Sometimes, when you’re humming along in the writing, you come across a person, place, or thing that need a name. There’s a popular article that I think most genre writers have read at one time in their career called “How to Write a Book in Three Days.” It’s basically pulp writing–which is fine, but there’s a lot to be said for this type of preparation before writing your story.

In essence, it’s less a blueprint (or outline) and more like setting out an assortment of tools before you start. Some you may use, others you may not. The key is to have a selection ready to go, so you don’t do what I do.

“Most of the people arriving at Underhill had been relocated from PLANET TWO.”

A name just hasn’t presented itself to me. Though I’m sure something will pop up in a dream or while I’m driving or some divine sigil etched into my skin.

The other end of the spectrum is world building. You can build out your settings and religions, species and politics, flora and fauna. This is time consuming, deep diving, and fun. It’s also a brilliant diversion from doing the thing.

The thing is writing.

So long as I can write PLANET TWO without stress, I’m moving forward. Today I finished Chapter 1 and hope I’ve laid a bit of the world out for my readers. The names can wait.

Day 3 in the books (and the book) and moving right along. The next chapter is basically the flash fiction I started with all those years ago. Can’t wait!