I’ve been doing a lot of discovery about myself lately, Dear Reader. What I’ve found is startling to me. My perception of what my process is and what my process actually is are actually two different things. Like opposite different.

I used to think that I made a couple passes and then I’m done. But that’s not how I work.

I was working on a cover this week. I generally tell people that we’ll do two or three mockups off the bat. Then we’ll do a couple rounds of revisions and be done with it. But I’m what I call a Tweaker.

I can do those mockups. Then when it comes to revision, I’ll do a crap ton of versions. I need active input from my client, which means they need to be ready for email. Because I will email. A lot. I did a header for a friend, and it ended up going through twenty-two versions. The cover I just did for a recent client? Eight versions. And this is after they picked the mockup they wanted.

It’s not bad that I do it this way. It’s just different than the majority of other designers.

Does it take more time?

Kinda. But I’m okay with that.

I’ve realized that my writing process is much the same. I do a massive rewrite right off the bat after the zero draft is done. Then I’ll do four or five more passes to tweak and flesh out things. I’ve tried to do Holly Lisle’s One Pass Revision thing. I’ve tried to do the traditional three-pass edit. I miss things when I do it that way.

The only way I feel like I’ve really gotten into the heart of the book, really pulled out the best story possible, is if I do a million and a half versions of it. Send it to critique partners, and then do another thousand.

Okay, so I might be exaggerating a little. But the numbers aren’t that far off.

I like the way I work. I’m just now realizing this. It’s not as streamlined as other people’s processes, but it’s mine and it’s what works for me.

So the next time someone tells you your process is wrong, but it’s working for you? Consider it, but ultimately decide what is best for you. It might be ignoring their advice. It might be taking aspects of their advice. It might be like a light bulb just popped on in your head.

It’s your process. Own it. Make it work for you.