diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5562eaf..d7b55a3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -224,9 +224,9 @@ To store responses to custom fields, just call `saveCustomFields()` and pass in
 The `saveCustomFields` function can take in a Request or array.
 
 ```php
-$surveyResponse->saveCustomFields(['
-   
-']);
+$surveyResponse->saveCustomFields([
+   'Key' => 'Value'
+]);
 ```
 
 If you're submitting a form request, you can easily:
@@ -236,6 +236,21 @@ Use App\...
 $surveyResponse->saveCustomFields($request->input);
 ```
 
+### Making then saving
+If you would like to make the custom fields without saving them immediately, you can call
+```php
+$surveyResponse->makeCustomFields([
+   'Key' => 'Value'
+]);
+```
+
+and then to save you need to call
+```php
+$surveyResponse->saveCustomFields();
+```
+
+This will set the `model_id` for you before saving the CustomField.
+
 ## Querying responses
 
 You can query for responses on any field by using the `WhereCustomField()` scope. The function takes in the field object and the value you're looking for. To learn more about query scopes visit [this link](https://laravel.com/docs/6.x/eloquent#query-scopes).
diff --git a/src/Traits/HasCustomFieldResponses.php b/src/Traits/HasCustomFieldResponses.php
index 3e11fa0..5b12c24 100644
--- a/src/Traits/HasCustomFieldResponses.php
+++ b/src/Traits/HasCustomFieldResponses.php
@@ -18,11 +18,29 @@ public function customFieldResponses()
     }
 
     /**
-     * Save the given custom fields to the model.
+     * Save the custom fields to the model.
+     *   This parameter accepts a list of fields for immediate saving & backwards compatibility.
      *
      * @param $fields
      */
-    public function saveCustomFields($fields)
+    public function saveCustomFields($fields = [])
+    {
+        if (!empty($fields)) {
+            $this->makeCustomFields($fields);
+        }
+
+        $this->customFieldResponses->each(function(CustomFieldResponse $field) {
+            $field->model_id ??= $this->id; // set the ID now, if model did not exist when makeCustomFields() was called
+            $field->save();
+        });
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Make the given custom fields but do not save.
+     *
+     * @param $fields
+     */
+    public function makeCustomFields($fields)
     {
         foreach ($fields as $key => $value) {
             $customField = CustomField::find((int) $key);
@@ -38,7 +56,7 @@ public function saveCustomFields($fields)
                 'model_type' => get_class($this),
             ]);
 
-            $customFieldResponse->save();
+            $this->customFieldResponses->push($customFieldResponse);
         }
     }