Creative Process

Creative Process

How stories take shape—from first thought to finished page.

Ted Barber’s creative process is rooted in storytelling as a living act. His work does not begin with rigid outlines or formulas, but with voice, imagination, and patience. Each story is allowed to grow naturally, shaped over time through reflection, revision, and discipline.

 

Engaging the Audience

Ted begins every story the same way—by telling it. When he speaks a story aloud, he watches for the moment when listeners lean in, when their eyes change, when attention locks in. That moment tells him the story is alive.

When writing, he approaches the page as if he were speaking directly to someone across a table or a campfire. The first draft is written quickly and honestly, focused entirely on narrative flow and voice rather than perfection.

A bookshelf filled with a variety of novels, each with colorful and distinct covers. The titles include works by authors such as Harlan Coben, Ben Coes, and Vince Flynn. The books are neatly arranged in multiple rows, showcasing different genres including thrillers and mysteries.

Adding Depth and Detail

Once the initial story is complete, Ted sets it aside—often for two or three months. Distance allows perspective. When he returns, he adds layers: emotion, scenery, sensory detail, and context.

The process repeats. The work is set aside again, revisited again, and refined slowly. Grammar and structure are corrected only after the story’s emotional and narrative core feels complete. This deliberate pacing ensures the story matures rather than being rushed.

A collection of books and stationery are scattered on a tabletop. The books include titles by authors like Robin Sharma, Simon Sinek, and others. Highlighters and pens are also present alongside a spiral notebook with handwritten notes. The setting appears to be informal, possibly a workspace or study area.

Writing Routine

Ted writes longhand first, believing the physical act of writing creates a stronger connection to the story. Only after multiple handwritten drafts does he type the manuscript—changing nothing, even passages that feel uncomfortable or excessive, as they may be intentional foreshadowing.

He aims to follow Stephen King’s principle of writing daily, ideally for two hours. When uninterrupted time is unavailable, Ted captures ideas using his phone, jotting down dialogue, observations, or fragments of scenes as they arise.

Notebooks are central to his process. Stories are often duplicated across several notebooks, labeled by date, because no idea is ever truly obsolete.

Several books are stacked on a desk, along with a pair of hands typing on a laptop in the background. The books have various colorful covers, and a small plant is visible in the background.

Visualizing the Story

Ted’s stories are built visually as much as verbally. A whiteboard plays a key role in his process. For The Sixth Sun, he diagrammed spacecraft systems and timelines. For Gaia Rising, he imagined and developed an entire planet—its geography, history, and evolution.

Hand-drawn maps, diagrams, and reference images surround his workspace, grounding even the most speculative ideas in structure and consistency.

A person in a red sweatshirt is typing on a laptop, which displays a webpage about 'Simple Author Box Pro' on the screen. The setting appears to be a study or home office, with a desk that holds a smartphone, wooden figure, and stack of books for decoration. Soft natural light comes from a nearby window.

Character Development

Ted does not invent characters and leave them behind. Once created, they stay with him. Characters from The Sixth Sun reappear in Gaia Rising, carrying history, memory, and consequence forward.

Ted often describes characters as visiting him in thought—telling him what they’ve done, what they will do, and how they speak. This intimacy allows characters to evolve naturally rather than serve plot alone.

Reading for Inspiration

Ted reads between 35 and 50 books a year, often reading several at once for both enjoyment and research. Reading widely helps him understand rhythm, structure, and perspective—but not to imitate.

Aside from discipline, Ted intentionally avoids emulating other writers’ styles. He believes every author should cultivate a voice that is unmistakably their own.