What I Do Before I Start A Writing Project

So today, I'm going to talk about the first couple of things I do before I start a writing project before I even begin thinking of writing the words 'Chapter 1'. Let's get into it.

1. Make a playlist

I'm one of those writers who likes to write to music and as much as I love using those study and reading playlists on Youtube, or just putting on a random album to write to (I've had Midnights on repeat this Nanowrimo), I always curate a playlist to match the mood, characters or plot in my project. Sometimes when I'm stuck on a scene I just listen to the playlist while doing something completely different and usually I get a breakthrough.

2. Make a Pinterest Board

Now I'll be the first to admit that descriptions are what I find the hardest to write, so having a visual prompt helps in that sense and they are just fun to make. If you're a very visually orientated person you can take this a step further and make collages, mood boards, or aesthetic boards for your book or your characters.

3. I outline my project

I am planster, so I have a vague outline of where my story is going but there are some things that come in the writing process.

Though I do love the surprise of writing, having some plan makes it easier to spot plot holes, inconsistencies, and things that just plain don't work and it saves time than having to delete entire chapters I've already written.

4. Research

I do most of my research after I've written my first draft because that is when I know what I really need to go into detail on whether it's some kind of weapon or political system but I do make sure that I do research before I start. For instance, my next novel takes place on an airship, so I researched famous airships in history and their interiors. So Google searches, extracts from books and videos are my go-to's.

So those are what I do before I start a writing project. What do you? Let me know in the comments below.