: Re: How do you describe a methodology of writing? How do you describe your methodology of writing? I am submitting the outline of my novella for a competition and this is one of the requirements:

@Cooney417

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John's advice is correct: seek their advice.

However, I think it's pretty straightforward.

The word "methodology" simply means the system of methods used for a particular activity, field of study etc.

So what they're asking for is an outline of your writing methods that you used during the process of creating your novella. I imagine it would include, and not be limited to, the following:

Subject research (e.g. did you write and skip over the bits you didn't know about, and come back later to fill in the blanks after researching in the library, or did you research the subject matter in depth, did it come from a newspaper, or was it even a personal event that happened to you?)
Character construction (how did you identify and construct your protagonist, your villain, your supporting characters; where did you look to for inspiration. What techniques did you use to expand them e.g. interview them, base them on real life individuals you know ...)
Scene planning and construction (Is this based on a place you've been, from photographs, etc.)
Plot construction (e.g. did you outline your story scene by scene using post-it notes on a board)
Your "system" of writing (did you wake up early each day and write fresh without thinking, did you use mind maps for ideas, do you meticulously plan each scene with a summary of what would happen, who was in it, and then sit and just write and so on)
How did you edit your novella, converting it from a first draft to a finished product (e.g. did you edit as you go along, did you stick it in a drawer for a couple weeks before going back and editing).

The old saying of "do whatever works for you" means that every writer will have their own methods that they find works for them (sometimes even only for that particular book), and that's probably what they're looking for.

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