My Quirky, Color-Coded Drafting Process

When I first started writing A Fragrant Melody, I did what most new writers probably do — I grabbed a notebook and started scribbling. The idea had come to me the morning after a joke conversation with my husband, and I was off to the races.

By chapter two, though, I hit a wall. My characters weren’t fully developed, my world was hazy, and I found myself thinking, “What the heck am I doing? I’ve never written a story before!”

After a few failed attempts at following online advice, I decided to lean into something I already knew well: branding. And that’s when everything changed.

Building My Story Through Branding

I start by creating brands for each of my characters using Canva — logos for their businesses, Pinterest boards for their wardrobes, even visual inspiration for the coffee shops, bookstores, and street corners they inhabit.

As I work, story ideas spark naturally. I jot them down in my Notes app — snippets of dialogue, moments of conflict, little flashes of setting. Eventually, I print these notes and highlight them by category:

• Pink for conflict

• Yellow for general scenes

• Blue for key conversations

Once highlighted, I cut each idea into its own slip of paper and match it with a jumbo, color-coded index card where I elaborate on the details.

From Scene Cards to Notebook Pages

When I have enough material, I begin writing in my A5 notebook. I write in linear order — no skipping around. If I hit a block, I return to my index cards, which I keep in a binder pocket folder so nothing gets lost. Sometimes scenes get shuffled into new positions when I realize they fit better somewhere else.

I don’t create a rigid outline. At most, I make a loose list of the next few chapters on notebook paper, but I let the story evolve as I go. Inspiration comes in bursts — sometimes I’ll sit with a set of scene cards for days until an “aha” moment hits and I can keep going.

The Tools I Swear By

My must-have drafting tools include:

• Binder clips

• Highlighters with click tops (no missing lids!)

• Jumbo, colored index cards

• Pinterest for mood boards

• Canva for branding visuals

• A5 notebooks with tabbed Post-its for chapters

• Sharpie S-Gel pens in 0.38

And of course, my trusty binder pocket folder to keep all cards and notes together — because no one likes losing a scene.

Writing Rituals That Keep Me Moving

I write best in the early mornings before the house wakes up. Sometimes I’ll scroll Pinterest or design a side character’s business logo to jump-start my creativity. I’ve even made writing trackers just for fun, because the act of creating something visual often sparks a new scene.

When I’m actively drafting, I set aside one hour each day at 1 p.m. with a cup of iced tea or iced coffee. Whether I write a page or a whole chapter, I count it as progress. And I write in total silence — no music, no background chatter — just the hum of a fan in summer or the soft whir of a space heater in winter.

Beautifully Imperfect, But Mine

My process is a mix of color-coded organization, creative detours, and quiet focus. It might not look like the traditional writing method, but it’s the one that turns my scattered sparks of inspiration into fully-formed stories. And for me, that’s exactly how it’s meant to be.