I don't know where I would be without this channel. I've been working on my first novel for most of this year and it's been a difficult process. But if it wasn't for you I probably would have given up. Your advice is always so helpful!
Hi. I love your videos and I am a 12-year-old writer. I am currently writing a grand fantasy book that I hope will be published by my 18th birthday! I still regret not buying your books yet but I hope I will read them in the future!Thanks for existing!
good luck! I hope you get published! I know a book written by a fifth grader that was published in her grade, so who knows you can definitely get published even before then. dont give up and keep going!
I am also a 12 year old writer and a pancer. I always write the beginning and introduce all the characters but struggle with the actual plot and especially the ending
You're a big inspiration on how to live, in general. Just listening to you talk about everything you do in your life makes me (tired) feel like it's possible to do many things as well. It's something valuable for someone with mental health issues and I really appreciate your content, not just the how-to-write part but also the part where you inadvertently teach us how to live better without being the obnoxious person in the room. I hope you have a great day ahead!
The first draft is a complete pantser drabble with way too many holes. Then for the revising I like to make my outline by printing off reading the first draft from the beginning to the end then write an outline chapter by chapter and having 1-3 sentences describing what's going to happen in those chapters to help me remember what I'm doing. Then when I've got that small outline I go through the printoff of draft 1 again and see what I keep and gets pitched and put them in order respectively to the new outline for the next draft. Hope this makes sense.
Hi, Kristen! I, too, actually have a notebook (which I call my, "Ideas Journal,") where I go to write down as many ideas for whatever type of possible future story concepts I may have at any given moment. And I, too, try do do so as quickly as possible so more often than not I won't accidentally forget a potentially idea for a story I might have. So far from what I've seen of your really cool--plus informative--video, Kristen, it is just seriously fun, and as I said, "cool," and loaded with tons of valuable information about writing and ideas gathering. Thank you so much, Kristen, and I will do my best to remember to watch the rest of your video at a later date, but for now, I have to save it, and try to digest the information I just gathered as best as I can. Take good care and have a very fun and sound day (Oh, and if I get too busy to think of it in the near future, Merry Christmas and an equally fun and safe New Year!)
This is great! I'm also in between a plotter and a pantser. And if there's a scene I'm excited to write, I go ahead and write it out of order and then use that as a guide post marker to write towards. I haven't found an outlining method that works for me, but your method makes sense, and I'm going to give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
I have been thinking about writing a book for a while! Your channel is so inspirational and helpful! I'm filling up notebooks with ideas and trying to just figure out where to start, to turn it into a book.
I don't have much blank wall space to lay out index cards, but since I live alone, I bought a box of magnets and use my double door refrigerator. Easy to switch around.
I initially was a pantcer but that didn't work for me. It was difficult for me to write without knowing what was I to write next or what even I was even writing. I have now moved to becoming a plotser. I write the basic outline which is a huge chunck of word mess and then organise into different parts adding details and unlike you, I struggle with the end and not at all with the beginning. This video really helped me to enhance my way of outlining books.
Recently did an outline using mind mapping that was super effective. Basically get some paper and start with one idea/character and write down related characters, places, and events figure out who and what and where they fit. Rewrite it into a coherent outline that you can use and boom-- under an 1 and you have a short outline. When I want to be detailed, I do the academic outline like ABC.123. Those can get very very long though but very thorough and good for spotting plot holes and connecting gaps
Your channel is a blessing to all of us! Thank you! I know that if I ever put my novel out there, part of it is because of all your helpful writing advice.
This video is awesome!! It’s exactly what I was looking for, though I had no idea I was looking. I have Retrograde Amnesia and terrible Short-term memory too. I constantly forget where I was writing and what I foreshadowed about. I forget personality traits of my characters that I need to progress the novel, then I get stuck. The index cards and highlighter ideas are fantastic!!! Thanks so much for sharing 😊❤️😊
Like you I always have the ending figured out first for some reason. I'm still kind of fine tuning my outlining process. Right now I'm first drafting from a "completed" outline for the first time. I use quotes because towards the end of the outline I started to realize that the beginning of the outline had some holes and underdevelopment. But my plan is to charge through the draft using the outline I have and then going back after I've reached the end and filling in the holes. I already know that draft 2 will be a bear! :)
So glad you posted about your outlining process! I was actually wondering about it lately... I'm a plotser too, I can't plan everything, but I have ideas of where everything is going. In my first draft, at the beginning of each chapter I wrote a few sentences just for myself so I know what is supposed to happen.
I think we are very similar in how we are writing. I wasn't supposed to write more than one book but ideas come floating to me at the weirdest times. Now, I can't let go of the thought of writing one more, maybe even a series.. Watching your video and I'm even more ready to get started with idea board and everything. Thank you for inspiring me to do what I want as well! Always fascinated by all the things you have time to do with your life. You sure you don't have more hours than us normal people?? 😂😂
I outline with note cards too, but on Scrivener. If you haven't already, you should check it out. It's great for organizing your novel if you are a visual person. I don't use it for everything but it keeps me sane when I'm outlining and organizing scenes.
Fairly new writer here. I follow you on Instagram and just now followed your bio link to your videos. I'm three videos deep and I must say, thank you for you vlog!! To answer your question, I am more of a hard core planner. I plan out most of the details for each chapter and then go back and write out the chapter as I follow along with my outline. I leave room for improvisation however I like to have a clear road map of all of my ideas and where I want the story to go.
I really like how you write a chapter then update your outline. I can't count how many times I deviate from my outline and when I look back at it after the draft is done, I have to do a complete overall on the outline before I can even think of beginning to do another draft. Your way saves a lot of time and keeps things fresh. I don't know how I never thought of doing that before :P I also use colours in my work to make it easier to look back on. Something I use in Scrivener which is really helpful is the keyword tool. For instance, there is a lot of foreshadowing/ symbolism in my novel due to its focus on dreams. I will create a keyword called for these things, like 'Poppy flower' for instance which is a major piece of imagery/ foreshadowing in my novel, and then I'll attach the keyword Poppy Flower to the chapter/ chapters that shows the poppy flower as I write. That way, when I go back and want to make sure I'm constantly referring to the poppy flower and not just forgetting about it half way through the novel, I can just search for the keyword Poppy Flower and it'll bring up all the chapters they keyword is linked too. I do this with my villains too, as in the past I tend to forget about my villain for several chapters at a time. By creating a keyword for my villain, when I search the keyword I can easily see which chapters he is in and where the big gaps are. Loved the vid!
Super stoked to get your books!! Woot woot! I love your vlogs they are so informative and fun!!! Love the podcast too!!! Congrats on Shadowcrown, love the cover!!!
I am absolutely loving your writing videos lately as I've started to get really excited for NaNo this year. Congrats for all your success in publishing your books!
I'm definitely a plotser. I have a 4 phases. I have ideas for book I have a rough idea what I want the story to be about I will add it to my story idea vault as synopsis along with the title, genre, the date I came up with the book idea, & if I wanted to be series or not. I have journal as well but when I get the chance I add to idea word doc on my laptop. I do a 3 Act simplicity outline titling it signals me for what I want to happen in each chapter then I do a more detailed version of simplicity outline color coded with Synopsis, currency, book setting, Act titles, chapter title, setting for that chapter, chapter title, MP, SP, and CH. In a separate doc I set the back drop so to speak. Like a history/backstory, politics/government, power players, transportation, treaty, magical council or any thing of importance and this I title it the title of book or series and add history and information. Ex: For POAH it would be a doc titled 'POAH - History and Info'. Then I start my first draft. Keeping in mind and referencing back to my character profiles and the history and info sheet periodically.
I'm a plotser! I have tried pantsing and this last book I tried to write was with an outline and couldn't make it work. This time I have already written 2 chapters without an outline, but I have an idea of how it's going to end. I'm going to do a very basic outline today. Basically, it will just be a few things that I want to happen along the way, and I'll move them around to whenever they fit best in my story until I get to the end. But this one is also a contemporary where I normally try to write fantasy, so in my opinion it's a little easier to pants than fantasy. Not saying it's easier to write contemporary, because you really have to have the write FEEL and you have to have super-strong characters or the story will not work. Plus, trying to be original in a contemporary is super hard because it's set in the world we live in, so you can't make up a new world or it's fantasy. No magic. No supernatural. Etc. So you're writing about something that could actually happen... and still trying to make it interesting. It's just as trick in my opinion as fantasy, but I'm hoping it works out better for me. I think this might actually be the genre I'm born to write! It's flowing really well so far...
I LOVED this video along with the one about managing multiple projects aaaand my favorite genre to read is dystopian though I could never write it lol, so I'll definitely check out your stuff.
I use note cards as well, though that's where I quit. I never found the patience to type my outline out for my computer. But I do split the note cards by chapter and label them to know where they belong. Plus, I get to see the physical stack shrink as I get further through the story. :)
I am definitely a plotter, I like to know everything before starting. But this video was very helpful definitely some useful tips on helping my writing process. Thanks!!
This is so helpful! I plan on writing my first book within the next six months so I basically binge watch all your writing videos! I am torn between having it be a non-fiction self-help book or a fictional story with self-help lessons as the undertone, but all the information your provide helps nonetheless. Also, I can't wait to read Shadow Crown, so looking forward to October :)
Great video Kristen, I'm currently outlining a Sci Fi project and these tips will come in handy. I've outlined a novel before, but I want to be much more extensive with this one :)
Starting from Act 3 is smart, kinda like what Josh Waitzkin teaches in the book 'The Art of Learning' to start from the endgame, or like I've heard also from others about 'Reverse Engineering'. Since a child I've always love sketching and still do so would it be ok to create a storyboard or you believe the index cards method as you teach in this video is more efficient and effective?
I am mixed. Writing my novel I am a panser. However the book I have being published now is a self-help and I did a Roman numerals outline prior to starting it.
great video helps a lot, I do a bit of plotting and panters too. I usually know how I want the story to begin and end long before I start writing it's the middle and foreshadowing I run into trouble, I like the highlighting code you use, I think I'll give it a try. As always great information, and love to see how your doing . see ya soon. Nancie
Hi Kristen, Some time ago I watched one of your videos and you recommended a template for self-publishers that was pre-formatted. I can’t find the video or the website! Could you please remind me? Thanks 😊
Currently I've been "pantsing" (that still sounds so weird,😏 lol) while discovering more about the universe of my debut novel series - writing scenes in the life of my protagonist. Now I'm organizing and fitting these scenes into my outline and flesh it out even more. So, I guess I'm a "ploster" too! ;) Thank you for this video Kristen. It's both helpful and encouraging to me in the journey of developing my process. 🤓🤗🐿🏋🏼
I am more of a plotter. I have to have some idea on how I want my story to go. But once I start writing, the outline kind of goes out the window. I'm not as detailed in my outlines. I'll write out possible directions based on ideas/prompts. Once I settle on an idea, I'll create my cast and write down some important notes about them. Once that's established, I'll scribble what I think will happen, highlighting and delving into major plot points. Then, I'll write.
Congrats on 16K subs!! This is amazing!!! I think when I started following you, you had only about 5K subs :) So happy to see your channel grow. I try to outline, I really do as it makes things easier but I am almost always 70% pantser and 30% plotter. Since I write mostly short stories and prose poetry (with longer works being stuck in perpetual WIP status), I do recognize the fact that I need to learn to outline better. I used to use notebooks but I find writing longhand very annoying as I don’t like my handwriting and I tend to miss letters in words as I write. I used Evernote extensively for notes and outlines but I got myself Scrivener about a year ago and even though I’m still learning the process, it is an incredibly handy software for outlining (and writing too). I highly recommend you try it out. And now it is available on iOS too, which means that you can make notes on your iPhone and then continue on your MacBook. It syncs via Dropbox, not iCloud (sadly) but hopefully one day it will be possible too. I really like your process. Writing outline as you write chapters makes sense. I usually re-read the past chapter to get back into the groove of things which can be time consuming and distracting. Big thumbs up!!
Hi Kristen! I recently started a story... It doesn't have a name yet, but here's the first paragraph, if you could tell me what you think that would be so helpful!!! 'The year is 2052, the year of the dragons. The dragons stalk the streets during the day and sleep on top of houses at night, they waken to the smallest sound. Everyone stays inside their house lest they become a meal. The most reasonable time to go outside is at night, but with the dragons hearing abilities,no one has the courage.'
ShoshiTrains I know I'm not Kristen but since she hasn't replied I figured I'd give some writerly buddy advice. I feel like the first paragraph is just information. It has so much potential and I think you should try showing and not telling. Maybe your character has a calendar that reads 2052 in their room when they wake up to the sound of something scratching their roof. It smells weird but the smell is familiar. The sensory of that world would be amazing and using that would really help set the stage for both the personality (are they scared of the dragons, fearless, sarcastic) and world of the character.
I totally agree with this! Instead of telling us about the stakes of the world the MC lives in, try showing them. Maybe the MC hears something outside, carefully pulls the curtains open a little bit to look out the window and sees a drunk idiot or a reckless person outside who gets eaten by a dragon. That way, the reader will immediately get the sense of danger that living in this world comes with. Readers (myself included!) like figuring out things for themselves instead of being told what is going on. It makes it a lot more interesting :)
I sit down, and write a couple of scenes, but I do need to write the story before I write prose, which I can be a plotster. I still like pantsing in writing prose. Either way, it's all writing no matter what. I really like your videos!
I'm writing a graphic novel series (i'm not verbose enough to write a novel). I'm a plotter, but i've completed stories and then gone back and completely rewritten them to better effect. When i'm following my plot i'll often have leaps of inspiration and end up reconfiguring my outline. I do extensive brainstorming before i write, and if ive done it right then the story just flows out of me, but ive written several stories where i hit a wall and was forced to set them aside until the muse strikes again. I have yet to publish anything, but i'm hoping my first series will enable me to break into the gaming industry, as i've got a pretty detailed plan for a game based on my comics.
I think I'm in the middle as well. I like to have some idea on where I want my stories to go, but I like to be flexible. And besides, most of the time, I don't follow my outlines verbatim.
I think I MAY be a plotser as well. I NEVER go into full detail when plotting. For example, i write down all of the key scenes I want to happen in the book, but I don't go beyond that with my scenes. However, I do flesh out what I want to happen in the beginning, middle, and end. Lol is that a plotser or something else?
Hi Kristen! Question for you...How do you decide the release date for your novels? Especially when you're still in the final edits and beta reader process?
I do not that much, as the story I am working on was made in My head as a kid. Do however do some small notes on New ideas I get as I go through, as never remains 100% the same
Great information thank you. I was wondering if you take time to develop your characters before you start writing or do you just write first then develope them during the editing?
Great video as always. :) My outlining method is kinda both of poster board and index card method. I use a bulletin board, then pin index cards of the scenes I wanted to have in the story. But just a question, how do you cut your stories into chapters?? I'm kind of having a hard time doing it. -_-
No matter how I tried to plot ..it won't work for me . I only can sit down and write ..and that's it. My writting sessions can Last more than 5 hours without stopping ...but I'm trying to plot now days as real life is hitting hard I barley have time to write .thank you for the tips
I’m late to the party here, but I’ve written out full drafts twice now, (60 K each) and I have done one more outline and NOW… my story is completely different and I need to write that now. (which will be it’s own first draft…which will need revision) BLEHHHHHH. Have you ever had that happen?
My method for writing is a little weird. When I turn on music complete story ideas (beginning to end) come to me. I can see in my minds eye everything happening like I'm watching a movie. It's so weird I get a little scared.
I see sometime several film strips. Almost all writers, see it in minds eyes. What is important, is how you write about, what you saw. I sometime don't see the film strips until I chose what I will write about.
My issue with writing lies within the rising and falling action. I know how I want to start, what I want the climax to be and how I want it to end, but I can't keep it interesting for the rising and falling. It's so frustrating because I just want to complete ONE book in my life, but my issue remains a constant block.
I have an outline on Microsoft Excel consisting of two pages: Characters and Story. I'm so currently focused on the Characters page, but the fact that I have SO MANY characters at once, a couple main, a couple of support/minor, the villains, etc., having to think about their names, birthdays and such profiles drags me off. It's supposed to be like a team-up story and it's like having a classroom with relevant characters.
How long are you going to be doing Hustle Smarter, Not Harder? Right now I'm a stay-at-home-mom, but when my son goes to school on the 23rd, I'm going to start looking for a full-time job. Then we'll have more money to spend and I should be able to sign up, but I want to make sure I'm not too late. :)
The discount will go through August 31st, but the webinar series will be available through the rest of this year! I've gotten so much great feedback that I want to make sure everyone who wants to participate has the chance :)
Kristen Martin Whats it like to be a fulltime writer? How meany hours a day you write? LIKE how meany chapters do you do a day? The reason I ASKED because most writers spend at least 15 hours A day," LIKE JAMES PATTERSON does. He starts at 6:00.Am in the morning to 5:00 In the evening. Send me a Video.😎😎😎
I never plot anything. I just don't know how. I write done ideas I have and if I have plenty of them I just start to write. The only thing is that I later don't no what to write and just stop. And if I want to start again I want to rewrite things. And because I have no idea how to do that I just do nothing :(
I don't know where I would be without this channel. I've been working on my first novel for most of this year and it's been a difficult process. But if it wasn't for you I probably would have given up. Your advice is always so helpful!
Hi. I love your videos and I am a 12-year-old writer. I am currently writing a grand fantasy book that I hope will be published by my 18th birthday! I still regret not buying your books yet but I hope I will read them in the future!Thanks for existing!
good luck! I hope you get published! I know a book written by a fifth grader that was published in her grade, so who knows you can definitely get published even before then. dont give up and keep going!
KreativeKill Thank you very much!
You too Kristen Martin!
I am also a 12 year old writer and a pancer. I always write the beginning and introduce all the characters but struggle with the actual plot and especially the ending
Kirsten McCormick Trust me when I say at your age I thought I was a pantser. I'm not. Try outlining the middle. You'll thank yourself later.
You're a big inspiration on how to live, in general. Just listening to you talk about everything you do in your life makes me (tired) feel like it's possible to do many things as well. It's something valuable for someone with mental health issues and I really appreciate your content, not just the how-to-write part but also the part where you inadvertently teach us how to live better without being the obnoxious person in the room. I hope you have a great day ahead!
The first draft is a complete pantser drabble with way too many holes. Then for the revising I like to make my outline by printing off reading the first draft from the beginning to the end then write an outline chapter by chapter and having 1-3 sentences describing what's going to happen in those chapters to help me remember what I'm doing. Then when I've got that small outline I go through the printoff of draft 1 again and see what I keep and gets pitched and put them in order respectively to the new outline for the next draft.
Hope this makes sense.
Hi, Kristen! I, too, actually have a notebook (which I call my, "Ideas Journal,") where I go to write down as many ideas for whatever type of possible future story concepts I may have at any given moment. And I, too, try do do so as quickly as possible so more often than not I won't accidentally forget a potentially idea for a story I might have.
So far from what I've seen of your really cool--plus informative--video, Kristen, it is just seriously fun, and as I said, "cool," and loaded with tons of valuable information about writing and ideas gathering.
Thank you so much, Kristen, and I will do my best to remember to watch the rest of your video at a later date, but for now, I have to save it, and try to digest the information I just gathered as best as I can.
Take good care and have a very fun and sound day (Oh, and if I get too busy to think of it in the near future, Merry Christmas and an equally fun and safe New Year!)
This is great! I'm also in between a plotter and a pantser. And if there's a scene I'm excited to write, I go ahead and write it out of order and then use that as a guide post marker to write towards. I haven't found an outlining method that works for me, but your method makes sense, and I'm going to give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
I have been thinking about writing a book for a while! Your channel is so inspirational and helpful! I'm filling up notebooks with ideas and trying to just figure out where to start, to turn it into a book.
I don't have much blank wall space to lay out index cards, but since I live alone, I bought a box of magnets and use my double door refrigerator. Easy to switch around.
I initially was a pantcer but that didn't work for me. It was difficult for me to write without knowing what was I to write next or what even I was even writing.
I have now moved to becoming a plotser.
I write the basic outline which is a huge chunck of word mess and then organise into different parts adding details and unlike you, I struggle with the end and not at all with the beginning. This video really helped me to enhance my way of outlining books.
Exactly the day I start planning my novel, you post this! 😁
It's fate! :)
I can never get out of bed on Mondays until I watch your new video! Excited to finally buy your series on my kindle!
Recently did an outline using mind mapping that was super effective. Basically get some paper and start with one idea/character and write down related characters, places, and events figure out who and what and where they fit. Rewrite it into a coherent outline that you can use and boom-- under an 1 and you have a short outline.
When I want to be detailed, I do the academic outline like ABC.123. Those can get very very long though but very thorough and good for spotting plot holes and connecting gaps
Your channel is a blessing to all of us! Thank you! I know that if I ever put my novel out there, part of it is because of all your helpful writing advice.
This video is awesome!! It’s exactly what I was looking for, though I had no idea I was looking. I have Retrograde Amnesia and terrible Short-term memory too. I constantly forget where I was writing and what I foreshadowed about. I forget personality traits of my characters that I need to progress the novel, then I get stuck.
The index cards and highlighter ideas are fantastic!!! Thanks so much for sharing 😊❤️😊
I use Google Keep app to write any notes down, if I lose or change phones it's linked to my google and it will be saved automatically.
Like you I always have the ending figured out first for some reason. I'm still kind of fine tuning my outlining process. Right now I'm first drafting from a "completed" outline for the first time. I use quotes because towards the end of the outline I started to realize that the beginning of the outline had some holes and underdevelopment. But my plan is to charge through the draft using the outline I have and then going back after I've reached the end and filling in the holes. I already know that draft 2 will be a bear! :)
So glad you posted about your outlining process! I was actually wondering about it lately... I'm a plotser too, I can't plan everything, but I have ideas of where everything is going. In my first draft, at the beginning of each chapter I wrote a few sentences just for myself so I know what is supposed to happen.
I think we are very similar in how we are writing. I wasn't supposed to write more than one book but ideas come floating to me at the weirdest times. Now, I can't let go of the thought of writing one more, maybe even a series.. Watching your video and I'm even more ready to get started with idea board and everything. Thank you for inspiring me to do what I want as well! Always fascinated by all the things you have time to do with your life. You sure you don't have more hours than us normal people?? 😂😂
I outline with note cards too, but on Scrivener. If you haven't already, you should check it out. It's great for organizing your novel if you are a visual person. I don't use it for everything but it keeps me sane when I'm outlining and organizing scenes.
Fairly new writer here. I follow you on Instagram and just now followed your bio link to your videos. I'm three videos deep and I must say, thank you for you vlog!! To answer your question, I am more of a hard core planner. I plan out most of the details for each chapter and then go back and write out the chapter as I follow along with my outline. I leave room for improvisation however I like to have a clear road map of all of my ideas and where I want the story to go.
Sometimes I know the ending of my stories first as well. I'm working on a trilogy, and I know how the last scene of the last book is going to go.
I really like how you write a chapter then update your outline. I can't count how many times I deviate from my outline and when I look back at it after the draft is done, I have to do a complete overall on the outline before I can even think of beginning to do another draft. Your way saves a lot of time and keeps things fresh. I don't know how I never thought of doing that before :P I also use colours in my work to make it easier to look back on. Something I use in Scrivener which is really helpful is the keyword tool. For instance, there is a lot of foreshadowing/ symbolism in my novel due to its focus on dreams. I will create a keyword called for these things, like 'Poppy flower' for instance which is a major piece of imagery/ foreshadowing in my novel, and then I'll attach the keyword Poppy Flower to the chapter/ chapters that shows the poppy flower as I write. That way, when I go back and want to make sure I'm constantly referring to the poppy flower and not just forgetting about it half way through the novel, I can just search for the keyword Poppy Flower and it'll bring up all the chapters they keyword is linked too. I do this with my villains too, as in the past I tend to forget about my villain for several chapters at a time. By creating a keyword for my villain, when I search the keyword I can easily see which chapters he is in and where the big gaps are. Loved the vid!
Super stoked to get your books!! Woot woot! I love your vlogs they are so informative and fun!!! Love the podcast too!!! Congrats on Shadowcrown, love the cover!!!
I am absolutely loving your writing videos lately as I've started to get really excited for NaNo this year.
Congrats for all your success in publishing your books!
I'm definitely a plotser. I have a 4 phases. I have ideas for book I have a rough idea what I want the story to be about I will add it to my story idea vault as synopsis along with the title, genre, the date I came up with the book idea, & if I wanted to be series or not. I have journal as well but when I get the chance I add to idea word doc on my laptop. I do a 3 Act simplicity outline titling it signals me for what I want to happen in each chapter then I do a more detailed version of simplicity outline color coded with Synopsis, currency, book setting, Act titles, chapter title, setting for that chapter, chapter title, MP, SP, and CH. In a separate doc I set the back drop so to speak. Like a history/backstory, politics/government, power players, transportation, treaty, magical council or any thing of importance and this I title it the title of book or series and add history and information. Ex: For POAH it would be a doc titled 'POAH - History and Info'. Then I start my first draft. Keeping in mind and referencing back to my character profiles and the history and info sheet periodically.
I'm a plotser! I have tried pantsing and this last book I tried to write was with an outline and couldn't make it work. This time I have already written 2 chapters without an outline, but I have an idea of how it's going to end. I'm going to do a very basic outline today. Basically, it will just be a few things that I want to happen along the way, and I'll move them around to whenever they fit best in my story until I get to the end. But this one is also a contemporary where I normally try to write fantasy, so in my opinion it's a little easier to pants than fantasy. Not saying it's easier to write contemporary, because you really have to have the write FEEL and you have to have super-strong characters or the story will not work. Plus, trying to be original in a contemporary is super hard because it's set in the world we live in, so you can't make up a new world or it's fantasy. No magic. No supernatural. Etc. So you're writing about something that could actually happen... and still trying to make it interesting. It's just as trick in my opinion as fantasy, but I'm hoping it works out better for me. I think this might actually be the genre I'm born to write! It's flowing really well so far...
I LOVED this video along with the one about managing multiple projects aaaand my favorite genre to read is dystopian though I could never write it lol, so I'll definitely check out your stuff.
This is really useful. I might try index cards on a keyring so I can flip through and so they're transportable
I use note cards as well, though that's where I quit. I never found the patience to type my outline out for my computer. But I do split the note cards by chapter and label them to know where they belong. Plus, I get to see the physical stack shrink as I get further through the story. :)
I am definitely a plotter, I like to know everything before starting. But this video was very helpful definitely some useful tips on helping my writing process. Thanks!!
This is so helpful! I plan on writing my first book within the next six months so I basically binge watch all your writing videos! I am torn between having it be a non-fiction self-help book or a fictional story with self-help lessons as the undertone, but all the information your provide helps nonetheless. Also, I can't wait to read Shadow Crown, so looking forward to October :)
I am looking forward for the collobration with Natalia Leigh. That's going to be amazing :-)
Me too! I can't wait!
Kristen Martin DO I need to go to College to be a mystery writer? Because I CAN'T afford it. I need a good advice from you. From THISON SCHULTZ
Great video. I do not write my stories in sequential order. This video has been helpful. Thank you.
Great video Kristen, I'm currently outlining a Sci Fi project and these tips will come in handy. I've outlined a novel before, but I want to be much more extensive with this one :)
Starting from Act 3 is smart, kinda like what Josh Waitzkin teaches in the book 'The Art of Learning' to start from the endgame, or like I've heard also from others about 'Reverse Engineering'. Since a child I've always love sketching and still do so would it be ok to create a storyboard or you believe the index cards method as you teach in this video is more efficient and effective?
I am mixed. Writing my novel I am a panser. However the book I have being published now is a self-help and I did a Roman numerals outline prior to starting it.
Sounds like a solid system that echoes how hollywood writers work...particularly the board so people can see the whole story.
Ahhh I love you so much! You inspire my writing, and I'm so glad you're here on youtube to help!
great video helps a lot, I do a bit of plotting and panters too. I usually know how I want the story to begin and end long before I start writing it's the middle and foreshadowing I run into trouble, I like the highlighting code you use, I think I'll give it a try. As always great information, and love to see how your doing . see ya soon. Nancie
Good video, Kristen Martin. It covers the subject in a didactic way. It helped me a lot.
Hi Kristen,
Some time ago I watched one of your videos and you recommended a template for self-publishers that was pre-formatted. I can’t find the video or the website! Could you please remind me? Thanks 😊
Currently I've been "pantsing" (that still sounds so weird,😏 lol) while discovering more about the universe of my debut novel series - writing scenes in the life of my protagonist. Now I'm organizing and fitting these scenes into my outline and flesh it out even more. So, I guess I'm a "ploster" too! ;) Thank you for this video Kristen. It's both helpful and encouraging to me in the journey of developing my process. 🤓🤗🐿🏋🏼
I am more of a plotter. I have to have some idea on how I want my story to go. But once I start writing, the outline kind of goes out the window. I'm not as detailed in my outlines. I'll write out possible directions based on ideas/prompts. Once I settle on an idea, I'll create my cast and write down some important notes about them. Once that's established, I'll scribble what I think will happen, highlighting and delving into major plot points. Then, I'll write.
Congrats on 16K subs!! This is amazing!!! I think when I started following you, you had only about 5K subs :) So happy to see your channel grow.
I try to outline, I really do as it makes things easier but I am almost always 70% pantser and 30% plotter. Since I write mostly short stories and prose poetry (with longer works being stuck in perpetual WIP status), I do recognize the fact that I need to learn to outline better. I used to use notebooks but I find writing longhand very annoying as I don’t like my handwriting and I tend to miss letters in words as I write. I used Evernote extensively for notes and outlines but I got myself Scrivener about a year ago and even though I’m still learning the process, it is an incredibly handy software for outlining (and writing too). I highly recommend you try it out. And now it is available on iOS too, which means that you can make notes on your iPhone and then continue on your MacBook. It syncs via Dropbox, not iCloud (sadly) but hopefully one day it will be possible too.
I really like your process. Writing outline as you write chapters makes sense. I usually re-read the past chapter to get back into the groove of things which can be time consuming and distracting.
Big thumbs up!!
I’m loving your videos. Glad I came across your channel.
Hi Kristen! I recently started a story... It doesn't have a name yet, but here's the first paragraph, if you could tell me what you think that would be so helpful!!!
'The year is 2052, the year of the dragons. The dragons stalk the streets during the day and sleep on top of houses at night, they waken to the smallest sound. Everyone stays inside their house lest they become a meal. The most reasonable time to go outside is at night, but with the dragons hearing abilities,no one has the courage.'
ShoshiTrains I know I'm not Kristen but since she hasn't replied I figured I'd give some writerly buddy advice.
I feel like the first paragraph is just information. It has so much potential and I think you should try showing and not telling.
Maybe your character has a calendar that reads 2052 in their room when they wake up to the sound of something scratching their roof. It smells weird but the smell is familiar.
The sensory of that world would be amazing and using that would really help set the stage for both the personality (are they scared of the dragons, fearless, sarcastic) and world of the character.
I totally agree with this! Instead of telling us about the stakes of the world the MC lives in, try showing them. Maybe the MC hears something outside, carefully pulls the curtains open a little bit to look out the window and sees a drunk idiot or a reckless person outside who gets eaten by a dragon. That way, the reader will immediately get the sense of danger that living in this world comes with. Readers (myself included!) like figuring out things for themselves instead of being told what is going on. It makes it a lot more interesting :)
That is good for a blurb I agree with others to use show not tell let them infer ut
I've always said "Plantser" instead of "Plotser"... Sounds funnier to me ;)
I sit down, and write a couple of scenes, but I do need to write the story before I write prose, which I can be a plotster. I still like pantsing in writing prose. Either way, it's all writing no matter what. I really like your videos!
You are amazing! Thanks
I'm writing a graphic novel series (i'm not verbose enough to write a novel). I'm a plotter, but i've completed stories and then gone back and completely rewritten them to better effect. When i'm following my plot i'll often have leaps of inspiration and end up reconfiguring my outline. I do extensive brainstorming before i write, and if ive done it right then the story just flows out of me, but ive written several stories where i hit a wall and was forced to set them aside until the muse strikes again. I have yet to publish anything, but i'm hoping my first series will enable me to break into the gaming industry, as i've got a pretty detailed plan for a game based on my comics.
I think I'm in the middle as well. I like to have some idea on where I want my stories to go, but I like to be flexible. And besides, most of the time, I don't follow my outlines verbatim.
When I start to write down ideas it's like opening a flood gate and I can barely write them down before more knock them out of the way.
I think I MAY be a plotser as well. I NEVER go into full detail when plotting. For example, i write down all of the key scenes I want to happen in the book, but I don't go beyond that with my scenes. However, I do flesh out what I want to happen in the beginning, middle, and end. Lol is that a plotser or something else?
Love all of your advice! Can't wait to read your books. :)
Good tips, I'll definitely take some into consideration.
I am in the process of my book. Having problem outlining.
Shadow Crown is so close to being here!
Hi Kristen! Question for you...How do you decide the release date for your novels? Especially when you're still in the final edits and beta reader process?
For me I think that I need to discovery write first and then once I'm editing do an outline to get things straight.
I do not that much, as the story I am working on was made in My head as a kid. Do however do some small notes on New ideas I get as I go through, as never remains 100% the same
Great information thank you. I was wondering if you take time to develop your characters before you start writing or do you just write first then develope them during the editing?
Great video as always. :) My outlining method is kinda both of poster board and index card method. I use a bulletin board, then pin index cards of the scenes I wanted to have in the story.
But just a question, how do you cut your stories into chapters?? I'm kind of having a hard time doing it. -_-
So funny my writing playlist has sun model on it!
No matter how I tried to plot ..it won't work for me . I only can sit down and write ..and that's it. My writting sessions can Last more than 5 hours without stopping ...but I'm trying to plot now days as real life is hitting hard I barley have time to write .thank you for the tips
I’m late to the party here, but I’ve written out full drafts twice now, (60 K each) and I have done one more outline and NOW… my story is completely different and I need to write that now. (which will be it’s own first draft…which will need revision) BLEHHHHHH. Have you ever had that happen?
My method for writing is a little weird. When I turn on music complete story ideas (beginning to end) come to me. I can see in my minds eye everything happening like I'm watching a movie. It's so weird I get a little scared.
Dude me to. Not always to music and not the whole story but it plays in my head like a movie like someone else has the remote
I see sometime several film strips. Almost all writers, see it in minds eyes. What is important, is how you write about, what you saw. I sometime don't see the film strips until I chose what I will write about.
My issue with writing lies within the rising and falling action. I know how I want to start, what I want the climax to be and how I want it to end, but I can't keep it interesting for the rising and falling. It's so frustrating because I just want to complete ONE book in my life, but my issue remains a constant block.
I have an outline on Microsoft Excel consisting of two pages: Characters and Story.
I'm so currently focused on the Characters page, but the fact that I have SO MANY characters at once, a couple main, a couple of support/minor, the villains, etc., having to think about their names, birthdays and such profiles drags me off. It's supposed to be like a team-up story and it's like having a classroom with relevant characters.
thank you for sharing your methods :)
Another awesome video! Very helpful.
How long are you going to be doing Hustle Smarter, Not Harder? Right now I'm a stay-at-home-mom, but when my son goes to school on the 23rd, I'm going to start looking for a full-time job. Then we'll have more money to spend and I should be able to sign up, but I want to make sure I'm not too late. :)
The discount will go through August 31st, but the webinar series will be available through the rest of this year! I've gotten so much great feedback that I want to make sure everyone who wants to participate has the chance :)
Oh great! :D Looking forward to it.
Kristen Martin Whats it like to be a fulltime writer? How meany hours a day you write? LIKE how meany chapters do you do a day? The reason I ASKED because most writers spend at least 15 hours A day," LIKE JAMES PATTERSON does. He starts at 6:00.Am in the morning to 5:00 In the evening. Send me a Video.😎😎😎
I love this content!
Thank you!!! It is very helpful!!! :)
I never plot anything. I just don't know how. I write done ideas I have and if I have plenty of them I just start to write. The only thing is that I later don't no what to write and just stop. And if I want to start again I want to rewrite things. And because I have no idea how to do that I just do nothing :(
Girl, you are doing the damn thang! Thanks for making this video because outlining can sometimes be the devil, lol.
FWIW It'll be great if you had your podcast on Stitcher. That's the only way I listen to my podcasts.
plotser!! i am also that
Do write and save your chapters separate? or do you write the chapters all together?
I write them all together and save in one document :)
i wish i knew the end to all my story ideas maybe i'd actually write more lol
Great advice! Thanks!! :)
Texas, dictionary meaning- You should live here, kids!
Who designed your book covers
It sounds like you’re not a Scrivener user, you no likey?
Good video however I wish you could show us vs tell us.
Holy you're gorgeous!!!😍😍
I'm god
Fireyros Hi god, I am Zigginz. Can you make it so I can get good reads on the book I am thinking about it.
Done