown pantsing!!!!! Well, for the most part.)

STEP THREE:

This comes the part where I throw out all sanity and write until my heart’s content!

Now because I didn’t write any of my “plotting” ideas down, I truly end up forgetting them. All I know is an idea of the beginning, the ending, and a few awesome scenes in the middle. (Mainly, it’s only the really cool and/or important scenes that stick out.) So, when I sit down to write my first draft, I will often repeat step two while writing. What I mean by that is I will write chapter one, two, and three. Then while I’m working on these, I will be acting out what is going to happen in four and five. And so on until the end. (#PansterAllTheWay) I tend to write mostly neat, very fast first drafts. I can write a first draft in a month if need be, but I mostly try to range about 1-4 months for first drafts. Into the Lamp took me five months to do both first and second drafts. Heir to His Crown is probably only going to take four months on the fist draft, but writing’s been slower than I want with school and all. What Lay Beyond the Woods will probably take me the rest of my life. XD
STEP FOUR:

Now, after draft #1 is completed, I’ve normally already started number two. (Note: I normally don’t do these writerly things in the smart and wise way.) Sometimes I will be sharing the earlier chapters with people who have asked to see it and then I’ll be sending the second draft to beta readers!!!!!!!! I generally don’t do more than three drafts, just because the thought of a fourth draft is just 

but I do continue to edit my final draft a lot. Like how I recently finished edits for Into the Lamp and have been doing some more edits. ’cause I like to be working on my book all the time even if I’m not gonna do anything with it. 

STEP FIVE:

This is when I will send my story out to literary agents and stuff. Annnnnnnnnd then get a pile of rejections. But, hey, what mattered is that I tried, right? 😉 Hopefully one of these days this will be the spot for the publication process,

Well that’s my writing process!!!!!!!!!!

Well, that’s all I have for you today!!! THANK YOU SO SO SOOO MUCH for reading and don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments on your way out. 😉 

So in the comments lemme know: How many drafts do you do (or aim to do)? Have you ever completed a novel? (If not stay tuned for May when we have an awesome gal guest posting with tips to help you make it to the end of your novel.) Which of the three novels I talked about you’re most interested to read: Into the Lamp (YA fantastical contemporary retelling of Aladdin) Heir to His Crown (YA medieval fantasy) or What Lay Beyond the Woods (YA medieval reimagining of Robin Hood)?

Oh, and also, I’VE STARTED UP AN ONLINE MAGAZINE WITH MY FRIEND JANE!!!!!!! Eeekk!! It’s called The Book Nerd’s Press and its about all things bookish!! It’s a monthly magazine and you can download and read the first edition here: The Book Nerds’ Press .  

Issabelle Perry is a proud Jesus follower, an extroverted writer, and a homeschool graduate. When she's not writing, you can find her reading, jamming to Skillet, studying history, hunting for Narnia in wardrobes, or envisioning herself wielding a magnificent sword (but due to her clumsiness, let’s hope that never happens). This self-proclaimed exclamation mark enthusiast can be found hanging out at Teen Writers’ Nook, a community of teen authors Issabelle co-founded in 2020. She is the author of Don't Let Me Go (Sky's the Limit Press 2024), May We Make Them Proud (2023), and a co-editor for two anthologies. What she’s probably doing right now is fangirling about her favorite books to random people or scanning the pantries for chocolate.

43 Comments

  • Kristianne

    Thank you SO much for doing this with me, Issabelle!! This was so much fun! I loved reading about your writing process!! It’s so interesting to see how different our processes are! It sounds like you’re farther along in the process than I am . . . I haven’t even completed a full length novel yet! And that’s awesome that you’re able to complete your first draft so quickly . . . I wish I could do that! XD Your stories all sound AMAZING, especially Into the Lamp. I am dying to read it now!!!

    Thank you again for collaborating with me! <3

    • Issabelle

      Girl, you are SO welcome!!!!! YESSS!!!! It was!! I had such a fun time doing this! We should do more collabs in the future. 🙂 Aww, THANK YOU SOO MUCH, girl!!!! Yes, I TOTALLY agree!!! I love how unique and different each writer is, I think it just adds something to the stories they write. Haha, aww, well, you’ll definitely get there soon, I have absolutely no doubt of that!!!!!! I mean, you have too, because I REALLY wanna read your story!!! THANK YOU!!! It definitely has its perks, but as always, there are downsides. Like with Heir to His Crown, I wrote the first half so quickly and took a short break before starting the second half, that now I’ve forgotten what’s happened in the first half. XD Aww, girl, that just means SOO MUCH that you think so!!!!!! Aah, YESS!!!! I was *cough* secretly hoping we’d all be in agreement that Into the Lamp is THE BEST!!! It’s actually my favorite novel I’ve worked on. (Yes, I’m horrible ’cause I pick favorites XDD)

      You’re SO Welcome, girl! THANK YOU SOO MUCH for collaborating with me!!! <333

      • Kristianne

        Oh definitely, we should!!! Yes, it really does! Aww, thank you!! It means a lot to me that you would want to read it! Oh, and don’t worry. I pick favorites with my stories all the time! 😉

        • Issabelle

          YESSSSS!!!!! Oh, yeah!!!!! You’re so welcome, girl!!!!! Of course, I would!! I already know it’s gonna be AWESOME stuff!!!!!!!! Hehehehehe YESS!!!! Phew, I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one. 😉

  • Mahitha

    Wow, all of those steps are so similar to my writing process!!! The only reason I got the idea for MUTE was because I watched a movie (that is in a different language). It was more modern, but I sorta recreated it into a more “Wild-West” theme. XD You’re not the only insane person out there, Issabelle! (I’m more insane than ya think! 😂)

    Also, that magazine you made with Jane is AMAZING! It’s so great! You two should try something with it so that anyone who’s interested could subscribe to it!

    • Issabelle

      Wow, that is SOO AWESOME!!! *high fives* Haha, yes, it seems movie watching is the best way to get ideas!!!!!!! (Oh, wow, that’s SO cool!! I honestly couldn’t do that because my language is limited to English. XD) Ooooh, that is AH-MAY-ZING!!! I looove a good ole “Wild-West” themed story!!!!! 🙂 Aaahh, YESS!!! I feel like all writers have some insane side, just some people *cough* me *cough* embrace it more XD (Lol, honestly, girl, I have a whole lot more insanity than I show. 🤣)

      Aaah, THANK YOU SO SO SOOO MUCH, Mahitha!!!!!! Oooh, that’d be REALLY cool!!! I’m not sure how to do that, but I will DEFINITELY look into it!!!! <333

  • Corrie.S.P.

    I am looking foward to all three books! I love the alladin book and the adventures of Robbin Hood. You could voice record your ideas so you dont have to remember them whn you forget.

    • Issabelle

      Aww, THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, CORRIE!!!! That means SO MUCH to me!!! <3333 Aah YESS ALADDIN AND ROBIN HOOD ARE DA BEST!!!! *pumps fist in the air* Oooh, that is an AWESOME idea! THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!!

  • Jane

    It was so fun to read through your writing process!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey, there is no “normal” writing process. If there was every book would be similar!!!!!!! Also, I always love the GIFs, but these ones were just spot on!!!!!!! and that one with Jack Sparrow was hilarious and PERFECTLY placed!!!!!!! I laughed so hard when I saw it. XDD

    I’ve said it before and I say it again; INTO THE LAMP WILL BE PUBLISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP. DOUTING. YOURSELF!!!!!!!! I will force you to read an entire comment explaining why with a note at the end saying that I REALLY DO MEAN IT if you don’t!!!!!!!!! And I honestly might do it even if you do!!!!!!!!! It’s an INCREDIBLE story and you wrote it so well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Issabelle Marguerite (Oh yeah, I brought out the middle name. I’m THAT serious) Perry, I believe in you and everyone else who is following this blog does too!!!!!!!!!!! YOU. HAVE. GOT. THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!! <33333

    I definitely only do two (maybe three) drafts. Any more and I might be sick of my story. 😉

    I have not completed a novel, BUT, I've also never done any serious plotting for one either. I usually just get an idea, get out the basics and open my laptop. In this idea I'm working on write now, (get it? Its "WRITE now" instead of "RIGHT now" I just had to put it in there. XD) and I've started writing and I have a pretty good idea of where I want the plot to go, but my characters are CHANGING THE ENTIRE STORYLINE!!!!!!! *Sighs and shakes head* Faye was right on track and then Kage came in and completely threw me off.

    Ooh, I cant wait for it!!!!!!!! I definitely need it right now. 🙂

    ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!? You actually expect me to be able to CHOOSE ONE that I like better!?!? *Thinks really really really hard about it* *trys to choose* *brain refuses to choose just one* *brain explodes* I can't choose all of them? *goes to Issabelles characters* *kinda regrets going* *keeps going any way* *talks to Colin* Colin said that his story is the best and that Robyn's and Keenum's stories aren't worth my time. *Talks to Robyn* Robyn says that her story is wwwaaaaayyyy better than the boys stories and that choosing one of their stories will come with consequences. *Talks to Keenum* Keenum said he was to busy to care about which story I choose because he was in a predicment that Issabelle MIGHT have put him in. Although he did say that his story is clearly better because it doesn't involve silly stuff like genies and creepy sheriffs.
    Okay, so from gathering all of the data, I have chosen. . . all of them!!!!!!!! *groans from Issabelle and all of Issabelles characters* Okay, fine, If I must get more detailed, I like all of them but for different reasons.
    INTO THE LAMP: I like this because its not an overdone retelling. infact, I'd never heard of alladen retellings before Into The Lamp. And I also REALLY like how you've written it.
    HEIR TO HIS CROWN: I like this one because I LOVED the false prince and this story reminded me of it, but also because it was such a neat idea. I also have a soft spot for snarky characters and keenum is the perfect mix of caring and snary and I LOVE IT!!!!!
    WHAT LAY BEYOND THE WOODS: Well the name is super cool to start things off, but I'm quite the fan of books where people switch boy MCs with girl MCs and you did an AMAZING job of that for this one. And, I mean, Its a girl who lives in the ofrest and has a bow and arrow, how could you NOT like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    (*cough* Into The Lamp is a favorite of mine though *Cough cough* Don't tell anyone.)

    It was so much fun working with you on the magazine!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad I got to do it with you!!!!!!!!! I can't wait for the next addition!!!!!! <3333

    • Issabelle

      Aww, Jane, A HUNDRED MILLION THANK YOUS!!!!!!!! Yep, you said it girl! Aah, THANK YOU!!!! Yes, I was having a *bit* too much fun with de GIFs this time!!! I probably overdid it, but hey, you truly can’t have one too many GIFs. YESSS!!!! JACK SPARROW GIF WAS HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!! Aaah, YEAA!!!! *high fives*

      Aww, girl, SO MANY THANK YOUS!!!!! I just cannot begin to explain how much your awesome support means to li’l ole me. These doubts are just sooo hard to stop coming. *sigh* Hahahaha, girl, alllll the times you’ve given me support, encouragement, or done your amazing lists why Into the Lamp will be published is probably enough to fill a book. (A book I’m probably always gonna need, so you may need to publish it. 😂😂) Uh-oh, she’s brought out the middle name, people! XD THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SOOOO MUCH!!!!!! It means more than words can ever say!!!!!!!!!!!! <333 *infinite hearts*

      Haha, I soo feel ya, girl!!!! I used to only do one or two, but it seems the more I write, the more drafts I do. XD

      YESSSS!!!! Girl, THAT'S LIKE THE BEST WRITING PROCESS EVER!!!! 😉 (Also, I have complete faith that one of these days you WILL finish that novel!!!!!! I'm saving all da chocolate for that day.) Lol, girl, I LOOVE your write instead of right. Honestly, I've done that before, but it was more of an accident and not on purpose. XD *gasp* NO WAY!!! Aah, soo get ya there. Keenum changed my whole plot line around when I began writing it and it was fun but frustrating at the same time. XDD Lol, YESS I LOOVE KAGE!!!!! *makes sure Jane isn't looking* *secretly gives Kage a high five*

      YAAY!!! Me neither!!! <33 SAME!!!! <33

      Er, yes??? *waits for Jane to choose* *gets mildly concern when Jane's brain explodes* Lol, well, going to my characters probably isn't gonna help the matter, but oh, well. We shall see what they have to say. *grabs bucket of popcorn, knowing this is gonna be interesting* XD Girl, you are SPOT ON with my characters!!!! Colin would sooo say his is the best and y'know it's just like Robyn to start threatening some stuff. XD Aaaaah, YESSS!!!! That just sounds like what Keenum would say, too!!!! XD Girl, you know my characters really well!!!!
      YESSS!!!! That's probably the safest choice. 😉 *warily glances at Robyn's bow* Lol!!! YESS!!!! Girl, I adored this comment sooooo much!!!! *high five* You should literally be queen of the comments, because yours are always some of the best!!!!!!!
      Aah, that's some of my FAVORITE stuff about Into the Lamp, besides Colin and Genie obviously. 😉 There's only about a small handful of Aladdin retellings out there in the YA and MG genres.
      Girl, it is the GREATEST honor for someone to say one of my stories made them think of The False Prince!!!!! Aaah, YESS!!!! That was what I LOOVED the most about Keenum is that he's one of my few characters who actually has a very prominent soft side. (But, yes, y'know I love my snarky characters.)
      YESSS!!!!!!! It took me FOREVER to get a good name for this story and I LOOVE IT SOO MUCH!!!!!! *gasp* SAME, girl!!!! *high fives* Yes, I know right!! How could you NOT!!!!!!!!!
      (*cough* Into the Lamp is a favorite of mine, too. Gonna be honest, sometimes I get REALLY mad at my stories if I think something in it is getting cooler than Into the Lamp. What? I'm weird. XD Hehehe..I won't. XD)

      YESS GIRL IT WAS!!!!!!!!! Aww, SAME, sis!!!!! <3333 YEAAAA!! Next edition here we come!! WOOHOOOO!!!!!

  • Rayna

    YAYYYYY I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO ACTS OUT THEIR SCENES *high-five*
    Seriously though, I do this so often. The best of us do it, riiight? ..right?
    I also get ideas from books and movies! I’ve *cough* /started/ several story retellings.
    Apart from the first two steps though, our processes are quite different. I’m a plotter all da’ way!

    • Issabelle

      YESSSSS!!!!!! *high fives* It always is sooo reliving that there ARE some normal people who act out their scenes too. XD Aah YES SAME HERE!!!!! In fact, anytime I say I’m “minor plotting” a novel, that’s what Imma doing. XD Lol, YESS!!!! The best of us totally do it!!! Aah, that is AMAZING!!! Books and movies are really the best places to get ideas nowadays. *gasp* Really??!! THAT IS SOOO COOL!!!!! Ooh awesome!! It’s soo cool how different and unique every writers process is. Aaah, man, I have SUCH high respect for plotters!!! Y’all are AWESOME!!! <33

  • Gemma

    Hi Issabelle!!!!!!!! This was so great and helpful 🙂😀 (also now I know I’m not the only person who does weird things while plotting 😅)
    You’re asking me to CHOOSE between your three stories?!?!?!?!?! And you expect me to actually make a decision?????!!!!!!!!!!!!????????!!!!!!!!! *Sits on a rock and ponders the question for a good long time* I can’t decide. I WANNA READ ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    “Too much?” ~LeFou
    “Yup.” ~Gaston

    This quote has never applied more….
    Keep going Issabelle your doing great and you have us all on the edge of our seats! *whispers* that’s what writers are supposed to do, yes?????

    Also I wanna know what book you read!!!!!!!! I have a book addiction!!!!!

    • Issabelle

      Heya, Gemma!!! Aww, I am just SOOO HAPPY to hear that, girl!!!! (Lol, yes, is is SUCH a relief knowing I’m not the only one. XD)
      Um….yeees? *evil laughter sounds in the distance* Hahaha, girl, this comment is just HILARIOUS! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 *waits as Gemma ponders the question for a good long time* *grabs a bucket of popcorn and reads a book* *gets excited when it looks like she’s made a decision* *eagerly anticipates to hear her answer* Hahaha, aahh, I shoulda see that coming. XDDD

      Lol YESS!!!! That quote has never applied more!!!!!!!!
      Aww, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!! YESS!!! That is EXACTLY what writers are supposed to do! It’s our speciality.

      You mean the book I read that I didn’t like that helped inspire Heir to His Crown? Hehehehe, aaah, I feel ya, I have a book addiction too! XD

      • Gemma

        Yeah I thought it was hilarious too 🤣.
        Yeah you should’ve seen it coming everyone who knows me is very annoyed with the fact that I’m terrible at making decisions 😆
        Yeah I should’ve seen that coming, answering a question with a question is genius, but yeah, that book. I read anything that sounds remotely interesting and if I end up not liking it I’m just like
        “Oh well! 😄
        And I go onto the next one.

        The story of my life……..

        “I will Winkle it out of you.”
        “She’s horribly good at Winkling.”…
        “None of us have any secrets here Miss Dashwood.”
        “Or if we do we don’t keep them for long.”

        I’m pretty sure that’s how that quote goes…. and I will find out that book 😏

        • Issabelle

          YEAAAA!!!!!! 🤣
          Hahaha, you’re right, I should have. XD Lol, that’s a lot how Katherine is. I’ll be asking my sistas what their favorite book is, everyone says it and then when I get to Kat, she’s ALWAYS like she doesn’t choose favorites. XDDD
          Aaah, yep, you should have. I am quite a genius when I wanna be. XDD Lol, aaaahh, girl, this comment is HILARIOUS!! XD LOOOVE IT!!!! Alright, you win. The book was…
          The book was…
          It was…
          Wassss….
          ….
          Okay, it was Ash Princess by Laura Sebastion. *probably spelled her name wrong* The reason I really disliked it was ’cause (1) the characters were flat and annoying (2) there was a LOT of content I did not like, waaaay too many cuss words and some scenes that hinted some REALLY immoral stuff, which I won’t say in case of younger eyes reading this. 😉 (3) I’m never into stories that have a lot of talk about false gods (4) It was a NYT besteller, I know that’s a ridiculous reason, but I get really annoyed with suuuper popular books, don’t ask me why. (Though we make exceptions for Lord of the Rings and The False Prince.)
          Well, you won. Congratulations!!!! XD

          • Gemma

            Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee……

            Hmmmmmmm…… that’s an interesting title now I know to avoid it 😏 thanks.
            Yeah we make exceptions. I still have to read The False Prince… it’s on my TBR list

            • Issabelle

              YYYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
              Hahaha, yes avoid it at all possible costs. XDD np! *gasp* GIRL YOU HAVE TO READ THE FALSE PRINCE SOON!!!!!!!!! That book is just amazing!!!!! <333

  • Miles Lawson

    I enjoyed reading through your writing process. We read so many books and courses on THE WAY things must be done, that we forget we all bring our own differences and creativity. Acting out the scenes in your novel… that’s a new one for me. I like the idea!

    • Issabelle

      Aww, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, Miles!!!!! Aaah, I feel ya, bro. That was honestly what kept me away from writing for a looong time because I always thought I had to plot things before writing them, and I was a kid who got bored easily. XD But yeah, when I learned about pantsing that is really what brought me back to writing. Haha, yeah, you don’t meet too many writers who act out scenes. XD What can I say? I’m weird. Aww, THANK YOU!!!! Oh and THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for reading and commenting!!!!!!

  • Katherine

    I LOVED reading about your writing process, Is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😃 I’ve never completed a novel, sooo I’m not sure how many drafts I would do.🤔 Girl, ALL THREE of your novels sound so INTERESTING; I can’t pick just one! Oh, and I LOVED that Pirates of the Caribbean gif!!!!!!!!!🤣🤣

    Also, CONGRATULATIONS to you and Jane for publishing an online magazine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😃🎉😃🎉🎂🎂🎂😃🎉😃🎉🎂🎂🎂 I’M SO EXCITED TO READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *jumps up and down for eternity* *wonders how I can read something while I’m jumping for eternity* *shrugs and attempts to do it anyway* Jane and Is, I am SO HAPPY for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😃💗 *gives you cake* You go, girls!!!!!!!!!<3<3

  • Diamond

    I’m interested in all of your novels!

    My process is like…get idea, plot out a tiny bit(only enough to start), write a fraction of draft one, move on to another project…XD
    I’ve like, never finished a novel….
    I think part of it is that I want to share my writing with people and so I focus on short stories for my blog. Or, I guess blog serials? I don’t know what to call them to be honest. I guess one of them *will* be almost a full length novel by the time it’s finished.

    • Issabelle

      Aww, girl, A HUNDRED MILLION THANK YOUS!!!!!!!!! <33

      Haha, girl, I like soooo feel ya there!!! I have done that with SOO MANY NOVELS, it's crazy!!!! In fact, that was basically what happened with a couple of novel ideas I've recently gotten. 😉
      sister, I sooo feel you. It is SO HARD to finish a novel. It took me forever before I could find a way to get myself motivated to "the end" and even then it doesn't last, as seen via my lack of desire to write fourth drafts (especially when some peeps I know write like seven or eight). XD I soo get that. That's kinda why I start sharing my stories with people before they're ever completely written. Though, girl, if you're ever wanting to share anything with me, just send 'em on. I'd be MORE THAN HAPPY to read anything you've written. 🙂 <33 Hey, blog serials still TOTALLY count!!!!!

  • Joy Caroline

    Great post, Issa! I’ve got to head over and read Kristianne’s post as soon as I can. It’s always interesting to hear about other writers’ processes, especially since everyone’s process is usually very different.

    Okay, so… for my St. Paul Biblical fiction I expect to write at least 500 drafts before I’m ready to send it off to agents. Issa, I wonder what GIF you would use to describe your reaction to that, since it’s 4 drafts times 125 drafts! Honestly, I used to be so impatient, but now I’m thoroughly enjoying this amazing journey with God, and letting him lead me. I see myself working on this project for many years before I’m ready to send to agents, for a number of reasons. The most important being that God is telling me to take it slow, and I’ve got to listen. My topic is a sacred one, and I believe I have a lot of spiritual maturing and learning to do. I have completed many novels before, but none were written with the conscious decision to honor God through my writing.

    I’m so excited to see where you go next in your writing journey! All your stories are so fun and unique, and the magazine looks so fun! All your books will turn out wonderfully because God has plans for your writing. God bless!

    • Issabelle

      THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, JOY!!!!!!!!!!!! Oooh, yes, it was AWESOME!!!!! Oh, yeah, I TOTALLY agree!! I love how unique and different every writer is. And I just sometimes think that God designed us each with the writing process that would most benefit the stories we write. Like you writing Biblical fiction it works much better that you’re a plotter and not a pantser while my novels are better written the way they are than if they were another way.

      Uh….Yeah, I’m not gonna think about how much I’d lose my mind (more than already XD) if I did that much. But good luck!!!!!! I SERIOUSLY respect anyone who can even THINK about doing that!!! Aww, well, I think that is WONDERFUL!!!!!! Yes, well y’know I’m cheering you on whichever way God leads you to go!! 💕💕💕

      Aww, girl, A HUNDRED THANK YOUS!!!!!!!!!! Gurl, you are TOO SWEET!!!!! 😊 THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! Girl, I think you have more confidence in my writing than I do. I’m not quite sure yet if God does have any plans beyond what has already happen, but we shall see. THANK YOU!!!!! God bless you too, girl!!! THANKS for stopping by and I’m SOO SORRY for my delayed response. 🙂

  • Trixie M.

    I like your routine! I haven’t ever finished writing a book, but lots of short stories. I wrote one recently about a fantasy kingdom, a boy wanting revenge, and a princess wanting out of ruling that I’m really proud of, and excited because I’m gonna have it published in my school’s “Literary magazine,” which is basically a collection of stories and and poems from people at my school. And I have to say: can you please(once you have enough time) write another chapter for What Lay Beyond the Woods? I miss Robyn..;) but take your time, I understand busy-ness

    • Issabelle

      THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, TRIXIE!!!!!!! Hey, short stories STILL count as completed work!!!! Ooooh, girl, that story sounds AH-MAY-ZING!!!!! TOTALLY one I’d read!!!! *gasp* GIRL NO WAY!!!! WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME ABOUT THIS SOONER!!!!!! Girl, I am just BEYOND happy and proud of you!!!! WOOHOOO!!! *showers you with chocolate and throws a celebration party* This is like THE MOST exciting thing I’ve heard all day!!!!!! Eeeekkk!!!!! *hugs* Aww, girl, I will DEFINITELY do that!!! I’ve actually been working on the next chapter, so keep an eye out for it next week (hopefully). Aww, girl, it means SO MUCH to know you miss Robyn, that means she’s doing her job at being an awesome character. 😉 Truth is, the reason why I haven’t posted a chapter is because I’ve not had any motivation to work on it, but I will get it up asap for you, girl!!!!! <333

      • Trixie M.

        You are so welcome!! Oh my gosh, Thanks!! It means so much that you’re that happy for me!! The chocolate and the party were amazing!!* gives you more chocolate*
        Yay!! More Robyn! The reason I miss her so much is because you wrote her so well 😉 I’m flattered that you would go to that much trouble for me! Thanks again!! :)) <33

        • Issabelle

          Girl, you are so welcome!!!!! AWw, well of course I’d be happy, Trixie is getting something published how could I NOT be happy???
          Aaah, yes, why thank you. I am the best when it comes to throwing virtual parties. XD *happily accepts and eats dee chocolate*
          YESSSS!!!!!!! Awww, girl, this…this has just MADE MY DAY!!!! THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! I honestly didn’t think anyone was enjoying the story which is kinda why I stopped. 🙂 Girl, you’ve been like one of my most dedicated supporters, if there’s anything I could do for you, I’d do it in a heartbeat!!!!!!!! You’re so welcome! Thank YOU for everything you do!!!!!!! <3333

  • Victoria

    ISSABELLE!!!! This was such an awesome post!!! I LOVED reading about your writing process!

    That’s SOOO cool how you act out your stories (and have acted in some of your church plays before)!!!!! I don’t really physically act my stories, but I do “act” them out in my head (and have dubbed them “Mind Plays”). XD
    How many drafts do I plan to do? Hehehehehe, how about one? XD *cough* I’ve actually never been committed to finishing any of the novels I’ve started (I have written and finished short stories before), but I’m REALLY gonna try hard to get at least a full first draft done for BTL (even if it takes me till I’m 90)!!! XP
    ARRGGGGGHHH, girl, this question should be illegal! XD I wanna read ALLLL of your WIPs!!!! BUUUT, if I had to choose, I’d go with Into the Lamp (because I NEED to read more about Colin and Genie)! ;P
    *Gasps super loudly* YOU STARTED A MAGAZINE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! AHHHH!!!!! This is so AWESOMELY EPIC!!!!! I CAN’T WAIT to read it!!!!! Also, your GIFs, as always, were an ABSOLUTE HOOT!!!! XDDD

    • Issabelle

      Aww, Victoria, THANK YOU SO SO SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Girl, I’m a SO HAPPY to hear!!!!

      Hehehehe…yes it is quite unique. XD (Girl, you should see me in the plays at my church!! I’m kinda famous for them. 😉 ) Hey, girl, that’s still an AWESOME thing!!!!!! I think that’s a good thing to do ’cause it helps you see the setting well. (lol, YESS!!! I LOVE THAT!!!!)
      Aaah, that’s like every writers wish. XD Aaaah, well, short stories STILL count!!!!!!! YESSS GIRL I HAVE NO DOUBT YOU’LL BE ABLE TO FINISH BTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it will be AWESOME when you do!!!! <333 (Hehehehe...hey, it's good to have some serious dedication XD)
      *evil laughter heard in the distance* XDD Aww, girl, that means SO SO SOO MUCH!!!!!! AAAAH YESSSS!!!!!! Into the Lamp is *cough* my favorite novel I've written, so I am TOTALLY okay if that's the one you wanna read more. 😉 (YESSS COLIN AND GENIE ARE DA BEST!!!!!!)
      *gasps even louder* YESSSSS I did!!!!! Aww, girl, A HUNDRED MILLION THANK YOUS!!!!!!! Eeeekkk, YESS!!!! I hope you'll enjoy it!!!! <3333 Aaah, THANK YOUS!!!! I really enjoyed the gifs this time. (probably waaay too much XD) I feel like its the best gif post I've done yet. (and now I must top it. you have been warned)

  • Alexa

    This was AWESOME to see your writing process! That is so true, all stories start with a spark, that ah-ha moment! It is the best feeling to have a new story idea and the best feeling to complete your first draft! *Gasps* You started a magazine!! I LOVE IT! IT’S AWESOME! I saw the events page the other day and I was super excited for Jennifer’s webinar. Well, yesterday I got on the computer at 7:00, bouncing in my seat ready to start. And then…………………………………… I figured out that, that was 7:00 EASTERN TIME. And so I should have been on at 5:00. SOOOOOO, I missed it XD. Did you go? Anyway, I love the magazine and will TOTALLY be waiting happily for the next volume! Great job Issa and Jane! Keep going!

    • Issabelle

      THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, ALEXA!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that is how all great stories must start. AAAHH YESS IT IS!!!! It’s that moment where anything and everything is possible. Girl, completing the first draft is like the best thing ever!!!!! *gasp loudly* Yes, yes I have. AAAHH THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO (well, you get the point XD) MUCH!!!!!!!!! Aaaahh, girl, that is horrible. I am so SO sorry!! It was AWESOME!!!!! (And that is a good example why I loove living in the Eastern Time Zone XD) Oooof, that’s too bad. Yep, I was there. And Kat actually won a signed copy of The Captive Kingdom, too!!! THANK YOU SOO MUCH, girl!!!!!!!! Eeeekk YESS!!!!! <333

  • Lrose5

    Ohh, thanks for sharing!!! I want to know, what is that book series you hate? (about the princess) XD and I realized, i need to start using gifs in posts!! XD There are so many good ones that make the post more fun! XD

    • Issabelle

      You’re welcome, girl!!!!!! Er, well, let me first admit the reason why I don’t like it very much (I can’t actually “hate” books) is just ’cause it’s got a lotta immoral stuff in it but also because the main character was pretty much a coward, in my opinion and pretty annoying. But it was Ash Princess by Laura Sebastion. Girl, you TOTALLY should!!!! GIFS ARE DA BEST!!!!! YESSSS!!!! I totally 100% agree!!! *high fives*

  • Ribbon Ash

    I love hearing about your writing process! It’s so interesting you act out everything for your story. Also, I really enjoyed getting to read about what inspired you to write your current stories. I love hearing about what caused the writer to write their stories in the beginning! I want to one day share these things for my own stories but I have so many story ideas that are constantly changing that I think I will forget what actually started them for most of them. XD
    And I do not have a writing process yet. I’m still experimenting what works for me and honestly it changes for each story. The only thing that is the same or similar is how I get inspired for the story in the first place.
    Also I am 100% willing to do a million drafts if it means it will be the best book for traditional publishing. I want Smoke’s story to be my debut, but I am aware that I just don’t have enough writing experience to be publishable so it’s very likely that this story will need to go through many drafts and that’s okay. But it’s understandable if you can’t or don’t want to do that. That’s okay too. I’m just very stubborn for this story and don’t want to give up on it ever (unless God says so). Which I just have the feeling that I will need to go through many drafts for that happen, you know. I’m also okay if Smoke’s story won’t be my debut in the end. If it just means I can publish it some time in my life, I will be happy forever. I might even consider going Indie for just for this story if somehow it isn’t suitable for traditional. There are so many stories I have that I don’t care if they don’t get publish. But this story is different. It’s my heart and soul and I really want to share it with the world.
    Anyway, here’s a comment where I basically just rambled about random writing stuff. XD

    • Issabelle

      Awwww, THANK YOU SO MUCH, girl!!!!!!!! Ooo, you think so? I’m actually glad you said it was “interesting” instead of “weird”. XD Eeee, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! Oo, yea, I am the SAME way. I always like knowing what made the writer think to write that story, especially when the ideas are pretty genius!!!! Oooo, girl, you SHOULD!!!! Lol, like, I SO get that. The other day I was just thinking about where did I get the idea for one of my stories (and my brain is so terrible at remembering anything, I’ve actually forgotten what that story even was. 😅)

      Hey, that’s TOTALLY okay, girl!!! I’m actually still trying new things out to my writing process to help improve it and all that stuff. AND YES I COULDN’T AGREE MORE!!!!! EVERY single story of mine STILL requires its own unique process. Like how I did character profiles for In Pursuit of Hope when I don’t normally do that. Or how I’m actually doing some minor plotting on one of my high fantasy novel ideas. Aaah, that’s SO cool to hear!!!!!!
      Girl, I seriously admire that!!!!! I can’t imagine the patience it must take, but it just shows you how much you love your story, which I think is AMAZING!!!!!!!! *whispers* I really hope Smoke’s story is your debut, too!!!! Honestly, girl, can I just say how much I truly admire your willingness to let God take your story where He wants to go, but also at the same time, you’re still fighting for your story. I just think that is both incredible AND inspiring!!!!!!!!! And, girl, if that story is your heart and soul, that means that the world NEEDS you to share it with them!!! (I know I do. XD)
      Hahaha, girl, that is TOTALLY OKAY!!!! I have been known for my many rambling comments, and I actually like those kinds of comments. So, yeah.

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