Behind the Scenes – From Vision to Final Versions


    Writing isn’t just putting words on a page—it’s operating through different lenses, shaping the narrative at multiple levels before it becomes the version you read.


    I don’t write linearly. Instead, I work through a layered process, refining each stage with a clear purpose.


    So, how do I go from the first idea to the final version?


    <hr>


    <h2>1) High-Level Vision – The Story Before the Story</h2>


    Before a single word hits the page, I start with the big picture:


    <ul>


    <li>What’s the story I’m telling? – The beginning, the end, and the main arcs that drive the world forward.</li>


    <li>What moral and philosophical questions do I want to tackle? – Morality isn’t black and white. This is where themes of survival, power, consequence, and choice take root.</li>


    <li>Who are the key players? – Not just their names, but what makes them tick, what forces their hand, and what shapes their decisions.</li>


    <li>Who are their counterparts? – Challenges, obstacles, antagonists, friendships, betrayals—every force exists to bring out something in the protagonist.</li>


    <li>What real-world value does this story bring? – Self-awareness? Introspection? Understanding power dynamics? Every story should leave something with the reader.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h2>2) Breaking It Down – The Saga as a Whole</h2>


    Now that I have the bigger picture, I break it into smaller, adaptable parts.


    <ul>


    <li>What are the high-level goals? – These remain open-ended to allow natural pacing.</li>


    <li>Why no fixed number of books? – I tried limiting things before, but it was too restrictive to the creative process. The story must drive itself—not be forced into an artificial box.</li>


    <li>How does this story start? – The initial stakes, long-term foreshadowing, and emotional depth that hook the reader.</li>


    <li>What’s the first saga’s trajectory? – Think first three books, ensuring momentum while leaving space for evolving ideas.</li>


    <li>What’s the first book’s core narrative? – Now we refine the opening act.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h2>3) Structuring the First Book – Chapters & Flow</h2>


    Once I have the first book mapped, I break it into chapter-sized pieces with flexible yet structured pacing:


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    <ul>


    <li>Book length: 180,000-250,000 words – A wide range to allow expansion if needed.</li>


    <li>Chapter length: 8,000-15,000 words – Some scenes demand more, some less.</li>


    <li>Narrative structure per chapter: 10 main plot scenes + 1 bonus canon teaser (because I love foreshadowing).</li>


    <li>Pacing, tension, and emotional stakes: Every chapter must move something forward—whether it''s character growth, lore reveals, or strategic progression.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h2>4) The Writing Process – Building in Layers</h2>


    Once the chapters are planned, I write through multiple passes, each refining a different aspect.


    ?? First Pass: The Expected Plot


    <ul>


    <li>The high-level narrative implementation—what I had envisioned from the start.</li>


    <li>Everything is in place: action, revelations, key twists.</li>


    <li>But it’s raw—this version would never be published. It’s just the foundation.</li>


    </ul>


    ?? Second Pass: Emotional Depth & Character Tension


    <ul>


    <li>This is where character decisions, reactions, and emotional stakes are fully fleshed out.</li>


    <li>The goal? Make every moment matter.</li>


    <li>This version is already immersive and polished—this is when I start releasing early content for feedback.</li>


    </ul>


    ?? Third Pass: Reader Hooks & The Absurdity Counterbalance


    <ul>


    <li>This is where Furblaze was born. ????</li>


    <li>By this stage, I already love the characters and the world, so I start adding flavor, humor, and contrast.</li>


    <li>Tension and emotional weight are great—but without moments of levity, it can feel suffocating.</li>


    <li>This is where the balance between deep narrative and unexpected absurdity comes to life.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    <h2>5) Final Refinement – Cutting, Editing, and Enhancing</h2>


    As I mentioned in my previous "Behind the Scenes" post.


    <ul>


    <li>Not every scene makes it. If something doesn’t serve the story, it’s cut.</li>


    <li>If something can be implied instead of spelled out, it’s trimmed.</li>


    <li>Dialogue gets multiple revisions until it sounds natural and carries the right weight.</li>


    </ul>


    Does it hurt to cut scenes? Yes.


    Do I keep them in reserve? Absolutely. (Which is why you sometimes get bonus content.)


    <hr>


    <h2>Final Thoughts & Reader Engagement</h2>


    <blockquote>


    Every layer of this process serves a purpose.


    From the high-level vision to the final character quirks, I don’t just write a book—I build an experience that’s meant to be lived.


    </blockquote>


    What part of a book’s writing process fascinates you the most?


    Do you prefer stories that are tightly planned, or ones that evolve naturally over time?


    Drop your thoughts below! ???