Tell Me Your Ways...with Haley Catherine

A brilliant writer, hilarious friend, and delightful human.

Haley Catherine is currently on sub with her teaching inspired rom com, with neurodivergent representation. We met in a round a bout way through The Shit No One Tells You about writing Beta Reader match-up. Read all about her process!

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Why do you find this the best way for you to write?

A pantser. Usually the opening scene comes to me and then I build the story from there. I spend a lot of time thinking about that initial scene and who the characters are. I usually come up with the tropes, a few scenes, and the ending. But it’s all pretty general.

I think this works best for me because I need to be in the scene to figure it out. Sitting down and outlining in a traditional way takes the joy out of writing for me. I do think my way takes longer, but the minute I try to write an outline or follow some kind of structured format, I don’t want to be in the story’s world anymore. 

What does your drafting process look like? Do you write scenes in order?

Because I have to write the characters to figure them out, I try to get my first draft done quickly. It’s messy and no one should ever read it, but it helps me figure out if the story I had in my head is working.

I try to write chronologically. But if I’m not feeling a scene, I will skip it and come back to it later. When I draft, my chapter titles are just the name of the scene: “Chapter at the Brewery” or “Chapter where they kiss for the first time.” This makes it easier to find scenes and move them around as needed. 

Please walk us through a little of what your revision process looks like?

I revise a lot. After I write the first draft, I feel like I change the whole story. Tropes are different. Characters have other motives and desires than I originally thought. 

So I tackle the big picture issues first. Then I do a pass where I add details, descriptions, and scene setting.

Then it goes out to my critique partners, and I make additional revisions. 

How do you know when your story is done?

I think it’s a combination of me knowing I can’t do anything else to the story and trusting my critique partners and their judgment. 

How many beta readers do you typically have for a project? Does anyone read all the versions?

For my first book, I had four. I don’t think anyone read every version. I typically like to send my book out to one person at a time. I feel like if there is an issue I can fix, I’d rather have the opportunity to fix it, so the next person can (hopefully) find something different.

Currently, I am finishing my second book. I have expanded my circle of writing friends, so I have the opportunity for more eyes to look over the story. 

What are you currently working on now?

I’m working on my second book. My fiercely independent FMC who would rather listen to a finance bro mansplain the economy to her than ever ask for help. But her brother’s best friend shows her she can rely on others and still be a little bit wild and free. 

Do you have a favorite book on the craft of writing?

All of the Writers Helping Writer Series, The Emotional Thesaurus and The Setting Thesaurus are the ones I gravitate towards the most.  

How do you write? Preferred software (word, docs, scrivener, etc.) or pen and paper?

Word! It helps my ADHD to stick to one program. Word is the industry standard--so that's what I use. It's also the program I've always used so it's easy and natural.

For any Word haters out there, I'll gladly defend Word until the end of time. Just slide in my DM if you wanna argue about it.

Anything else you’d like to share? Where can we find you?

Instagram: @haleycatherinewrites 

X: @haley_writes_