Harrison:  My writing process is really simple in that I don’t use audio-recording, dry-erase boards, or fancy software systems to keep track of the story.  It doesn’t flow easy, and the story is painstakingly built with a bunch of ideas all being juggled until they fall into place.  I use a lot of paper and pencil work when I’m plotting or if I’m trying to decide how to handle a certain situation, but much of the actual rough draft is done right on the keyboard. Which in turn puts me in my office.  I can write anywhere, but being in my office turns the switch to work and there’s less distractions.  I don’t journal, but when I’m not in my office I spend a lot of time staring at my ceiling, toying with ideas and the possible outcome of using them.  And yes, I always start at the beginning and move to the end, trying not to go back and change things until I have at least a first rough draft.  Editing is a jumbled mess of sticky notes, but I like the process as it really solidifies a particular piece of work in my mind.

Damian:  What advice do you have for other writers new to the publishing process?

Harrison:  What I tell aspiring writers often depends upon what stage they are at in their career.  Becoming a published author often takes a decade, and it’s never easy.  If one is just starting out, I always suggest starting a pattern of writing every day, even when you don’t feel like it, because that’s what successful writers do.  They write until the words start to make sense.  I also like suggesting that writers join a writer critique group that meets face to face at least twice a month, to help polish their voice and their prose.  This is also a fabulous place to start to make the friendships that help you stay the course.  Not to mention the networking opportunities.  I’ve always credited my critique group with finding my agent as “quickly” as I did.

If a writer has several manuscripts under their belt, this is when I strongly suggest they start shopping their work around, going to conferences where the agents and editors are.  They’re looking for new work, and having had the chance to actually see the person who wrote the manuscript now sitting on their desk makes a much stronger impression than just a cover letter.