The Plot Twist: How Changing Genres Changed Everything About My Process
A. L. Jensen Cozy Mysteries is a biweekly feature of Women Writing, offering insights into this beloved genre and my journey from writing historical fiction to cozy mysteries with a Nordic twist.
Happy Saturday! In today’s newsletter you’ll learn:
📚 My process steps for writing historical fiction
📝 My process steps for cozy mysteries
👉 Why doing the first helped me do the second
Writing cozy mysteries has changed how I approach writing, at least in this genre. When I write historical fiction, I essentially follow these steps:
Come across an interesting historical event
Think about it for a long time, considering possible storylines
Research the historical event for months (or years)
If possible, travel to learn more
Conduct interviews if possible
Free write about characters and incidences
Map out character arcs and create an initial plan
Start drafting
Revise my plan and continue researching
Continue drafting and revising (repeat and repeat)
Send a nearly-done draft to beta readers
Realize it’s not ready and continue revising
Hire a developmental editor; more revising
Next steps: ARC readers; line & copy editor; proofreading; querying
For some reason, the cozy mystery series came to me in an entirely different way and it was very fast. Here’s what happened. I attended Mountain Ash’s Writer’s Retreat in Queenston, Ontario with a vague idea about writing a romance series. As I drove home, my idea had shifted to a cozy mystery series, and as my friend Holly describes it, the ideas just downloaded. By the time I pulled into my driveway 500 kilometres later, I had the main characters and the initial story, as well lots of possibilities for other books in the series. My process looked something like this:
Downloaded ideas as I drove down the highway
Came home, announced my intentions, and decided on a pen name
Immediately created an Instagram account with my new pen name
Completed Blueprint for a Book; consulted my book coach
Wrote the title and back jacket copy description of the story
Drafted Book 1
Hired cover designers for Books 1-3
Hired a developmental editor for Book 1
Revised the draft (still in progress!)
Planned the basics of the next five books in the series, including titles, character arcs, and back cover copy descriptions (more consultation with my book coach)
Created deadlines for completing Book 1 and started draft of Book 2
A decade ago, I couldn’t imagine creating covers and planning six books ahead. I would have wondered if I could even finish just one book. Writing my creative non-fiction and historical novels (three published and two in the queue) gave me the confidence that I could finish a book. I understand story and know I can follow through with the decisions I made about the upcoming stories. Plus, I’ve allowed myself some flexibility as I’m writing. I know the storyline and the book description will remain the same, but I have freedom to make decisions within that framework.
Do I recommend this process? Not for a first book. But if you have the confidence, drive, and courage to make decisions and follow through, then go for it! For me, it’s been so fun and inspiring to focus ahead. Does that mean I won’t go back to historical fiction? Of course not. I have two more historical novels in the pipeline and a few new ideas lurking in the background. I’m liking to return to my original process for those novels. In other words, adapt your process based on your project and your goals. Above all, find joy in the process. There is no one right way, only your way.
If you’re a writer, what does your process look like? If you’re a reader, is there anything surprising to you about a writers’ process?
COZY MYSTERY BOOK CLUB
Our next Cozy Mystery Book Club is on Tuesday, September 30 from 7:00-8:00 pm EST.
On the agenda:
Discuss our first cozy mystery pick: No One Was Supposed to Die at this Wedding by Catherine Mack
Pick our next cozy mystery (please bring a few titles to suggest)
Bring your knitting, crocheting, or just a cup of tea and let’s chat cozy mysteries. If you’d like to join us, subscribe or upgrade to paid to get the Zoom link.
Happy writing (and reading)!
Whoa! So much difference between those two processes. But they seem equally rewarding in their own way.