How to WRITE A BOOK in 2023: advice, steps, encouragement, & must-have resources

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  • Опубліковано 5 кві 2023
  • These three videos from 2020 are PACKED with value to help you write a book from start to finish, as well as stay encouraged, motivated, and confident in your writing. These are all the resources I've picked up in my own writing journey that I hope will be extremely helpful for you too! All the links mentioned are below!
    MY SELF-PUBLISHING COURSE: www.udemy.com/course/novel-se...
    // PART 1: STEPS //
    ○ Beta Reader Playlist: • BETA READERS
    ○ How to Win NaNoWriMo (HAVE A PLAN): • WIN NANOWRIMO (for BEG...
    ○ How to Edit Your Book: • How to Edit a Novel (i...
    ○ Show Vs Tell: • How to recognize SHOW ...
    ○ Overwriting: • How to fix OVERWRITING...
    ○ Underwriting: • How to fix UNDERWRITIN...
    ○ How Hard is Self-Publishing: • HOW HARD IS SELF-PUBLI...
    ○ Creating a Publishing Plan/Timeline: • How to Create Your Sel...
    // PART 2: ENCOURAGEMENT //
    ○ First Draft Writing Hacks: • FIRST DRAFTS: My Proce...
    ○ NANOWRIMO / FIRST DRAFT Playlist: • WIN NANOWRIMO (for BEG...
    ○ How to Format Your Novel in Word: • FORMATTING 101: HOW TO...
    ○ How Hard is it to Self-Publish: • HOW HARD IS SELF-PUBLI...
    ○ Writing Comes First: • MY #1 WRITING TIP: WRI...
    // PART 3: RESOURCES //
    ○ Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
    ○ Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
    ○ On Writing by Stephen King
    ○ The Anatomy of Story by John Truby
    ○ How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Scott Orson Card
    ○ My Planning a Novel Notebooks: www.bethanyatazadeh.com/noteb...
    ○ NANOWRIMO: www.nanowrimo.org/
    ○ My Patreon Writing Group on Discord: / bethanyatazadeh
    ○ Interview with Jessica Brody: • Jessica Brody's tips o...
    ___
    📖 T H E Q U E E N ' S R I S E S E R I E S :
    ◦ THE SECRET GIFT: books2read.com/thesecretgift
    ◦ THE SECRET SHADOW: / the-secret-shadow
    ◦ THE SECRET CURSE: / the-secret-curse
    📚 T H E S T O L E N K I N G D O M S E R I E S :
    www.bethanyatazadeh.com/thest...
    ◦ COLLECTOR'S EDITION / BOX SET: amzn.to/34A9wFw
    ◦ THE SECRET GIFT: books2read.com/thesecretgift
    ◦ THE STOLEN KINGDOM: books2read.com/thestolenkingdom
    ◦ THE JINNI KEY: books2read.com/thejinnikey
    ◦ THE CURSED HUNTER: books2read.com/thecursedhunter
    ◦ THE ENCHANTED CROWN: books2read.com/theenchantedcrown
    ◦ The Stolen Kingdom Audiobook: www.audible.com/pd/B088FVQNJK...
    ___
    📖 B E C O M E A P A T R O N :
    Where you can receive digital early reader copies of my books, writing & publishing advice, help with your author platform, meet writer friends, and more!
    / bethanyatazadeh
    💻 M Y A U T H O R N E W S L E T T E R :
    Sign up for FREE exclusives (the first HALF of The Stolen Kingdom + a step-by-step self-publishing guide): www.bethanyatazadeh.com/contact
    ❤️ M Y M E R C H :
    teespring.com/stores/bethanya...
    📚 M Y S E L F P U B L I S H I N G C O U R S E :
    www.udemy.com/course/novel-se...
    ___
    📒 M Y O T H E R W O R K :
    ◦ EVALENE'S NUMBER: amzn.to/3sZPlKi
    ◦ PEARL'S NUMBER: amzn.to/3Kyp63Q
    ◦ MARKETING FOR AUTHORS SERIES: amzn.to/3pTrbPG
    ◦ THE CONFIDENT CORGI: amzn.to/36aJd9m
    ◦ Novel Planner Notebook (mug cover): amzn.to/3hYnzYo
    ◦ Novel Planner Notebook (laptop cover): amzn.to/3KwvW9Z
    ___
    ❤️ C O M P A N I E S I L O V E & A M A N A F F I L I A T E F O R :
    ◦ PUBLISH AND THRIVE: heartbreathings.teachable.com...
    ◦ WRITING STICKERS & the book launch planner (10% off discount code is BETHANY10): stoneridgestickers.com/?ref=Q...
    ◦ EPIDEMIC SOUND (where I get my music! If you'd like to try it for a month, using this link gives me a free month! Thank you in advance!): www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
    ◦ DRAFT2DIGITAL: www.draft2digital.com/bethany...
    💬 L E T ' S C O N N E C T 💬
    Website | www.bethanyatazadeh.com
    Instagram | / authorbethanyatazadeh
    UA-cam | / bethanyatazadeh
    Patreon | / bethanyatazadeh
    ___
    Thanks for watching!
    ❤️ Bethany
    Note: some of these links are affiliate links and will support me with a little extra income at no extra cost to you. :)
    #Authortube #NovelWriting #SelfPublishing
  • Навчання та стиль

КОМЕНТАРІ • 90

  • @BethanyAtazadeh
    @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +20

    These three videos are actually all from back in 2020! If you enjoyed this "content marathon" style of valuable content put together into one place, like/comment to let me know because I'd love to do more like this!

    • @pompunpopularpodcast
      @pompunpopularpodcast Рік тому +1

      this was so helpful and clear and comprehensive! I appreciate it all being in one place as opposed to having to click on / retrace several videos. This is fantastically valuable content. With actionable steps- to each section I asked "why" the following section answered. Well done and much appreciated!

    • @heatherkirchhoffwritesya
      @heatherkirchhoffwritesya 9 місяців тому +1

      Yes please!

  • @maxwrigley6885
    @maxwrigley6885 Рік тому +32

    Can we just take a moment to appreciate how cute Penny looks in part 1? 😍

  • @author.s.j.palmer4137
    @author.s.j.palmer4137 Рік тому +9

    Using a Google Form for reader feedback and then converting to Google Sheets, editing and then printing is brilliant! Thank you for this! I’m in the middle of beta reader feedback right now!

  • @Avionne_Parris
    @Avionne_Parris Рік тому +16

    God bless you, Bethany! I really love how you (and Brittany) use your platform to help other writers. I can tell it's coming from a genuine, sincere place; I appreciate that.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +5

      Thank you so much Avi! So happy you are enjoying the videos, that means a lot! 🥰❤️

  • @najeeamurray323
    @najeeamurray323 Рік тому +4

    I've been in that place where I've felt a little disappointed about writing a story after realizing someone had a similar idea. However, it actually helped me think of more ways to make my story even more unique. No matter what stage a writer is on, this video is super helpful! I'm learning and relearning so much! Thank you!

  • @woodlandlady7011
    @woodlandlady7011 Рік тому +8

    Wow! What a lot of things to digest. This is definitely a biggy to take in. Three videos in one packed with so much I'll have to re-watch over and over. Thank you, Bethany, for taking a huge amount of your time to make this hour long video. And Penny was so cute

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +3

      Yay thank you! I’m so glad you like it and hope it’s super helpful for you! 🥰

  • @lydiamae1727
    @lydiamae1727 Рік тому +2

    Speaking to the bare bones analogy. I'm a plotter, and I always think of writing like carving a sculpture (of let's say a person). The outline for me is like a rough cut of the general shape of the sculpture. Drafting is like cutting out the shape of the limbs, the head, the torso, etc. Each draft, more details are chiseled in, until proofreading is like the polishing of the final product.

  • @jessicachipps2159
    @jessicachipps2159 Рік тому +4

    You are so right! Every book has a different need! I started my 4th book this week. I felt paralyzed by the starting process. I think maybe because it's " book 2" and I'm nervous about my abilities in carrying the same feel, vibe whatever. So I'm starting off super mechanical, plotting every beat until I catch this book's rhythm.
    Great inspiration and help, even for me, who's been at it for a few years! Thank you for your videos.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +1

      That's totally normal to feel that way - you've got this! So glad you liked the video!

  • @joannaholden943
    @joannaholden943 Рік тому +6

    Whoa! This is such a great video, and a length that gets me excited - i can play it on the background during ALL the mundane house tasks today. Woohoo! Thank you for taking the time to put all of this together. I know it took a lot of work.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +3

      Yayyy! So happy you like it, I was hoping it’d be super helpful! 🥰

  • @nathanwilliams1865
    @nathanwilliams1865 11 місяців тому +1

    “Fail faster” 😂 the summer between my senior year of high school and freshman year of college I wrote around 120k words over the course of three months. None of it was good, even on second drafts, but after getting into my first workshop, picking up beta readers, and learning more about the market, I’ve gotten so much better. Now I’m in my summer between freshman and sophomore year, and if I stick to my deadlines, I’ll have written 175k words this summer (A first draft, a second draft, and the bones of a second book). I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to query an agent after I do my last rounds of edits, but I’m honestly so happy with my progress either way.

  • @oowatwat
    @oowatwat Рік тому +1

    This video is so informative and sincerely helpful! Thank you so much for all the work you put into making it!

  • @moonykmi
    @moonykmi Рік тому +1

    I absolutely loved that you put this video together compiling all your advice. I had watched them before, but it was great to see it all again in one place. 🖤🖤

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому

      Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, thank you!🥰

  • @terrasmithhh3513
    @terrasmithhh3513 Рік тому +3

    I just wanted to say you have inspired me to write my own book. Thank you 🤍

  • @phantomx3.0
    @phantomx3.0 Рік тому +1

    great tips and advice. your videos are super helpful! thanks for sharing!!

  • @booklassygarrahan3929
    @booklassygarrahan3929 11 місяців тому

    This is excellent. Thank you from the heart!

  • @br6cevinyl
    @br6cevinyl Рік тому

    Thank you so much 💛 I am currently working on my first book about my Nanas life and this is very useful! I been watching your videos for awhile and you inspire me to keep writing 💛💛💛

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому

      Yay so happy to hear the video was helpful, thank you!

  • @yourbookladykatie
    @yourbookladykatie Рік тому +1

    That dog is everything

  • @elizabethcomfort2214
    @elizabethcomfort2214 Рік тому +1

    Loved this video! So much good advice! And it was fun to see Penny living her best life in the background hahaha!!

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому

      Yay so glad you liked it!! Haha Penny is hilarious!

  • @annejia5382
    @annejia5382 Рік тому +1

    Sorry Bethany I was distracted in the beginning 😂
    Your hair looks so fluffy and healthy 😍🥰❤

  • @RebeccaStapleton-mr6bl
    @RebeccaStapleton-mr6bl 10 місяців тому

    I sooo appreciate your content as a new writer. Thank you so much for your effort and time! 💗

  • @suzettehopkins5734
    @suzettehopkins5734 Рік тому +3

    Actually I had a friend that has published other books but she had one manuscript proffessionally edited and actually got a two book deal because of it. She also suggested getting our novel edited before sending it off as it would give it a better chance of being accepted because of the comptitition now.

  • @manuelamanaraguarneri
    @manuelamanaraguarneri Рік тому

    I have to rewatch the video because I have been hypnotized by your dog😁

  • @EvelynRoseA
    @EvelynRoseA 10 місяців тому

    So helpful! I loved watching your dog roll around in the background 😂

  • @cynthialovesbooks
    @cynthialovesbooks Рік тому +1

    Thanks for all the great information!!!

  • @sarahbjad
    @sarahbjad 9 місяців тому

    Thank you for the valuable information ❤🙏

  • @bethcox3226
    @bethcox3226 Рік тому +1

    This was a great video full of useful information. I know I will want to watch it again and recommend it to my writing friends.

  • @NottaVideoSummary
    @NottaVideoSummary 8 місяців тому

    - Three-part series about writing a novel for beginners
    - Part 1 covers idea generation, brainstorming, plotting, writing, editing, and publishing
    - Part 2 is about advice, encouragement, and tips from other writers
    - Part 3 covers resources for improving writing and finishing a book
    - Five steps to writing a novel: idea generation, planning, writing, editing, publishing
    - Brainstorming ideas is easier than we think, ask "what if" questions
    - Plotters and pantsers both need a general plan to know where they're going
    - Link to video about making a plan provided
    ----From Notta's video summarizer

    • @alesswonderland
      @alesswonderland 8 місяців тому

      Not as helpful without chapters with the times

  • @authorjdnichols
    @authorjdnichols Рік тому +1

    Okay LOL...the train in the background was confusing. I kept taking off my headphones thinking "what IS that?" :) Took me a couple times to figure out it was in the video.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +2

      Haha oh no so sorry! It confused me too when I was editing these videos together, but I think those noises were actually garbage trucks lol!

  • @thesmokingsection2056
    @thesmokingsection2056 Рік тому +2

    I don’t completely disagree with what u say about a plan but I love Stephen king’s approach which is let the story write itself. Let it guide you

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +1

      Totally fair! I think every writer is different, and for some (including myself) that type of discovery writing is a really powerful tool!

    • @thesmokingsection2056
      @thesmokingsection2056 Рік тому

      @@BethanyAtazadeh love watching your videos. Working on my first book myself. Tried converting a script I wrote over to book but paused for something else. Not 100% if you’ve done any videos about writing with chat got but if not I must say that has been so helpful for me for planning out what I want to do while allowing me to just let the story write itself and lead me to its destination. Anyways keep up the awesome work and thanks for everything

  • @jollyrider2154
    @jollyrider2154 8 місяців тому

    Lol just found this after seeing your old video

  • @endgamesbeats
    @endgamesbeats Рік тому +1

    I really want to publish online because I'm done.qith an entire book and.ibe moved onto my next manuscript..
    What should I do?

  • @russkidson4923
    @russkidson4923 3 місяці тому

    Get to know people, make writing friends. Oh my word, I don't do friendship or people.

  • @tosiebel5522
    @tosiebel5522 Рік тому +2

    I don’t have a network of writer friends yet. Where can I find legit but affordable editors?
    This video was AWESOME btw, Thank you!🎉

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +2

      You’ll get there! And affordable is tough but I found editors on both Reedsy (more expensive unfortunately) and Goodreads (the cheaper editors are usually here but harder to find/sort out through the not so great ones). Good luck, glad you enjoyed the video!

    • @tosiebel5522
      @tosiebel5522 Рік тому +1

      @@BethanyAtazadeh thank you so much!! The video was very helpful and inspiring!

  • @JesusisaMuslim
    @JesusisaMuslim Рік тому

    Im publishing a book shortly. Took me many years to complete it as I have taken my time on it and also took some time off. Its around 80 pages. Its all about working out the costs now. I'm hoping to put it up for $2.99 on Ebook and around £7.99 on paperback.

  • @dvpartstudio4602
    @dvpartstudio4602 Рік тому

    Is your pinterest board public or private. I love the quotes!

  • @russkidson4923
    @russkidson4923 3 місяці тому

    So.... What I'm getting is that in order to be a writer I need friends. Nevermind then.

  • @albertocatania6165
    @albertocatania6165 8 місяців тому

    I have a question. It might be a silly question but I have to ask it. Don't you be scared that someone will steal your work when you are giving it to other for reading before publishing? I know that it sound a stupid question but how can you protect your work before publishing it?

  • @OnefortheBooks
    @OnefortheBooks Рік тому +1

    Hi Bethany! Maybe you're not the right person to ask because you are an indie author, but I was curious if you would recommend getting beta readers and editors before you query an agent? I'm not really sure the order of operations there, and I'm still weighing the pros and cons of indie or traditional pub.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +1

      I think it can't hurt, because it'll help the book get to the next level, so either way it' s a win!

  • @daphneparker1453
    @daphneparker1453 Рік тому +1

    Do you have a podcast? I’d love to listen to everything you have to say but I just can’t dedicated the time to watch. It would be so much easier for me to plug in my earbuds and listen while I’m home or at work.

    • @natalyaporter5730
      @natalyaporter5730 Рік тому +1

      You could technically treat this video like a podcast, plug in your headphones, and listen…

  • @astronorthwet636
    @astronorthwet636 10 місяців тому

    I started writing just as an escape where I could build a world and characters I enjoyed rather than dealing with real life people who tend to be self centered and disloyal. Anyway I ended up with over 1500 pages and have ideas for much more. I broke it up up into four plus complete books. It’s a technology / erotic thriller that takes place in Italy. I developed the characters in detail including the sexual content so I would understand how they would react to other characters in different situations. Right now I’m trying to edit and tame down the erotic content but I have no idea how much sex and violence to leave in or how detailed it should be. Any advice on how publishers view this subject of how much or explicit the descriptions should be would be appreciated.

  • @patricialivangood3748
    @patricialivangood3748 Рік тому

    The GPS idea came from Sarra Cannon HB90 course. That's where I heard it. FYI.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +2

      Yes! I believe you are correct!

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +2

      Except I’ve never taken HB90 so she must’ve also said it in one of her videos somewhere lol, but I definitely think you’re right that it was her!

  • @stuff4007
    @stuff4007 Рік тому +1

    Your sleepy furry friend is SO CUTE

  • @thecreationproject7005
    @thecreationproject7005 11 місяців тому

    do you write linearly?

  • @gamexpress111
    @gamexpress111 Рік тому

    uh not to scare you lol but was that an orb or a "reflection" of light at 1:04:58??? Also, reading A LOT from whatever genre you wanna write also helps a lot

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +1

      Lol 😂 Heck yes reading books in your genre is great advice!

  • @Ohemaamary
    @Ohemaamary Рік тому

    I’m writing a book about a girl in college and finds out she has a mental disorder later on. I’m trying to write but I keep getting stuck on chapter 8. I want to write 10 chapters or more. Then I think about getting beta readers and I don’t know where to start.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +2

      That sounds like an awesome book, keep going! It might help to start talking about the book and see if that draws in your target reader? But I also have a whole video series about beta readers and how to find them if you’re interested! Just search my name + beta readers :)

    • @Ohemaamary
      @Ohemaamary Рік тому

      @@BethanyAtazadeh Thank you and I will watch your video on beta readers.

  • @beccapony77
    @beccapony77 Рік тому

    If one of ten beta readers do not like a character, it may be because that character hits too close to home for them - reminds them of someone who hurt them. So definitely dismiss that outlier and go forward wth the character.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому

      Very good point! We’re not invalidating the one persons feelings, so much as saying they’re not what most people will feel when reading.

    • @beccapony77
      @beccapony77 Рік тому

      @@BethanyAtazadeh Exactly. :-)

  • @mikesaccount1988
    @mikesaccount1988 Рік тому +3

    I have to disagree slightly with the editing advice. I think all authors should be getting all stages of editing done regardless of their experience. As an editor I think you can tell when an author has skipped on editing, especially developmental editing.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  Рік тому +3

      Hmm I see what you’re saying and could see that being true for a debut novel. But every author has different strengths, some of which include editorial experience ourselves like me. I actually only used beta readers and critique partners for my latest book, believe it or not, and you can see the sample online as well as reviews that show no one is complaining! ;) so it really depends on the person/book.

    • @mikesaccount1988
      @mikesaccount1988 Рік тому +1

      @@BethanyAtazadeh I've read the first 11/12 paragraphs of the sample of The Secret Gift. You can tell there hasn't been a professional edit done.
      A sentence from the sample edit - He draped his arms over the bear-like paws, with claws still sharp, and leaned back beneath the ox-like head where it was stuffed and set into the tall back of the chair. - It’s a very clunky sentence. Good prose has a rhythm to it. The sentence before this one ends with the word chair like this one. A good line editor would have pulled you up on 3/4 sentences I read within the first 11/12 paragraphs.
      The 11 paragraph is a summary of how being a Jinn works for her friends. It's very much telling a reader how the world works without showing them. It has no real context, at this point in the story. You're also pulling a reader out of the scene they're in. Any possible tension between the father and the MC is flattened by adding something that's completely unnecessary and that can be shown in a more interesting way later on. A good developmental editor would pull you up on it.
      11 paragraphs in and you need a line editor and developmental editor. So no, you can't substitute beta readers and critique partners for a professional editor, regardless of how many books you've released.

  • @coastalbeer
    @coastalbeer 11 місяців тому

    Has she even read "The Kid Gallagher Story " yet? I kinda don't think so.

    • @BethanyAtazadeh
      @BethanyAtazadeh  11 місяців тому

      If “she” means me, then why would I and no lol