The Stages Of Writing A Book

Because writing a novel turns you into an alcoholic lunatic.

PLOT BUNNY: You have a book idea. It's not terrible.

You dance.

BRAINSTORMING: lots of capslocking to friends on chat; constant daydreaming

My Scrivener file is ready...

WINE: Or, how you write half your book.

Via tumblr.com

It's slightly shocking Olivia Pope isn't a writer.

PANTSING: Close your eyes, type a lot, and hope for the best.

DRUNK PANTSING: When you drink a bottle of wine and pants the hell out of an entire scene/chapter.

See above, re: wine.

PROCRASTINATION: 90% of the writing process.

WORD COUNT WONDER: That day you wrote 5K and you weren't even trying.

INSANE BRAINWAVE: When you have a crazyamazingomg plot or character breakthrough.

BRAINWAVE BUZZKILL: When you realize your crazyamazingomg plot/character brainwave means you have to significantly rewrite your book

Plot bunny, I love/hate you.

LOGIC MASTER: Wait, does that even make sense?

Continuity/time travel/extreme worldbuilding is the enemy.

HYSTERICAL CREATIVITY: When you're drinking, pantsing, writing like a maniac; writing yourself into corners, writing yourself out of corners.

You're a crazy genius and NOBODY UNDERSTANDS.

DELUSION: When you convince yourself that the thing that you wrote that is totally batshit insane/awful is actually completely fine and will not need to be revised.

You're wrong.

EXTREME CONFIDENCE: This is the best book ever written.

You're going to be so famous.

EXTREME NEGATIVITY: No. Just NO.

This book is TERRIBLE. Why did you write it? No one will ever read it and you are terrible.

TOTAL DISREGARD FOR FAIL: Who cares if it sucks? That's what revisions are for.

Blessed, blessed revision.

KISSING SCENES: Oh, God, it's time.

Because kissing scenes are really, really awkward.

GLASS CASE OF EMOTION: When you have to kill off a character.

And/or delete large swaths of your novel. #weeping

THIS BOOK NEEDS TO DIE

NO SERIOUSLY I AM SO DONE WITH THIS BOOK. WHY ISN'T IT DONE?

THE FINAL STRETCH: You're almost done, no one has seen you for weeks, you're practically insane.

Send help. And cookies.

EXHAUSTION: When you finally finish your draft zero... or a complete revision on a crazy-tight deadline.

DANCE PARTY: You wrote a book.

YOU WROTE A FREAKING BOOK.

PROOFREADING: ie: what the eff did I write?

Your book is a mess. A poorly paced mess. Throw it out the window. Or cry.

CP TIME: Because you need someone to tell you how to fix it

Second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth opinions welcome

TORTUROUS WAITING: Because your CPs WILL take forever to read

And you will be convinced that they hate your novel/it is terrible/boring/no one wants to read it.

EDITING GAME PLAN: Your CPs don't hate your book, but they do have editing suggestions

You're excited. Ready to revise.

REVISION TIME: Let's blow some shizz up

No plot is safe. Darlings, prepare to get KILLED.

We're Leviosa, a new fan convention for YA lit lovers, writers and Harry Potter fans, taking place July 7-10, 2016 in Las Vegas. We'll have an entire track of programming for writers, featuring workshops, agent panels & more. Find out more at leviosa.org.

Post by YA author & Leviosa staff member Alexa Donne.