Snowflake Challenge 2026 #8

[bedes]

Challenge #8

Talk about your creative process.

I could've answered with a few different creative processes (art, editing, coding, essay writing, etc), but ended up going with fanfic writing, because it's definitely the most uniform!

1) Inspiration
Sometimes, the ideas that pop into my head get added to my big document of fic ideas to write at a later date! Other times, it takes over my soul and torments me until I exorcise it via writing.

1.5) Make sure that you take your attention medication on the day(s) that you're planning to work

2) Outline
Basically every writing community I've joined seems to expect outlines to come in paragraphs. My outlines, however, have always come in bullet point lists. This stage is extremely informal, to the point that I will often slip in little jokes for myself. (Probably my favorite example: a bullet point dedicated to the statement, "KEEP IT LIGHTHEARTED, YOU ANGST-LOVING FUCK!!")

Sometimes, I'll have multiple bullet point lists. The one that I always have is the plot outline. Other, optional lists include inspiration for the intended tone (lines from movies, poetry, etc), ideas I'd like to touch on at some point without knowing where they would fit (for example: "I'd like to imply that this character has (XYZ disorder)," when that's not the focus of the fic), and/or notes on the research I've done for the fic. (Research is a part of the outlining phase, as well, when applicable!)


3) Character voices
I refer to this step as "pickling my brain in the characters' voices." I will reread their dialogue/rewatch scenes with them in it immediately before I begin the first draft, focusing on their speech mannerisms and word choices. I may even take notes on characterization! (Yet another potential bullet point list! God, I love making lists.)

4) First draft completion
The actual writing part! This is always done in one sitting. "Azure, that's not very healthy-" I know, but I really do I have to complete it in one sitting, or it will immediately be added to the perpetual WIP graveyard the second I take a break. My ADHD sort of turns me into a shark, in that way – gotta keep moving or I'll die! I also take care to never edit, as I am still writing. Otherwise, I'll end up in an endless loop of editing (and decidedly Not writing).

5) First editing pass (second draft)
I read through what I've written once, to try and catch, then fix, any typos, misspellings, or grammatical errors. I take notes on what I would like to see fixed before completion.

6) Second editing pass (beta reader)
This is where my hubby comes in! I send him the current version of the work, along with the notes of what I'd like to see fixed. (Example: "The beginning feels a bit weak. Do you have any advice for strengthening it?") Zie is great with balancing concrit and suggestions with compliments and gushing, which makes me super happy and very motivated to continue! Plus, xe reads a lot and is super opinionated. Xyr the best beta reader I've ever had. (And I don't even think that's entirely my obvious bias talking, lol!)

7) Implementation (final draft)
At this point, I implement the advice given to me by my husband into the work, which then becomes the final draft! It is at this point that I post the final work.

Miscellaneous Further Detailing
What's detailed above is my process for one-shots. For multichapter fics, I follow this process, too, except chapter-by-chapter. I wouldn't call myself a pantser for the overall multichap work, though, because I always know where the fic is going, how many chapters there will be and what key things need to happen in each one, and how it will end!

In terms of titles: I try my best to come up with the final title before working on the fic. Every time I've given a fic a "working title", so that I could write it, I end up not being able to come up with anything better and keeping it. I do come up with a better title after using a working title sometimes, but I can count the amount of times that has happened on one hand. Plus, a title really helps set the mood, y'know? The title is usually either created near the start of the outlining phase, or during the inspiration phase, before I've written anything down.

Comments

[sarajayechan]

3) Character voices
I refer to this step as "pickling my brain in the characters' voices." I will reread their dialogue/rewatch scenes with them in it immediately before I begin the first draft, focusing on their speech mannerisms and word choices. I may even take notes on characterization! (Yet another potential bullet point list! God, I love making lists.)

I do that too, sometimes I'll canon review or watch clips online so I can hear the voices more clearly in my head!