My Writing Process: Chaos, Caffeine, and Editing

People often ask me what my writing process looks like. How I take an idea and turn it into a finished story. The honest answer? It’s a beautiful mix of chaos, caffeine, and a whole lot of editing.

I wish I could say I’m one of those writers who outlines every chapter neatly before typing “Chapter One.” I’m not. My process is more like a storm; characters shouting and going off script, scenes unfolding faster than I can type, and dialogue scribbled in notebooks that I later can’t read because I wrote it at 2 a.m. with a half-empty energy drink beside me.

Stage One: The Chaos

Every story starts with a spark, usually a random what if? moment that hits me at the worst possible time. I’ll be grocery shopping or driving to jury duty and suddenly think, “What if the world just… stopped?” That spark becomes a scene, then a character, then a full-blown obsession.

From there, I dive in. No fancy outlines, no color-coded charts. Just a lot of raw, messy storytelling. My first drafts are a whirlwind of emotion, plot twists, and way too many notes in the margins like “what's that word?” or “why is he even here?”

Sketch of author at a messy desk

Stage Two: The Caffeine

Once I’m in the groove, caffeine becomes my most loyal co-author. Energy drinks, tea, and the occasional soda keep me going as I write into the late hours. (Coffee and I have a complicated relationship, but that’s another story.)

Those long writing sessions are when the world around me fades away. The chaos becomes focus. The story takes over. And when I finally step back, I usually realize I’ve written way more than I planned. Somehow fueled entirely by a whole lot of stubbornness and my trusted friend, caffeine.

Sketch of author with mug of tea and chaotic desk.

Stage Three: The Editing

Here’s the truth: I love writing, but editing is where the real magic happens. (And I hate it more than anything.)

It’s where the story tightens, the characters deepen, and the messy chaos turns into something readable.

Editing is equal parts thrilling and painful. I cut scenes I love, rewrite entire chapters, and occasionally have to face the fact that the version in my head doesn’t match what’s on the page. But it’s worth every moment. That’s where the story truly comes alive.

By the time I finish, the chaos feels organized (sort of), the caffeine has worn off, and the exhaustion gives way to satisfaction. Because somewhere in that process, I’ve built a world that didn’t exist before, and that’s the best feeling in the world.

The Truth of It All

My writing process might not be pretty, but it’s mine. And everyone seems to have their own steps in wrangling their writing. Mine is fueled by late nights, too many tabs open, and a deep love for storytelling. Every messy draft and every long edit reminds me why I started writing in the first place. Because creating worlds, exploring survival, and connecting with readers is worth every ounce of chaos.

So if you ever picture me at my desk, imagine a storm of notebooks, half-empty energy drinks, and one very determined author trying to wrangle the end of the world, one edit at a time.

xoxo Courtney