I'm not too sure what everyone else's process looks like. Mine involves lists. A ton of lists.
I spend most of my free time listening to music on my commute to work (30 minutes) and writing them down. It's not really safe driving that way but its safer than golfing in a thunder storm. Those dozens of pieces of paper end up in my pant pockets and washed once in a warm/gentle rinse. Then my wife irons the pants (relax equal opportunists I cook and do all the dishes) =. Honestly I wouldn't wear clean clothes if I had to launder them. I fear the washing machine and have been at war with it for quite some time. The dryer is starting to switch allegiances, but only, I think, because they share an outlet.
Once cleaned they accumulate on my dresser until I get pissed at myself for making a mess and transfer them to the W.B. Mason Yellow Legal pad. I don't use College Ruled because I don't really believe in in supporting something that wasn't true. On the W.B. Mason Yellow Legal Pad I create a set list and sketch the cover (Cover Creation to be discussed later). The monologues get notes and outlined as well.
These, to be discussed later, tend to range from formal pieces to more ad libbed speeches. I try to connect the book as much as possible but have difficulty feeling like I'm saying too much (To this you are welcome to weigh in on).
I do this mainly because I love music and books. I made tapes as a kid. Lots of tapes. Mainly to people who hated my music that I wanted to convert. I saw myself as a musical John the Baptist. At least the living and converting part; I have no desire to be decapitated.
And that is how I start the process. Next month I'll share the exciting world of shutting up cats and how much coffee is too much for podcasting.
Rage Well,
Erik