I like stories about friendship between people of the same gender or of different genders without romantic or sexual elements. Love isn't all about sex or romance. It's about caring, tenderness, mutual respect and understanding. I like a well written romance as much as anyone, but sometimes it feels like it's there just because the writer thinks they should have a romance. Great books and movies have been made about friendship and loyalty without romantic entanglements.
Thank you, yes! It’s not that I have anything against romance, but there are so many stories I’ve seen that focuses more on romance instead of the plot, the story, the characters, etc. Especially in genres like Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, etc. I’m sorry if it sounds like I don’t like romance; it just gets tiring seeing the main characters get focus on how hot their love interests are instead of the important things like everything you have known are flip upside down or your home is about to be destroyed or your life is on the line of life or death! There should be more stories about friendships or at least realistic slowburn romance.
Watching this video, at 15:29, it just now dawned on me for the first time that one of my characters literally dies for his best friend. Like, I knew functionally that that’s what he did for her, but the realization of the spirit of what he did escaped me until now. She was there when he met his future wife, and she gently steered the two together. He could have lived, he didn’t have to be where he was when he died but it would have resulted in her death instead. Hit me like a punch in the gut.
@@elinasakura Yes yes, you have a point but you don't have to remove any romance in a story the story just have to focus mainly on the characters, just them. Their internal conflict, want need and stuffs the romance scenes just needs to be the second priority. I think if you can co-operate that to the story then you don't have to remove the romance stuff
@@SHInangli Yeah, I get that. A couple of my stories have romance in it as well, it’s just more a b-story or side story because they have their own arcs and journeys to go through. It’s just I’m not into romance as the main focus in the stories
I really wish I could see more friendship that doesn't lead to romance. Some people say they are not interested in dragons because it's not real life but in real life you're not gonna ban or date every single person of the gender you're into. Please allow friendships!
I understand, after watching a few videos on how to make a healthy friendship in writing I see there's definitely some tricks and tips to keeping it all friendly haha! but don't get me wrong, it's a nice challenge. Or at least it is for me who has yet to make a story
Ugh same, romance is ok but the thrill of platonic relationships is just pure gold! I like the feel that things don't need to go further, that they can just be buddies till the end :,)
yes in my new series I'm working on starts with 4 main characters that are bestie 2 of them die which makes the surviving closer and start talking about their feelings to together and stay friends
@@bappadityabhattacharya4433 I don't know, I don't feel like I've gotten any better at descriptions. I almost always feel like I'm just grasping for words to try and convey what I'm picturing. I end up wanting to use adverbs or whatever to modify the word I'm using to describe something or what it's doing. Sometimes I wonder if I need to just abandon having things like a character who usually talks a little soft, not so softly she is whispering, but not quite loud enough for it to just be talking a lot of the time. I just can't paint the picture clearly enough. If that even is what I should be trying to do? But writing hundreds of descriptions of how someone looked has neither made me feel any better at it, nor made it any easier, nearly every. Single. Time. It's the same struggle to convey it. And all the advice about things like, just use stronger and or more unique verbs so you don't have to use adjectives just makes me feel like I'm either approaching description all wrong, and or I just don't have nearly as big a vocabulary as I thought, or need. And shoot, now I've gone and complained.
@@Tiyev I was terrible at descriptions. How I practiced was describe a friend or classmate and ask my friend who that is. Or a particular place they would know. It was soo hard, but then I realized what are the things that will help them to visualize. Cheat codes: body type, eye color(although it doesn't biologically affect anything,grey eyes are used to show deep characters,blue: dreamy, green: excited and lighthearted,brown: soft,ALSO, used to understand race: black/dark brown eyes are common in Asia, blue eyes are almost only found in European origin, hazel is also common in Europe and USA) , hairstyle, clothing (most important to show if they're rebellious or not) A character description SHOULD let the readers understand the societal standard of beauty and what people don't like. It causes insecurities Rooms also contribute to the aura, golden: Royal, black: scary obviously, green: calm, glass: mystic, etc.
Is anyone else experiencing the tension of wanting to watch every single Abbie Emmons video (because every video is so helpful to my understanding of writing) and needing to actually write?
Im just writing something small on wattpad. Since Ive started watching your videos I feel like Ive discovered the secret recipe for a book and how to go about it. Ive been searching on internet for YEARS about the right way to write but all they preach is "every book has a beginning, a middle and an end". And I always ended up more confused. But your videos, the three story act, is such a simple way and I love it.
Maybe for someone that loves writing dialogue and struggles with description could try writing in 1st person, then they would be writing inner dialogue. I write 3rd person, but I still find the inner dialogue and thoughts to write. I love thinking about my characters voice and trying to create it!
I turned from academic writing to fiction writing six and one-half years ago and, in making the shift, took five classes in creative writing. No one ever mentioned your videos. This is mind blowing to me. It would have been so helpful if I'd known about this super source of information. Thank you so much for your contribution to the writing community. I've had three novels accepted but am still learning. I hope to listen to every video.
I am currently writing the first draft of a passion project of mine. It a long epic with built sagas and story arc, so it's more of an equally as long journey than a marathon.
I love your channel and everything on it, Abbie. You have amazingly simple but foolproof logic on how to create great stories, and I think I've watched just about all of your videos. I'm working on several story ideas and I'm currently writing the outline for my favorite one. I have no idea where my writing skills would be if I hadn't stumbled across your channel, but they sure wouldn't be doing very well. (: You're the best person at explaining writing I've ever seen. Keep up the amazing work, Abbie! Good luck!
I agree! Absolutely great advice. I was also stuck with the inbetween stuff because I kept trying to do it as a writer, instead of doing it as the character! Suddenly it seems so obvious 😂
I am writing my first ever fantasy book. I have done some short stories and writing exercises before, but this is my first real attempt at constructing narrative and characters. I don't know that i'll ever publish but it's been a great experience so far. Your videos have been very helpful ^_^
Great advice! For the first question, I love to write it down, then go back, delete the boring bits, then describe the action/narration by asking myself what senses would get from it. I also tend to overuse the subject-verb sentence structure so I might read it out loud to try to catch those. Writing is so hard lol
I am taking a sabbatical actually (career change) and I'm using the extra tjme to write a book I have been wanting to write since the beginning of 2020. I worldbuilt it for almost 2 years and I'm now outlining the first book (bc I want to make a series). I'm loving finally having the time to write (like in depth) and I'm like using every second I have hehehe. Your videos helped my passion awake and now I'm soooo enjoying. I want to change the world with my story ♡
I really find your videos helpful. I love it! I'm currently...or rather started working on my very first book which I thought at first, would some kind of thriller, horror, and action genre. But I ignored the fact that it's actually dark fantasy. Basically, I realized that the main genre of my first novel is actually DARK FANTASY. I really love this project of mine, and I'm getting more and more good at writing because of your tips and guides! Luv you
aaaa I cannot tell you how much I struggle with something similar to the first question. Your advice was splendid as always and sometimes you just need a reminder to have fun with your writing ^^
That whole section about how one's writing is not in one's voice, but the -character's- voice, reminds me a lot of how I roleplay. (Which is basically just regular fiction writing, anyway, only more collaborative.) With every character, my writing naturally changes slightly because I'm essentially jumping into my character's POV and writing from there. It's sort of like method(?) acting, but in writing. Yeah, it means not every sentence or paragraph (when paragraphs as typically understood even exist) follows "the rules," but it's much more organic and engaging as a writer and a reader.
Writing the second draft of my first novel. Brainstorming ideas to write a video game that takes one hour to beat. And after I finish the section of my book I am writing, I will take a break to outline a short story and write it, outline a game, and the remainder of the book - chapters 3-whatever, and the end.
Hi! I was wondering if you could make a video on how to add in characters for the plot. I know that you have said in past videos that the character is introduced when THEY specifically need to be in that place and at that time. I need a new character to be introduced but I'm not sure what HIS purpose of being there is. Love your videos keep up the AMAZING work :)
Hun, not me binging your videos for the past week 👶🏽 By the way, I'm working on a kinda fantasy, historical fiction about a fictional island located in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. It includes forced colonization and elemental magic! Thank you for the 3 Act Story Structure. Without it, I'm pretty sure I would've given up writing it 🥰
I really love your videos Abbie , I hope you stay happy like you make me happy every Wednesday. Thank you for helping me to make my story matter to me .
Just came across your channel not too long ago. This channels has given me a lot of help making my story's sane I just started and didn't have people reading them. So it's kinda hard getting help with what to do. This channel helps me a lot. Thx 👍
I think it's intriguing you always bring topics around to being about internal conflict when characters are involved. It's a very interesting idea and it seems you've found a way to correlate it and intertwine it into many different topics even loosely related to characters. Cheers!
Hi there. My second novel, Mesh Class, is almost complete and will be available at Chapters and Coles. It’s about a futuristic counter-terrorist team and one trooper in particular who suffers from PTSD. The second main character is a world renowned holo gamer and her name is Esi. She finds a video so incriminating she’s being hunted by terrorist and law enforcement officer alike. Thank you so much for your videos! They’ve helped get me immensely!!
I have been working on a book for the last year, but was bogged down in the ball pit of ideas and brainstorms and writing snippets of scenes and dialogue. Your "3 Act Story" video was the shove I needed to take my next step. Thank you for your content!
A friend and I were talking about pen names. Apparently, if you choose to publish through Amazon, their algorithm will like you better if you have different pen names for different genres. Doesn't mean you have to keep one secret from the other. Just something to consider.
Love your videos! You’ve taught me so much it’s hard to thank you enough. My sister and I are co-writing a series right now and our story has grown much deeper since stumbling upon your channel. ♥️
Abbie: You should step out of your confort zone as a writer Me: You guys have confort zones? I actually don't have 1 or 2 genres I read or want to publish in the future. It actually feels like I have a checklist of all existing genres, all of which I want to write😅 But they basically are for the same age, so It'll be alright if I use one pen name. I don't want to use my real name, because it's really hard to pronounse. I'm from a different country, but I want my books to be sold in english speaking countries too. And with my name that not even my teachers can pronouns, it'll be really hard😂 Anyways, I appreciate what you're doing. I'm planning to start my first book this summer. I won't publish that of course. I'm super excited to write it. Thank you Abbie for inspiring my to become a writer. I can't wait to read your new book! But don't rush yourself obviously.
Your videos are great Abbie! It has been a blessing to find helpful advice about writting, your channel gives me so much inspiration to keep going even when I feel like what I am writting is not enough; especially when I feel I can't show my work because of judgemental people who will literally insult, yes, my current environment is not very receptive but I can deal with it. Do you have any recommendation on writting about subjects that are critized by society or talk about minority groups? Thank you so much for doing awesome content. Keep it going girl!
So true about screenwriting. The friend formula is done well by Save the Cat "Buddy" genre. Thank you for your videos! I often pass on to my friends your channel.
• if your bored writing your reader is bored reading it • practice writing from different povs want vs need want = thinks will make them happy based on beliefs need = thing that will actually make them happy but they just don't know (lesson they need to learn) internal conflict!
My problem isn’t being afraid of putting myself into two different genres (since I’m writing my first book :), my problem is that I’m afraid of being bullied for my work by some people around me such as my classmates or even teachers. Sure, this could be my irrational fear but unfortunately it’s possible in my surrounding. (Btw great video as always ❤️)
@@ad-sr5kd thank you, you really made my day 😊❤️. But it’s not a book written in English (even though I would like to write book in English one day - if I do, I’ll give you a free copy :)
I’m currently writing my very first attempt at dialogue and storytelling. It is a fan fiction (which I know most people would say isn’t actually writing) but for me it’s a fun way to “dip my toe” into writing story and dialogue! I’d love to craft my own story though’
Can you write a negative character arc but end it on a positive note with some bitterness? Like a bittersweet ending after a tragedy the character resolves to be better and will carry their regret with them? How would one break it down into steps?
I currently revising😍🤓. I finished my revised plot. Now I am working on characters arcs. Thanks for your revision and editing videos. That blocked me from line edit during revision 😂.
For the first question, when you said to have fun with up, I do have fun. One of my chapters is called “A floating fire pooping alpaca with a country accent chomps on my arm.”
My friend and I do character interviews to work on character voice. It's fun when you have a wicked character. Right now I'm editing book 1, started book 2 and started a separate book that just demands to be written now. I think I may need to join the Scrivener party now 😊.
Sometimes getting what you need doesn't make you happy. Like in my novel, when they characters get what they need, (the truth) it makes them UNhappy. But they still needed the truth because they were completely ignorant of what the real world is like.
@nicole Crosby if you're seeing this, try reading The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne. His writing style is mainly comprised of dialogue. There is the in between text but a lot lesser than your average novel. You may get some ideas by analysing his writing style :)
You could start by looking into the politics and who was in charge of the country at the time. Did they do anything special for the people? Were they good or evil? Did they have any enemies? Any other key characters in their court, like a mistress or a corrupt uncle? Next, look into the art. Were there any famous composers debuting at the time? Perhaps concerts or operas? Look at the fashion elements. Middle of 1700s were crazy with big dresses and ruffles everywhere. Late 1700s and early 1800s reacted to that and striped it down a lot and all dresses got very chill. Check out artists, poets, writers that maybe got their big break ten years later. What were they up to in the decade you are writing about? There is plenty more, but this might give you an idea on where to start :)
Hi, this isn't related as much to the current video, but I finished your video about Scrivener, your templates, and the master class from 2020. I can't afford a Mac, so I have Windows and I was wondering if (1) your code ABBIE still worked for 10 percent off (2) The writing templates are included for Word users (3) the background picture templates were updated for Windows as well and finally (4) if the master class is still there. After many years of work, child rearing, etc., I am ready to get to the series I first started imagining at 12. I used one book as my thesis for my English MA, but I haven't written much since then. My depression is getting better though, and I'm having more ideas. So glad to have found your channel. Thanks.
Hi Abbie! I just published my book and I’m very insecure whether it is successful or not. Could you do a video on how to feel like our book is successful?
That's interesting that you are co-writing with your sister. I was wondering if anyone else did that. My sister and I started co-writing for fun while in college. We put our writing on hold for many years and started re-writing a past work this year. We hope to get it published and are finally at the editing stage.
Hey Abbie, so basically I get the concept of want and need, but I get a little confused about the Desire. So we have to know the Misbelief, Desire and Fear of a character. But is the „want“ or the „need“ simultaneously the „Desire“ or is this something very different?
I'm working on a Civil War fantasy. It has witches and albinos and ravens and other creatures I've created/invented … and - oh, boy - even some romance. It has Americans - obviously, DUH! - a French priest, the daughter of a Russian aristocrat. What the heck am I doing with this thing? What am I _going_ to do with this thing?! What have I gotten myself into?! Oh, boy. o.o Hey, you asked. So … And that first questioner you answered sounds like me. My stories tend to be talking heads - as opposed to the, um … Talking Heads. ~ burning down the house ~ But I *know* I do like screenwriting (have for years) and have written some scenes in screenwriting style. I’ve even deliberately written a couple of scenes for this story in that style, but that was because I was writing them for a screenwriting class in college, so I have an excuse. :P LOL But I think my penchant for screenwriting was born more out of an interest in dialogue and a firm belief that I have a good ear for it. But I have seen some of my scenes absolutely transform and make even me go, “Wow. o.o I wrote that?” when I’ve gone back and added what I think are relevant scene details that I remember from my mind’s eye during the first pass of writing. So, I tend to add as I write, whereas I know some subtract in later passes.
Your videos are so useful! and in a previous video, I took your advice in studying other stories. and now I do that with every single movie. but there's one that is number one on my list. My favorite movie. How to train your dragon. (yes, very random, and yes, it's also a book.) But I would like to see your opinion on the story structure. would you say it's a don't, or a do?
Like writing Dialogue? Hate writing description? Yeah. My answer? Make a comic. >.> I don't have to write description, I get to draw it instead! Lots more fun! (for me!)
Fan fictions are awesome and a well written fan fiction may actually be better than a novel. If you're new to writing especially, writing fanfics about the celebs or characters you LOVE. It's really wholesome practice
@@bappadityabhattacharya4433 I have been practicing creative writing somewhat professionally since 2017. I have only written two fanfiction stories so far (both Monster Hunter fanfics with a bisexual protagonist). The majority of my creative writing pieces are wholly original stories
@@unicorntomboy9736 still, I feel like fanfics are a great practice cuz basically you can't publish it as a book. So you don't stress much about it being perfect, you know?
@@bappadityabhattacharya4433 I'm very much a perfectionist. I always want all my work to be as good as they can be. Sadly I don't receive much help with my work at all and have to do everything on my own, so a lot of my stories are kinda crude and unrefined. Most of my stories are around 2,500-3000 words long
On pen names...I plan to use my real name, but I happen to be a Bond, so I get early in the alphabet and a cool name. Question is to use my full first name or tease with the initial to make people think James Bond wrote a book....Also, Stephen King wrote fantasy under a pen name. Sales were low until it was rumored to be him and then took off when he publicly admitted it was.
How do you introduce characters in a meaningful way to that character? representing them by how the main characters finds them. Locations, personality and relevance to the story all need to be considered. Does anyone have any ideas?
I see, but how can I figure out my character's want? I already know her misbelief, need, and fears. But, I'm still struggling to find out her desire because she(the character) is the type who doesn't know what she wants. She is focusing on the people around her and not on herself. Well, she's like a people-pleaser. Is it okay that she desires to find out what she wants? I'm an aspiring writer, and I really learned a lot from your videos. So, I just wanna say thank you very much hehe~
It sounds like your MC’s ‘want’ is to please people. The question, I think, is: why? What makes her such a people pleaser? Is it a bad thing? As in, is she such a people pleaser that she ends up hurting herself or neglecting her own needs? Or is it a positive? Maybe she gets enjoyment from other people’s enjoyment. Or perhaps it’s a mix of both - she enjoys it but maybe she’s taking it too far. It sounds like you already have her ‘need’ figured out. So maybe ask yourself: what does she need ____? For example, let’s say her ‘need’ is to learn that it’s okay to say “no.” That nothing bad will happen. That other people will figure out how to move on without her. Then your answer might be something along the lines of: MC needs to learn how to say no because even though she always really wants to please people, she’s only hurting herself. She needs to find a healthy balance or she’ll never lead a healthy and fulfilled life. An alternate example: MC’s ‘need’ is to speak up. MC needs to learn to speak up or she’ll never get out of her evil step-mother’s house and free the kingdom from the trolls. She might want to please her step family, but it’s really out of fear of the consequences. MC must learn to battle her fear and find her voice. Obviously, I don’t know anything about your story or your characters, but I hope these examples help explain what I mean. Hope something here sparks an idea! Happy writing :)
Thank you for the video. By the way, what happened to your Ultimate Scene Card video? It states that it's unavailable and comes with an error message. Thanks!
Hello Abbie, thanks for the great videos, I wanted to ask you: I have scrivener 1, and I got it because of you, and I love it! But do you recommend that I upgrade to scrivener 3?
Hi Abbie I hope you're having a great day!!! I've been working in my novel "Candle in the Wind" and it's a story of two friend lumberjacks wherein one guy is on its way to achieving fame and money while the other one is falling in the pit of alcoholism. Do you think this story is great?
I'm writing a fantasy coming of age novel set in a desert environment where the MC is learning the world is a lot bigger than she is and war isn't all it's cracked up to be! Love your videos and podcast, quite inspiring and I've learnt quite a lot! Very excited to get my first draft complete and have my story in my hands (printed and ready to edit of course)!
Tbh I'm a little confused by many terms you've talked about. For example, the desire is the thing they think will make them happy, right? I just watched the video about WANT vs NEED, so the "want" is the desire?
#askAbbie Hello Abbie I have a Question. How do you write A Princess and Prince? Of course I know it’s like any other Character Arch but are There some Tips would Would Like to Give? Most so because It’s not Just Those to concepts I want to write about. I wanted to have something Unique and I really don’t see often such as : -Princess Knight. - Princess Guard -Prince Guard *All of these are Different In Royal Right? Like when it comes to saving people Lol Idk* Just basically the Royalty or Empire good Stuff. •///• 👉🏻👈🏻🥺 So yes Anything you would Say how to write these Characters? Thank you! ❤️
The second question really sounded like it's a plot driven story and it might be difficult to intertwine that with want and need. But who knows, maybe she finds a way
Abbie, I recomment you separate these questions into dedicated videos or use titles that accurately tell viewers what youre gonna answer. One title but several answers to questions not related to it.
I have a struggle with a character that is my Mc but she seems she has neither a want or need that I can think of. She feels she isn’t supposed to be the Mc of the story but I don’t want to lose this Mc character and I think I have to rewrite her story. Basically she has lived a life deprived power over herself until she meets the love interest that introduces them a new experience however she still has the current mentality of being powerless over her life, probably she has so far let the world define her flow of her life and this caused her to lose hope or even agency over her life. She is scared of living because she tired of getting hurt. She is basically is in cycle that she needs to break out of but I’m still lost in how that ties in to the rest of the story.
Hey Abbie Can you please tell me how you get past the first couple chapters on your story? Because I’ve been stuck on chapter one for a year planning, and deleting scenes that I don’t like. And I’m not even Half way yet:( Can you give me some advice? Or even make a writing motivational video?
#askabbie Hello Abbie I've been watching your videos for a while and I really learned a lot from you. But I have a problem that I hope you can help me to get through. I don't know if I'm the only one but everytime I write a romantic scene (or not really but the girl met the guy he have a crush since then again so ofcourse she must feel a romantic feeling and stuff) but I can't get myself to write the scene. Everytime I finish one, it seems like I overwrote everything so I have to erase and go back to zero. This is why I couldn't finish a single chapter because I always get stuck everytime with an either romantic scene or a sad scene. I don't know how to write how they feel and make the readers feel what my characters are feeling. I'm even doubting myself if my romantic scene can give my readers romantic excitement and my sad scene to make my readers hurt or cry. I really need help please, thank u. :))
I like stories about friendship between people of the same gender or of different genders without romantic or sexual elements. Love isn't all about sex or romance. It's about caring, tenderness, mutual respect and understanding. I like a well written romance as much as anyone, but sometimes it feels like it's there just because the writer thinks they should have a romance. Great books and movies have been made about friendship and loyalty without romantic entanglements.
Thank you, yes! It’s not that I have anything against romance, but there are so many stories I’ve seen that focuses more on romance instead of the plot, the story, the characters, etc. Especially in genres like Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, etc. I’m sorry if it sounds like I don’t like romance; it just gets tiring seeing the main characters get focus on how hot their love interests are instead of the important things like everything you have known are flip upside down or your home is about to be destroyed or your life is on the line of life or death! There should be more stories about friendships or at least realistic slowburn romance.
Watching this video, at 15:29, it just now dawned on me for the first time that one of my characters literally dies for his best friend. Like, I knew functionally that that’s what he did for her, but the realization of the spirit of what he did escaped me until now. She was there when he met his future wife, and she gently steered the two together. He could have lived, he didn’t have to be where he was when he died but it would have resulted in her death instead.
Hit me like a punch in the gut.
@@elinasakura Yes yes, you have a point but you don't have to remove any romance in a story the story just have to focus mainly on the characters, just them. Their internal conflict, want need and stuffs the romance scenes just needs to be the second priority. I think if you can co-operate that to the story then you don't have to remove the romance stuff
@@SHInangli Yeah, I get that. A couple of my stories have romance in it as well, it’s just more a b-story or side story because they have their own arcs and journeys to go through. It’s just I’m not into romance as the main focus in the stories
I really wish I could see more friendship that doesn't lead to romance. Some people say they are not interested in dragons because it's not real life but in real life you're not gonna ban or date every single person of the gender you're into. Please allow friendships!
Are you into friendships that are not only female-and-male but also male-and-male and female-and-female?
@@channeycash2609 Yes. My words include any genders.
I understand, after watching a few videos on how to make a healthy friendship in writing I see there's definitely some tricks and tips to keeping it all friendly haha!
but don't get me wrong, it's a nice challenge. Or at least it is for me who has yet to make a story
Ugh same, romance is ok but the thrill of platonic relationships is just pure gold! I like the feel that things don't need to go further, that they can just be buddies till the end :,)
yes in my new series I'm working on starts with 4 main characters that are bestie 2 of them die which makes the surviving closer and start talking about their feelings to together and stay friends
I'm not very good at writing dialogue, descriptions, or plot and character development. But other than that, I’m an excellent writer!
Don't worry you'll get better by practice
@@bappadityabhattacharya4433 I don't know, I don't feel like I've gotten any better at descriptions. I almost always feel like I'm just grasping for words to try and convey what I'm picturing. I end up wanting to use adverbs or whatever to modify the word I'm using to describe something or what it's doing. Sometimes I wonder if I need to just abandon having things like a character who usually talks a little soft, not so softly she is whispering, but not quite loud enough for it to just be talking a lot of the time. I just can't paint the picture clearly enough. If that even is what I should be trying to do? But writing hundreds of descriptions of how someone looked has neither made me feel any better at it, nor made it any easier, nearly every. Single. Time. It's the same struggle to convey it. And all the advice about things like, just use stronger and or more unique verbs so you don't have to use adjectives just makes me feel like I'm either approaching description all wrong, and or I just don't have nearly as big a vocabulary as I thought, or need.
And shoot, now I've gone and complained.
@@Tiyev I was terrible at descriptions. How I practiced was describe a friend or classmate and ask my friend who that is. Or a particular place they would know. It was soo hard, but then I realized what are the things that will help them to visualize.
Cheat codes: body type, eye color(although it doesn't biologically affect anything,grey eyes are used to show deep characters,blue: dreamy, green: excited and lighthearted,brown: soft,ALSO, used to understand race: black/dark brown eyes are common in Asia, blue eyes are almost only found in European origin, hazel is also common in Europe and USA) , hairstyle, clothing (most important to show if they're rebellious or not)
A character description SHOULD let the readers understand the societal standard of beauty and what people don't like. It causes insecurities
Rooms also contribute to the aura, golden: Royal, black: scary obviously, green: calm, glass: mystic, etc.
Why did I find this funny? I can't-
lol same 😅
Is anyone else experiencing the tension of wanting to watch every single Abbie Emmons video (because every video is so helpful to my understanding of writing) and needing to actually write?
Your videos really helped me write my own book, I’m still a teenager and I want to be an author and your videos are really helping thank you
Same here
You posted this comment as a teen three years ago. I’m curious. Did you get your book published? Still writing?
@@kpikklefield2412 I'm still working through the book. Unfortunately not published yet since it's still a work in progress. :)
@@rebeccadonnelly1887 So nice to hear. I’m working on two at the moment. It’s been a long haul.
Im just writing something small on wattpad. Since Ive started watching your videos I feel like Ive discovered the secret recipe for a book and how to go about it. Ive been searching on internet for YEARS about the right way to write but all they preach is "every book has a beginning, a middle and an end". And I always ended up more confused. But your videos, the three story act, is such a simple way and I love it.
Maybe for someone that loves writing dialogue and struggles with description could try writing in 1st person, then they would be writing inner dialogue. I write 3rd person, but I still find the inner dialogue and thoughts to write. I love thinking about my characters voice and trying to create it!
You gave the best answer to the pen name vs real name question I've heard yet. Thanks.
I love you, you make the creative wheels turn in my head. Makes me want to write.
I turned from academic writing to fiction writing six and one-half years ago and, in making the shift, took five classes in creative writing. No one ever mentioned your videos. This is mind blowing to me. It would have been so helpful if I'd known about this super source of information. Thank you so much for your contribution to the writing community. I've had three novels accepted but am still learning. I hope to listen to every video.
I am currently writing the first draft of a passion project of mine. It a long epic with built sagas and story arc, so it's more of an equally as long journey than a marathon.
I love your channel and everything on it, Abbie. You have amazingly simple but foolproof logic on how to create great stories, and I think I've watched just about all of your videos. I'm working on several story ideas and I'm currently writing the outline for my favorite one. I have no idea where my writing skills would be if I hadn't stumbled across your channel, but they sure wouldn't be doing very well. (:
You're the best person at explaining writing I've ever seen. Keep up the amazing work, Abbie! Good luck!
No matter the questions, I always get something out of it. Thanks again, Abbie 💜
That's pretty cool advice, write it as if you're seeing through the eyes of the character. What he thinks. Thanks!
I agree! Absolutely great advice. I was also stuck with the inbetween stuff because I kept trying to do it as a writer, instead of doing it as the character! Suddenly it seems so obvious 😂
I am writing my first ever fantasy book. I have done some short stories and writing exercises before, but this is my first real attempt at constructing narrative and characters. I don't know that i'll ever publish but it's been a great experience so far. Your videos have been very helpful ^_^
Great advice! For the first question, I love to write it down, then go back, delete the boring bits, then describe the action/narration by asking myself what senses would get from it. I also tend to overuse the subject-verb sentence structure so I might read it out loud to try to catch those. Writing is so hard lol
I am taking a sabbatical actually (career change) and I'm using the extra tjme to write a book I have been wanting to write since the beginning of 2020. I worldbuilt it for almost 2 years and I'm now outlining the first book (bc I want to make a series). I'm loving finally having the time to write (like in depth) and I'm like using every second I have hehehe. Your videos helped my passion awake and now I'm soooo enjoying. I want to change the world with my story ♡
I'm so happy this video popped up! Spent my whole Wednesday waiting for this ❤️
I really find your videos helpful. I love it! I'm currently...or rather started working on my very first book which I thought at first, would some kind of thriller, horror, and action genre. But I ignored the fact that it's actually dark fantasy. Basically, I realized that the main genre of my first novel is actually DARK FANTASY. I really love this project of mine, and I'm getting more and more good at writing because of your tips and guides! Luv you
aaaa I cannot tell you how much I struggle with something similar to the first question. Your advice was splendid as always and sometimes you just need a reminder to have fun with your writing ^^
That whole section about how one's writing is not in one's voice, but the -character's- voice, reminds me a lot of how I roleplay. (Which is basically just regular fiction writing, anyway, only more collaborative.)
With every character, my writing naturally changes slightly because I'm essentially jumping into my character's POV and writing from there. It's sort of like method(?) acting, but in writing. Yeah, it means not every sentence or paragraph (when paragraphs as typically understood even exist) follows "the rules," but it's much more organic and engaging as a writer and a reader.
Writing the second draft of my first novel. Brainstorming ideas to write a video game that takes one hour to beat. And after I finish the section of my book I am writing, I will take a break to outline a short story and write it, outline a game, and the remainder of the book - chapters 3-whatever, and the end.
Hi! I was wondering if you could make a video on how to add in characters for the plot. I know that you have said in past videos that the character is introduced when THEY specifically need to be in that place and at that time. I need a new character to be introduced but I'm not sure what HIS purpose of being there is.
Love your videos keep up the AMAZING work :)
this is unrelated but i started watching poldark because of you! it's amazing!! im only on s2 but i can't believe more people don't know about it.
what's s2,?
Season two
Hun, not me binging your videos for the past week 👶🏽
By the way, I'm working on a kinda fantasy, historical fiction about a fictional island located in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. It includes forced colonization and elemental magic!
Thank you for the 3 Act Story Structure. Without it, I'm pretty sure I would've given up writing it 🥰
Thank you so much for answering my question about pen names!! Super helpful and gave me more clarity 👌☺️
I really love your videos Abbie , I hope you stay happy like you make me happy every Wednesday. Thank you for helping me to make my story matter to me .
I have been so excited for this! Rock on, Abbie! 😁 Thanks to you, I'm a better writer!
Just came across your channel not too long ago. This channels has given me a lot of help making my story's sane I just started and didn't have people reading them. So it's kinda hard getting help with what to do. This channel helps me a lot. Thx 👍
at 8:40 i realized what the theme is for my story thank you abby youre goated
The best time of the week is when Abbie comes on and drops B-14 truth bombs on us mortals
I think it's intriguing you always bring topics around to being about internal conflict when characters are involved. It's a very interesting idea and it seems you've found a way to correlate it and intertwine it into many different topics even loosely related to characters. Cheers!
I love the first question, I am a screen writer at heart as well and struggle with the in between stuff as well xx
Hi there. My second novel, Mesh Class, is almost complete and will be available at Chapters and Coles. It’s about a futuristic counter-terrorist team and one trooper in particular who suffers from PTSD. The second main character is a world renowned holo gamer and her name is Esi. She finds a video so incriminating she’s being hunted by terrorist and law enforcement officer alike.
Thank you so much for your videos! They’ve helped get me immensely!!
I have been working on a book for the last year, but was bogged down in the ball pit of ideas and brainstorms and writing snippets of scenes and dialogue. Your "3 Act Story" video was the shove I needed to take my next step. Thank you for your content!
A friend and I were talking about pen names. Apparently, if you choose to publish through Amazon, their algorithm will like you better if you have different pen names for different genres. Doesn't mean you have to keep one secret from the other. Just something to consider.
Love your videos! You’ve taught me so much it’s hard to thank you enough. My sister and I are co-writing a series right now and our story has grown much deeper since stumbling upon your channel. ♥️
Abbie: You should step out of your confort zone as a writer
Me: You guys have confort zones?
I actually don't have 1 or 2 genres I read or want to publish in the future. It actually feels like I have a checklist of all existing genres, all of which I want to write😅 But they basically are for the same age, so It'll be alright if I use one pen name. I don't want to use my real name, because it's really hard to pronounse. I'm from a different country, but I want my books to be sold in english speaking countries too. And with my name that not even my teachers can pronouns, it'll be really hard😂 Anyways, I appreciate what you're doing. I'm planning to start my first book this summer. I won't publish that of course. I'm super excited to write it. Thank you Abbie for inspiring my to become a writer. I can't wait to read your new book! But don't rush yourself obviously.
I love these videos. Even though I do screenwriting, everything in these videos are always so helpful 👏 ✍️
I love your videos! thank you for showing how to create amazing stories!
Thank you so much Abbie! We’re doing plot and conflict in my ELA class and I leaned so much from you and now my teacher is impressed 😎
LOVE lessons from the screenplay
Your videos are great Abbie! It has been a blessing to find helpful advice about writting, your channel gives me so much inspiration to keep going even when I feel like what I am writting is not enough; especially when I feel I can't show my work because of judgemental people who will literally insult, yes, my current environment is not very receptive but I can deal with it. Do you have any recommendation on writting about subjects that are critized by society or talk about minority groups? Thank you so much for doing awesome content. Keep it going girl!
So true about screenwriting. The friend formula is done well by Save the Cat "Buddy" genre. Thank you for your videos! I often pass on to my friends your channel.
These questions were all so applicable to where I am in my writing life. Fantastic video--as usual!
• if your bored writing your reader is bored reading it
• practice writing from different povs
want vs need
want = thinks will make them happy based on beliefs
need = thing that will actually make them happy but they just don't know (lesson they need to learn)
internal conflict!
Hi Abbie! Love your videos ❤️
My problem isn’t being afraid of putting myself into two different genres (since I’m writing my first book :), my problem is that I’m afraid of being bullied for my work by some people around me such as my classmates or even teachers. Sure, this could be my irrational fear but unfortunately it’s possible in my surrounding.
(Btw great video as always ❤️)
I would like to read it if you don't mind 😏👍
@@ad-sr5kd thank you, you really made my day 😊❤️. But it’s not a book written in English (even though I would like to write book in English one day - if I do, I’ll give you a free copy :)
Thanks Abbie
Your Videos are excellent.
I’m currently writing my very first attempt at dialogue and storytelling. It is a fan fiction (which I know most people would say isn’t actually writing) but for me it’s a fun way to “dip my toe” into writing story and dialogue! I’d love to craft my own story though’
I'm preparing a speech about my story and will be speaking in 2 months. I'm taking ideas from your tutorials, wish me luck. Thanks for you channel.
you are the best : ) thank you so much for another great video! it feels like a warm writerly hug.
Can you write a negative character arc but end it on a positive note with some bitterness? Like a bittersweet ending after a tragedy the character resolves to be better and will carry their regret with them?
How would one break it down into steps?
Abbie:
Just started a new story using your instruction. I mean... wow... if I do say so it is sounding kinda awesome on the first draft.
I currently revising😍🤓. I finished my revised plot. Now I am working on characters arcs. Thanks for your revision and editing videos. That blocked me from line edit during revision 😂.
Hi Abbie! Could you do a video on how to work on multiple projects at once?
my writing update- i’m currently reworking the characters arcs in what i hope will be my debut novel. :)
I hope to write a short novel (20,000 words long) next year. I want to make a steampunk story based in an alternate reality victorian era England
For the first question, when you said to have fun with up, I do have fun. One of my chapters is called “A floating fire pooping alpaca with a country accent chomps on my arm.”
I dont think your patreon link is working, at least it didnt for me anyway! :) love the video by the way, have a great Wednesday!
Hey, Can you please make a video on
How to write a fantasy story without a Villan??
I agree, your vlog was a masterpiece
My friend and I do character interviews to work on character voice. It's fun when you have a wicked character.
Right now I'm editing book 1, started book 2 and started a separate book that just demands to be written now. I think I may need to join the Scrivener party now 😊.
You are inspiring abbie💚💚💚💚
When characters desires and needs clash with their larger responsibility it can be very powerful
This chanel is addictive!!!
Sometimes getting what you need doesn't make you happy. Like in my novel, when they characters get what they need, (the truth) it makes them UNhappy. But they still needed the truth because they were completely ignorant of what the real world is like.
Abbie your writing tips are very helpful. Thank u for sharing this, I'm your viewer from Phillipines 🇵🇭
@nicole Crosby if you're seeing this, try reading The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne. His writing style is mainly comprised of dialogue. There is the in between text but a lot lesser than your average novel. You may get some ideas by analysing his writing style :)
Hey Abbie! Do you have any tips for writing historical fiction? (Such as research and stuff like that)
I would love to write a short novel based in the French Revolution.
@@unicorntomboy9736 oooh! I think that would be so cool!
@@asharami1033 Or a Steampunk setting in an fantasy version of victorian era england
You could start by looking into the politics and who was in charge of the country at the time. Did they do anything special for the people? Were they good or evil? Did they have any enemies? Any other key characters in their court, like a mistress or a corrupt uncle? Next, look into the art. Were there any famous composers debuting at the time? Perhaps concerts or operas? Look at the fashion elements. Middle of 1700s were crazy with big dresses and ruffles everywhere. Late 1700s and early 1800s reacted to that and striped it down a lot and all dresses got very chill. Check out artists, poets, writers that maybe got their big break ten years later. What were they up to in the decade you are writing about? There is plenty more, but this might give you an idea on where to start :)
Hi, this isn't related as much to the current video, but I finished your video about Scrivener, your templates, and the master class from 2020. I can't afford a Mac, so I have Windows and I was wondering if (1) your code ABBIE still worked for 10 percent off (2) The writing templates are included for Word users (3) the background picture templates were updated for Windows as well and finally (4) if the master class is still there.
After many years of work, child rearing, etc., I am ready to get to the series I first started imagining at 12. I used one book as my thesis for my English MA, but I haven't written much since then. My depression is getting better though, and I'm having more ideas. So glad to have found your channel. Thanks.
Hi Abbie! I just published my book and I’m very insecure whether it is successful or not. Could you do a video on how to feel like our book is successful?
That's interesting that you are co-writing with your sister. I was wondering if anyone else did that. My sister and I started co-writing for fun while in college. We put our writing on hold for many years and started re-writing a past work this year. We hope to get it published and are finally at the editing stage.
Hey Abbie, so basically I get the concept of want and need, but I get a little confused about the Desire. So we have to know the Misbelief, Desire and Fear of a character. But is the „want“ or the „need“ simultaneously the „Desire“ or is this something very different?
Abbie i highly recommend you to watch anime "attack on titan" its really good story and storytelling .
I'm working on a Civil War fantasy. It has witches and albinos and ravens and other creatures I've created/invented … and - oh, boy - even some romance. It has Americans - obviously, DUH! - a French priest, the daughter of a Russian aristocrat. What the heck am I doing with this thing? What am I _going_ to do with this thing?! What have I gotten myself into?! Oh, boy. o.o
Hey, you asked. So …
And that first questioner you answered sounds like me. My stories tend to be talking heads - as opposed to the, um … Talking Heads. ~ burning down the house ~ But I *know* I do like screenwriting (have for years) and have written some scenes in screenwriting style. I’ve even deliberately written a couple of scenes for this story in that style, but that was because I was writing them for a screenwriting class in college, so I have an excuse. :P LOL
But I think my penchant for screenwriting was born more out of an interest in dialogue and a firm belief that I have a good ear for it. But I have seen some of my scenes absolutely transform and make even me go, “Wow. o.o I wrote that?” when I’ve gone back and added what I think are relevant scene details that I remember from my mind’s eye during the first pass of writing. So, I tend to add as I write, whereas I know some subtract in later passes.
I have to say, though, chipmunk you sounds interesting.
I finished my second outline lately and currently Im polishing my worldbuilding.
wow, those questions are huge.
Your videos are so useful! and in a previous video, I took your advice in studying other stories. and now I do that with every single movie. but there's one that is number one on my list. My favorite movie. How to train your dragon. (yes, very random, and yes, it's also a book.) But I would like to see your opinion on the story structure. would you say it's a don't, or a do?
Like writing Dialogue? Hate writing description? Yeah. My answer? Make a comic. >.>
I don't have to write description, I get to draw it instead! Lots more fun! (for me!)
Could you please do a video about writing villain protagonists?
Also is writing fanfiction stories worse than writing wholly original stories?
Fan fictions are awesome and a well written fan fiction may actually be better than a novel. If you're new to writing especially, writing fanfics about the celebs or characters you LOVE. It's really wholesome practice
@@bappadityabhattacharya4433 I have been practicing creative writing somewhat professionally since 2017. I have only written two fanfiction stories so far (both Monster Hunter fanfics with a bisexual protagonist). The majority of my creative writing pieces are wholly original stories
@@unicorntomboy9736 still, I feel like fanfics are a great practice cuz basically you can't publish it as a book. So you don't stress much about it being perfect, you know?
@@bappadityabhattacharya4433 I'm very much a perfectionist. I always want all my work to be as good as they can be. Sadly I don't receive much help with my work at all and have to do everything on my own, so a lot of my stories are kinda crude and unrefined.
Most of my stories are around 2,500-3000 words long
@@unicorntomboy9736 you can try posting them on wattpad or something, you'll get a proper audience and then you can move to a paid platform maybe
On pen names...I plan to use my real name, but I happen to be a Bond, so I get early in the alphabet and a cool name. Question is to use my full first name or tease with the initial to make people think James Bond wrote a book....Also, Stephen King wrote fantasy under a pen name. Sales were low until it was rumored to be him and then took off when he publicly admitted it was.
How do you introduce characters in a meaningful way to that character? representing them by how the main characters finds them. Locations, personality and relevance to the story all need to be considered. Does anyone have any ideas?
I see, but how can I figure out my character's want? I already know her misbelief, need, and fears. But, I'm still struggling to find out her desire because she(the character) is the type who doesn't know what she wants. She is focusing on the people around her and not on herself. Well, she's like a people-pleaser. Is it okay that she desires to find out what she wants?
I'm an aspiring writer, and I really learned a lot from your videos. So, I just wanna say thank you very much hehe~
It sounds like your MC’s ‘want’ is to please people. The question, I think, is: why? What makes her such a people pleaser? Is it a bad thing? As in, is she such a people pleaser that she ends up hurting herself or neglecting her own needs? Or is it a positive? Maybe she gets enjoyment from other people’s enjoyment. Or perhaps it’s a mix of both - she enjoys it but maybe she’s taking it too far.
It sounds like you already have her ‘need’ figured out. So maybe ask yourself: what does she need ____? For example, let’s say her ‘need’ is to learn that it’s okay to say “no.” That nothing bad will happen. That other people will figure out how to move on without her. Then your answer might be something along the lines of: MC needs to learn how to say no because even though she always really wants to please people, she’s only hurting herself. She needs to find a healthy balance or she’ll never lead a healthy and fulfilled life.
An alternate example: MC’s ‘need’ is to speak up. MC needs to learn to speak up or she’ll never get out of her evil step-mother’s house and free the kingdom from the trolls. She might want to please her step family, but it’s really out of fear of the consequences. MC must learn to battle her fear and find her voice.
Obviously, I don’t know anything about your story or your characters, but I hope these examples help explain what I mean. Hope something here sparks an idea! Happy writing :)
your dress is just so pretty
Thank you for the video. By the way, what happened to your Ultimate Scene Card video? It states that it's unavailable and comes with an error message. Thanks!
Hello Abbie, thanks for the great videos, I wanted to ask you: I have scrivener 1, and I got it because of you, and I love it! But do you recommend that I upgrade to scrivener 3?
@NPC 1337 so there’s another learning curve to scrivener 3?
Hi Abbie I hope you're having a great day!!! I've been working in my novel "Candle in the Wind" and it's a story of two friend lumberjacks wherein one guy is on its way to achieving fame and money while the other one is falling in the pit of alcoholism. Do you think this story is great?
I'm writing a fantasy coming of age novel set in a desert environment where the MC is learning the world is a lot bigger than she is and war isn't all it's cracked up to be!
Love your videos and podcast, quite inspiring and I've learnt quite a lot! Very excited to get my first draft complete and have my story in my hands (printed and ready to edit of course)!
Hey Abbie can you make a video on how to have enough characters?
Tbh I'm a little confused by many terms you've talked about. For example, the desire is the thing they think will make them happy, right?
I just watched the video about WANT vs NEED, so the "want" is the desire?
lol that came exactly in time!
#askAbbie Hello Abbie I have a Question. How do you write A Princess and Prince? Of course I know it’s like any other Character Arch but are There some Tips would Would Like to Give? Most so because It’s not Just Those to concepts I want to write about. I wanted to have something Unique and I really don’t see often such as :
-Princess Knight.
- Princess Guard
-Prince Guard *All of these are Different In Royal Right? Like when it comes to saving people Lol Idk*
Just basically the Royalty or Empire good Stuff. •///• 👉🏻👈🏻🥺
So yes Anything you would Say how to write these Characters? Thank you! ❤️
#AskAbbie
I am writing the middle ( the MAIN part, the climax) . Is it too early to reveal the villain's backstory? When should I do it?
My favourite enemies to beat friends are Damon and bonnie from TVD and Lizzie and hope from legacies
The second question really sounded like it's a plot driven story and it might be difficult to intertwine that with want and need. But who knows, maybe she finds a way
Abbie, I recomment you separate these questions into dedicated videos or use titles that accurately tell viewers what youre gonna answer. One title but several answers to questions not related to it.
Thank you.
I have a struggle with a character that is my Mc but she seems she has neither a want or need that I can think of. She feels she isn’t supposed to be the Mc of the story but I don’t want to lose this Mc character and I think I have to rewrite her story. Basically she has lived a life deprived power over herself until she meets the love interest that introduces them a new experience however she still has the current mentality of being powerless over her life, probably she has so far let the world define her flow of her life and this caused her to lose hope or even agency over her life. She is scared of living because she tired of getting hurt. She is basically is in cycle that she needs to break out of but I’m still lost in how that ties in to the rest of the story.
Hey Abbie Can you please tell me how you get past the first couple chapters on your story? Because I’ve been stuck on chapter one for a year planning, and deleting scenes that I don’t like. And I’m not even Half way yet:( Can you give me some advice? Or even make a writing motivational video?
#askabbie Hello Abbie I've been watching your videos for a while and I really learned a lot from you. But I have a problem that I hope you can help me to get through. I don't know if I'm the only one but everytime I write a romantic scene (or not really but the girl met the guy he have a crush since then again so ofcourse she must feel a romantic feeling and stuff) but I can't get myself to write the scene. Everytime I finish one, it seems like I overwrote everything so I have to erase and go back to zero. This is why I couldn't finish a single chapter because I always get stuck everytime with an either romantic scene or a sad scene. I don't know how to write how they feel and make the readers feel what my characters are feeling. I'm even doubting myself if my romantic scene can give my readers romantic excitement and my sad scene to make my readers hurt or cry. I really need help please, thank u. :))