Abbie's writing knowledge is through the roof, obviously. But has anyone else noticed that her filmography and editing skills just keep getting better as well? Rock on, Abbie, your videos are AMAZING!
I published my book the same month as finals lol... when anyone asks when I write I’m like- the notebook was in my pocket twenty four seven ITS NOT IMPOSSIBLE GUYS ( there’s some truth in that warning tho )
Warning: do not try writing a novel in a month if you are in high school and get up at 6:30. Allergic reactions may include but are not limited to: more stress, fatigue, lack of inspiration, and late homework.
HA I get all that without NaNoWriMo. I wake up at 4:30 just to challenge myself. Nothing will stop me- *on a serious note I’m seriously sleep deprived and I don’t know how I’m still alive-*
When you said “NaNoWriMo should be fun” I was like, “oh yeah . . .” It hit me hard. It actually had me reflect a bit because I’ve been stressing so much over my word counts lately and I forgot that I should be having fun with this.
"When I'm really into a book that I'm writing, I'm writing it all the time...in my head." YES GIRL!! Sometimes I have to make a concerted effort to come out of my story world in order to spend time with my family. And sleep and characters definitely compete for headspace plenty of nights... sometimes I wonder if I'm a spectator in my story or really a character myself XD! I love writing to death even if it drives me crazy!!! And yes, I'm doing NaNo! It's my first year! Can't wait for next week's video!!
This is so me! My job has become a daily eight hour long distraction from writing 😂. There have been plenty of times when I’ve had to stop working and write down the conversation going on in my head. It’s the only way I can resume focusing on my work. It’s crazy…in the best way! Haven’t been this excited about anything for a long time. It feels good to be taken over by creativity and imagination. I’m still learning the craft and getting closer to full on writing but my creative spigot is wide open and I can’t turn it off…and I wouldn’t if I could. 😂
Me: -tries to write- My siblings: -making noise incessantly- Me: -trying to think of what my next sentence will be and I can't because my siblings are making noise- Abbie: Eliminate all your distractions! Me:
We've all gone down some crazy research rabbit holes!! I know I have...;) It's part of the fun...if you know when to let yourself do it if you know what I mean :D
When she imitated the people who say "crank the words out even if you don't like it," I felt so attacked. LOL. Great advice, this really changed my perspective of how the writing process can feel.
I created my own book brainstorm in Microsoft Word with things like rough character ideas, conflict, conclusion, basic plot, hook, etc. and now I write so much faster! I've sent the brainstorm to friends and now they're also starting novels! It's crazy how much easier a rough draft is when you have things planned out a little bit!
It makes me feel so good to see someone who puts this much work into outlining. My outlines are huge and more than once I've had people tell me I was overthinking or avoiding writing, which was a huge blow to my confidence. It has resulted in years and years of struggling with plot and writing, and ultimately hating my work and thinking I'm less capable. Thank god for you.
loll i barely outline, im a planster, i need to know a idea for the story and then when i feel the story falls flat i go back into planning , i usually write quick random scenes for story ideas and enhancing the story more... im working on a story right now and lol im still as lost as I was before, but heck at least i still got more ideas down than i had before so thats progress ig.
Me- still halfway done with plot outline in three months Everyone else- let's get writting our first draft after a week of outlining. Me- ok...*writes like a crazy person* (Thanks Abbie for making these videos, I would have Never even got this far without these beautiful golden nuggets. )
My outlining process right now is just me planning out the plot by writing chapter names. They’ll indicate what that part of the story will be about and I can edit my outline as I go if something needs to change or doesn’t fit. Otherwise, I’m just a pantser.
This video was so helpful! I'm trying NaNoWriMo for the first time this year, and I've never attempted at writing a novel. Your videos have been so helpful, and the outlining process has been going great because of your outlining playlist. Thanks, Abbie!
NaNoWriMo is approaching and this is what everyone needed. I have not watched it yet, but knowing you, I am certain it will be very helpful. Thank you so much for everything you do.
Great tips! I love how Abbie's video cut scene example of a "cluttered" writing space is tidier than any space in my personal universe through all history.
I personally am a discovery writer, if I start planning out more than: the genre, the main character (what makes them the main character), and a general idea for some confict (kingdom war, large misunderstanding, rescue mission), etc then I get bored of it. I have to make things up as I go and write rules as I go, world build spontaneously. Once I have it on paper then I go back and follow the guidelines and outline it all and decide what the characters belief is and all that and then actually edit it to really re-enforce those ideas. Unfortunately for the initial creation I just can't do it.
I'm a panser and I don't really need notes. I'm writing a story about a game we played as kids. Thank you!! Your videos helpped me soo much I'm on chapter two I had to rewrite bc my first draft WAS TRASH! THANK YOU SO MUCHHHHH!!!!
I am a pantser most of all, but I work a job where I have to sit at a desk without Scrivener for long hours. On my off time at work, I worldbuild and make outlines, and you've made that more possible. Thank you for your worksheets!
I haven’t done NaNoWriMo since 2018, but this year I’m doing a challenge to write my novel in 30 days starting now. My photography business is too busy in November haha! I also have two toddlers so it’s a challenge to get writing in at all. But I can’t wait to get started! I used to be a pantster, but I think I just thought it was cooler than being a planner when I was a teenager lol. I just finished my biggest outline ever (haha not as long as yours but it’s just about 10,000 words) and it’s already soooo much better. And it’s giving my confidence because I outlined in three days 🥳
So ready for NaNoWriMo now! I'm going to get this novel finished while I'm still on leave! You always give us fellow writers a boost ❤️ Thanks Abbie!!!
thanks for this video, from an Argentinian subscriber!! I write in spanish but this channel is my favorite writing channel in the world, I absolutely love it and it really helped me improve. It will be my 1st time doing NaNoWriMo and I'm super excited.
You are my hero! This is my first Nano and my outline is 9 pages at this point and my research material is over 30 pages and items. Thank you so much for all your videos!
I'm a plantser- I plot stuff (as in the general direction of the story and the character arcs and stuff), but I leave a lot of the details.. Anyway, wonderful video, especially as its my first NaNoWriMo this year and its fanfiction xD
I was really having a hard time to manage between my writing time and work time that is when I saw Abbie previous video on how to find time writing and now I was like hating on my manuscript and this video suddenly popped out of nowhere.......... Like every time I find difficult in writing , I'll always come here and Abbie just like already knows that problem and it really helps a lot in my writing.............. If I ever become a brilliant author one day I will totally owe it all to her...........* thank you 😘😘😘😘😘*
What helped me the most was changing my writing environment (computer). I used to write on my desktop PC, the problem is that my PC is setup as a Gaming and 3D modeling workstation, triple screen setup. There was just too much in the way of distraction. I bought a 13" Ultra Thin Laptop that can't really do anything but browse the web and run Scrivener. I went from writing only 10k words to about 85k words with this laptop. Worth it.
Yay! This is exactly what i needed, i am currently working on my first draft! I have 29000 words!! My goal is to get to 100000 words ,still have a long way to go.
The tidying up one. I mean, it seems so obvious I'm sure, but it never occurred to me, and I do mean never. Now that I think of it, it probably takes me like 25 minutes every day at the beginning to get it together because everything is everywhere. Freaking. Brilliant. Thank you.
Abbie, I joining NaNoWriMo this year and I've been watching your videos non stop. They were sooo helpful. Also, yesterday I finished your novel 100 Days of sunlight! Girl, you made me cry! I loved it. I have a disability so Weston's story was a huge encouragement. If I finish my novel you'll definitely be in my Acknowledgments section. Thank you! Love from Argentina 💙🤍💙
You are so knowledgeable-especially for a “ youngin”. My ONLY issue is the hand to the camera at the end-it makes me feel like I’m about to be struck in the face. I adore EVERY THING ELSE about you and your videos!
Wow! This advice is terrific! I've run into some of the same problems she describes with my own writing. Prep is really helpful, even if you aren't trying to write fast. I didn't realize how valuable source material was until I was desperate to come up with something to write for a short story contest. I had written lots of details and ideas about dragons previously, so I took them and based the story off of them. It saved me a lot of time, and I made the deadline! :)
Thanks for these tips. I lost a lot of time because I neglected to do my research before time -now I know better 😥I am still a novice at preparing scene cards Presently I am writing scenes but not using any plan or structure. More like using spontaneous combustion... I watched your video on Scene cards some time ago but neglected to incorporate the content. I feel I could punch myself in the stomach for not doing so but I'm a man of peace😬 So my next step to improve as a writer-Prep your Scene Cards!... Thank you for keeping beginning writers like me on track. I enjoy listening to your lucid and direct exposition Thanks again🙏🙏🙏
Participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time this year, and your series on the 3 act structure helped so much with my planning. My writing space is...mostly organized. Since it's also my working space there's a bit of inherent chaos involved 😆
Hey Abbie, first off thank you so much for all the advice you give. I have been taking pages of notes from numerous videos, and they have helped me a ton as I am going to attempt my first NaNoWriMo (this will be my first novel). Thanks again.
Now.. I do have an addendum to the 'Just Write!' I fudged up on continuity when I just kept writing.. and writing... and writing... Nearly 30K wasted words... as a novel. As a lesson, invaluable and priceless.
Loved the video as always ❤️ This is my first year participating in NaNo, and thank you for all of your wonderful tips! Your videos have been really helpful for me to grow as a writer, thank you for that
I pretty much do all of these things but it still took me years to finish the 1st draft! I'm about 1/2 through my 2nd draft and planning to use NanoWriMo to finish the 2nd draft, which I'm told makes me a Nano Rebel (a title I love, btw). Anyway, Abbie, your videos are awesome. Thanks for all the hard work you do putting them together.
I've gotten up in the middle of the night when a conversation I have been trying to write just falls into place and 20 minutes later, the scene or at least the dialogue for it, is done and done well with very little need for edits. I hear you on the source materials.
I'm a college student so my writing schedule currently consists of having spontaneous bouts of writing frenzies where all homework and chores cease to matter...until the next day when my house is a mess and I have a dozen assignments due and writing becomes another distraction. Also I've been stuck in the first drafting process of this one story idea for *years* so NaNoWriMo this year...probably not (probably never, since I am pre-med) but I am desperately trying to set up some sort of consistent schedule so I can do the thing I love without having to stress that I'm taking time from something else important. Will definitely be checking out your outlining series (my outline right now is a messy flow chart...which means it was hella fun to make but pretty subpar when it comes to usefulness)
I'm participating in NaNoWriMo for the 4th year in a row. Thanks for the advice... :D I should really clear my desk tonight so that I can write more tomorrow.
OKAY, here's what I do with research: 1. I look up what I *know I need to know* before I write the novel 2. When I'm in the middle of writing and come across something I need to research, I put [placeholders] in brackets, and fill them in. Oh. You said pretty much that exact thing as I was writing this. XD
I pretty much do number two the same way I just use sticky notes at the begining of my notebook, and put the chapter number. I normally only use it to translate something from english to another language. (Bc in my story the character's *most of them* first language isn't english and they struggle speaking it. )
Glad you accept that the "write write write" is a valid way to write. Some people do not need to taste each word before writing the story. Morover other people do not like to spend time on outlines as this can be straightjacket.
But I also notice that you often have colour-coded bookshelves in other videos. That is totally different with me. And I think this shows how our minds work in different ways without one being better than the other for ALL writers. As you say there is not one method that is right for everybody. I agree on that And I also enjoy your videos, despite writing differently because it still is agood learning experience, thanks! Keep up the good work :-)
I actully work with an outline when it is non-fiction, e.g. when I did my dissertation at the university. I do NOT use an outline when writing fiction. So your ways and methods are useful also for a ... pantser/non-planner depending on the text!
Not sure about joining this year's NANOWRIMO but I take these tips like it's what I need for my everyday writing habits. To all those participating, good luck with this awesome event! I know you can do it uwu !!!
Yes, I enrolled in NaNoWriMo. I have my first three-act structure outline (2500 words) done. As I wrote that outline I discovered a LOT of the things that I needed to know. How many people lived in Portsmouth in 1814? How the Hell am I supposed to copy photos into a Scrivener document? How many Henry Raeburn portraits can I download for free? (I base my descriptions on period-specific portraits.) I have written almost all of my Character sketches (only minor characters to go). I have done most of the research and am starting in on my Setting sketches. I'm just about ready to start writing scene cards. I've signed up for your Scrivener class. It is ridiculous to be completely stuck and reduced to tears for HOURS at a time because I don't understand Scrivener. I have read several books on Scrivener and they are all garbage - not one of them gets it right! There are instructions like, "Just click on X and navigate to Y - but there's no Y to be found, OR (even more commonly) it's completely grayed out and nonfunctional and I don't know WHY or how to fix it! Obviously a complete waste of time during precious writing hours. So, I will being 'seeing' you in the scrivener course.
You might want to look up video tutorials on UA-cam and also note whether or not the tutorial is a match for the version you have. (If you have windows it has less features than the Mac one) but in the meantime breathe! you’ve got this and will figure it out. In the meantime you have a super impressive nano start!
I just found you tonight & am soooooo excited to do nanowrimo for the first time this year! It's on my bucket list and doing it before 50 means this is the last chance. Of course there are more chances, but I'll be at the top of the hill in January soooo, this November is my time! Thank you for your content, time, & talent!
I’ll never forget the first short story I wrote. It took place in an airport. I spent at least thirty minutes trying to figure out what a palm mic was called. It bothered me not to know. I felt so silly when I found out that it was that simple. 🤪
Great video. Also I have some questions that I hope you can address. Thank you. 1. How do I write a Villain redemption story arc? 2. How do you write an episode if you’re writing a series?
I am doing NaNo! I think I need to meal prep everyone else's food as well as mine so no one asks me to cook! I definitely obsess over my story and try to write down every idea. Good reminder that I need to make sure I gather them all in one place before Nov 1.
Something I was looking forward to for so long!!!! Thank You! Yes, Participating in NaNoWriMo 2020! Well, how do you choose a setting for your novel, a place where you have never been to! (or know nothing about it) And with that I mean real world locations. Of course you have never travelled to a fantasy world. Please help this young writer!!!
When I wrote my novel, I found going to the local library to be 100% helpful. It was like "going to the office" & was really quiet & no distractions. Lofi beats OR 180bpm music on headphones & 20min timers on my phone made all the difference. I wrote 80k in 4 months with undiagnosed adhd... so thats gotta say something ab it. Also, I tested to see how long a sprint/ how many sprints I could handle before I felt like my brain was empty. I found 20mins was best, bc I could do 4 maybe even 5 20mins in one day, but if I did 25mins, I could only get 2 done before I felt wrung out. I also figured out what time of day I wrote best without overthinking the words. Like just let it pour out & not doubt myself, the language, past plot... usually 1st thing while Im still booting up for brain dumping & afternoon/evening for editing.
thanks Abbie for the super practical tips, especially the time management ones with food and clutter lol. I'm super guilty of those. I remember an ad on YT saying the enemy of writing is distraction. Totally true!! Also i find building a digital 'notebook' of source material is so much easier to do on a smartphone which i friggen take with me to the toilet even. If I get hit out of the blue with an idea, I type it into my notepad app (I use WriterP) which I keep synced to my google drive using another app called FolderSync so I can pull them up on my laptop and desktop computers. It allows folders and all that jazz, but not itallics/bold (wish it did) and it's seriously helped out so much. Sometimes I find myself writing whole chapters on there while out of the house where I don't have a computer. THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY!!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one, when I did a screenwriting class I would wait until the day before to actually write because I would spend all week "stewing" on an idea
Ahahah 😂 the meal thing. I actually found a way around getting cooking and chores done. Since most of my writing goes on in my head, I zone out as I'm cleaning or cooking. I might sometimes stop and write something down quickly before my thoughts shift. Hence, why it takes all day to get the cleaning and laundry done. 🤣
I loved this… I did last year’s thank to you. 🎉🎉🎉 and your beats. I was a pantser, now I’m more efficient. This year’s nano is to finish last years. Will hope to do my preptober in time.
I'll definitely look more into meals I can prepare for myself ahead of time; trying to make and eat breakfast in the morning can take such a long time, especially because I have Invisalign now. Thanks for another epic writing video! 😃
Abbie's writing knowledge is through the roof, obviously. But has anyone else noticed that her filmography and editing skills just keep getting better as well? Rock on, Abbie, your videos are AMAZING!
True true true true true
I published my book the same month as finals lol... when anyone asks when I write I’m like- the notebook was in my pocket twenty four seven ITS NOT IMPOSSIBLE GUYS ( there’s some truth in that warning tho )
Warning: do not try writing a novel in a month if you are in high school and get up at 6:30. Allergic reactions may include but are not limited to: more stress, fatigue, lack of inspiration, and late homework.
this goes for anyone in any school tbh i’m in college and i can’t even read during the semester
HA I get all that without NaNoWriMo. I wake up at 4:30 just to challenge myself. Nothing will stop me-
*on a serious note I’m seriously sleep deprived and I don’t know how I’m still alive-*
I did it though.
Without any of the allergic reactions.
You can't tell me what to do!
Continues to achive sleep deprivation
nanowrimo is every month if you’re stephen king
Or Brandon Sanderson
Or R. L. Stine
That man is a machine
@@Bitter_Beauty_Music I was about to reply that
I couldn't agree more 🤣🤣💙 Stephen is a LEGEND
"It's all about eliminating the things that will slow you down." But Abbie, don't I need my brain for other... stuff?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
So can I eliminate my brother?
@@6298-u9c …. Gotta do whatchu gotta do.
@@6298-u9c Maybe i should eliminate my brain
When you said “NaNoWriMo should be fun” I was like, “oh yeah . . .” It hit me hard. It actually had me reflect a bit because I’ve been stressing so much over my word counts lately and I forgot that I should be having fun with this.
"When I'm really into a book that I'm writing, I'm writing it all the time...in my head." YES GIRL!! Sometimes I have to make a concerted effort to come out of my story world in order to spend time with my family. And sleep and characters definitely compete for headspace plenty of nights... sometimes I wonder if I'm a spectator in my story or really a character myself XD! I love writing to death even if it drives me crazy!!!
And yes, I'm doing NaNo! It's my first year! Can't wait for next week's video!!
I totally agree! Sometimes I feel like I'm in a whole different world when I'm writing my book. I forget to come back into reality. XD
Same same here
I do this ALL THE TIME!!! Its habit at this point lol.
Literally ME!
This is so me! My job has become a daily eight hour long distraction from writing 😂. There have been plenty of times when I’ve had to stop working and write down the conversation going on in my head. It’s the only way I can resume focusing on my work.
It’s crazy…in the best way! Haven’t been this excited about anything for a long time. It feels good to be taken over by creativity and imagination. I’m still learning the craft and getting closer to full on writing but my creative spigot is wide open and I can’t turn it off…and I wouldn’t if I could. 😂
Me: -tries to write-
My siblings: -making noise incessantly-
Me: -trying to think of what my next sentence will be and I can't because my siblings are making noise-
Abbie: Eliminate all your distractions!
Me:
get the knife, josh!!!
True love is finding somebody that will help you bury a body or three ;)
@@Ardorstorm 👀🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@Ardorstorm bro 💀
I once had to research how the weather was in summer 1975 xD
We've all gone down some crazy research rabbit holes!! I know I have...;) It's part of the fun...if you know when to let yourself do it if you know what I mean :D
Okay but how was the weather in the summer of 1975? Don’t leave us hanging! :P
@@CareenasAdventures i searched up what plane was flying from japan to france with date and times xD
@@maxinebu 👍🏽 Keep going
@@maxinebu Specifics are AWESOME if you know what I mean!
When she imitated the people who say "crank the words out even if you don't like it," I felt so attacked. LOL. Great advice, this really changed my perspective of how the writing process can feel.
this channel is single handedly helping me pass english
I created my own book brainstorm in Microsoft Word with things like rough character ideas, conflict, conclusion, basic plot, hook, etc. and now I write so much faster! I've sent the brainstorm to friends and now they're also starting novels! It's crazy how much easier a rough draft is when you have things planned out a little bit!
It makes me feel so good to see someone who puts this much work into outlining. My outlines are huge and more than once I've had people tell me I was overthinking or avoiding writing, which was a huge blow to my confidence. It has resulted in years and years of struggling with plot and writing, and ultimately hating my work and thinking I'm less capable. Thank god for you.
loll i barely outline, im a planster, i need to know a idea for the story and then when i feel the story falls flat i go back into planning , i usually write quick random scenes for story ideas and enhancing the story more... im working on a story right now and lol im still as lost as I was before, but heck at least i still got more ideas down than i had before so thats progress ig.
Hey, there’s finally someone who intensively plots and structures everything as much as I do.
same. My outlines are extremely detailed
Me- still halfway done with plot outline in three months
Everyone else- let's get writting our first draft after a week of outlining.
Me- ok...*writes like a crazy person*
(Thanks Abbie for making these videos, I would have Never even got this far without these beautiful golden nuggets. )
My outlining process right now is just me planning out the plot by writing chapter names. They’ll indicate what that part of the story will be about and I can edit my outline as I go if something needs to change or doesn’t fit. Otherwise, I’m just a pantser.
Her skin and makeup look FLAWLESS
This video was so helpful! I'm trying NaNoWriMo for the first time this year, and I've never attempted at writing a novel. Your videos have been so helpful, and the outlining process has been going great because of your outlining playlist. Thanks, Abbie!
Same here! Good luck :)
NaNoWriMo is approaching and this is what everyone needed. I have not watched it yet, but knowing you, I am certain it will be very helpful. Thank you so much for everything you do.
Great tips! I love how Abbie's video cut scene example of a "cluttered" writing space is tidier than any space in my personal universe through all history.
I personally am a discovery writer, if I start planning out more than: the genre, the main character (what makes them the main character), and a general idea for some confict (kingdom war, large misunderstanding, rescue mission), etc then I get bored of it. I have to make things up as I go and write rules as I go, world build spontaneously. Once I have it on paper then I go back and follow the guidelines and outline it all and decide what the characters belief is and all that and then actually edit it to really re-enforce those ideas. Unfortunately for the initial creation I just can't do it.
Sammmeeee
Interesting process. Sounds like the best of both worlds. If it works well for you, I think that’s all that matters 😀
I'm a panser and I don't really need notes. I'm writing a story about a game we played as kids. Thank you!! Your videos helpped me soo much I'm on chapter two I had to rewrite bc my first draft WAS TRASH! THANK YOU SO MUCHHHHH!!!!
I am a pantser most of all, but I work a job where I have to sit at a desk without Scrivener for long hours. On my off time at work, I worldbuild and make outlines, and you've made that more possible. Thank you for your worksheets!
I haven’t done NaNoWriMo since 2018, but this year I’m doing a challenge to write my novel in 30 days starting now. My photography business is too busy in November haha! I also have two toddlers so it’s a challenge to get writing in at all. But I can’t wait to get started! I used to be a pantster, but I think I just thought it was cooler than being a planner when I was a teenager lol. I just finished my biggest outline ever (haha not as long as yours but it’s just about 10,000 words) and it’s already soooo much better. And it’s giving my confidence because I outlined in three days 🥳
OMG, who else thinks Abbie's intro she has in every video is AWESOME!? IT'S AMAZING! Keep up the amazing editing skills Abbie!!!
I just finish my first draft!
So ready for NaNoWriMo now! I'm going to get this novel finished while I'm still on leave! You always give us fellow writers a boost ❤️ Thanks Abbie!!!
thanks for this video, from an Argentinian subscriber!! I write in spanish but this channel is my favorite writing channel in the world, I absolutely love it and it really helped me improve. It will be my 1st time doing NaNoWriMo and I'm super excited.
My very first NaNo, extremely excited, yet uncomfortably nervous
I really needed this video today, Abbie! Sometimes I get so caught up in writing well or spewing words out that I forget writing is fun!
You are my hero! This is my first Nano and my outline is 9 pages at this point and my research material is over 30 pages and items. Thank you so much for all your videos!
Ended at 17 pages in length.
I'm a plantser- I plot stuff (as in the general direction of the story and the character arcs and stuff), but I leave a lot of the details..
Anyway, wonderful video, especially as its my first NaNoWriMo this year and its fanfiction xD
Yes!!! It’s my 1st NaNoWriMo after more than 15 years detachment from writing. Wish me luck!
I was really having a hard time to manage between my writing time and work time that is when I saw Abbie previous video on how to find time writing and now I was like hating on my manuscript and this video suddenly popped out of nowhere..........
Like every time I find difficult in writing , I'll always come here and Abbie just like already knows that problem and it really helps a lot in my writing..............
If I ever become a brilliant author one day I will totally owe it all to her...........* thank you 😘😘😘😘😘*
What helped me the most was changing my writing environment (computer). I used to write on my desktop PC, the problem is that my PC is setup as a Gaming and 3D modeling workstation, triple screen setup. There was just too much in the way of distraction.
I bought a 13" Ultra Thin Laptop that can't really do anything but browse the web and run Scrivener. I went from writing only 10k words to about 85k words with this laptop. Worth it.
i am participating in nanowrimo this year! but I'm starting ten days early cuz I have my exams mid-November.
This is just what I needed thank you Abbie you always come through !! 🥰💕
When you were talking about meal prep I jokingly said, "Just don't eat. Hyperfixate." I didn't think you'd actually address that at the end 😅
Whenever I want inspiration, I open one of your videos ❤️❤️❤️
Yay! This is exactly what i needed, i am currently working on my first draft! I have 29000 words!! My goal is to get to 100000 words ,still have a long way to go.
The tidying up one. I mean, it seems so obvious I'm sure, but it never occurred to me, and I do mean never. Now that I think of it, it probably takes me like 25 minutes every day at the beginning to get it together because everything is everywhere. Freaking. Brilliant. Thank you.
Just gonna say, I love the branding. Science in storytelling, it's dope.
You are my WEEKLY MOTIVATION TO WRITE 🌻♥️♥️
Abbie, I joining NaNoWriMo this year and I've been watching your videos non stop. They were sooo helpful. Also, yesterday I finished your novel 100 Days of sunlight! Girl, you made me cry! I loved it. I have a disability so Weston's story was a huge encouragement. If I finish my novel you'll definitely be in my Acknowledgments section. Thank you! Love from Argentina 💙🤍💙
You are so knowledgeable-especially for a “ youngin”. My ONLY issue is the hand to the camera at the end-it makes me feel like I’m about to be struck in the face. I adore EVERY THING ELSE about you and your videos!
Wow! This advice is terrific! I've run into some of the same problems she describes with my own writing. Prep is really helpful, even if you aren't trying to write fast. I didn't realize how valuable source material was until I was desperate to come up with something to write for a short story contest. I had written lots of details and ideas about dragons previously, so I took them and based the story off of them. It saved me a lot of time, and I made the deadline! :)
Thanks for these tips. I lost a lot of time because I neglected to do my research before time -now I know better 😥I am still a novice at preparing scene cards Presently I am writing scenes but not using any plan or structure. More like using spontaneous combustion... I watched your video on Scene cards some time ago but neglected to incorporate the content. I feel I could punch myself in the stomach for not doing so but I'm a man of peace😬 So my next step to improve as a writer-Prep your Scene Cards!... Thank you for keeping beginning writers like me on track. I enjoy listening to your lucid and direct exposition Thanks again🙏🙏🙏
Exactly what I needed right now. Your videos have made me look forward to Wednesdays ever since I discovered your channel. Keep 'em coming, Abbie!💕
Two years later, another believer chimes in “Same!” 😂
WHO is giving this vid a 👎?? Abbie’s content is 🔥 ... Every. Single. Time.
Participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time this year, and your series on the 3 act structure helped so much with my planning. My writing space is...mostly organized. Since it's also my working space there's a bit of inherent chaos involved 😆
This is my first time. I have a million questions but you’ve gotten me excited about using this weekend to prep.
Hey Abbie, first off thank you so much for all the advice you give. I have been taking pages of notes from numerous videos, and they have helped me a ton as I am going to attempt my first NaNoWriMo (this will be my first novel). Thanks again.
Now.. I do have an addendum to the 'Just Write!' I fudged up on continuity when I just kept writing.. and writing... and writing... Nearly 30K wasted words... as a novel. As a lesson, invaluable and priceless.
Loved the video as always ❤️ This is my first year participating in NaNo, and thank you for all of your wonderful tips! Your videos have been really helpful for me to grow as a writer, thank you for that
I pretty much do all of these things but it still took me years to finish the 1st draft! I'm about 1/2 through my 2nd draft and planning to use NanoWriMo to finish the 2nd draft, which I'm told makes me a Nano Rebel (a title I love, btw). Anyway, Abbie, your videos are awesome. Thanks for all the hard work you do putting them together.
Honestly this is one of the few good things in my life this week. Thanks for making my week better!
I’m out of videos of you to watch and I have no choice but to wait until next Wednesday. It’s the most aggravating thing everrrrrr
You are the best inspirational person that I’ve ever known! 💪🏽
I’m participating for the first time this year your videos are great ty
I've gotten up in the middle of the night when a conversation I have been trying to write just falls into place and 20 minutes later, the scene or at least the dialogue for it, is done and done well with very little need for edits. I hear you on the source materials.
Thanks for helping newer writers get ideas! 🌼🌻
I'm a college student so my writing schedule currently consists of having spontaneous bouts of writing frenzies where all homework and chores cease to matter...until the next day when my house is a mess and I have a dozen assignments due and writing becomes another distraction. Also I've been stuck in the first drafting process of this one story idea for *years* so NaNoWriMo this year...probably not (probably never, since I am pre-med) but I am desperately trying to set up some sort of consistent schedule so I can do the thing I love without having to stress that I'm taking time from something else important.
Will definitely be checking out your outlining series (my outline right now is a messy flow chart...which means it was hella fun to make but pretty subpar when it comes to usefulness)
Just subscribed. I'm finishing my nanowrimo prep outline and this was great!
I'm participating in NaNoWriMo for the 4th year in a row. Thanks for the advice... :D I should really clear my desk tonight so that I can write more tomorrow.
OKAY, here's what I do with research:
1. I look up what I *know I need to know* before I write the novel
2. When I'm in the middle of writing and come across something I need to research, I put [placeholders] in brackets, and fill them in.
Oh. You said pretty much that exact thing as I was writing this. XD
I pretty much do number two the same way I just use sticky notes at the begining of my notebook, and put the chapter number. I normally only use it to translate something from english to another language. (Bc in my story the character's *most of them* first language isn't english and they struggle speaking it. )
Glad you accept that the "write write write" is a valid way to write.
Some people do not need to taste each word before writing the story. Morover other people do not like to spend time on outlines as this can be straightjacket.
But I also notice that you often have colour-coded bookshelves in other videos. That is totally different with me. And I think this shows how our minds work in different ways without one being better than the other for ALL writers. As you say there is not one method that is right for everybody. I agree on that
And I also enjoy your videos, despite writing differently because it still is agood learning experience, thanks! Keep up the good work :-)
I actully work with an outline when it is non-fiction, e.g. when I did my dissertation at the university.
I do NOT use an outline when writing fiction.
So your ways and methods are useful also for a ... pantser/non-planner depending on the text!
You're incredibly meticulous when it comes to writing
I'm so excited for NaNo. Can't wait to see your next video!
Not sure about joining this year's NANOWRIMO but I take these tips like it's what I need for my everyday writing habits. To all those participating, good luck with this awesome event! I know you can do it uwu !!!
Yes, I enrolled in NaNoWriMo. I have my first three-act structure outline (2500 words) done. As I wrote that outline I discovered a LOT of the things that I needed to know. How many people lived in Portsmouth in 1814? How the Hell am I supposed to copy photos into a Scrivener document? How many Henry Raeburn portraits can I download for free? (I base my descriptions on period-specific portraits.) I have written almost all of my Character sketches (only minor characters to go). I have done most of the research and am starting in on my Setting sketches. I'm just about ready to start writing scene cards. I've signed up for your Scrivener class. It is ridiculous to be completely stuck and reduced to tears for HOURS at a time because I don't understand Scrivener. I have read several books on Scrivener and they are all garbage - not one of them gets it right! There are instructions like, "Just click on X and navigate to Y - but there's no Y to be found, OR (even more commonly) it's completely grayed out and nonfunctional and I don't know WHY or how to fix it! Obviously a complete waste of time during precious writing hours. So, I will being 'seeing' you in the scrivener course.
You might want to look up video tutorials on UA-cam and also note whether or not the tutorial is a match for the version you have. (If you have windows it has less features than the Mac one) but in the meantime breathe! you’ve got this and will figure it out. In the meantime you have a super impressive nano start!
@@Sharon490 Thanks 😊 One step at a time...
I can't even begin to describe how much this video helped and motivated me. Thank you!
I honestly have no idea how to write a outline, love you Abbie! Almost done reading your book! It’s wonderful!
THANK YOU! This was great. This is my first NaNoWriMo and am going to use your vids to motivate!
I just found you tonight & am soooooo excited to do nanowrimo for the first time this year! It's on my bucket list and doing it before 50 means this is the last chance. Of course there are more chances, but I'll be at the top of the hill in January soooo, this November is my time! Thank you for your content, time, & talent!
I am gonna apply these tips for NaNoWriMo next year
You’re videos are always such a joy to watch!
these videos are so immaculate, i learn a ton and my eyes are pleased lol. thanks for everything, abbie!
I’m so scared for NaNo! It’s my first time participating and I am outlining like hell.
Also Abbie, your supportive AF!
SAME
Great tips, thanks for sharing! I’m tackling NaNo again this year. I’ve never won but I’m hopeful this is the year!
I’ll never forget the first short story I wrote. It took place in an airport. I spent at least thirty minutes trying to figure out what a palm mic was called. It bothered me not to know. I felt so silly when I found out that it was that simple. 🤪
Love the idea of source material -- material constantly pops up in my head, I didn't really think of writing it all down for reference
6:09 - 6:17 The best and most relatable sentence🤣🤣🤣 6:52 Are you stalking me? How can you describe me so well??
Greetings from Colombia. The Venezuelan Immigrant writer 🌎
This was such a nice video to come home to. Thanks for introducing me to NaNoWriMo Abbie, I’m doing it for my first time this year!
Great video. Also I have some questions that I hope you can address. Thank you.
1. How do I write a Villain redemption story arc?
2. How do you write an episode if you’re writing a series?
I am doing NaNo! I think I need to meal prep everyone else's food as well as mine so no one asks me to cook! I definitely obsess over my story and try to write down every idea. Good reminder that I need to make sure I gather them all in one place before Nov 1.
I love to set a daily word count. It helps me make sure it's done on time.
I plan on doing NaNo, don’t know if I’ll be able to finish the book, but hoping to do so!
1. Prepare your outline ahead of time + scene cards
2.
Needed this today! So stuck in the middle of my Book 4 rough draft. Great ideas to help me tomorrow.
Something I was looking forward to for so long!!!! Thank You!
Yes, Participating in NaNoWriMo 2020!
Well, how do you choose a setting for your novel, a place where you have never been to! (or know nothing about it) And with that I mean real world locations. Of course you have never travelled to a fantasy world. Please help this young writer!!!
OMG- "That is your weakness talking! Don't pull up a chair and listen to what that has to say!" I need that embroidered on a pillow :D
When I wrote my novel, I found going to the local library to be 100% helpful. It was like "going to the office" & was really quiet & no distractions. Lofi beats OR 180bpm music on headphones & 20min timers on my phone made all the difference. I wrote 80k in 4 months with undiagnosed adhd... so thats gotta say something ab it.
Also, I tested to see how long a sprint/ how many sprints I could handle before I felt like my brain was empty. I found 20mins was best, bc I could do 4 maybe even 5 20mins in one day, but if I did 25mins, I could only get 2 done before I felt wrung out.
I also figured out what time of day I wrote best without overthinking the words. Like just let it pour out & not doubt myself, the language, past plot... usually 1st thing while Im still booting up for brain dumping & afternoon/evening for editing.
thanks Abbie for the super practical tips, especially the time management ones with food and clutter lol. I'm super guilty of those. I remember an ad on YT saying the enemy of writing is distraction. Totally true!!
Also i find building a digital 'notebook' of source material is so much easier to do on a smartphone which i friggen take with me to the toilet even. If I get hit out of the blue with an idea, I type it into my notepad app (I use WriterP) which I keep synced to my google drive using another app called FolderSync so I can pull them up on my laptop and desktop computers. It allows folders and all that jazz, but not itallics/bold (wish it did) and it's seriously helped out so much. Sometimes I find myself writing whole chapters on there while out of the house where I don't have a computer. THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY!!!
Yes, I'm doing NaNoWriMo this year... super excited... filling up a NaNoWriMo Young Novelist Workbook outline at the moment.. Let's see where it goes
I'm glad I'm not the only one, when I did a screenwriting class I would wait until the day before to actually write because I would spend all week "stewing" on an idea
Ahahah 😂 the meal thing. I actually found a way around getting cooking and chores done. Since most of my writing goes on in my head, I zone out as I'm cleaning or cooking. I might sometimes stop and write something down quickly before my thoughts shift. Hence, why it takes all day to get the cleaning and laundry done. 🤣
You're literally a life saver Abbie!
I loved this… I did last year’s thank to you. 🎉🎉🎉 and your beats. I was a pantser, now I’m more efficient. This year’s nano is to finish last years. Will hope to do my preptober in time.
I'm participating in NanoWriMo... Ik for sure I'll rock it!
I'll definitely look more into meals I can prepare for myself ahead of time; trying to make and eat breakfast in the morning can take such a long time, especially because I have Invisalign now.
Thanks for another epic writing video! 😃