Programming English

Programming computer systems is remarkably like writing a novel.

Novels and computer programs both have many parts within parts.

Programs have: commands, subroutines, functions, modules, applications.  

Novels have: sentences, paragraphs, scenes, chapters, sequels, prequels.

The goal of any part is to produce outputs from the given inputs so that later parts have what they need. Programmers then run their code, see bugs and other problems, and rewrite to fix them. Authors read their story, see typos, POV violations and other problems, and rewrite to fix them.

I have used this relationship to help a few writers solve a number of problems. The two basic approaches to the writing of just about anything are to "wing it" (by "seat of the pants" inspiration, so to speak) or to "plan it" (by describing what we want to do before actually doing it). The free .pdf of my process for combining both approaches refers to Stephen King (https://stephenking.com) as an example of "Wing it", and Connie Booth plus John Cleese (https://www.facebook.com › thejohncleese) as examples of "Plan it".