I Write by the Seat of My Pants!

Every writer has their own way of doing things. There's no right or wrong way to write a novel, any more than there's a right or wrong way to make a sandwich. You find what works for you and get on with it.
My writing technique is probably best described as making it up as I go along. An idea pops into my head, and before I can talk myself out of it, I start writing. I don't plan the plot, draw up chapter outlines, or create a complicated chart showing who does what to whom. I simply begin. Where is the story going? I haven't a clue. How will it end? Your guess is as good as mine.
I let my characters take the lead. They sometimes surprise me, occasionally cause me problems, and every now and then seem determined to make life difficult. But that's part of the fun. I'm discovering the story at the same time the reader will.
Of course, the first draft is rarely a masterpiece. In fact, calling it a masterpiece would be rather generous. It's more like the beginning of a painting—start with a pencil drawing, fill in the details with colour and personality, and make changes. That's what editing is for.
I wouldn't dream of publishing a first draft. It needs rewriting, polishing, checking, and probably a good deal of muttering along the way. I suspect most writers would agree.
So, how does Stephen King do it?
I was pleased to discover that my approach shares something with Stephen King, one of the most successful novelists in the world.
King is often described as a pantser—a writer who flies by the seat of their pants rather than following a carefully prepared plan. Instead of plotting every twist and turn in advance, he starts with a situation and sees where it takes him.
Imagine beginning with something as simple as a mysterious dome landing over a small town. What happens next? You start writing and find out.
That's the sort of approach I can relate to. Give me an interesting situation, a few characters, and a blank page, and I'm happy. I don't need to know how everything will turn out before I begin. If I did, I might lose the pleasure of finding out.
There is, however, one rather significant difference between Stephen King and me. He has written more than eighty books and hundreds of short stories, and he has the experience and resources to work at a pace that would leave me exhausted just thinking about it. Some of his novels have been written remarkably quickly. Me? I take considerably longer.
I don't have the luxury of paying an editor to go through my manuscript or hiring a professional proofreader to catch every misplaced comma. Instead, I rely on Grammarly, plus I ask a good friend to read my work before it goes anywhere near publication.
Her input is invaluable. She sees things I miss, questions things I take for granted, and brings a perspective I simply don't have. As a mother, she sometimes spots things about family relationships and behaviour that might otherwise pass me by.
I'm grateful for her help, even when it means going back to the keyboard and changing something I thought was perfectly acceptable. The joy of not knowing
The thing I enjoy most about writing this way is that I never quite know what's coming next. I'm not merely telling a story; I'm discovering it. And if a character decides to do something unexpected, I don't automatically drag them back to the plot I never planned in the first place!
I realise this method won't suit everyone. Some writers need a detailed plan before they write a single sentence. Others, like me, prefer to jump in and see where the current takes them.
Neither approach is better than the other. The important thing is to find a method that works for you.
Still, I have to smile when I think that my rather haphazard approach has something in common with Stephen King's. I'm not suggesting our writing abilities are comparable—let's not get carried away—but it's comforting to know that a successful author can begin a story without knowing exactly where it will end.
Maybe there's still hope for me. Now, if only I could match his sales figures!