My current book in progress started in a blank journal in July of 2021. All this time later, it is still a work in progress. In terms of book-length work that people consider the only mark of making it as a writer, I’ve only achieved that feat one time here, and it was nearly ten years ago. Still, I write. I continue to write in this current book.

The book of devotions, turned spiritual memoir, started as outlines and short essays in this pictured, opened notebook. Sometimes, I couldn’t get to the next chapter, but I had time to write. I just had to free write what was around me in the space to get the pen moving. The outline sometimes feels too rigid and that is when I get stuck and free write my way out of it. That is almost always my process: start with a free write session, then turn to intentional creative work. Even on days that I do not have time for much creative writing, I free write in a composition notebook. My advice to writers starting out, date everything. (Those years slide by fast!) I think of my journals as a painter likely thinks of their sketch pads, a starting point. A place to practice before committing paint to canvas.

Pictured is a page from the journal about a month after starting it. I am rereading the journal to see if there are pieces that deserve to be woven into the manuscript, now on its third draft on a word document. This journal page does not fit in the book, but it is a beautiful blurb on the process.

In part, It’s an overcast morning about 730 at the lake house. Everyone is sleeping. There are no distractions this Saturday morning. It is misting outside, and I find it beautifully calming. Regarding my book, the doubt has started to settle in, but after a few days of morning pages and a new jogging routine, I think I can resume the project. …. I started this project about a month ago, free writing. Freewriting is when I enjoy writing the most, the soft glide of pen on paper, the rhythm of my breath settling in the chaos of my mid making way to page purging the stories, thoughts, insecurities to the ink.

That’s it, just a reminder of the process of writing. It is a mental reminder as to why I do the work of a writer. Simply, because I love it. I love the solitude, the practice, and marking time in place.

In between the journaling about the process, there are large chunks of usable material that get typed into the manuscript. I use a Word Doc for the draft and Excel for the outline. I love to measure progress, so I also have an excel sheet with date and word count. I lost about 5,000 words in editing the second draft. So sad to kill my darlings, but if the words don’t move the story forward or adhere to the theme of the work, they must be sacrificed. By eliminating those 5,000 words, I was able to get back to the bones and have since filled the space with new sections that are better than the departed.

I’ve mentioned I keep other journals for other things. I like to think of this journal as my brainstorming notebook for this one specific book project. How do you write content and keep track of book-length projects? I love my process, but am always interesting in learning tips and tricks from other authors.