The Stages of Writing: Stage 1: Prewriting
- M.L. Bull
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 5
Just as there are steps for a recipe, there are different stages of writing. Knowing the stages of writing can be beneficial in breaking down large book projects into smaller tasks. The first stage of writing is prewriting, which includes a lot of brainstorming and a number of things I always do as a writer, such as choosing topics and themes, literary devices, cast lists, and much more. But first, let's evaluate what prewriting is and how it differs from freewriting.
WATCH THE EPISODE
See episode 8 of season 2 of my Journey of a Christian Writer series The Stages of Writing: Stage 1: Prewriting or continue reading the blog post below for more information.
WHAT IS PREWRITING?
Prewriting is the earliest stage of writing that creates a layout and builds the foundation of plays, short stories, novels, or other books that involves the pre-planning and brainstorming for the execution of concepts and completion of fully-drafted literary books. In other words, prewriting is where the formation of well-structured books often begins. The process of prewriting differs from freewriting by including a plan, while freewriting doesn't and is when writers start writing out of the blue. Discovery writers or pantsers often free-write their books.
HOW TO PREWRITE
Prewriting can be done in numerous ways, as every writer is different. Some writers start with mind maps, while others simply open a document file and list notes. As a writer, it really is up to you as an individual. You don't have to copy another writer's way of doing things. Just figure out what works best for you.
WAYS TO PREWRITE
A few ways to prewrite are the following:
Mind mapping (done manually by drawing on a poster or in a notebook, or using a software program, such as Gitmind.)
Get a composition book or journal to draw images or jot down your story ideas.
Create a document of story information or your own prewriting worksheet.
Use 3x5 or 4x6 index cards.
Check out my tutorial of how to use Gitmind for mind mapping below.
WHAT TO PREWRITE
There is a difference between short stories and novels. For short stories, you may not need to prewrite a lot as the story is more concise compared to full-length novels. Nonetheless, there are some things that ALL stories should have included in them, regardless of their length. One of the first things I brainstorm within my stories are topics and themes. Topics are subjects within my story or that I need to research to aid me in writing my story, and themes are the basic ideas that my story is based on or revolves around in my book. Both of these can be prewritten in bullet lists, as I have on my personal prewriting worksheet below.
CLOSING REMARKS:
Prewriting isn't a stage that's required for all writers, but it can be especially helpful for writers who like to plan out their stories before they write their first drafts. It's also has been proven to allow many famous writers and authors to craft some of the most well-known short stories, novels, and books, such as Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot novels and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series, which she is known to have planned and sketched out a lot of her fantasy books in advance before she wrote her first in the series. For more writing videos or tutorials, subscribe to my writing channel Journey of a Christian Writer series. Okay, that's all for this post. If you liked it and found it useful, please, give it a (heart❤️), take part in the poll 🤔, and share your thoughts or comments 💬 below.)
🤔Hey, writers, do you prewrite?
👍Yes, I'm a planner or planster.
👎No, I'm a pantser or discovery writer.
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