"You need about 2 months to finish your first draft." Me looking at my recently finished first draft that took me 2 years to complete: "I'm a little behind schedule, but no problem. This is the biggest achievement of my life!❤"
I feel you!!! This was me with the first draft of my novel!!! Only it was 3 years 👀 but I ended up scraping all of my previously written stuff and rewrote the whole thing in 3 months. So not bad 🤭 Keep up the amazing work!!! Im sure your book is awesome!!!
I started my current WIP about 15/16 years ago, when I was in high school. Since then, it's gone through restart after restart, years of not being touched, and lots of doubt it would ever see completion. Even that very first (cringy) draft from 16-year-old me never reached completion (I stopped writing it close to the end and restarted from Chapter 1, haha). I finally finished the first draft on the 7th of this month, after a little over a year of telling myself it WILL be done. It obviously needs a lot of work, but at least it's a completed first draft, no matter how long it took for it to get there.
Two years? That’s MILES ahead of where I was at! It took me five years to get what I would consider now my first draft, which I made the huge mistake of releasing. It’s awesome that you have made so much progress!
I told someone I know about my current book idea, and we ended up having a long conversation about it. She later told me about a walk she had with a friend, and the friend asked why she was so quiet. She told me that quietness came from her thinking about my book's characters, how easily she could visualise them, and wanting to find out what would happen to them. I think that sort of enthusiasm is really powerful, as it lets you know as the author if your idea is important and worthwhile.
Exactly. You damn need to finish writing that book. BTW, is It your first book to be published? Do you have a website or are you planning to build one ?
@@awe_ebenezer It would very likely be my first published book. I could build a website in the future, but I'm still young and inexperienced. I do need to write this bloody book though. I definitely know that now!
* writes dialogue as it naturally comes into your head * "Wait, that sounds too basic, it sounds boring, it doesn't sound like it belongs in a novel, it needs to sound interesting...." * 12k rewrites later, dialogue reads like a bad action movie, with 10 layers of irony and nonsensical speech quirks, completely unnatural, absolutely no one speaks like this in real life * "Yes.... perfect......"
It was a high school dream to write a novel, but I never tried. Almost two decades later, I've brushed the dust off my aspirations and started my first project about a year ago. 10k words into it, I scrapped the junker of a story for spare parts and started project number two, its going so much better than the first! Learning how to write, rediscovering the joy of reading, and watching McNulty's videos has been an absolute blast. good luck to everyone working on their dreams.
Happened with me too. I finally found the perfect idea, was passionate for the first 8,000 words, then it went downhill, I started to hate it, and I started on a new story. It went so much better, until same thing happened... Now I am waiting for a great idea to start my best story.😊
Hi Brandon, my name is Robert. Thank you for the much needed writing advice. I go to UA-cam University, with discernment. Last year I lost my job and the use of my legs, I became disabled (hip erosion). Instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself I decided to write a novel. And Brandon was I surprised. One doesn't just write a book. There's a certain way to write a book. Starting with "Show don't tell", at the top of the list. I treat it like a business, I get up, take a shower, breakfast, book. (The best I can) To answer your question. How long ago did I start? Last year whren I was diagnosed with hip erosion. Between loosing my job and waiting for disability leaves me strapped, $ Copywriting, editing, pictures, publishing all cost. So, I'm waiting for disability. I'm 3/4th through, I'm new and slow. Planner 1st. Pantser 2nd. Just reaching out to seasoned writers. Thank You, Brandon for the education.
Awesome that you managed to fight through such an ugly situation. I wish you the best of luck with your writing. Keep at it, and good things will happen.
Hey, Brandon, I've been writing my first novel since late November 2023. I'm almost done with it, but I've faced many trials along the way. As always, your advice has been extremely helpful, and I hope my novel will get published.
I’m not delusional enough to think people will like my Campfire Series. It’s just a slice of life with no real plot except just following the MC going through the trials and tribulations of life. He experiences big events in a similar way like Forrest Gump. I’m writing it not to sell and make money. I’m writing it because I have a story to tell.
one thing that I wish I had known is: You can write about is bothering you/occupying your thoughts/pain you are going through and explore that in a fictional story that may have nothing to do with reality...it is not that you are writing a biography or journal, but you are taking what you are trying to work through as a person and put that into a story...it can be a genre piece... a horror story...whatever. That worked for me.
Great point. All three of the novels I've released were written with the help of "emotional fuel"--working through issues that were bothering me at the time of writing.
I thought about that too, when I was really young i actually wanted to watch horror, then in the end, i became so afraid i start throwing tantrums everytime i hear anything related to horror, all because for around 2 months straight, I've had the same nightmare over and over again. Sheesh even Disney's Zombies made me scream and as loud as i could because of the name, even having a crisis about why horror genres even exist. I've eventually improved overtime and slowly started to like the genre more and more, until all of a sudden, here I am, writing a sort of, biography with tons of changes, but still kept the main plots in it. If you read until here... why?
Okay - so if you had multiple ideas and were middle aged (click is ticking!), would you first write the novel about your most important idea, knowing it might be the only one you ever complete, or start with your easiest idea, for the practice?
Anthony here. My PC broke so I stopped gaming. I grabbed the dusty old laptop and looked at the paragraphs I wrote in 2001. I expanded them and put them into a logical order. I embellished, removed, and worked out an arc. My draft was done in about 3 months. It needs a truck load of work, but I did it. I guess that shows what dedication can do.
Congratulations! What a happy accident, with you needing to go back to that computer and finding your old writing. I commend your ability to follow through on the spark of inspiration.
I begin my work by asking ´what if X was scary´? One day I asked ´what if Uber passengers were scary´? The end - result was a little vampire short story which was enough to make a friend happy. Over 20 years ago I wrote a long book about the pope being a praying mantis - it happened sometime in the Renaissance and focused on an alternate life of pope Urban VIII. Years later it was mostly complete in the form of a novella. The first time I attempted to write a novel was a handwritten project about a family member and friend finding themselves in an alternate reality, where their sanity began to slip. Thanks for your video man! Best wishes to you from Reykjavik, Iceland!
The first thought of writing a novel dates back to when I was 10. Which is 30 years ago. I always wrote stories when I was a child and a teen. Somehow lost that urge when I was 16 and had to start a "regular" job. Life went by, I married, had two kids and had a boring life. Also a kind of small identity crisis. But I was always interesed in arts and followed my artsy creative nature. And on febuary 1st of this year I woke up with a dream and a thought that was so strong that it almost scared me: I will write a book about this. Not "I want to", not " maybe", not "this COULD BE an idea", no. I WILL WRITE A BOOK ABOUT THIS. It was only a small seed that got planted in my brain and soul, but boy, it got BIG. That morning I started to write rightaway. And Im still doing it every day. First draft of volume one got finished mid-april. I set it aside and immedeately started volume two. When Im done with that, I will revisit and edit the first one. Im already looking for a book cover and prepare my self publisher career. And do you know what? I dont even give a monkey's about sales or critics when its out. I just want to DO IT. Writing and publishing, publishing and writing. Never searched for big success or limelight. I just want to follow my passion.
@@agi9916 I will. But Im not writing in english. Im german. 😁 Getting a professional translation costs about 10k. No joke. It will take a while before I can cross the pond with my books. Dont know if the title is already taken in english.
@@schlumbl84 your english id good nah... You could use gpt translate platforms and edit with the english you know. 10k for translation is a hefty amount of money.
@@agi9916 yep, it IS hefty. And not as easy when putting something out there in a different language. I used DeepL to translate some chapters for my english speaking relatives. I had to work through the whole thing, since it still was full of mistakes.
Dreams are an amazing way to start making a story! Since dreams are our brains piecing together memories and thoughts and making them into a visual representation. If you make a story about a dream, you’re truly are having a piece of yourself apart of the story! ❤
The first and ninth tip hit me hard. I’m not very confident in my writing, but I’m improving very slowly. I haven’t truly started writing because I’m so worried about making it THE novel I write. I’ve never written more than a few pages of an idea before I quit because I want it to be perfect. You’re an amazing UA-camr, and because of you, I’m going to write a novel. No matter the outcome.
Man, your last one really spoke to me. I have limited writing time, but I could certainly be more efficient. The idea of getting clarity from that first draft makes sense.
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty well I write stuff like that (and comments...) all the time. I meant creative works like poems or short stories or anything like that
OMG the two months to finish a first draft is actually true for me! My project is a work in progress, but my goodness I knew when I needed to stop for a while, so I can recover my creative energy, and it took me exactly two months to re look at the draft again, and to play with it a lot more. And when I compared my first draft, to what I reworked? The first draft was a complete mess but that was okay! It's okay to play around with things and have fun! And when it comes time to submit? Well? That's where editors can help us. Have faith in yourself as a writer.
I’m not sure if this’ll answer the question of the day but… I first attempted to write novels all the way back in elementary school on sheets of paper, but they would never really go anywhere before I scrapped those ideas. Hell, I can’t even remember what most of them were about to save my life. One idea, however, really stuck out to me, that idea is gonna be my first official novel. I’m also writing fanfiction on the side to not only build an audience, but also get experience as a writer.
I finished my first one and already published. Kept fixing it for over a year and I'm still insecure, but I guess I have to accept my first work and move on, keep learning and improving. It is the best I had at the moment, I believe, and it is a good feeling to know you gave your best, even if it is imperfect.
I think all (or at least most) writers are insecure. I definitely am, and I remember reading about how Alan Moore and George R. R. Martin both doubt themselves when they sit down to write
First attempt, 2003. My first novel I actually wrote and finished was in 2005. Ironically, with tons of signs, I didn't realize I was a planner until my second novel and first series.
I wish more first time writers could hear this! Thankfully I had the advantage of starting my first finished book when I was 13 (made a promise to myself that I would get past chapter one or die trying, cause this was after a LOT of abandoned ideas😅) but because I was so young, it helped take most of that pressure off that I see in people starting as adults… I also didn’t have near as grandiose of ideas about publishing🤪 I did daydream about it a lot and imagined acting in the movie version, but even then I didn’t take myself too seriously to the point of sucking fun out of it. The daydreaming was just part of the process, like everything else:) (I still picture it as movie scenes if only to give myself more detailed descriptions of the settings!) I wish more young adult, or even older adult, writers setting out on that same journey could do it through the eyes of a kid…. Cause at the end of the day, writing for money or even the promotion of your ideas however good they are is worthless if you hate the process. And readers will see that.
This is such good advice. I started as a young teen too, mostly just daydreaming about stories, and then writing fanfiction. I didn't take myself seriously, but I kept writing, all kinds of things. I'm 37 now and my writing has improved enough that I really think I have a novel in me. I hope I never lose that childlike wonder when approaching the world of imagination and storytelling.
Ever since I was pretty young I've wanted to do something involving storytelling, and it eventually led me to writing. For a few years now I've studied and wrote, but to no avail and everything ended up pretty bad, and I stopped for a good while. Watching your videos helped me realize I had the right ideas, just with no careful execution. I've done a heaping amount of work on some projects, and I'm on track to starting my very first full work.
I started writing my first novel 17 years ago when I was 17 but life got in the way and I have been reworking on it for the last couple of years now in my free time. The story has changed so much and for the better but I still overthink myself to death every so often. I have dear friends who have been pushing me through those hard days. Bugging me about my characters they are excited about. Which has become a great motivation.
I've watched your subscriber list grow by over a hundred thousand, and each video I am still amazed there aren't ten times the subscribers. This type of overview advice video is one of my favorites, as a rookie novelist, and I appreciate all your excellent advice, Brandon. Drive careful -- keep it up!
Great advice. I've been working on my novel for 2 years and it will take another 2. But! It was only going to be a few months write but I stumbled on something sooooo insanely cool "in the process" and I *have* to chase that down or I'll always regret not going "all the way." I'm embracing the process for this unique story which due to its unique process will be a literal one of a kind and incomparable, which I don't care about except that it's interesting to *me*. Thank you this validates me going all the way! But for my next book it won't be this crazy unique thing (in process and content) and will be a more straight forward write.
I began my journey several months ago with my first novel. It initially was just a brain building exercise by writing down short stories, but it turned into something beyond anything I anticipated. 80k words into it so far, and have so many moments of uncertainty in my ability to deliver. I just remember to keep pushing and walk away if needed to allow rest. Don't force it.
I am writing my first ever novel that actually reach somewhere rather than rewritting every 10 chapters cause i dont feel happy with what I wrote. Wish I could actually finished this first novel.
I'm not gonna lie, I was so afraid to watch this video because I thought your advices would limit my "stupid" creativity, like "Don't do this Don't do that" But, fortunately, it's not! Thank you for your advices 🎉
I began writing a novel in January 2023 and finished the 1st draft in December 2023. Succeeded in my new year's resolution! 🎉 Now edits and 2nd draft during 2024.
Started two years ago. On my third attempt. I recycle the ideas/characters/world building I like. I've learned a lot from the process, and don't beat myself up about not getting something I'm totally happy with yet. Giving myself the room to grow and learn.
Strong advice. I'd written many articles and short stories before I attempted a novel. I had taken notes for it for about 15 years. I watched a bunch of videos and watched more from the authors whose writing style seemed analogous to mine. My process became to start with an outline (I use Scrivener) with the major chapters named after a version of "The Writer's Journey." I then rename one or another according to points I want to happen in the book. I then fill in "bones" for each scene involved, but again, in random order to my mood or ideas that occur. I also build a character list as I go along. Once all the "bones" are there, I fill in broad details, dialog, descriptions, etc. Eventually, I go back to the beginning and fill in more detail until done. The opening is usually one of the last steps. Often, I cut off part or all of what I thought was my first chapter, so the reader will pick up the story as things are already happening. THAT becomes the hook.
I have a trilogy written in my head, and I REALLY love it, but I never actually managed to (sucessfully) write it all down, this video has a lot helped, thanks!
Great point on marketability. I just finished my story, 42k words, and am hesitating if I should publish it because the subject is niche and I think the target audience is too small to make it worth it. I like what you said that a good story will find an audience no matter what.
The tips were very helpful thank you. I'm 16 and I've been wanting to write a novel i had in my head since i was 14. I spent so much time over planning and obsessing over it especially the opening pages and didn't get any words down until now. Thank you. You just got yourself a new subscriber and i will read your Story😊😊😊
I created a general timeline overview for the book I’m writing to help me guide myself on the rules I set so I don’t contradict myself and keep the continuity flowing well. It works best for me but the other tips you provided were also Most helpful ^^
Great advice on all points - I thought I would have to protest that "my method is different" and "it's okay to do some editing along the way because it makes the process enjoyable to me" - but you made careful distinctions between working and fixating. Now that I'm actually writing the novel my grade-school self dreamed about, your videos are great encouragement. And I recycled a failed idea to do it!
So happy to see you doing videos about literature again! I love the screenwriting content too, but bc I’m a novelist these ones are way easier to apply directly. Anyway, thanks Brandon!
Totally hear that. You have to deal with a LOT of film clips in those other ones! This took me back to your earliest videos, a nice little dose of nostalgia ❤
Thanks, Brandon. I just published my first novel last week, although it was my fifth book. It was scary to go from nonfiction to fiction, but so much fun. Thanks for the advice.
The one that really struck home with me was obsessing about the opening - but I'd like to expand upon that. Don't obsess about any point in a book until you are putting the final coats of paint on it. I used to have a terrible habit of rewriting one section over and over: honing it, polishing it to perfection. Then when I started writing the next section, it sounded horrible and didn't mesh with the perfectly polished section before it. It can drag you down following up some epic, beautiful prose with basic first draft style and you start to think, "How will I ever get this to come together?" Very discouraging! Just go through it all evenly and then, once you get it where you want it, start cleaning up and polishing those sections that need it. JMO!
#7 and #10 are so spot on, it’s painful. Two summers ago, I came up with an idea for a dark fantasy graphic novel series, and I’ve spent nearly all that time on world-building and story-planning (character arcs, overarching story beats, magic systems, lore and mythology, etc,). When you’ve written only half of your first book (25 chapters!) in 2 years, you know you’re an overthinker lmao.
I first attempted to write a novel 7 years ago. I’ve had a lot of changes made to it and I’m still keeping the basic characters. However, a few of your points help relieve the pressure on it.
I've been working on a western/horror/pulp story, but I'm struggling with my ensemble cast and how to pace things while also providing the necessary amount of backstory for each character before the inciting incident. I want to ensure that the readers will actually care about them before it hits the fan. Any tips would be appreciated. On a side note, I finished _Entry Wounds_ recently, and I can honestly say it was one of the best books I've ever read. I had a hell of a time putting it down. I'm very much looking forward to _Half Murders_ as well. I did read _Bad Parts_ a while back, and I liked it, but I think I took too long in reading it and missed some things, so I'm going to read it again.
He has already several videos that may help you, like what scenes to keep, change, or remove, at least one about writing horror. Oh, even one about comedy in horror, too.
One thing I know I've done is spread myself too thin over multiple works and, even worse, multiple genres. Pick the one that means the most that can be done quickly. Done is better than perfect.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty I started my first novel February of 2023 and haven't stopped working through the process. In fact at one point I went to you on FB for some advice and I really appreciate the time you took to respond and help me with just one question. I really enjoy your work and hope nothing but success with your current book you released. Thank you,
I had an eye opening experience with #6 when telling him about a handful of projects I was working on. First I pitched the premise for a novel I had just completed and his response was "That sounds cool." Then I pitched him another idea and he just lit up, was super excited and said, "You should write that. And if you write it, I'll read it." Moral of the story: Don't get too attached to your ideas, they aren't all winners.
I wrote my first novel 5 years ago and have been revising it since! Sounds like a long time, I know, but I've been learning the craft and using it as a model. Plus... life happens. But I feel like I'm improving with leaps and bounds, and I'm really excited for the final product I'm creating.
The pit that I fell into was that I was editing my book as I was writing it and it made me go back again and again to fix the problems that would occur to me like a day or two after I wrote it and it would stop me from progressing. Now I just make a note of the mistakes and things to change in a separate document and I keep going, and it has made my process much faster.
Thanks Brandon. I gotta say, I like the books I've written thus far. I'm editing them now and it's a lot because it's a series. When you said you had a thousand-page shit sandwich back in the day, I had some doubts about my efforts. I feel it's a compelling and satisfying read. I let Word read it aloud throughout the day while I'm working my normal job and it's entertaining. Others agree but there's just so damn much and I'm not close to being done with it. Imagine a 10K page mistake! Over a year of writing this series and sometimes I think "Jesus, what a chance I'm taking". Still, I appreciate your thoughts on these videos. It helps a great deal.
With my first novel, the one I published, I do think now that it should have had one more revision, but at the time, I was stressing so much about that it was either publish it or trash it. It's good, in my opinion. It's better than some of the trad published things I've read.
About four to five years ago, I started writing again, sitting down and typing and pantsing my first ever novel. It took me 3 years. It was 300k words. Now i have started a new book. I have spent about 3-4 months plotting, and 1 month writing. I am at 32k words, and my target word count is 190k.
I started my first novel in 2018-2019ish. I love everything about it. It was fun, exciting, and I love the story and where it was going. However, I found out I’m just not good enough to write it. So, I put it on the back burner for practice and learning. Since than, for multiple years, I have been messing around with other novel ideas and short stories. Some worthy of getting back to, others I wouldn’t show no matter how much I’m paid. I wanted to finish something so I pushed forward with one of my other ideas and I love it. I love the villains, character, reading it again and again. As of today, I’m am 100 pages from finishing my 2nd draft. So, Its been years since I started writing but I am the course for my first publish work.
1) I didn't think that. 2) I had a revolutionary fresh idea to write upon that didn't exist up until now! 3) I just let my hand write, and man. It's like if I have Einstein on my hand! I loved every part of my novel and I felt those beautiful goosebumps repeatedly every single time I read those parts! 4) Didn't have to. See No2. 5) I didn't. See No3. 6) They loved it! Everyone! And they asked me for the book to finish it. I just gave them the beginning of it lol. 7) I didn't plan anything more than "I need to keep going". I'm completely satisfied with the result! 8) I was plan free. See No3 lol 9) I wrote my first page in a literature class, the instructor said: The first page must create questions to the reader that you will answer later on to satisfy their curiosity and reward them for buying your book. Now with this in mind, write a page trying to implement it. After all the class read their work, when I read mine to the class, the instructor in AWE-STRUCK said: From what I just said you wrote THIS? He marveled! I write a lot about various things, and everyone admits that I am talented in this field. So I decided to finish my book from that class, and it's out there! www.neostonewriter.com my official author website! 10) I'll have it in mind for my second book.
I first attempted to write a novel nine years ago when I was 12. I just opened word and started writing. I ended the first draft without an ending after more than 100.000 words, because at this point I probably couldn’t have explained what this thing was even about anymore. I have always written as a hobby and never published anything. I am at my 9th book right now. Some of my older books, especially the ones I wrote as a child, are completely absurd something’s that would probably feel like a fewer dream to anyone reading. I actually kept working on my very first book over the years and cleaned it up enough, to probably be a publishable book. This book still is my very favorite. However, I realized, that I feel too attached to that story to publish it as my first, with probably many mistakes. So I decided to clean up, and maybe one day publish, one of my other books first, and later, when I feel ready, go back and think about publishing my first novel.
Thank you for this one. Good reminders. I've been working on my first draft for 6 months now. Need to finish it up (but having a too much fun researching :)...)
I first tried to write novels over 20 years ago but I did not know how to wrap up a plot. Since then I have written and produced a number of plays which, being shorter, forced me to move my plot along sometimes at a very brisk pace. Now I feel more confident that I can complete a proper novel.
Re #9, if this helps writers, I encourage you to make the opening pages the LAST thing you finish. Start with the beginning of the book, but then just know you can come back to it at the end. Once you understand your story, you'll be able to write the most impactful, hooking, no-nonsense opening possible.
I started My Seires 4 years ago I have been trying to improve every day now since I have been doing them at home (Started to Plan 2018) (1st story made in 2020)
I tried to write a novel all the way back in fifth grade, died on the second page. But now after watching this video I am confident enough to attempt and finish a novella within 2 months. Will update when the first draft is done
10:29: I wrote a single line of mine when I was 16 two years ago in some word doc. I then tried writing another novel last April called 'The hoard' when I was 17, but I find the characters boring so I dropped it. But that doesn't mean I will never touch it again, I will come back to it someday. My frist true novel sta5ted when I picked up my old doc document, put it on word, and started it for real when I dropped the Hoard. I stared the frist draft at April/May last year and finished it in late March this year. I'm now doing the editing phase, and I nearly done with it. Well, techinally that isn't ture because the original word document got corrupted, making me lose around half of the original second draft, but I work with what I got.
I first started drafting a novel about 7 or 8 years ago :D still unfinished. This advice is really helpful though. Think I might be a planner after all.
About 21 years ago, was house-sitting, had nothing to do and a whole bunch of dance music. Started writing a weird, sci-fi space opera to that music. Still think about it to this day, two decades later 😄
Point 5 is spot on - especially identifying it as another form of procrastination - and one reason why the standard advice of “just writing every day to beat writer’s block” doesn’t work. My WIP has too many words already - I don’t need to add more scenes for the sake of it, as long as I can’t resolve the contrivances and contradictions surrounding the important chapters / plot points. Those are what’s actually keeping me stuck.
Had an idea approx 15 years ago. Nothing of it remains now as it is a 3 book dynamic series. 3 years of studying, learning structure/storytelling the micro skills necessary to actually write it effectively... just got the 3rd draft of book 1 sent to a beta reader this week. It took several rewrites and drafts to get to a rough draft. Now working from the rough/vomit draft of book 2 is stumping me. I dont know how to write drafts, i only know how to visualise a scene from a film and write it out, hitting beats as I go. It's character driven with a lot of plot. My first time. I would do it differently if i could start again lol. Hope to self pub book 1 by Christmas. You and Stiry grid are by far the most helpful and informative resources available to me. Although im struggling with how to pace a series and how to end one part with resolution of issues without leaving a cliffhanger into the next book
Hey Brandon!! I just wanna say that I’m in the process of writing a comic book and your tips are very helpful. Of course it’s no novel, but just wanted to let you know how good your videos are to me!
These tips rock! I am reminded of the mistakes I made during creative writing classes in college. This video has so many nuggets of wisdom I wish I had back then.
Ultracool. We love those kinds of videos based on experience. (Btw, I've finally bought entry wounds audiobook and it seems captivating so far (I'm done with the first act, the real story begins there))
Oof, it's like UA-cam knows what I need to hear right now 😅 BTW, thanks a ton for this video, Brandon! I'm particularly going to apply your advice not to overplan, not focus on the opening pages too much, and get the first draft done. Thanks again!
I started around 2011, but failed. I'll try again. Your advice all looks good, especially valuing the process and using the plot structure. I need to create a process where I am used to creating plot structures, and then filling them with other meaningful landmarks to give me feedback on whether or not this story works.
First time i believe was in July of 2023. Ended up scrapping it for a while. Its difficult to literally stay in that project when you're doing it and all of a sudden you get an idea of a new plot that doesnt seem to work for the story's nature. Like, for every attempt I make, I started getting thoughts about 5 other plots
My first attempt at writing kicked off sometime in 2019. Mostly putting ideas on paper. Then playing with scenes that started to grow into chapters. Finally started working on a novel while attempting to learn more about good writing. I now have a complete manuscript, starting on a sequel, and have at least five other books I want to write. We’ll see if this results in a published book.
"You need about 2 months to finish your first draft."
Me looking at my recently finished first draft that took me 2 years to complete: "I'm a little behind schedule, but no problem. This is the biggest achievement of my life!❤"
I feel you!!! This was me with the first draft of my novel!!! Only it was 3 years 👀 but I ended up scraping all of my previously written stuff and rewrote the whole thing in 3 months. So not bad 🤭
Keep up the amazing work!!! Im sure your book is awesome!!!
I started my current WIP about 15/16 years ago, when I was in high school. Since then, it's gone through restart after restart, years of not being touched, and lots of doubt it would ever see completion. Even that very first (cringy) draft from 16-year-old me never reached completion (I stopped writing it close to the end and restarted from Chapter 1, haha).
I finally finished the first draft on the 7th of this month, after a little over a year of telling myself it WILL be done. It obviously needs a lot of work, but at least it's a completed first draft, no matter how long it took for it to get there.
@@zamp_gaming congratulations!!! Im so proud of you!!!
Two years? That’s MILES ahead of where I was at! It took me five years to get what I would consider now my first draft, which I made the huge mistake of releasing. It’s awesome that you have made so much progress!
Dude! Its 1am in Argentina!! If you think I'm gonna watch your video right now you're absolute correct 😆
Midnight over here in the states, lol.
12:30 PM here in Puerto Rico. 🥱😪
W Argentina! California USA here but it's so cool to see people from other parts of the world
Watching this at 3am lol
He's probably posting this video earlier so he doesn't have to post it on the 4th of July.
I told someone I know about my current book idea, and we ended up having a long conversation about it. She later told me about a walk she had with a friend, and the friend asked why she was so quiet. She told me that quietness came from her thinking about my book's characters, how easily she could visualise them, and wanting to find out what would happen to them. I think that sort of enthusiasm is really powerful, as it lets you know as the author if your idea is important and worthwhile.
You need to finish writing that book
Wow, that is precious!
Finish that book, let us read it!
Exactly. You damn need to finish writing that book. BTW, is It your first book to be published? Do you have a website or are you planning to build one ?
@@awe_ebenezer It would very likely be my first published book. I could build a website in the future, but I'm still young and inexperienced. I do need to write this bloody book though. I definitely know that now!
Don't forget to rewrite the dialogue 124671 times until it makes no sense anymore!
I usually hit it on the 124,672nd time.
I normally rewrite it 24601 times before release. Should I do more rewrites?
* writes dialogue as it naturally comes into your head *
"Wait, that sounds too basic, it sounds boring, it doesn't sound like it belongs in a novel, it needs to sound interesting...."
* 12k rewrites later, dialogue reads like a bad action movie, with 10 layers of irony and nonsensical speech quirks, completely unnatural, absolutely no one speaks like this in real life *
"Yes.... perfect......"
It was a high school dream to write a novel, but I never tried. Almost two decades later, I've brushed the dust off my aspirations and started my first project about a year ago. 10k words into it, I scrapped the junker of a story for spare parts and started project number two, its going so much better than the first! Learning how to write, rediscovering the joy of reading, and watching McNulty's videos has been an absolute blast. good luck to everyone working on their dreams.
Best of luck to you!
Keep at it! Glad to hear the videos have been helping
Happened with me too. I finally found the perfect idea, was passionate for the first 8,000 words, then it went downhill, I started to hate it, and I started on a new story. It went so much better, until same thing happened... Now I am waiting for a great idea to start my best story.😊
Good luck to you too.
Yay! My first novel was published today and there's a Brandon video.
Congratulations! That’s awesome! 👏🎉
Congrats! Best of luck with the next one!
congratulations 🎉
Congratulations!
Congratulations!!!
Hi Brandon, my name is Robert. Thank you for the much needed writing advice. I go to UA-cam University, with discernment. Last year I lost my job and the use of my legs, I became disabled (hip erosion). Instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself I decided to write a novel. And Brandon was I surprised. One doesn't just write a book. There's a certain way to write a book. Starting with "Show don't tell", at the top of the list. I treat it like a business, I get up, take a shower, breakfast, book. (The best I can) To answer your question. How long ago did I start? Last year whren I was diagnosed with hip erosion. Between loosing my job and waiting for disability leaves me strapped, $ Copywriting, editing, pictures, publishing all cost. So, I'm waiting for disability. I'm 3/4th through, I'm new and slow. Planner 1st. Pantser 2nd. Just reaching out to seasoned writers. Thank You, Brandon for the education.
Awesome that you managed to fight through such an ugly situation. I wish you the best of luck with your writing. Keep at it, and good things will happen.
Hey, Brandon, I've been writing my first novel since late November 2023. I'm almost done with it, but I've faced many trials along the way.
As always, your advice has been extremely helpful, and I hope my novel will get published.
I've been writting since 2021, and hopefully to publish 2026! Good luck to you!
@@jhammond1978 I hope to publish my book next year in 2025
Glad my videos have been a help! Best of luck finishing it!
I’m not delusional enough to think people will like my Campfire Series. It’s just a slice of life with no real plot except just following the MC going through the trials and tribulations of life. He experiences big events in a similar way like Forrest Gump. I’m writing it not to sell and make money. I’m writing it because I have a story to tell.
one thing that I wish I had known is: You can write about is bothering you/occupying your thoughts/pain you are going through and explore that in a fictional story that may have nothing to do with reality...it is not that you are writing a biography or journal, but you are taking what you are trying to work through as a person and put that into a story...it can be a genre piece... a horror story...whatever. That worked for me.
Great point. All three of the novels I've released were written with the help of "emotional fuel"--working through issues that were bothering me at the time of writing.
I thought about that too, when I was really young i actually wanted to watch horror, then in the end, i became so afraid i start throwing tantrums everytime i hear anything related to horror, all because for around 2 months straight, I've had the same nightmare over and over again. Sheesh even Disney's Zombies made me scream and as loud as i could because of the name, even having a crisis about why horror genres even exist. I've eventually improved overtime and slowly started to like the genre more and more, until all of a sudden, here I am, writing a sort of, biography with tons of changes, but still kept the main plots in it.
If you read until here... why?
Okay - so if you had multiple ideas and were middle aged (click is ticking!), would you first write the novel about your most important idea, knowing it might be the only one you ever complete, or start with your easiest idea, for the practice?
Anthony here. My PC broke so I stopped gaming. I grabbed the dusty old laptop and looked at the paragraphs I wrote in 2001. I expanded them and put them into a logical order. I embellished, removed, and worked out an arc. My draft was done in about 3 months. It needs a truck load of work, but I did it. I guess that shows what dedication can do.
Congratulations! What a happy accident, with you needing to go back to that computer and finding your old writing. I commend your ability to follow through on the spark of inspiration.
I begin my work by asking ´what if X was scary´? One day I asked ´what if Uber passengers were scary´? The end - result was a little vampire short story which was enough to make a friend happy. Over 20 years ago I wrote a long book about the pope being a praying mantis - it happened sometime in the Renaissance and focused on an alternate life of pope Urban VIII. Years later it was mostly complete in the form of a novella. The first time I attempted to write a novel was a handwritten project about a family member and friend finding themselves in an alternate reality, where their sanity began to slip. Thanks for your video man! Best wishes to you from Reykjavik, Iceland!
The first thought of writing a novel dates back to when I was 10. Which is 30 years ago. I always wrote stories when I was a child and a teen. Somehow lost that urge when I was 16 and had to start a "regular" job.
Life went by, I married, had two kids and had a boring life. Also a kind of small identity crisis. But I was always interesed in arts and followed my artsy creative nature.
And on febuary 1st of this year I woke up with a dream and a thought that was so strong that it almost scared me: I will write a book about this. Not "I want to", not " maybe", not "this COULD BE an idea", no. I WILL WRITE A BOOK ABOUT THIS.
It was only a small seed that got planted in my brain and soul, but boy, it got BIG.
That morning I started to write rightaway. And Im still doing it every day. First draft of volume one got finished mid-april. I set it aside and immedeately started volume two. When Im done with that, I will revisit and edit the first one. Im already looking for a book cover and prepare my self publisher career. And do you know what? I dont even give a monkey's about sales or critics when its out. I just want to DO IT. Writing and publishing, publishing and writing. Never searched for big success or limelight. I just want to follow my passion.
Oooooo plss say the name when published
@@agi9916 I will. But Im not writing in english. Im german. 😁
Getting a professional translation costs about 10k. No joke.
It will take a while before I can cross the pond with my books. Dont know if the title is already taken in english.
@@schlumbl84 your english id good nah... You could use gpt translate platforms and edit with the english you know. 10k for translation is a hefty amount of money.
@@agi9916 yep, it IS hefty. And not as easy when putting something out there in a different language. I used DeepL to translate some chapters for my english speaking relatives. I had to work through the whole thing, since it still was full of mistakes.
Dreams are an amazing way to start making a story!
Since dreams are our brains piecing together memories and thoughts and making them into a visual representation. If you make a story about a dream, you’re truly are having a piece of yourself apart of the story! ❤
The first and ninth tip hit me hard. I’m not very confident in my writing, but I’m improving very slowly. I haven’t truly started writing because I’m so worried about making it THE novel I write. I’ve never written more than a few pages of an idea before I quit because I want it to be perfect. You’re an amazing UA-camr, and because of you, I’m going to write a novel. No matter the outcome.
Man, your last one really spoke to me. I have limited writing time, but I could certainly be more efficient. The idea of getting clarity from that first draft makes sense.
Wonderful advice. I love that you wrote 9 crappy books first until all your words finally fell into place. You’ve got the fortitude it takes!
I can't remember the last time I wrote anything let alone a novel. I should get back to that
Start with a grocery list and build from there
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty well I write stuff like that (and comments...) all the time. I meant creative works like poems or short stories or anything like that
I am currently writing a novel, this will help me
Good luck, I'm sure it will do well. But, that really doesn't matter; what matters is that you do what you were born to do.
OMG the two months to finish a first draft is actually true for me! My project is a work in progress, but my goodness I knew when I needed to stop for a while, so I can recover my creative energy, and it took me exactly two months to re look at the draft again, and to play with it a lot more. And when I compared my first draft, to what I reworked? The first draft was a complete mess but that was okay! It's okay to play around with things and have fun! And when it comes time to submit? Well? That's where editors can help us. Have faith in yourself as a writer.
I’m not sure if this’ll answer the question of the day but…
I first attempted to write novels all the way back in elementary school on sheets of paper, but they would never really go anywhere before I scrapped those ideas. Hell, I can’t even remember what most of them were about to save my life.
One idea, however, really stuck out to me, that idea is gonna be my first official novel. I’m also writing fanfiction on the side to not only build an audience, but also get experience as a writer.
I admit that my main problem is overplanning.
Thanks for the advice.
Dude, you might not realize how helpful these videos are! Im not even writing a novel this is still very helpful!
Haha maybe it's time to start
I've never attempted to write a novel because I'm a screenwriter, but I still found your tips 100% helpful and applicable to scripts. Thanks!
Omg the last tip was 🤯 thank you
I finished my first one and already published.
Kept fixing it for over a year and I'm still insecure, but I guess I have to accept my first work and move on, keep learning and improving. It is the best I had at the moment, I believe, and it is a good feeling to know you gave your best, even if it is imperfect.
I think all (or at least most) writers are insecure. I definitely am, and I remember reading about how Alan Moore and George R. R. Martin both doubt themselves when they sit down to write
First attempt, 2003. My first novel I actually wrote and finished was in 2005. Ironically, with tons of signs, I didn't realize I was a planner until my second novel and first series.
Haha I think I attempted a 1-page short story back in 2003--and got overwhelmed
Worry more about writing something that 5 people you’ve never met might read on purpose before you worry about writing something for 5 million people
I wish more first time writers could hear this! Thankfully I had the advantage of starting my first finished book when I was 13 (made a promise to myself that I would get past chapter one or die trying, cause this was after a LOT of abandoned ideas😅) but because I was so young, it helped take most of that pressure off that I see in people starting as adults… I also didn’t have near as grandiose of ideas about publishing🤪 I did daydream about it a lot and imagined acting in the movie version, but even then I didn’t take myself too seriously to the point of sucking fun out of it. The daydreaming was just part of the process, like everything else:) (I still picture it as movie scenes if only to give myself more detailed descriptions of the settings!) I wish more young adult, or even older adult, writers setting out on that same journey could do it through the eyes of a kid…. Cause at the end of the day, writing for money or even the promotion of your ideas however good they are is worthless if you hate the process. And readers will see that.
This is such good advice. I started as a young teen too, mostly just daydreaming about stories, and then writing fanfiction. I didn't take myself seriously, but I kept writing, all kinds of things. I'm 37 now and my writing has improved enough that I really think I have a novel in me. I hope I never lose that childlike wonder when approaching the world of imagination and storytelling.
Ever since I was pretty young I've wanted to do something involving storytelling, and it eventually led me to writing. For a few years now I've studied and wrote, but to no avail and everything ended up pretty bad, and I stopped for a good while. Watching your videos helped me realize I had the right ideas, just with no careful execution. I've done a heaping amount of work on some projects, and I'm on track to starting my very first full work.
I started writing my first novel 17 years ago when I was 17 but life got in the way and I have been reworking on it for the last couple of years now in my free time. The story has changed so much and for the better but I still overthink myself to death every so often. I have dear friends who have been pushing me through those hard days. Bugging me about my characters they are excited about. Which has become a great motivation.
I've watched your subscriber list grow by over a hundred thousand, and each video I am still amazed there aren't ten times the subscribers. This type of overview advice video is one of my favorites, as a rookie novelist, and I appreciate all your excellent advice, Brandon. Drive careful -- keep it up!
Getting that outline done in as quickly as possible is essential to getting any book done.
I really needed to hear tip #3
Great advice. I've been working on my novel for 2 years and it will take another 2. But! It was only going to be a few months write but I stumbled on something sooooo insanely cool "in the process" and I *have* to chase that down or I'll always regret not going "all the way." I'm embracing the process for this unique story which due to its unique process will be a literal one of a kind and incomparable, which I don't care about except that it's interesting to *me*. Thank you this validates me going all the way! But for my next book it won't be this crazy unique thing (in process and content) and will be a more straight forward write.
I began my journey several months ago with my first novel. It initially was just a brain building exercise by writing down short stories, but it turned into something beyond anything I anticipated. 80k words into it so far, and have so many moments of uncertainty in my ability to deliver. I just remember to keep pushing and walk away if needed to allow rest. Don't force it.
I am writing my first ever novel that actually reach somewhere rather than rewritting every 10 chapters cause i dont feel happy with what I wrote. Wish I could actually finished this first novel.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, your videos are always helpful ❤
3 years ago! I’m ready to get back in it. Thank you for these tips!
Keep at it!
I'm not gonna lie, I was so afraid to watch this video because I thought your advices would limit my "stupid" creativity, like "Don't do this Don't do that"
But, fortunately, it's not!
Thank you for your advices 🎉
I began writing a novel in January 2023 and finished the 1st draft in December 2023. Succeeded in my new year's resolution! 🎉 Now edits and 2nd draft during 2024.
Started two years ago. On my third attempt. I recycle the ideas/characters/world building I like. I've learned a lot from the process, and don't beat myself up about not getting something I'm totally happy with yet. Giving myself the room to grow and learn.
Great tips. Thanks!
Strong advice.
I'd written many articles and short stories before I attempted a novel. I had taken notes for it for about 15 years. I watched a bunch of videos and watched more from the authors whose writing style seemed analogous to mine.
My process became to start with an outline (I use Scrivener) with the major chapters named after a version of "The Writer's Journey." I then rename one or another according to points I want to happen in the book. I then fill in "bones" for each scene involved, but again, in random order to my mood or ideas that occur. I also build a character list as I go along.
Once all the "bones" are there, I fill in broad details, dialog, descriptions, etc. Eventually, I go back to the beginning and fill in more detail until done.
The opening is usually one of the last steps. Often, I cut off part or all of what I thought was my first chapter, so the reader will pick up the story as things are already happening. THAT becomes the hook.
Started my first feature length screenplay 2 weeks ago.
I first started a novel about 12 years ago. My son got me to resurface it and finish the draft. I’m glad he did. This video was exactly what I needed
This video came at a good time for me, just finished the first draft of a book I intend to publish for once.
I have a trilogy written in my head, and I REALLY love it, but I never actually managed to (sucessfully) write it all down, this video has a lot helped, thanks!
You nailed it. Thinking of our failure holds us back
Great point on marketability. I just finished my story, 42k words, and am hesitating if I should publish it because the subject is niche and I think the target audience is too small to make it worth it. I like what you said that a good story will find an audience no matter what.
The tips were very helpful thank you. I'm 16 and I've been wanting to write a novel i had in my head since i was 14. I spent so much time over planning and obsessing over it especially the opening pages and didn't get any words down until now. Thank you. You just got yourself a new subscriber and i will read your Story😊😊😊
Number 3 is gold.
Absolutely great stuff here! Thank you. You have a new subscriber.
Excellent. Thank you.
I created a general timeline overview for the book I’m writing to help me guide myself on the rules I set so I don’t contradict myself and keep the continuity flowing well.
It works best for me but the other tips you provided were also Most helpful ^^
Great advice on all points - I thought I would have to protest that "my method is different" and "it's okay to do some editing along the way because it makes the process enjoyable to me" - but you made careful distinctions between working and fixating. Now that I'm actually writing the novel my grade-school self dreamed about, your videos are great encouragement. And I recycled a failed idea to do it!
Thank you so much, as soon as I finished this video I wrote a great scene I’m proud of
So happy to see you doing videos about literature again! I love the screenwriting content too, but bc I’m a novelist these ones are way easier to apply directly. Anyway, thanks Brandon!
Hoping to do a couple more in the next months--editing the other videos has really worn me down lately
Totally hear that. You have to deal with a LOT of film clips in those other ones! This took me back to your earliest videos, a nice little dose of nostalgia ❤
Thanks, Brandon. I just published my first novel last week, although it was my fifth book. It was scary to go from nonfiction to fiction, but so much fun. Thanks for the advice.
Congrats! Best of luck with your sixth!
I LOVE this advice - especially not getting hungup on outcome, now I just need to make my brain fully take this advice on!
Stellar writing advice as always! Thank you again Mr. McNulty, sir!
The one that really struck home with me was obsessing about the opening - but I'd like to expand upon that. Don't obsess about any point in a book until you are putting the final coats of paint on it. I used to have a terrible habit of rewriting one section over and over: honing it, polishing it to perfection. Then when I started writing the next section, it sounded horrible and didn't mesh with the perfectly polished section before it. It can drag you down following up some epic, beautiful prose with basic first draft style and you start to think, "How will I ever get this to come together?" Very discouraging! Just go through it all evenly and then, once you get it where you want it, start cleaning up and polishing those sections that need it. JMO!
#7 and #10 are so spot on, it’s painful.
Two summers ago, I came up with an idea for a dark fantasy graphic novel series, and I’ve spent nearly all that time on world-building and story-planning (character arcs, overarching story beats, magic systems, lore and mythology, etc,).
When you’ve written only half of your first book (25 chapters!) in 2 years, you know you’re an overthinker lmao.
I started writing my first novel at the end of 2023. I'm now crawling to the finish line on it. 👍 These videos have helped immensely!
I first attempted to write a novel 7 years ago. I’ve had a lot of changes made to it and I’m still keeping the basic characters. However, a few of your points help relieve the pressure on it.
I've been working on a western/horror/pulp story, but I'm struggling with my ensemble cast and how to pace things while also providing the necessary amount of backstory for each character before the inciting incident. I want to ensure that the readers will actually care about them before it hits the fan.
Any tips would be appreciated.
On a side note, I finished _Entry Wounds_ recently, and I can honestly say it was one of the best books I've ever read. I had a hell of a time putting it down. I'm very much looking forward to _Half Murders_ as well. I did read _Bad Parts_ a while back, and I liked it, but I think I took too long in reading it and missed some things, so I'm going to read it again.
He has already several videos that may help you, like what scenes to keep, change, or remove, at least one about writing horror. Oh, even one about comedy in horror, too.
One thing I know I've done is spread myself too thin over multiple works and, even worse, multiple genres. Pick the one that means the most that can be done quickly. Done is better than perfect.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty I started my first novel February of 2023 and haven't stopped working through the process. In fact at one point I went to you on FB for some advice and I really appreciate the time you took to respond and help me with just one question. I really enjoy your work and hope nothing but success with your current book you released. Thank you,
I’ve been writing my first novel for a few months and it’s going well!
I had an eye opening experience with #6 when telling him about a handful of projects I was working on. First I pitched the premise for a novel I had just completed and his response was "That sounds cool." Then I pitched him another idea and he just lit up, was super excited and said, "You should write that. And if you write it, I'll read it." Moral of the story: Don't get too attached to your ideas, they aren't all winners.
I wrote my first novel 5 years ago and have been revising it since! Sounds like a long time, I know, but I've been learning the craft and using it as a model. Plus... life happens. But I feel like I'm improving with leaps and bounds, and I'm really excited for the final product I'm creating.
The pit that I fell into was that I was editing my book as I was writing it and it made me go back again and again to fix the problems that would occur to me like a day or two after I wrote it and it would stop me from progressing. Now I just make a note of the mistakes and things to change in a separate document and I keep going, and it has made my process much faster.
Thanks Brandon. I gotta say, I like the books I've written thus far. I'm editing them now and it's a lot because it's a series. When you said you had a thousand-page shit sandwich back in the day, I had some doubts about my efforts. I feel it's a compelling and satisfying read. I let Word read it aloud throughout the day while I'm working my normal job and it's entertaining. Others agree but there's just so damn much and I'm not close to being done with it. Imagine a 10K page mistake! Over a year of writing this series and sometimes I think "Jesus, what a chance I'm taking". Still, I appreciate your thoughts on these videos. It helps a great deal.
With my first novel, the one I published, I do think now that it should have had one more revision, but at the time, I was stressing so much about that it was either publish it or trash it. It's good, in my opinion. It's better than some of the trad published things I've read.
About four to five years ago, I started writing again, sitting down and typing and pantsing my first ever novel. It took me 3 years. It was 300k words. Now i have started a new book. I have spent about 3-4 months plotting, and 1 month writing. I am at 32k words, and my target word count is 190k.
I love how positive you are👍
I started my first novel in 2018-2019ish. I love everything about it. It was fun, exciting, and I love the story and where it was going. However, I found out I’m just not good enough to write it. So, I put it on the back burner for practice and learning. Since than, for multiple years, I have been messing around with other novel ideas and short stories. Some worthy of getting back to, others I wouldn’t show no matter how much I’m paid. I wanted to finish something so I pushed forward with one of my other ideas and I love it. I love the villains, character, reading it again and again. As of today, I’m am 100 pages from finishing my 2nd draft. So, Its been years since I started writing but I am the course for my first publish work.
Thank you for the advice. I struggle with my confidence about my story, but this helped alot👏
1) I didn't think that.
2) I had a revolutionary fresh idea to write upon that didn't exist up until now!
3) I just let my hand write, and man. It's like if I have Einstein on my hand! I loved every part of my novel and I felt those beautiful goosebumps repeatedly every single time I read those parts!
4) Didn't have to. See No2.
5) I didn't. See No3.
6) They loved it! Everyone! And they asked me for the book to finish it. I just gave them the beginning of it lol.
7) I didn't plan anything more than "I need to keep going".
I'm completely satisfied with the result!
8) I was plan free. See No3 lol
9) I wrote my first page in a literature class, the instructor said: The first page must create questions to the reader that you will answer later on to satisfy their curiosity and reward them for buying your book. Now with this in mind, write a page trying to implement it.
After all the class read their work, when I read mine to the class, the instructor in AWE-STRUCK said: From what I just said you wrote THIS? He marveled!
I write a lot about various things, and everyone admits that I am talented in this field. So I decided to finish my book from that class, and it's out there!
www.neostonewriter.com my official author website!
10) I'll have it in mind for my second book.
Great insight!
I first attempted to write a novel nine years ago when I was 12.
I just opened word and started writing.
I ended the first draft without an ending after more than 100.000 words, because at this point I probably couldn’t have explained what this thing was even about anymore.
I have always written as a hobby and never published anything.
I am at my 9th book right now. Some of my older books, especially the ones I wrote as a child, are completely absurd something’s that would probably feel like a fewer dream to anyone reading.
I actually kept working on my very first book over the years and cleaned it up enough, to probably be a publishable book.
This book still is my very favorite.
However, I realized, that I feel too attached to that story to publish it as my first, with probably many mistakes.
So I decided to clean up, and maybe one day publish, one of my other books first, and later, when I feel ready, go back and think about publishing my first novel.
I can remember trying to write stories in elementary school - I finished a draft for the first time last fall
Thank you for this one. Good reminders. I've been working on my first draft for 6 months now. Need to finish it up (but having a too much fun researching :)...)
I first tried to write novels over 20 years ago but I did not know how to wrap up a plot. Since then I have written and produced a number of plays which, being shorter, forced me to move my plot along sometimes at a very brisk pace. Now I feel more confident that I can complete a proper novel.
Re #9, if this helps writers, I encourage you to make the opening pages the LAST thing you finish. Start with the beginning of the book, but then just know you can come back to it at the end. Once you understand your story, you'll be able to write the most impactful, hooking, no-nonsense opening possible.
I started My Seires 4 years ago I have been trying to improve every day now since I have been doing them at home
(Started to Plan 2018)
(1st story made in 2020)
I tried to write a novel all the way back in fifth grade, died on the second page. But now after watching this video I am confident enough to attempt and finish a novella within 2 months. Will update when the first draft is done
Great video, as always. I tried writing my first novel at age 17, I think. 30 years ago. Now I'm writing my 18th soon-to-be-published book.
10:29: I wrote a single line of mine when I was 16 two years ago in some word doc. I then tried writing another novel last April called 'The hoard' when I was 17, but I find the characters boring so I dropped it. But that doesn't mean I will never touch it again, I will come back to it someday.
My frist true novel sta5ted when I picked up my old doc document, put it on word, and started it for real when I dropped the Hoard. I stared the frist draft at April/May last year and finished it in late March this year.
I'm now doing the editing phase, and I nearly done with it. Well, techinally that isn't ture because the original word document got corrupted, making me lose around half of the original second draft, but I work with what I got.
I first started drafting a novel about 7 or 8 years ago :D still unfinished. This advice is really helpful though. Think I might be a planner after all.
About 21 years ago, was house-sitting, had nothing to do and a whole bunch of dance music. Started writing a weird, sci-fi space opera to that music. Still think about it to this day, two decades later 😄
Point 5 is spot on - especially identifying it as another form of procrastination - and one reason why the standard advice of “just writing every day to beat writer’s block” doesn’t work. My WIP has too many words already - I don’t need to add more scenes for the sake of it, as long as I can’t resolve the contrivances and contradictions surrounding the important chapters / plot points. Those are what’s actually keeping me stuck.
Had an idea approx 15 years ago. Nothing of it remains now as it is a 3 book dynamic series. 3 years of studying, learning structure/storytelling the micro skills necessary to actually write it effectively... just got the 3rd draft of book 1 sent to a beta reader this week. It took several rewrites and drafts to get to a rough draft. Now working from the rough/vomit draft of book 2 is stumping me. I dont know how to write drafts, i only know how to visualise a scene from a film and write it out, hitting beats as I go. It's character driven with a lot of plot. My first time. I would do it differently if i could start again lol. Hope to self pub book 1 by Christmas. You and Stiry grid are by far the most helpful and informative resources available to me. Although im struggling with how to pace a series and how to end one part with resolution of issues without leaving a cliffhanger into the next book
This was the motivation I needed to get up and write.
Keep at it
Hey Brandon!! I just wanna say that I’m in the process of writing a comic book and your tips are very helpful. Of course it’s no novel, but just wanted to let you know how good your videos are to me!
These tips rock! I am reminded of the mistakes I made during creative writing classes in college. This video has so many nuggets of wisdom I wish I had back then.
Ultracool. We love those kinds of videos based on experience. (Btw, I've finally bought entry wounds audiobook and it seems captivating so far (I'm done with the first act, the real story begins there))
Awesome! Hope it thrills you till the end!
Oof, it's like UA-cam knows what I need to hear right now 😅
BTW, thanks a ton for this video, Brandon!
I'm particularly going to apply your advice not to overplan, not focus on the opening pages too much, and get the first draft done.
Thanks again!
I started around 2011, but failed. I'll try again. Your advice all looks good, especially valuing the process and using the plot structure. I need to create a process where I am used to creating plot structures, and then filling them with other meaningful landmarks to give me feedback on whether or not this story works.
First time i believe was in July of 2023. Ended up scrapping it for a while. Its difficult to literally stay in that project when you're doing it and all of a sudden you get an idea of a new plot that doesnt seem to work for the story's nature. Like, for every attempt I make, I started getting thoughts about 5 other plots
My first attempt at writing kicked off sometime in 2019. Mostly putting ideas on paper. Then playing with scenes that started to grow into chapters. Finally started working on a novel while attempting to learn more about good writing. I now have a complete manuscript, starting on a sequel, and have at least five other books I want to write. We’ll see if this results in a published book.