2. Next I export the tree to a file and distill it down to the essentials. This is what I send my editor, along with character sketches. She’ll read it and comment, I’ll fiddle with it and eventually we’ll both agree the plot is workable.

3. Now I split the outline into chapters and scenes, using yWriter. I avoid making changes if possible, at least until I’ve done.

4. From here it’s just a case of picking an interesting-sounding scene and writing it, two or three a day. I work in order, beginning to end, but I’ll skip scenes I don’t feel like writing.

5. During the writing I’ll hit dead-ends, characters will refuse to cooperate and certain plot choices will prove to be unworkable. I stay flexible, and allow myself to alter the plot as I go. If there’s anything major I’ll ring my editor (perhaps twice per book) to explain why things are Going to be Different.

6. When I finish the last chapter it’s time to start at the beginning again, writing (or cutting) the scenes I didn’t want to do in the first place. I also have a better idea of the ending, which means I can insert a bit of foreshadowing.

7. At this stage I still haven’t printed anything, and my goal is just to get a draft where I can read from beginning to end with no little comments and to-dos in the text.

8. When that’s done I print the draft and hide away somewhere quiet with a red pen. I go crazy at this stage, with arrows, instructions to ‘move this chunk to A’, ‘insert tab B in chapter C’ and so on. Sometimes I get 2/3 the way through and realise I’ve made so many changes there’s no point reading the rest - that can wait for the next draft.

9. I sit down and apply all the changes to the yWriter project, page by page.