Esmie...thank you for your transparency. This year I have been struggling with writing. It's been a wobbly journey, but stability is finally settling in. When you shared your journey and struggles in this video, I said to myself, "One day Esmie will look back on this video and smile, because she will have many Bestsellers under her belt." Just by you being vulnerable to the world, you have automatically gathered strength, power, blessings, and have helped other writers move through the storm." I find that the Authors who have shared their difficulties are the ones who are the most successful and the ones whose bank accounts overflow. I am reminded of the great Literary giant Toni Morrison. The first black woman Nobel Prize winner in Literature. She was vulnerable and told her life story of raising two young sons alone. How she would wake before sunrise to write, before she went to work. Esmie, you are gathering stones. Take each one and build a highway to your success and peace. Your trials are your steppingstones to higher ground. I love watching your videos. ❤
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I've been hearing everywhere that writers are struggling - the last year has been wobbly for so many of us, so you are not at all alone. This was one of the hardest writing years of my life, despite some big successes and even bigger failures... but we are both still here, still writing. Thank you for your words, I don't feel able to communicate how deeply they have touched me. You write beautifully; I felt an immense clarity when reading (and re-reading) your message. Toni Morrison is one of my literary heroes (the others are Octavia Butler and N.K. Jemisin). I admire her so much, and try to walk in her footsteps as much as is possible for a mere mortal...Thank you. I will cherish these stones I am gathering, and I hope to be able to bring others with me on this highway of success and peace. What a wonderful, shining vision, thank you for sharing it with me. All my love and gratitude. To higher ground! Esmie xx
You are such an inspiration for me! As a second year creative writing student at uni, who has lived most of his life in London and intends to move back after graduation, it is unbelievably comforting to watch your content and connect with it in this way. I feel a lot more secure in my future as a writer when i watch your daily vlogs and listen to the way you talk about your career journey in such detail. Im glad you are feeling better!
omg so I'm so happy to see you back on this channel! I love how transparent you were in this video and on this channel in general. I love how honest you are in sharing your creative process and the highs and lows of being a author at the moment. As a baby writer I find your journey so inspiring and I always play one of your videos before I start my writing sessions to motivate me to just keep going!
22:58 THIS!!! I am having the same issue on my own writing journey. Knowing what you want to write and finding the right words to express…is a creative challenge.
Esme, I am a traditionally published author in the US. I have a part time job, too. The industry is so volatile. I find that the security and structure of part time work make me far more productive at my writing desk! I’m glad to see you on YT again. Looking forward to future vlogs!
thank you so much Christy! I love your channel. You should 1000%% read the Farseer trilogy, it is a masterclass in fantasy writing and also just so so so much fun to read... it got me out of a hugeee slump earlier this year, and I was kicking myself I hadn't started it sooner. So, if you need a sign, this is it!!! & Thanks so much for watching! xx
Hi Esmie, Thank you so much for your transparency about how tough this industry can be. On social media people often only show the highlights. And though I understand why. It can leave people like me who have been querying for two years feeling like we’re the only ones having a hard time in the publishing world while it’s just roses for all the people we see/follow online. Though I hope for all the successes for you this video made me feel a little less alone. So thank you for that and I can’t wait for Gutterwitch!!
Hi!! Thank you so much. I've felt so much of what you're experiencing - My own querying journey was really difficult and largely unsuccessful (only two or three full requests in two years, so many unsuccessful partials sent out only to be rejected...) and I actually gave up. Luckily, I had entered a writing competition as my 'last hurrah' as it were, and it was getting shortlisted for that which got the attention of my first agent. It's so easy to project a facade of ease and only show the highlights. But the fact is, even when you get published it's not all roses... Though I won't pretend it's as hard as the querying trenches. The challenges are there, and they're very different, but I do feel so lucky to have my book on shelves. Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment, and for watching my videos, it means so much to me!
I feel like most trad pub authors have full time or part time jobs so you’re not alone at all! I think writing full time is just so romanticized that it feels more prevalent than it is? And happy your job is brining you joy too!
trying something newwww hehe!! Have been wanting to cut my hair into a proper bob for ages & I'm still working up the courage to do it but styling it like this is making me think I've got to do it soon...
Thank you for being so real!! I worked in a cinema throughout high school (it was one of the best jobs I ever had :) - glad you found a job that works with your writing schedule. Oh, and we can't have you burning through your manuscripts or burning your beautiful apartment down - find a cute ceramic container you like and put some tiny rocks in it so that the wax will drip on them instead.
So happy to see you back! This vlog was definitely worth the wait 😁 the vibe is always immaculate and I love your down to earth advice sprinkled throughout
So glad your channel popped up as a suggestion. As an avid reader, I believe in supporting authors of the diaspora. Usually don’t read sci-fi but I am excited to read your book. It is on my list.
People who aren't freelancers or have untraditional jobs that don't offer a payday don't understand what a blessing a pay day is!!! Last year I got a 9-5 along with my entrepreneurial work--and THOSE PAY DAYS literally make me feel just a little bit more stable!! So, I get it!!
THANK U. honestly, I feel so much more secure just having that bit of money coming in that I can count on. It means I'm able to plan my life in advance which I didn't even realise I was struggling to do before on my inconsistent freelance money. Definitely breathing a sigh of relief. So much love to you! xx
I've been wondering where you've been! So glad to hear you're doing well now :) Bad periods come for us all, don't we know it. It always feels like it never ends, but that euphoria when it passes and you realize "shit, I got through all of that!" is something absolutely amazing and I'm happy to see it on you. Okay but the burn mark on Gutterwitch? Uhm, odds you can somehow include that on the cover? That would be so cool and only some people would know the story 👀 Sharing about your financial situation and having a part time job must have been so scary and humbling, so respect for that. But honestly, I love that you did it. I always wonder how authors get by, it just seems like such a daunting struggle that it puts me off even setting some publishing dreams for myself. Obviously I have an idea of what it might be like, but hearing the actual words from an actual writer is still eye opening. I will humbly admit I have yet to read The Principle of Moments 🙈 It is sitting on my bookshelf but I have some other books to read first. However I've already bumped up TPOM higher on my list bcs I want to get Gutterwitch once it's published, so I obviously need to read TPOM before that! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Esmie ♥ (also that tip about opening your document - so good! I write lil stories (ok, fanfictions) to kinda satisfy my urge to be a writer but with no expectations lol, and I do this too! It took me a lil while to figure it out tho 🥴)
Thank you so much for this comment, it truly warmed my heart😭❤ You're right - the feeling of having come out the other side of hard times is euphoric - I feel so relieved. I'm glad this video was informative and eye-opening, I want to always be honest on this channel, so I'm really glad it resonated with you. & Thank you for saying so❤ Yes I love opening my document and just taking a peek, it gets the gears goinggg!! I love that you're writing fanfic, I have so many old fics on my laptop... writing and reading fanfic taught me so much about who I am as a writer and really helped me develop my style. I'll always be grateful to the fanfic years. (Though to be honest... I still write it!!) Thank you for such a kind message, I appreciate this so much. Have a lovely week, and Merry Christmas if you celebrate❤
I had a part time job that I really enjoyed for Sept-Nov, I live in a city with heavy Halloween tourism. My favorite job ever. It was my only income so I was still in poverty. They couldn't afford go keep any of the seasonal folk this year. Finally starting something new that I won't love nearly as much if at all. I want to work on my many creative interests and passions, art, writing, design, crafting. I have chronic illness so the energy to do it all is lacking. I love seeing others live their best lives. I always hope it gives me a boost of motivation lol. First time on your channel, I am gonna look into your book(s) and hopefully give a read soon!
A halloween themed job sounds amazing.... It sucks so much that it is so hard to find part-time jobs that are actually enjoyable. I've never experienced this before now. My first part time job was in a cafe when I was about 15 and I liked that... but everything after (nannying, working in retail, etc) has just been horrible. Fingers crossed for you that another opportunity to do a P/T job that you love arrives soon in 2025. I am rooting for you, and for your creative passions!! Thank you so much for being here, and welcome to the channel
Hie Esmie, I just stumbled on your video today. And at the start of the year I made a decision to write a book. All has been going kinda well, until recently where I just stopped feeling the whole book. I want to change so much but I have already done it so many times. And now I don't know if I have it in me to do that again. I have also been having major writers block and all. I really want to pursue a career in the writing industry, being an author ofc. And seeing you and what you've accomplished and all the struggles you've showed us, you've given me hope to keep writing. All the best with your next book❤️
Finally caught up with this video after a hectic Christmas! This was so fab. I love your content so much, looking forward to more in 2025. Wow, that quote from Ira Glass is just *it*. And I love your new place. I would love to find other writers to write with sometimes but can't find any local writers groups. How did you find your people? :-)
HELLO I LOVE SHIP OF MAGIC i’m american and none of my friends know robin hobb😭i just started mad ship and i’m so excited! and i totally had the same experience as you reading it - i’m writing a fantasy novel and reading robin hobb makes me question if i have any talent at all but she only got there after SO MUCH PRACTICE and us writers have to be patient with ourselves!! so glad i found your channel today, just subscribed and so excited to follow your journey! :)
SHIP OF MAGIC IS SO GOOD!!! I'm halfway through The Mad Ship now and AGHHH it's too good. Oh yeah - Hobb is a master craftswoman that's for sure - but it honestly comforts me looking at the sheer volume of work she has produced. Mastery like this takes time and effort, she has done her 10,000 hours, and then some! We will get there one day too!! Welcome to the channel, and thank you for being here! xx
Hi Esmie! I absolutely love your videos. I really struggle with motivation and staying focused while writing. Do you have any tips for that? I finished my book a few months ago and started working on other projects, but I realized my writing style had changed quite a bit, so now I’m rewriting the book. ❤❤
So happy you're posting again! I have question about editors notes, what happens if you don't agree with your agent/editors edits? Do u have to make them?
The short answer is: No you don't have to make them! Editor's notes are basically just a guideline/feedback... The long answer: I tend to follow almost all of them out of respect for the years of experience my editors have (as they've all worked at major publishers for many years). basically - I believe they know what they're talking about. However, on the occasions I choose not to follow their suggestions, it's usually because they have correctly highlighted an issue/plot point/scene that is not working, but suggested a fix I don't like. I will take the advice that something in that scene isn't working, but I will find a fix that works for me. In the past, I've been lucky enough to usually agree with about 80% of everything my editors say. Then that 20% is just me trying different fixes for problems they've picked up on... I hope that makes sense! A good piece of advice I received from an editor about edits is: it's your name on the front cover at the end of the day, do what feels right to you. Whether that's following edits to the letter, or taking only what resonates with you...! I hope that helps and thank you so much for watching my channel!! xx
This is such a lovely blog, I’m so glad it showed up in my suggestions! Btw, what is the name of the song that played as you were writing? The violins sounded magical!
Esmie...thank you for your transparency. This year I have been struggling with writing. It's been a wobbly journey, but stability is finally settling in. When you shared your journey and struggles in this video, I said to myself, "One day Esmie will look back on this video and smile, because she will have many Bestsellers under her belt." Just by you being vulnerable to the world, you have automatically gathered strength, power, blessings, and have helped other writers move through the storm." I find that the Authors who have shared their difficulties are the ones who are the most successful and the ones whose bank accounts overflow. I am reminded of the great Literary giant Toni Morrison. The first black woman Nobel Prize winner in Literature. She was vulnerable and told her life story of raising two young sons alone. How she would wake before sunrise to write, before she went to work. Esmie, you are gathering stones. Take each one and build a highway to your success and peace. Your trials are your steppingstones to higher ground. I love watching your videos. ❤
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I've been hearing everywhere that writers are struggling - the last year has been wobbly for so many of us, so you are not at all alone. This was one of the hardest writing years of my life, despite some big successes and even bigger failures... but we are both still here, still writing.
Thank you for your words, I don't feel able to communicate how deeply they have touched me. You write beautifully; I felt an immense clarity when reading (and re-reading) your message. Toni Morrison is one of my literary heroes (the others are Octavia Butler and N.K. Jemisin). I admire her so much, and try to walk in her footsteps as much as is possible for a mere mortal...Thank you. I will cherish these stones I am gathering, and I hope to be able to bring others with me on this highway of success and peace. What a wonderful, shining vision, thank you for sharing it with me.
All my love and gratitude. To higher ground!
Esmie xx
You are such an inspiration for me! As a second year creative writing student at uni, who has lived most of his life in London and intends to move back after graduation, it is unbelievably comforting to watch your content and connect with it in this way. I feel a lot more secure in my future as a writer when i watch your daily vlogs and listen to the way you talk about your career journey in such detail. Im glad you are feeling better!
Love the new flat! So refreshing to see a 'normal' day in the life of a writer balancing work and creativity etc x
"i dont know why the end is on the first page, i dont know where the back of it has gone" is SO REAL
omg so I'm so happy to see you back on this channel! I love how transparent you were in this video and on this channel in general. I love how honest you are in sharing your creative process and the highs and lows of being a author at the moment. As a baby writer I find your journey so inspiring and I always play one of your videos before I start my writing sessions to motivate me to just keep going!
22:58 THIS!!! I am having the same issue on my own writing journey. Knowing what you want to write and finding the right words to express…is a creative challenge.
Esme, I am a traditionally published author in the US. I have a part time job, too. The industry is so volatile. I find that the security and structure of part time work make me far more productive at my writing desk! I’m glad to see you on YT again. Looking forward to future vlogs!
The classical music!! The vibes! The lightly toasted manuscript!! It's so good to see you back 🫶
Hahaha, lightly toasted is brilliant, I love it. & Thank you!! It's good to be back☺️☺️
Such a lovely vlog 😭 And oooh I've been wanting to read ship of magic and the Farseer Trillogy for YEARS! This might be the prompt I needed 👀👀
thank you so much Christy! I love your channel. You should 1000%% read the Farseer trilogy, it is a masterclass in fantasy writing and also just so so so much fun to read... it got me out of a hugeee slump earlier this year, and I was kicking myself I hadn't started it sooner. So, if you need a sign, this is it!!! & Thanks so much for watching! xx
The cutting to the candle sitting on the manuscript KILLED me im laughing my ass off and it’s 6:17 am omg
hahaha glad it was funny to you guys as well😂
Hi Esmie,
Thank you so much for your transparency about how tough this industry can be.
On social media people often only show the highlights. And though I understand why. It can leave people like me who have been querying for two years feeling like we’re the only ones having a hard time in the publishing world while it’s just roses for all the people we see/follow online.
Though I hope for all the successes for you this video made me feel a little less alone. So thank you for that and I can’t wait for Gutterwitch!!
Hi!! Thank you so much.
I've felt so much of what you're experiencing - My own querying journey was really difficult and largely unsuccessful (only two or three full requests in two years, so many unsuccessful partials sent out only to be rejected...) and I actually gave up. Luckily, I had entered a writing competition as my 'last hurrah' as it were, and it was getting shortlisted for that which got the attention of my first agent. It's so easy to project a facade of ease and only show the highlights. But the fact is, even when you get published it's not all roses... Though I won't pretend it's as hard as the querying trenches. The challenges are there, and they're very different, but I do feel so lucky to have my book on shelves.
Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment, and for watching my videos, it means so much to me!
@ your channel brings me so much joy! I’m sat for every video!!! I can’t wait to keep following along on your journey!
Feels so real and good to hear. Not romanticised reality of bad apartments, UK living crisis and managing writing, I feel it with you❤
I feel like most trad pub authors have full time or part time jobs so you’re not alone at all! I think writing full time is just so romanticized that it feels more prevalent than it is? And happy your job is brining you joy too!
Side bar: dying at the cutting back and forth to the candle burning 🙈
The hair is givinggg ❤
trying something newwww hehe!! Have been wanting to cut my hair into a proper bob for ages & I'm still working up the courage to do it but styling it like this is making me think I've got to do it soon...
Thank you for being so real!! I worked in a cinema throughout high school (it was one of the best jobs I ever had :) - glad you found a job that works with your writing schedule. Oh, and we can't have you burning through your manuscripts or burning your beautiful apartment down - find a cute ceramic container you like and put some tiny rocks in it so that the wax will drip on them instead.
So happy to see you back! This vlog was definitely worth the wait 😁 the vibe is always immaculate and I love your down to earth advice sprinkled throughout
yay!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the vlog and the vibes, as well as the advice. More to come in the new year & thank you so much for watching ☺️! x
Aww I'm glad I found your channel I love your writing 😊
So glad your channel popped up as a suggestion. As an avid reader, I believe in supporting authors of the diaspora. Usually don’t read sci-fi but I am excited to read your book. It is on my list.
Love the transparency on this one, I look forward to more vids next year!
you know it!! Thank you☺️
People who aren't freelancers or have untraditional jobs that don't offer a payday don't understand what a blessing a pay day is!!! Last year I got a 9-5 along with my entrepreneurial work--and THOSE PAY DAYS literally make me feel just a little bit more stable!! So, I get it!!
THANK U. honestly, I feel so much more secure just having that bit of money coming in that I can count on. It means I'm able to plan my life in advance which I didn't even realise I was struggling to do before on my inconsistent freelance money. Definitely breathing a sigh of relief. So much love to you! xx
i am very excited to read Gutterwitch even more so after seeing the manuscript !!
Really hope to be able to share more news about it in the new year!!
I've been wondering where you've been! So glad to hear you're doing well now :)
Bad periods come for us all, don't we know it. It always feels like it never ends, but that euphoria when it passes and you realize "shit, I got through all of that!" is something absolutely amazing and I'm happy to see it on you.
Okay but the burn mark on Gutterwitch? Uhm, odds you can somehow include that on the cover? That would be so cool and only some people would know the story 👀
Sharing about your financial situation and having a part time job must have been so scary and humbling, so respect for that. But honestly, I love that you did it. I always wonder how authors get by, it just seems like such a daunting struggle that it puts me off even setting some publishing dreams for myself. Obviously I have an idea of what it might be like, but hearing the actual words from an actual writer is still eye opening.
I will humbly admit I have yet to read The Principle of Moments 🙈 It is sitting on my bookshelf but I have some other books to read first. However I've already bumped up TPOM higher on my list bcs I want to get Gutterwitch once it's published, so I obviously need to read TPOM before that!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Esmie ♥
(also that tip about opening your document - so good! I write lil stories (ok, fanfictions) to kinda satisfy my urge to be a writer but with no expectations lol, and I do this too! It took me a lil while to figure it out tho 🥴)
Thank you so much for this comment, it truly warmed my heart😭❤ You're right - the feeling of having come out the other side of hard times is euphoric - I feel so relieved. I'm glad this video was informative and eye-opening, I want to always be honest on this channel, so I'm really glad it resonated with you. & Thank you for saying so❤
Yes I love opening my document and just taking a peek, it gets the gears goinggg!! I love that you're writing fanfic, I have so many old fics on my laptop... writing and reading fanfic taught me so much about who I am as a writer and really helped me develop my style. I'll always be grateful to the fanfic years. (Though to be honest... I still write it!!)
Thank you for such a kind message, I appreciate this so much. Have a lovely week, and Merry Christmas if you celebrate❤
❤ your humour and chats. X
I had a part time job that I really enjoyed for Sept-Nov, I live in a city with heavy Halloween tourism. My favorite job ever. It was my only income so I was still in poverty. They couldn't afford go keep any of the seasonal folk this year. Finally starting something new that I won't love nearly as much if at all.
I want to work on my many creative interests and passions, art, writing, design, crafting. I have chronic illness so the energy to do it all is lacking.
I love seeing others live their best lives. I always hope it gives me a boost of motivation lol.
First time on your channel, I am gonna look into your book(s) and hopefully give a read soon!
A halloween themed job sounds amazing.... It sucks so much that it is so hard to find part-time jobs that are actually enjoyable. I've never experienced this before now. My first part time job was in a cafe when I was about 15 and I liked that... but everything after (nannying, working in retail, etc) has just been horrible. Fingers crossed for you that another opportunity to do a P/T job that you love arrives soon in 2025. I am rooting for you, and for your creative passions!!
Thank you so much for being here, and welcome to the channel
Hie Esmie, I just stumbled on your video today. And at the start of the year I made a decision to write a book. All has been going kinda well, until recently where I just stopped feeling the whole book. I want to change so much but I have already done it so many times. And now I don't know if I have it in me to do that again. I have also been having major writers block and all. I really want to pursue a career in the writing industry, being an author ofc. And seeing you and what you've accomplished and all the struggles you've showed us, you've given me hope to keep writing. All the best with your next book❤️
Very happy to see a post from you!
@@AnaisLaure omg! I found your channel recently and it is just beautiful❤️❤️ thank you :))
Fr
The candle 😂😂😂❤
TWICE 😂😂😂 girl get a plate or a holder you’re gonna burn the house down
Finally caught up with this video after a hectic Christmas! This was so fab. I love your content so much, looking forward to more in 2025. Wow, that quote from Ira Glass is just *it*. And I love your new place. I would love to find other writers to write with sometimes but can't find any local writers groups. How did you find your people? :-)
HELLO I LOVE SHIP OF MAGIC i’m american and none of my friends know robin hobb😭i just started mad ship and i’m so excited! and i totally had the same experience as you reading it - i’m writing a fantasy novel and reading robin hobb makes me question if i have any talent at all but she only got there after SO MUCH PRACTICE and us writers have to be patient with ourselves!! so glad i found your channel today, just subscribed and so excited to follow your journey! :)
SHIP OF MAGIC IS SO GOOD!!! I'm halfway through The Mad Ship now and AGHHH it's too good. Oh yeah - Hobb is a master craftswoman that's for sure - but it honestly comforts me looking at the sheer volume of work she has produced. Mastery like this takes time and effort, she has done her 10,000 hours, and then some! We will get there one day too!! Welcome to the channel, and thank you for being here! xx
Thank you for your honesty. I wish you luck on your writings...
Thank you!!
Hi Esmie! I absolutely love your videos. I really struggle with motivation and staying focused while writing. Do you have any tips for that? I finished my book a few months ago and started working on other projects, but I realized my writing style had changed quite a bit, so now I’m rewriting the book. ❤❤
That soup looked so good❤
This is my first video from you and I love your filming and editing style! I wanted to ask what camera you use for your videos? It looks amazing!
So happy you're posting again! I have question about editors notes, what happens if you don't agree with your agent/editors edits? Do u have to make them?
The short answer is: No you don't have to make them! Editor's notes are basically just a guideline/feedback...
The long answer: I tend to follow almost all of them out of respect for the years of experience my editors have (as they've all worked at major publishers for many years). basically - I believe they know what they're talking about. However, on the occasions I choose not to follow their suggestions, it's usually because they have correctly highlighted an issue/plot point/scene that is not working, but suggested a fix I don't like. I will take the advice that something in that scene isn't working, but I will find a fix that works for me. In the past, I've been lucky enough to usually agree with about 80% of everything my editors say. Then that 20% is just me trying different fixes for problems they've picked up on... I hope that makes sense!
A good piece of advice I received from an editor about edits is: it's your name on the front cover at the end of the day, do what feels right to you. Whether that's following edits to the letter, or taking only what resonates with you...! I hope that helps and thank you so much for watching my channel!! xx
This is such a lovely blog, I’m so glad it showed up in my suggestions! Btw, what is the name of the song that played as you were writing? The violins sounded magical!
What kind of font do you use in the videos? It's so aesthetic. Love the vlog!