So, I’ve written my first novel and I’m pretty proud of it. Book 2 is already started but as I write I’m becoming more and more aware of my little quirks and routines. I’m curious if other writers share these or have some of their own unique habits. In no particular order but numbered for easy reference:

1. Removing vs. Adding Words. I’ve heard writers tend to remove more words than add them when editing a first draft. True/False? I added a lot more than I removed between the initial draft of Driftless Spirits and the final version. I noticed, for example, that I would initially type a lot of my dialogue without subjects (e.g., “Can’t help it.” vs. “I can’t help it.”), skip describing mannerisms while speaking, and skip a lot of descriptive content in general. I tend to want to get the story on the page, like a complete line drawing, before coloring it in. I suspect that habit won’t change with my very first drafts of chapters. It’s already happening with Book 2, but I’m “fixing” the chapters faster now that I recognize the habits.
2. Villain Chapters Out of Order. I wrote the chapters of Driftless Spirits in order, except for two. Both of them were villain-perspective chapters. Adding them drove home their mindset and menace and the story is much better with the additions. I wonder if something similar will happen for Book 2 or if I’ve “learned my lesson” about the value of such chapters in storytelling and will see where they belong straight away.
3. Outlining. I’m an outliner, but no more than 10 chapters at a time. I know where the bigger story is going and the ending I envision, but characters sometimes go off and do things on their own, if you know what I mean. It’s a matter of it being obvious that Charlotte would do X before Y even if I didn’t outline it that way initially. And once I deviate, new opportunities arise that diverge from the outline even more or suggest an entire side plot. I’ll always outline and have an ending in mind, but I’ve learned to plan chapters in chunks, let them deviate, and revisit the outline and extend it as needed.
4. Thinking Space vs. Writing Space. I write in my office, but I tend to find it hard to brainstorm here. I’ll instead take a journal (who am I kidding… at least three) and outline, plot and otherwise “work things out” elsewhere, usually while lying in bed. The cats love those hours. It occurred to me to ask why I work best this way. My office is artificially lit while the bedroom has lots of windows and is sunny (or at least bright) most of the day. Sitting at a desk is more formal than lounging in bed as well. Just an observation. I am thinking next summer I’ll test the theory and try brainstorming outside on a sunny day. As the weather gets colder, that already sounds nice.

Are you a writer with odd habits or must-have routines? Share them in the comments, I might want to try them out!