Navigating the Writing Process: Insights from S.L. Arrington

I thought that some might find it interesting to know how I came about writing my first novel and what the process looks like from the standpoint of 'the story'.

I have noticed that most of my ideas result from day-to-day interactions or life events combined with my mood in that specific moment. For example, I might see young man walking down the road with a backpack over his shoulder.  If I am in a happy or romantic mood, I could imagine that he’s doing everything he can to trek across the country, using every means available to him, to surprise his true love.  If I am in a melancholy mood, I might imagine that he’s low on resources and doing everything he can to make it across the country to see his ailing mother before she passes away.  If I am in a sinister or dark mood, I might imagine that this guy is traveling across the country like a nomad, choosing his victims randomly before continuing his journey to his next destination.

Do I write all of them down? Lord no. This happens so often that I couldn’t possibly record or document every one of them. If one of these situations peaks my own interest, then I will create a cover file for it.  That file will contain the general subject of the story, the time period and possibly a few character ideas.  The high-level plot must then be captured, refined, imagined in my mind from start to finish. Then I will start with the first chapter, that probably won't be the first chapter when I am done, but more like the third or fourth chapter. The story, its characters, conflicts, sub-plots, emotional journey for the reader, all of it, must be developed through different inspiration. I realized that my best inspiration for the details of the story and emotions of the plot are best derived from music. You heard me right, music. I have found that if I search for key words, places, events, or emotions themselves, I will stumble across music that will open the flood gates to my mood and really get the creative juices flowing. And that is truly how the writing experience begins for me.