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Yersterday I gave up my proyect after twelve years of trying. Been fighting a deep depression that made impossible to write for me the last four years. Watching this video helped me to see it with another approach. Hopefully, I can make something with this. Thanks, Tale Tinkerer
Sorry to hear about the depression, and I hope that it gets better for you soon. If my video can help you back into writing, or just help alleviate some of the pressure and get you a bit closer towards writing again - then the video was already well worth making for me 🙂
After 6 years of starting my story I finally finished yesterday. I felt a sense of pride and achievement like never before and stared at my screen in disbelief for a good 3 minutes or so to let it sink in
I've wanted to write novels for a few years now and have been stuck with writer's block for a while. A big thing that has been looming over my head is the fact that I don't truly know what my story is trying to teach, although I do have glimpses of what it is deep down. I know it's there, but I must dig deep to find it and this video helped me a lot to take a step back and get those basics down. As someone who's a perfectionist in all that I do and it has helped me at times, in writing, it certainly is not the case. So your advice on stripping down the first draft and getting those core elements of the story first really resonated with me. Thank you for the priceless advice, it has reinvigorated my love for it and now I'm determined to bring my first novel to life once and for all
Such a comment means a lot - thank you. In the end, I'm just one person sharing their insights and experiences, and I do that primarily because I want to help others bring their stories to life - no matter why they want to do that. So it really is super encouraging always when someone shares that some content of mine inspired them to write (again). Best of luck with your novel 🙂
Appreciate the breakdown. I think that's the biggest struggle. Giving everything meaning and tying it all together. Like you said, draft one is just for you. Be as messy as you want. Achieve something more polished later. But, you have to start somewhere.
As someone working on the early stages of coauthoring a novel, I had to check this video out. And while advice videos, especially on writing are a dime a dozen, and tend to spit out the same rhetoric from someone who clearly doesn't write much, I truly felt like I was getting advice that has been carefully learned from experience. Your ability to break down the different pieces of what you are talking about, and even give us examples from a current work in progress helps me digest every point you make, while also giving practical ways to break it down so I could apply it to my own story. You have earned my sub heartily, and guaranteed I'll be on the look out for The Fugitive Prince when you are finished!
Thank you for this kind of feedback. I really appreciate it. I'm just sharing my experience and hope it can help someone else get some of their stories out of them as well. So just one guy sharing one set of views and experiences 🙂
Another was-blocked writer here to say a heartfelt 'Thank you!' Seriously, this approach is the difference. Not the difference between 'no novel' or 'novel'. It's the difference between 'paralysed' and 'going somewhere'. Bless.
Thank you for taking the time to leave that feedback. It really means a lot hearing from people that my content is able to inspire, motivate, help them somehow 🙂
I write chaotically. My vague road map is the skeleton but I always write in the moment. To convey a feeling of a scene I listen to music that captures that feeling on repeat until the scene is done. To best explain my characters I have you an excerpt: Just then, Nyra opened the bathroom door, and Vela looked to Tartarus for permission to help as Nyra had requested. He gave a slight nod, and she quickly went over. Nyra’s hair was about as long as Vela’s, maybe even a bit longer, and she was in the process of drying it. Vela grabbed a towel and began to assist. The hair felt incredibly soft as it slipped through her fingers, but then something caught her eye-a strange, subtle movement under Nyra’s neck, oddly alien. Vela was certain she’d never seen anything like it on other humans. "Would you like a massage? You have some tense muscles-I could help loosen them," Vela offered. "Those aren’t muscles; they’re my relays. No need for a massage. I just discovered I can move them a little,” Nyra explained. “Relays… like the tendrils Tartarus has on his head? The ones that look like hair?” Vela asked, intrigued. “Yes, the same, but smaller to fit into me so I can understand him better,” Nyra replied. Was this the secret to understanding Tartarus? To serving him better? Nyra continued, “I was a servant too, much like you. Tartarus… well, he kidnapped me and killed my masters. He’s helped me become who I am now, and I’m convinced he’ll do the same for you. Have you seen his gentleness? I know he’s frightening, but if you can see past that…” Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and distant screams cut through the air. A terrible, screeching sound tore through the atmosphere. Vela instinctively wanted to look, but Nyra pulled her back, urging her to lie down flat. Vela quickly followed her lead, heart racing. Tartarus’s growl filled the air, low and unmistakably hostile. “You wretched vermin dare to enter here? I don’t care why you have your weapon drawn-no one enters without permission.” Vela felt herself trembling, instinctively backing up into the corner of the shower. Her whole body was shaking as she tried to press herself as far away from the door as possible. Another snarl, predatory and dark, echoed through the room. “Who is your master? Who sent you here, and why?” The ground trembled underfoot, and Vela’s vision blurred with fear. She could feel a wetness between her legs as she lost control, but she dared not look away. She heard screaming, the panicked, desperate wails of the intruder. Tartarus’s voice was cold, the menace almost tangible. “I will make you an offer. If you tell me what I want to know, I’ll let you die quickly.” The screaming grew frantic. Vela’s stomach turned, and, shaking, she leaned into the shower as she vomited, her whole body wracked by fear. She squeezed her eyes shut, but the memory of Tartarus’s fangs flashed in her mind-a glimpse of those rows of razor-sharp teeth. When she opened her eyes again, she wasn’t sure when the screaming had stopped. She found herself wrapped tightly in a blanket, nestled against Tartarus’s heated chest with Nyra right behind her, holding her securely to keep her from slipping. Her hair was still a little damp, and she wasn’t sure if she’d been washed-she couldn’t remember. Even with Tartarus’s warmth, she felt a chill she couldn’t shake.
This was incredibly helpful, practical advice. Everything you offered provided a concrete step that builds upon one another. Thank you for this! Great job!
My first drafts are always done in actual paper notebooks easiest for me to get my thoughts out that way), so search-based techniques only work for me in later drafts. That said, I have an excellent memory for where in the notebook each scene is, which leads to... me going back as I think of things and inserting sticky notes to remind myself of things when I go to type it up into a second draft. XD Things like "change end of scene to hafgufa vs ship mutual destruction" and "add scene from Finn's POV to show why he did X."
This is excellent advice. The whole video was on point. There are many ways to write a novel but this may be the best I've heard so you don't outright fail at your objective.
I have written a rough first draft for my grimdark fairytale fantasy novel, about a young princess who was born with a curse that causes her to be shunned and alienated from her society, all within a dark betrayal and revenge narrative, with a negative character arc for the protagonist. Now i am going back to the beginning and doing some reverse outlining and plotting for my book, including a extremely detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, including all scenes and plot beats. I like the Alfred Hitchcock technique of not including any dialogue whatsoever in the early drafts. I hate writing dialogue, and its one of my weak points in my writing. I will be using the advice in this video and put them all into practice for my book.
I always appreciate it when someone takes the time to leave a comment that shows my content is actually helping people - so thank you for taking the time to do so 🙂
Hi Sascha! These videos are great. Keep them coming. Also, can’t wait to read your novel. Do you have any short stories to share? I’d love to read them. You rock!🎉
Thank you for the kind feedback. I will be intensifying my focus on writing and releasing my own stuff somewhere next year, but until then I gotta get a few other things done first 🙂
I'm glad to hear that. The majority of what I'm sharing does theoretically apply to writing in general, even more to Sci-Fi due to a lot of similarities with Fantasy, but I'm presenting all my content with a fantasy twist to make sure it speaks to the right people since fantasy is what I know and love the most personally 🙂
My approach has now changed. All the things you list are great, no problems with them, but they don't tie together automatically. I prefer to take not the protagonist's view of the events but the world's (i.e., that of the characters in the story) view. For example, the throne is empty or needs to be emptied. The story, instead of being the hero's journey, is an exploration of how different characters react to that vacancy or need for a vacancy. Some will seek it for themselves, others might back a candidate, others might seek to profit from the change in some way (money, love, booty), etc. Obviously, the hero's journey still occurs and is front and centre, the same as before, but now all the other characters and the world itself (in terms of magic, for example) are automatically involved. Is the world's magic passive or does it actively support one candidate over another or even the reigning monarch? Why are all these magic systems passive? This is not science where molecules abide by strict rules, this is a force of nature. Remember in LoTR where Gandalf says that Bilbo and Frodo were meant to possess the Ring; the power of magic, call it a god if you like, was an active character in the world. The character arc of the hobbits was to connect the reader to the story, but how the world reacted to the renewed presence of the Ring was the essence of the story, what everything revolved around. Aragorn, for example, was not seeking the throne of Gondor for personal aggrandisement or even Arwen's hand, but as a means to help the Ring end up in Mt Doom. His imprisonment in the palace was the price he paid to see the Ring destroyed.
Thank you! One project is a sci-fi post cyberpunk/biopunk superhero story and the other (which I’m working on right now) is an epic medieval fantasy setting that’s basically a inspired and influenced by Norse and Celtic folklore, Middle Earth, Song of Fire and Ice, Warcraft, Warhammer Fantasy, Unicorn Overlord game, and (insets drum roll) heavily inspired by Arthurian folklore and For Honor game’s Knight Faction!
Hey Sascha, love your channel, thanks for putting out so much great content. I just have one question, you always mention on your openings "after two decades writing fantasy [...]", where can we see more of that work from previous years? Have you published anything? Just curious. Thanks!
I just recently answered a similar question, I hope it is ok if I just copy it here 🙂 Quting myself: "While I have written since I was a teenager, I have not published anything yet publicly. Traditional publishing has never been a goal for me, which doesn't mean I want to condemn it in general. For anyone who takes that route and it works, great. I just disliked certain aspects of it. I've always written my stories for the sake of writing not publishing. With self-publishing gaining popularity and accessibility though, and me now pursuing my creative projects full-time, I will publish a novel of mine next year for the first time. Still a bit to go until then though 🙂"
Im very curious about your works. I've stumbled upon your videos, and they seem good, simple, and to the point. Im assuming you have books published already...? Im sorry if i should know who you are. But i dont, and "the tale tinkerer" doesnt tell me what author name to look up 😂
Thank you, I appreciate the interest. I just recently answered a similar question and hope it is ok if I just copy it here 🙂 Quting myself: "While I have written since I was a teenager, I have not published anything yet publicly. Traditional publishing has never been a goal for me, which doesn't mean I want to condemn it in general. For anyone who takes that route and it works, great. I just disliked certain aspects of it. I've always written my stories for the sake of writing not publishing. With self-publishing gaining popularity and accessibility though, and me now pursuing my creative projects full-time, I will publish a novel of mine next year for the first time. Still a bit to go until then though 🙂"
I have to say, there's not much emotion in the example you give. At least, not for me. Maybe youre afraid of being melodramatic, but i say throw it in there thick. And dont be afraid of using ineternal thouhgts.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
✍ Level up your fantasy writing and worldbuilding skills for free! Join hundreds of writers getting weekly tips, tricks, and inspiration delivered straight to their inbox every Friday. Claim your spot in our growing fantasy community: thetaletinkerer.com/newsletter
Yersterday I gave up my proyect after twelve years of trying. Been fighting a deep depression that made impossible to write for me the last four years. Watching this video helped me to see it with another approach. Hopefully, I can make something with this. Thanks, Tale Tinkerer
Sorry to hear about the depression, and I hope that it gets better for you soon. If my video can help you back into writing, or just help alleviate some of the pressure and get you a bit closer towards writing again - then the video was already well worth making for me 🙂
Use your depression to fuel your storytelling.
Don't let this hinder you, use it.
After 6 years of starting my story I finally finished yesterday. I felt a sense of pride and achievement like never before and stared at my screen in disbelief for a good 3 minutes or so to let it sink in
Congratulations - that's a huge achievement for sure! 🙂
I learn something about Magic Systems:
"There are two types of Magic, and then a Third Type appears".
This video actually gave me the tools I may need to plan productively without feeling like I'm just stalling or getting lost in not-actually-writing.
Glad to hear this might have helped, crossing my fingers fingers for you and your novel 🙂
I've wanted to write novels for a few years now and have been stuck with writer's block for a while. A big thing that has been looming over my head is the fact that I don't truly know what my story is trying to teach, although I do have glimpses of what it is deep down. I know it's there, but I must dig deep to find it and this video helped me a lot to take a step back and get those basics down. As someone who's a perfectionist in all that I do and it has helped me at times, in writing, it certainly is not the case. So your advice on stripping down the first draft and getting those core elements of the story first really resonated with me. Thank you for the priceless advice, it has reinvigorated my love for it and now I'm determined to bring my first novel to life once and for all
Such a comment means a lot - thank you. In the end, I'm just one person sharing their insights and experiences, and I do that primarily because I want to help others bring their stories to life - no matter why they want to do that. So it really is super encouraging always when someone shares that some content of mine inspired them to write (again). Best of luck with your novel 🙂
Appreciate the breakdown. I think that's the biggest struggle. Giving everything meaning and tying it all together.
Like you said, draft one is just for you. Be as messy as you want. Achieve something more polished later. But, you have to start somewhere.
Start...AND....finish! The latter is where so many struggle (which I've done on countless projects as well) 🙂
As someone working on the early stages of coauthoring a novel, I had to check this video out. And while advice videos, especially on writing are a dime a dozen, and tend to spit out the same rhetoric from someone who clearly doesn't write much, I truly felt like I was getting advice that has been carefully learned from experience. Your ability to break down the different pieces of what you are talking about, and even give us examples from a current work in progress helps me digest every point you make, while also giving practical ways to break it down so I could apply it to my own story.
You have earned my sub heartily, and guaranteed I'll be on the look out for The Fugitive Prince when you are finished!
Thank you for the kind feedback - I'm glad to hear that the video overall had some useful parts for you 🙂
This channel has some of the best writing advice I've ever heard 💯
Thank you for this kind of feedback. I really appreciate it. I'm just sharing my experience and hope it can help someone else get some of their stories out of them as well. So just one guy sharing one set of views and experiences 🙂
Another was-blocked writer here to say a heartfelt 'Thank you!'
Seriously, this approach is the difference. Not the difference between 'no novel' or 'novel'.
It's the difference between 'paralysed' and 'going somewhere'. Bless.
Thank you for taking the time to leave that feedback. It really means a lot hearing from people that my content is able to inspire, motivate, help them somehow 🙂
I write chaotically. My vague road map is the skeleton but I always write in the moment. To convey a feeling of a scene I listen to music that captures that feeling on repeat until the scene is done. To best explain my characters I have you an excerpt:
Just then, Nyra opened the bathroom door, and Vela looked to Tartarus for permission to help as Nyra had requested. He gave a slight nod, and she quickly went over.
Nyra’s hair was about as long as Vela’s, maybe even a bit longer, and she was in the process of drying it. Vela grabbed a towel and began to assist. The hair felt incredibly soft as it slipped through her fingers, but then something caught her eye-a strange, subtle movement under Nyra’s neck, oddly alien. Vela was certain she’d never seen anything like it on other humans.
"Would you like a massage? You have some tense muscles-I could help loosen them," Vela offered.
"Those aren’t muscles; they’re my relays. No need for a massage. I just discovered I can move them a little,” Nyra explained.
“Relays… like the tendrils Tartarus has on his head? The ones that look like hair?” Vela asked, intrigued.
“Yes, the same, but smaller to fit into me so I can understand him better,” Nyra replied.
Was this the secret to understanding Tartarus? To serving him better?
Nyra continued, “I was a servant too, much like you. Tartarus… well, he kidnapped me and killed my masters. He’s helped me become who I am now, and I’m convinced he’ll do the same for you. Have you seen his gentleness? I know he’s frightening, but if you can see past that…”
Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and distant screams cut through the air. A terrible, screeching sound tore through the atmosphere. Vela instinctively wanted to look, but Nyra pulled her back, urging her to lie down flat. Vela quickly followed her lead, heart racing.
Tartarus’s growl filled the air, low and unmistakably hostile. “You wretched vermin dare to enter here? I don’t care why you have your weapon drawn-no one enters without permission.” Vela felt herself trembling, instinctively backing up into the corner of the shower. Her whole body was shaking as she tried to press herself as far away from the door as possible.
Another snarl, predatory and dark, echoed through the room. “Who is your master? Who sent you here, and why?” The ground trembled underfoot, and Vela’s vision blurred with fear. She could feel a wetness between her legs as she lost control, but she dared not look away. She heard screaming, the panicked, desperate wails of the intruder.
Tartarus’s voice was cold, the menace almost tangible. “I will make you an offer. If you tell me what I want to know, I’ll let you die quickly.” The screaming grew frantic. Vela’s stomach turned, and, shaking, she leaned into the shower as she vomited, her whole body wracked by fear. She squeezed her eyes shut, but the memory of Tartarus’s fangs flashed in her mind-a glimpse of those rows of razor-sharp teeth.
When she opened her eyes again, she wasn’t sure when the screaming had stopped. She found herself wrapped tightly in a blanket, nestled against Tartarus’s heated chest with Nyra right behind her, holding her securely to keep her from slipping. Her hair was still a little damp, and she wasn’t sure if she’d been washed-she couldn’t remember. Even with Tartarus’s warmth, she felt a chill she couldn’t shake.
This was incredibly helpful, practical advice. Everything you offered provided a concrete step that builds upon one another. Thank you for this! Great job!
It's always encouraging to hear when a video of mine is actually able to help someone - so thank you for taking the time to leave a comment :-)
My first drafts are always done in actual paper notebooks easiest for me to get my thoughts out that way), so search-based techniques only work for me in later drafts. That said, I have an excellent memory for where in the notebook each scene is, which leads to... me going back as I think of things and inserting sticky notes to remind myself of things when I go to type it up into a second draft. XD Things like "change end of scene to hafgufa vs ship mutual destruction" and "add scene from Finn's POV to show why he did X."
This is excellent advice. The whole video was on point. There are many ways to write a novel but this may be the best I've heard so you don't outright fail at your objective.
Wow, thank you! It means a lot to hear such feedback, it's always encouraging when my content actually helps other writers :-)
I have written a rough first draft for my grimdark fairytale fantasy novel, about a young princess who was born with a curse that causes her to be shunned and alienated from her society, all within a dark betrayal and revenge narrative, with a negative character arc for the protagonist.
Now i am going back to the beginning and doing some reverse outlining and plotting for my book, including a extremely detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, including all scenes and plot beats. I like the Alfred Hitchcock technique of not including any dialogue whatsoever in the early drafts. I hate writing dialogue, and its one of my weak points in my writing. I will be using the advice in this video and put them all into practice for my book.
Best of luck with your revisions, great to hear you've managed to get a first draft done already - that's a huge achievement already! :-)
I appreciate this a lot, really will help me craft my story better.
I always appreciate it when someone takes the time to leave a comment that shows my content is actually helping people - so thank you for taking the time to do so 🙂
Nice to meet you! Thank you for making me think.
Thank you for leaving a comment - I'm glad if I could spark any kind of creativity with my video :-)
Hi Sascha! These videos are great. Keep them coming. Also, can’t wait to read your novel. Do you have any short stories to share? I’d love to read them. You rock!🎉
Thank you for the kind feedback. I will be intensifying my focus on writing and releasing my own stuff somewhere next year, but until then I gotta get a few other things done first 🙂
I'm writing a sci-fi novel and the first half of the video is still helpful to me :D
I'm glad to hear that. The majority of what I'm sharing does theoretically apply to writing in general, even more to Sci-Fi due to a lot of similarities with Fantasy, but I'm presenting all my content with a fantasy twist to make sure it speaks to the right people since fantasy is what I know and love the most personally 🙂
Useful the part about the map of emotions😊
Glad there was something that was helpful to you 🙂
My approach has now changed. All the things you list are great, no problems with them, but they don't tie together automatically. I prefer to take not the protagonist's view of the events but the world's (i.e., that of the characters in the story) view. For example, the throne is empty or needs to be emptied. The story, instead of being the hero's journey, is an exploration of how different characters react to that vacancy or need for a vacancy. Some will seek it for themselves, others might back a candidate, others might seek to profit from the change in some way (money, love, booty), etc. Obviously, the hero's journey still occurs and is front and centre, the same as before, but now all the other characters and the world itself (in terms of magic, for example) are automatically involved. Is the world's magic passive or does it actively support one candidate over another or even the reigning monarch? Why are all these magic systems passive? This is not science where molecules abide by strict rules, this is a force of nature. Remember in LoTR where Gandalf says that Bilbo and Frodo were meant to possess the Ring; the power of magic, call it a god if you like, was an active character in the world. The character arc of the hobbits was to connect the reader to the story, but how the world reacted to the renewed presence of the Ring was the essence of the story, what everything revolved around. Aragorn, for example, was not seeking the throne of Gondor for personal aggrandisement or even Arwen's hand, but as a means to help the Ring end up in Mt Doom. His imprisonment in the palace was the price he paid to see the Ring destroyed.
This helps me a lot as I have several projects that have been gathering dust. I work on them when I can but sometimes life comes first
Crossing my fingers you'll get to them 🙂
Thank you! One project is a sci-fi post cyberpunk/biopunk superhero story and the other (which I’m working on right now) is an epic medieval fantasy setting that’s basically a inspired and influenced by Norse and Celtic folklore, Middle Earth, Song of Fire and Ice, Warcraft, Warhammer Fantasy, Unicorn Overlord game, and (insets drum roll) heavily inspired by Arthurian folklore and For Honor game’s Knight Faction!
Oh and the Dark Eye RPG.
@@SCPilot Ha, I played and DMd that for years 😀
Family is what you make of it.
Relevant and Supportive Comment to feed the Algorangim
Appreciate it as always :-)
Hey Sascha, love your channel, thanks for putting out so much great content. I just have one question, you always mention on your openings "after two decades writing fantasy [...]", where can we see more of that work from previous years? Have you published anything? Just curious. Thanks!
I just recently answered a similar question, I hope it is ok if I just copy it here 🙂
Quting myself:
"While I have written since I was a teenager, I have not published anything yet publicly.
Traditional publishing has never been a goal for me, which doesn't mean I want to condemn it in general. For anyone who takes that route and it works, great. I just disliked certain aspects of it.
I've always written my stories for the sake of writing not publishing. With self-publishing gaining popularity and accessibility though, and me now pursuing my creative projects full-time, I will publish a novel of mine next year for the first time. Still a bit to go until then though 🙂"
I don’t know about anyone else but I suddenly have this strange urge to buy this book
What is the meaning of true friendship?
Can you find true love more than once?
Evil never sleeps.
Nice video :) For the horde
Glad you liked it - even as a horde supporter 🙂
Watch me. I will make you cry.
What is the meaning of life.
preparation you say? the pantzer in me giggles loudly...
Im very curious about your works. I've stumbled upon your videos, and they seem good, simple, and to the point. Im assuming you have books published already...? Im sorry if i should know who you are. But i dont, and "the tale tinkerer" doesnt tell me what author name to look up 😂
Thank you, I appreciate the interest. I just recently answered a similar question and hope it is ok if I just copy it here 🙂
Quting myself:
"While I have written since I was a teenager, I have not published anything yet publicly.
Traditional publishing has never been a goal for me, which doesn't mean I want to condemn it in general. For anyone who takes that route and it works, great. I just disliked certain aspects of it.
I've always written my stories for the sake of writing not publishing. With self-publishing gaining popularity and accessibility though, and me now pursuing my creative projects full-time, I will publish a novel of mine next year for the first time. Still a bit to go until then though 🙂"
@TheTaleTinkerer I see. Thank you for the response! The fugitive prince sounds interesting. 😊 have a blessed day!
I have to say, there's not much emotion in the example you give. At least, not for me. Maybe youre afraid of being melodramatic, but i say throw it in there thick. And dont be afraid of using ineternal thouhgts.
I loved everything about this video except the alliance flag. For The Horde!
Loktar Ogar
Mine is kind of slice of lifey
The villains I have written are small skill, compared to dark lords, demon kings, or white witches
A great fantasy story doesn't necessarily need either of the latter three 🙂