After 3 years of hesitation...I am finally putting my foot down and committing myself to write a legitimate novel. Abbie you are definitely a great inspiration and a motivator
Woow you're doing Amazing! :) And while that, i'm committing myself into Prayer for your work.💖 If that is what you shall do it's already done! * 6 years - myself. And i didn't even had half of a foot into Writing. It is possible. The Time is NOW. if *@you* are reading this, it's not Too Late. :)
I already started working on my first novel I ACTUALLY (hopefully) will finish, and didn't even think about NaNoWriMo! I think now I will spend most of this month planning and then see how much I can actually get done in November. It is a Star Wars fan-fic set in the future (40 some yrs after the First Order is destroyed) about a very small group of rebels who are slowly building allies to defeat the newest evil force, The Supremacy. They build a sort of training base/academy to teach the next generation to fight, where my protagonist ends up after her uncle (only living relative) dies. Little does she know she will save everyone from certain doom alongside her friends. It will take inspiration from (obviously) Star Wars and even Pride and Prejudice. It includes one of my fave tropes; a rebellion, (which comes from my love of the Hunger Games; which I may make a Fan-fic of eventually). Anyways thanks for the inspiration Abbie and Kate!
I haven't written a story in 10 years but I'm 117 pages into one now and I have Abbie to thank for helping me push through some of my ruts during this process and keeping me encouraged and inspired. I don't know if I will finish my story or not but it has been the most cathartic and exciting experience I've had in such a long time. Like Abbie said, I go to bed excited like a kid just waiting for when I can write in the morning 😅
Same! I realized how much I really do have to prep in order to not get stuck as all hell. I get soooo stuck otherwise and eventually plot more than write in NaNo.
I haven't done NaNoWriMo since I was in high school, but this year I'll be doing it and I'm nervous, but I'm excited! And now, watching this video, I feel the enthusiasm taking hold! Thank you Abbie and Kate!!
I finally completed my first draft. I suppose I'll be revising through NaNoWriMo. I am not on any particular schedule and what I have now I think is good in the beginning, OK in the end, and really a mess in the middle. But I got through it to this point. Excited now to see how much more I can improve it. Thank you for all the free advice you dispense here. It has really helped me!
Great video, and it's comforting to know that everyone can have their own planning process and there's no single "right way." I'm 100% a plotter over here, and the reason I am confident I will actually "win" my first NaNoWriMo challenge.
I feel so good about my outlining process now! I’d tried outlining meticulously, but, like Katie said, it made me lose my passion for the project. For NaNoWriMo this year, I’ve found a median method I think really works: one sentence on each part of the three act story structure so I know what’s happeningwithout losing the fire :) Love you ladies
I have that same issue where sometimes creating too detailed of an outline makes me feel like I've already written the story so when I sit down to do the actual writing, I don't enjoy the process as much. I try to save my outlining for revisions so that I'm already immersed in the story world and attached to my characters so when it feels like "work," I don't mind as much.
Oh my gosh this is literally so convenient!!! September 30th I JUST started writing down my basic ideas for my novel I wanted to start working on, and I completely forgot about NaNoWriMo!!! Definitely gonna use all of this October to plan because I have multiple directions and ideas that this story could go, but I'm super excited to write it! If anyone is curious, my basic idea so far is about a character I've had for a long time named Hark. He works for this organization similar to the FBI, but set in my fantasy world, and it tasked with the biggest mission of his life, to go to the normal human world and retrieve information from this woman who supposedly has knowledge that could destroy his whole kingdom. It's mostly a mystery, but ofc also has some romance (wholesome). I'm literally so excited to write this because Hark has been a character for a long time but this is sort of his backstory and I think its gonna be super fun to dive into what makes him, him. Thank you so much for this video Abbie and Kate!!! It gave me the inspiration to get started on prepping!!!!! TLDR; Very excited to plot my novel, this video came at perfect timing ;)
Hey Abbie! I just watched your video on how to prepare to write a novel for NaNoWriMo 2023, and it was incredibly helpful. I've been wanting to participate in NaNoWriMo for a while now, but I never knew where to start. Your tips on setting goals, creating an outline, and developing characters really resonated with me. I also appreciate the emphasis on self-care and finding a writing community. Your videos always inspire me to get into the writing mood, and I can't thank you enough for all the valuable content you share. Looking forward to diving deeper into outlining and checking out your new book. Keep up the amazing work! ❤️✨📚
Alright... after swimming in the wonderlake of poetry I am finally flirting with novel writing - along this challenge of NaNoWriMo. My process is already begann, I am planning my own plot, with a heavy weighted pyschothriller to embracing the spooky season at its core.
I am a little nervous to share this. I am hopefully going to start, and finish, a novel I have thought about for sometime now. I've had the idea for years. It's basically a New Adult novel about twins coming of age in a supernatural fantasy world. I got most of it worked out. However, still got some more ground work to do. If I want to be ready for Nanowrimo.
This posted at the perfect time because this morning I have been completely overwhelmed trying to figure out how to prepare my story. This is my first NaNoWriMo and I am very excited also very nervous but I’m going to try my best. 😀
I have followed y'all's writing content for a few years now. I would love an episode where you discuss your favorite books/ authors and why. I'm sure that there's insight in why you love those books!
I’m doing a story based on Hocus Pocus Descendants of the Sanderson’s. It’s a cross between Hocus Pocus and the movie Penelope. Sarah was always jealous of her twin sister Liz and before Sarah died she cursed her sister future descendants with a curse. The twin protagonist of my story are similar to Sarah and Liz so they tend to argue a lot. It doesn’t help when their parents play favorites.
I've decided to do a 60 Day Challenge - where from October 1st to the end of NaNo, I'll be doing something writing related everyday. Plotting, planning, drafting, editing, all of that counts.
These videos really help get me in the mood for writing when I’m struggling to get past the old mental block. The positivity is simply infectious. Keep up the good work, ladies.
I've never done NaNoWriMo before, and I'm trying to get everything I can ready for it - this came at the perfect time! I'm not a natural plotter, so this is the most challenging aspect for me. I'll actually be vlogging my progress as I go through the month, as I find it a great way of keeping me accountable and on track. Great video!
I've already begun prepping for my fifth Nano, (never won one yet though... lol) and this year I truly do feel the most prepared and excited and determined! Funny thing is, I just started a new job at as a PCA in a hospital, and I'll be working lots of 12 hour shifts every week, so it's ironic how I am the most ready for Nanowrimo this year yet it's gonna be the hardest year yet for me to try to find time to actually write haha! Love your advice Abbie, I was just watching other videos of yours today as I was working on my outline!
My preptober is making time to write in November. Deep clean the house so I can coast through on cleaning through November. Plan a month of meals that are fast or make good leftovers. Get a few important things done from my to-do list. Major unfollow spree on twitter so I don't get sucked into reading articles and twitter threads when I should be writing. And this is controversial, but I actually start writing the last week or so of October so my body is getting used to sitting and writing for increasingly long amounts of time (but still making sure I get 50k in November). Good luck to everyone participating this year!
So looking forward to this. I was literally waiting for this to start :) Thanks always for your hard work. I'm getting ready to start my first ever writing project. So I'm following your steps ... who knew I was an outliner, surprised the heck out of me. So hopefully I can get it all prepped and ready to start writing for November 1 :)
Thanks Kate and Abbie - I am writing a Crime novel. I got to 20k words, and then literally 'lost the plot' (partly due to a delay when I was selling my business). So pantsing is not for me - in particular an outline seems essential to a Crime novel I think. I have started writing a brain dump, expanding and changing my main character, and now an outline. So I will watch the link now. I have a goal of 300 words per day minimum - which I am also applying to this part of the process. Love the process!
This is my first year trying to do Nano, so I am very excited!! I’m still developing a lot of the details, but so far, I am planning to write a possibly steampunky, action fantasy about three people: a royal, a street rat, and a pirate who have been tasked to hunt down the last child of a corrupt god of the sea. Now that I’m writing that down it seems like a lot to process, but the gears are turning!
Thank you Abbie and Katie! I'm excited for NaNoWriMo 👩💻 I'm writing a YA dystopian novel. I'm a planster, I have to outline but not outline everything. I can't wait to discover the rest. So looking forward to sharing this story to the world.
I love this video!! I'm planning on working on a Christmas novel during NaNoWriMo. And I'm very excited about it because I am known for writing fantasy and murder mysteries stories. But I always love the Christmas genre with books, tv or movies so I am very extremely excited to work on it during NaNoWriMo this year!!!!
Definitely taking part in NaNo this year. I didn't even make 25,000 last year, but I think I stand a chance this time! I've got my daily word count goals figured out according to my schedule, and I'm ready to win! After I figure out how in the world my new plotting method will help me write consistently. (the one bad thing about being a pantser who wants to follow a plot....)
For anyone struggling to come up a compelling story premise, just go watch anime. I am serious, it works out well for me. Pretty much every single weird, wacky snd off the wall story premise has been done by an anime at some point, which is why i love it so much Ome example was an older anime called Deadman Wonderland, which is about a place that is both a prison and an amusement park, where the inmates are treated like circus animals for public entertainment, where the protagonist is sent after after being falsely accused of murdering his entire class, who then develops blood-based superpowers Another example is one called Angel Beats, which takes place in a high school in the afterlife where the protagonist joins a rebel battle squad thst fights against God's (yes, that one christian god from the bible) right hand angel who is an anime girl with angel wings, who is the antagonist of the series. It features quite a bit of christian symbolism all throughout
Hello all :) For any Storytellers seeking truth - based EXPIERENCE : There is no "Writer's Block" . - Unless you block Eternity out.. then you're limited. But baby you're Limit Edition 💎!! * We as Creation only struggle, if we don't collaborate with our CREATOR. " Creation can't create." .. #AskAbbie she's christian too. Receiving creativity , means for me as a writer all credits, goes to tHE Author & Finisher Jesus Christ ! " Let Heaven in your heart and, if called , endless ideas will come *down* to you " * As much as i love certain aspects of Anime, Anime is #demonic it's #satanic . And , as your own statement just casually _testifys_ it's brutally #blasphemous ! ✝️✋🏻Oh yes it's brutal as well. Let alone be our lil demon posessed boi Naruto :( . * And if it's Hell & demons , that is "fire" to you? Here's your Writer - Reminder : The Devil can't create. Only fake. Now, Who wants to be an original writer. #TeamJesus
You’ve reminded to start planning. I’m doing a friendship book. About friends whose lives have changed. It’s tragic and heartwarming or at least I hope it is but I can’t wait to work on it
Thank you for acknowledging that everyone has a different process and different ways of telling their stories and creating their WIP. And that what works for you may change due to seasons of life, experience, and even different types of projects. So many coaches try to sell a system or process that is the superior, best, only way to write.
Ughhh that’s so helpful! Thank you! Last year I wrote a fic novel with no problem - this year I’ve had such a harder time and I never knew why the experience has been so different. Watching this, I realize it’s because I switched my process to what I saw other writers doing. Abbie, my writing process was definitely the “take some steps, then light the way, take a few more steps, light the way again” and it 100000% made me more excited to write and be present w the characters. This year I’ve tried to be “better” by drafting things and outlining heavier, planning ahead all the details, and that on top of not having as much time to write in general has held me back waaaaay more. When it comes time to write, I feel unmotivated as you said! Because it feels like I’ve already written it out and then it becomes homework to have to write it eloquently lol. I can now put a name to what I’ve been experiencing this year. I think this is a sign I should just publish that Chapter 1 draft I’ve had ready FOREVERRR (I haven’t published because I felt like I needed my entire story detailed out first). Then, I’ll grab my flashlight and light the way and see where it takes me 🤭
This is my second time, and I'm working on a novel while balancing with school (had a broken leg last year). I'm writing a Gothic romance centering about a mistreated orphan who's new to the upper class and an enigmatic new money guy, having gotten the idea in August shortly after reading Rebecca for the third consecutive summer. So excited!
This comment is a little late, but thank you guys for the encouragement. I've been "possessed" by the same story for over 3 years now and I've been writing it on and off. Lately I've been busy and have little free time, but I really want to do NaNoWriMo this year and I'm willing to rearrange my schedule to fit my writing in. 🤞🤞It's easy to get discouraged, but storytelling is my passion and I gotta start treating it that way.
I’m a weird writer. I can never plan a book out I just start writing scenes I really want to before anything else. My story is set in a Greek inspired world where my charcter, she is pretending to be a dude in place of her twin brother who died and it’s an extremely slow burn romance with the army’s general. It also goes into the whole history of the nation and it’s rather “hostile” neighbors. It’s legit fun for me to write. I hope I can finish it
This year I've been trying to push myself and I've never finished anything and I really want to do NaNoWrMo, I'm going to try to do a straightforward story. My usual favorites are large, battle-filled, political intrigue stories but I get overwhelmed too. So going to do basic and straightforward. I might even take the complicated story I'm writing right now and try to cut it to it's bare bones and finish it that way.
I'm a solid plontser. If I don't have a good outline, I'll just ramble and write a boring story with fun characters. So, I make a fairly detailed outline, and I pants like crazy. Revise the outline, pants some more. Then when I'm finished with the first draft, I know my characters and the story well enough to start writing. I'm on draft 3.5. Revising the outline again. It's a really long process, and I'm tired of it, but the story is turning into something amazing. I'm learning a lot about my process with this book. I'm hoping the second book will be a bit more efficient, and I can streamline my process with every new project.
Thank you for the motivation and inspiration! I've been following you channel for a few months now and I can't wait to get my first full novel drafted. I'm mostly a pantser but I do plot in detail the world, environment, ongoing threads in the world - everything from daily meals to religious beliefs and organizations. I also write down the characters in a detailed way before writing. Immersing myself in the novel's world is the best way for me to get started and motivated! Hopefully I'll get a long way into my sci-fi thriller project during this next Nanowrimo.
Wow wholesome 🙊💕 How it makes my heart so complete to see this two sweet - gifted Sisters, sitting " on each other's Side". With such Appreciation for one another's Treasure thoughts.💖 And then almost as a statemant for having each's back, your Books in the Background. :) " Together We're stronger " Abbie & Kate you're the most precious message to this World.
I’m writing a murder mystery, my first novel. I’ve had the idea for a few years and have pages of scribbled notes. My problem is stitching the scenes together so the story makes sense. I see scenes in my head, like movies, so I started writing scene cards, then I can put them in order. We’ll see how that goes! Thanks for your videos!
"The process should work for you. You shouldn't work for the process." I would say, you should put that on a t-shirt, but i know how you feel about the fast fashion industry, so instead I'll just make sure to give you credit every time I quote it 😉
I am wiritng a new story called The Enemy Of My love. I think it's going to be great. I just finished writing my novel of I'm Glad I Lived and I'm just going through the editing process right now but I can't wait until its perfect me and my soul. I'm thinking about getting it published this year because I feel like others around me need to hear my story. I love you abbie, you rock!
being honest writing advice videos are often unhelpful for me, either because they all say the same or that they just don’t work, but this one was so good, and refreshing! ty, I feel a little bit more prepared for nanowrimo now
Thank you ladies! This was incredibly helpful. I'm very thankful that you are who I have come across first. I've only just decided within the last month that my next path is down the path of learning what it's like to be an author by starting with telling my own story through leadership and entrepreneurship. I'm not so sure that writing fiction books after this non-fiction book isn't where my authentic heart has been leading me all along. 😊
I just start writing regardless with whatever idea is in my head at that time. Once I have a few thousand words, then I go back and figure out where I was going. I find that some aspect of my mind wants to go somewhere and until I start writing, I don't know where that is. After that, the rest of my mind catches up and says oh, ok, that is where we are going. I repeat this almost daily. If you wait for your editor to start writing, the editor's best piece of work is a blank page. On the grand scale, I know I am headed towards a particular place at the end of the book, but I don't know yet how the characters will get there, and in some cases if they will get there.
I'm hoping to finish out my fanficition piece "Heralds of Primus" but I also know me and my plot bunnies..... I'll see if 50k words is enough to wrap up all the subplots and the main plot. Here's to hoping my beloved readers don't give me extra ideas over the course of November, even if they're like extra sweet energon cookies that I can't resist.
Thank you for this! I have an amazing idea for my first novel but have been procrastinating for a few months to properly plan it and start writing it, life had got in the way quite a lot, but this is the video I needed. It relit the spark within me and the enthusiasm for this story idea and writing in general again. Bring on preptober!! :)
I'm working on a trilogy. I wrote the first book with some friends back in 2011 when we were teenagers and it's always held a special place in my heart. I've always wanted to fix it up and publish it. So I've been editing it for several years now and it's close to being ready. And now I'm working on the sequel, which has become so involved and complex that I will probably need to expand it into two books 😂 So in November I'm going to do my best to write as much of book 2 as I can (without pressure to finish it, cuz I lose motivation when under pressure lol)
Thank you! Perfect timing as I just finished reading Story Genius and have been feeling overwhelmed. Great book and learned a ton, but it also put me too much in my head and I've been feeling uninspired about writing my next book. But after watching this, I'm motivated again to just get started, and incorporate what I've learned in a way that works best for me :) xoxo
Good call out on Writer needing to enjoy writing the story. I’ve heard other authors and teachers say that movies and novels should be agents of energy transference. So you have to generate the energy in the telling of the things in order for it to transfer through to the audience. Music is the same way.
I found this video so inspiring and motivating for NaNo. I immediately subscribed to your channel, can't wait to explore!! Thanks so much for your time!❤
thank you for this wonderful video! very inspiring, as always! 🥰 I'm in the middle of planning my new story & your nanowrimo prep came at the perfect time!
amazing amazing video!!! exactly the kind of advice and musings i needed to hear, thanks yall! also love how amazing yall listen to one another, feeling inspired!
Abbie and Kate - on the case for Preptober. I wasn’t sure you guys would do it this year. 😮 I’ve never participated in NaNo but kinda want to try this year. It depends on how much I can prep since I’m still learning craft. If I can get a solid enough outline to help me produce a decent first draft to edit, maybe I’ll give it a shot. It’s so awesome to feel the community start to get excited for next month! I’m starting to feel like one of the Tribe. Thanks for all you guys do!
I finished NaNoPrep 101 and now I'm going back and expanding the points in my cat beats into individual pages. I'm finding more of the story as I go. I only needed three of the six weeks, since I already have a story and a place to write it, and if I wanted to talk to people I wouldn't be sitting at home writing a novel. I didn't get anything done yesterday because my copy of 100DOSL arrived and I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. And now I need the Christmas book. Darn you! This will be my first NaNoWriMo. An orphan girl is the only one who can save the kingdom from a goblin uprising. The quest to find a new home nearly gets her killed, but I'm sure she'll never forget her travels.
Abbie and Kate, thank you so much for this incredible inspiration and for sharing your knowledge! This video was so helpful and encouraging as I work through my own writing endeavors. I am so excited to hear you are working on a co-author series and can't wait to read and learn more! Would love to hear more about that process and other tips you may have on co-writing with someone! I am writing a series with a friend of mine and hearing your insight on this would be so helpful as we continue our story as well! Thanks so much and can't wait to see all you have in store! 🤍
I abandoned writing a while ago and now I'm even participating in writing contest. thank you very much for the spark. Abbie, all your videos are really inspiring and motivational. please, keep going. I also wanted to ask, how are we gonna decide our first sentence? I mean, we have to capture our audience in the first step and it seems hard. thanks for any tips.
I am an artist who has transitioned to digital artistry. I have also been experimenting with AI art which I have found completely fascinating! (Don’t worry, getting to the point soon,lol). In AI, you can use the prompt from someone else’s art to see what happens. For me, it is rarely the same and doesn’t come very close to the first image (hold on, getting there 😁). Then I came across one that came very close to the original; different, but somewhat close. I was thrilled with it! I use Midjourney and it generates one image with 4 smaller images I call a ’quad’ each one different, but using the same prompt. Okay. This prompt was of an attractive woman sitting in the throne room of a Gothic castle with a Baroque vibe
I plan to continue my work from last summer's Camp Nano. Life got in the way of writing a little over the past two months so hoping to catch up a bit this November. One of my yearly goals was to finish a first draft of one of my projects, and while I may not quite make it, best to give it a token effort. The project is a cyberpunk action adventure/ thriller sort of...thing. Planning a trilogy, but for now I'm gonna focus on book 1. May commission some artwork for it....
Abbie, I bought your book The Other World but, I am afraid to read it because I know that it will break me. You are a beautiful soul and you have my heart with your writing. I have your first book too.
I know this is an old podcast but thank you lol I was hating my project because I was doing scene cards and felt I had to for the cause effect thing I had much more fun with it once I scrapped it and did chapter outlines instead
i have a question for the general public: how do we feel about a story where the misbelief/fatal flaw ISNT recognized at the end of the journey? by this i mean, the character’s misbelief (fear vs. desire) continues to be conflicting throughout the story, however it only gets worse. there’s a turning point where, usually they would realize their shortcomings and turn over a new leaf. but what if the turning point is instead where they decide to fully lean into their misbelief-and it’s never resolved at the end of the book? maybe the main character dies without ever getting past the misbelief? maybe they become evil/bitter/cynical and don’t get the redemption arc. thoughts from my fellow writers and readers? bc that’s the direction i’m leaning with my story. the devastating moment solidifies his misbelief and he never recovers from it (ends up dying). is that an unsatisfactory ending in a good or bad way?
Personally, if I was rooting for the character, I would hate for them to either die or not have that growth or 'happy' ending. But sometimes it works, like in a lot of kdramas there is no happy ending for the hero. You do you 😊
This was so helpful, thank you! I’m wondering if I should try out Nanowrimo this year since my friend asked me to, and I am trying to write an outline for a book so I will be prepared, but it isn’t quite going to plan.😅
I am in the process of heavy research so I can get stuff ready for Nov. I have to talk to the USCG to get some information from them. Also talking to some psychologists about certain phobias and some of the ways that they can break. This all is going into my current project, but kinda turning the #Preptober into. I am probably going to need a good chunk when it comes to the Coast Guard.
@@BreezyRenee333 Did you find a writers group? I just did, looked on the web (NOT NECESSARILY FACEBOOK ) my local, writers group, or guild etc. Found the Space Coast Writer's Guild. They meet monthly, costs $40 annually, and network a lot. They have guest speakers. Sounds like most groups have a diverse membership of people wanting to write, have started, already published, and the successful writers. Hope this helps. C
I’ve already prepped my story a few months ago and am ready for November. I’m going to work on a series, hopefully, called Grace Undercover a Christian Mystery series
Amazing video. I wonder if you could do a screen video of what your project first looks like in Scrivener? As in, how much do you have when you first start the project, what do you name it, how you start pulling ideas together. I get stuck having to name the project when I don't know what the book will be yet (thank you, AuDHD executive function).
This year I am going to do nanowrimo for the first time. You inspired me so much abbie. Abbie please can you tell me how old were you when you did it for the first time?
After 3 years of hesitation...I am finally putting my foot down and committing myself to write a legitimate novel.
Abbie you are definitely a great inspiration and a motivator
Woow you're doing Amazing! :) And while that, i'm committing myself into Prayer for your work.💖 If that is what you shall do it's already done!
* 6 years - myself. And i didn't even had half of a foot into Writing. It is possible. The Time is NOW. if *@you* are reading this, it's not Too Late. :)
You got this!!
@@jesus1stmylawislove❤ Thanks for This 🌝
Same
We’re so proud of you! You got this!!! 💕
Abbie is always the go-to channel when you’re in the writing mood. Thank you Abbie! We all appreciate your work so much! ❤️
After two years of watching others do Preptober and #NaNoWriMo
I am finally taking part this year. Bring it on baby!
I already started working on my first novel I ACTUALLY (hopefully) will finish, and didn't even think about NaNoWriMo! I think now I will spend most of this month planning and then see how much I can actually get done in November. It is a Star Wars fan-fic set in the future (40 some yrs after the First Order is destroyed) about a very small group of rebels who are slowly building allies to defeat the newest evil force, The Supremacy. They build a sort of training base/academy to teach the next generation to fight, where my protagonist ends up after her uncle (only living relative) dies. Little does she know she will save everyone from certain doom alongside her friends. It will take inspiration from (obviously) Star Wars and even Pride and Prejudice. It includes one of my fave tropes; a rebellion, (which comes from my love of the Hunger Games; which I may make a Fan-fic of eventually). Anyways thanks for the inspiration Abbie and Kate!
I haven't written a story in 10 years but I'm 117 pages into one now and I have Abbie to thank for helping me push through some of my ruts during this process and keeping me encouraged and inspired. I don't know if I will finish my story or not but it has been the most cathartic and exciting experience I've had in such a long time. Like Abbie said, I go to bed excited like a kid just waiting for when I can write in the morning 😅
I’m a huge plotter and the story flows much easier for me the more I write it out.
Same! I realized how much I really do have to prep in order to not get stuck as all hell. I get soooo stuck otherwise and eventually plot more than write in NaNo.
I'm the opposite. I write a plan, then when I actually start, I go haywire and not even follow the plan
I haven't done NaNoWriMo since I was in high school, but this year I'll be doing it and I'm nervous, but I'm excited! And now, watching this video, I feel the enthusiasm taking hold! Thank you Abbie and Kate!!
I finally completed my first draft. I suppose I'll be revising through NaNoWriMo. I am not on any particular schedule and what I have now I think is good in the beginning, OK in the end, and really a mess in the middle. But I got through it to this point. Excited now to see how much more I can improve it. Thank you for all the free advice you dispense here. It has really helped me!
Very excited for Nov 1st, first time doing this and good luck to everyone next month!
Great video, and it's comforting to know that everyone can have their own planning process and there's no single "right way." I'm 100% a plotter over here, and the reason I am confident I will actually "win" my first NaNoWriMo challenge.
I feel so good about my outlining process now! I’d tried outlining meticulously, but, like Katie said, it made me lose my passion for the project. For NaNoWriMo this year, I’ve found a median method I think really works: one sentence on each part of the three act story structure so I know what’s happeningwithout losing the fire :)
Love you ladies
I have that same issue where sometimes creating too detailed of an outline makes me feel like I've already written the story so when I sit down to do the actual writing, I don't enjoy the process as much. I try to save my outlining for revisions so that I'm already immersed in the story world and attached to my characters so when it feels like "work," I don't mind as much.
Oh my gosh this is literally so convenient!!! September 30th I JUST started writing down my basic ideas for my novel I wanted to start working on, and I completely forgot about NaNoWriMo!!! Definitely gonna use all of this October to plan because I have multiple directions and ideas that this story could go, but I'm super excited to write it! If anyone is curious, my basic idea so far is about a character I've had for a long time named Hark. He works for this organization similar to the FBI, but set in my fantasy world, and it tasked with the biggest mission of his life, to go to the normal human world and retrieve information from this woman who supposedly has knowledge that could destroy his whole kingdom. It's mostly a mystery, but ofc also has some romance (wholesome). I'm literally so excited to write this because Hark has been a character for a long time but this is sort of his backstory and I think its gonna be super fun to dive into what makes him, him. Thank you so much for this video Abbie and Kate!!! It gave me the inspiration to get started on prepping!!!!! TLDR; Very excited to plot my novel, this video came at perfect timing ;)
Hey Abbie! I just watched your video on how to prepare to write a novel for NaNoWriMo 2023, and it was incredibly helpful. I've been wanting to participate in NaNoWriMo for a while now, but I never knew where to start. Your tips on setting goals, creating an outline, and developing characters really resonated with me. I also appreciate the emphasis on self-care and finding a writing community. Your videos always inspire me to get into the writing mood, and I can't thank you enough for all the valuable content you share. Looking forward to diving deeper into outlining and checking out your new book. Keep up the amazing work! ❤️✨📚
Alright... after swimming in the wonderlake of poetry I am finally flirting with novel writing - along this challenge of NaNoWriMo. My process is already begann, I am planning my own plot, with a heavy weighted pyschothriller to embracing the spooky season at its core.
I am a little nervous to share this. I am hopefully going to start, and finish, a novel I have thought about for sometime now. I've had the idea for years. It's basically a New Adult novel about twins coming of age in a supernatural fantasy world. I got most of it worked out. However, still got some more ground work to do. If I want to be ready for Nanowrimo.
Abbie's kimono jacket. 😍 So pretty!
This posted at the perfect time because this morning I have been completely overwhelmed trying to figure out how to prepare my story. This is my first NaNoWriMo and I am very excited also very nervous but I’m going to try my best. 😀
Goodluck. I believe in you ❤
I have followed y'all's writing content for a few years now. I would love an episode where you discuss your favorite books/ authors and why. I'm sure that there's insight in why you love those books!
I’m doing a story based on Hocus Pocus Descendants of the Sanderson’s. It’s a cross between Hocus Pocus and the movie Penelope. Sarah was always jealous of her twin sister Liz and before Sarah died she cursed her sister future descendants with a curse. The twin protagonist of my story are similar to Sarah and Liz so they tend to argue a lot. It doesn’t help when their parents play favorites.
I love how at 11:20 Kate's hand just organically found itself in the shaka position... so on brand 😄💜
Omg
I've decided to do a 60 Day Challenge - where from October 1st to the end of NaNo, I'll be doing something writing related everyday. Plotting, planning, drafting, editing, all of that counts.
These videos really help get me in the mood for writing when I’m struggling to get past the old mental block. The positivity is simply infectious. Keep up the good work, ladies.
I've never done NaNoWriMo before, and I'm trying to get everything I can ready for it - this came at the perfect time! I'm not a natural plotter, so this is the most challenging aspect for me. I'll actually be vlogging my progress as I go through the month, as I find it a great way of keeping me accountable and on track. Great video!
I've already begun prepping for my fifth Nano, (never won one yet though... lol) and this year I truly do feel the most prepared and excited and determined! Funny thing is, I just started a new job at as a PCA in a hospital, and I'll be working lots of 12 hour shifts every week, so it's ironic how I am the most ready for Nanowrimo this year yet it's gonna be the hardest year yet for me to try to find time to actually write haha! Love your advice Abbie, I was just watching other videos of yours today as I was working on my outline!
My preptober is making time to write in November. Deep clean the house so I can coast through on cleaning through November. Plan a month of meals that are fast or make good leftovers. Get a few important things done from my to-do list. Major unfollow spree on twitter so I don't get sucked into reading articles and twitter threads when I should be writing. And this is controversial, but I actually start writing the last week or so of October so my body is getting used to sitting and writing for increasingly long amounts of time (but still making sure I get 50k in November).
Good luck to everyone participating this year!
I’ve been working on an idea since I was 14; I turned 18 just three days ago, and I am not giving up!! 172 pages and counting….
Wow that is amazing! Keep it up 😊
So looking forward to this. I was literally waiting for this to start :) Thanks always for your hard work. I'm getting ready to start my first ever writing project. So I'm following your steps ... who knew I was an outliner, surprised the heck out of me. So hopefully I can get it all prepped and ready to start writing for November 1 :)
I’ve had two book ideas for years just sitting around, this is the year I finally get at least one of them halfway or completely done
Yes, this is it...Procrastination no more-Thanks for being the inspiration, Abbie🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thanks Kate and Abbie - I am writing a Crime novel. I got to 20k words, and then literally 'lost the plot' (partly due to a delay when I was selling my business). So pantsing is not for me - in particular an outline seems essential to a Crime novel I think. I have started writing a brain dump, expanding and changing my main character, and now an outline. So I will watch the link now. I have a goal of 300 words per day minimum - which I am also applying to this part of the process. Love the process!
Wow, I'm lucky if I write a line / paragraph a day! You rock !
This is my first year trying to do Nano, so I am very excited!! I’m still developing a lot of the details, but so far, I am planning to write a possibly steampunky, action fantasy about three people: a royal, a street rat, and a pirate who have been tasked to hunt down the last child of a corrupt god of the sea. Now that I’m writing that down it seems like a lot to process, but the gears are turning!
Oh, that sounds intriguing 🤔 ❤
Abby, will you still be doing immersive writing sessions? I love those!
Thank you Abbie and Katie! I'm excited for NaNoWriMo 👩💻 I'm writing a YA dystopian novel. I'm a planster, I have to outline but not outline everything. I can't wait to discover the rest. So looking forward to sharing this story to the world.
I love this video!! I'm planning on working on a Christmas novel during NaNoWriMo. And I'm very excited about it because I am known for writing fantasy and murder mysteries stories. But I always love the Christmas genre with books, tv or movies so I am very extremely excited to work on it during NaNoWriMo this year!!!!
Definitely taking part in NaNo this year. I didn't even make 25,000 last year, but I think I stand a chance this time! I've got my daily word count goals figured out according to my schedule, and I'm ready to win! After I figure out how in the world my new plotting method will help me write consistently. (the one bad thing about being a pantser who wants to follow a plot....)
For anyone struggling to come up a compelling story premise, just go watch anime. I am serious, it works out well for me. Pretty much every single weird, wacky snd off the wall story premise has been done by an anime at some point, which is why i love it so much
Ome example was an older anime called Deadman Wonderland, which is about a place that is both a prison and an amusement park, where the inmates are treated like circus animals for public entertainment, where the protagonist is sent after after being falsely accused of murdering his entire class, who then develops blood-based superpowers
Another example is one called Angel Beats, which takes place in a high school in the afterlife where the protagonist joins a rebel battle squad thst fights against God's (yes, that one christian god from the bible) right hand angel who is an anime girl with angel wings, who is the antagonist of the series. It features quite a bit of christian symbolism all throughout
Hello all :)
For any Storytellers seeking truth - based EXPIERENCE : There is no "Writer's Block" .
- Unless you block Eternity out.. then you're limited. But baby you're Limit Edition 💎!!
* We as Creation only struggle, if we don't collaborate with our CREATOR. " Creation can't create." ..
#AskAbbie she's christian too. Receiving creativity , means for me as a writer all credits, goes to tHE Author & Finisher Jesus Christ !
" Let Heaven in your heart and, if called , endless ideas will come *down* to you "
* As much as i love certain aspects of Anime, Anime is #demonic it's #satanic . And , as your own statement just casually _testifys_ it's brutally #blasphemous ! ✝️✋🏻Oh yes it's brutal as well. Let alone be our lil demon posessed boi Naruto :( .
* And if it's Hell & demons , that is "fire" to you? Here's your Writer - Reminder : The Devil can't create. Only fake.
Now,
Who wants to be an original writer. #TeamJesus
You’ve reminded to start planning. I’m doing a friendship book. About friends whose lives have changed. It’s tragic and heartwarming or at least I hope it is but I can’t wait to work on it
Thank you for acknowledging that everyone has a different process and different ways of telling their stories and creating their WIP. And that what works for you may change due to seasons of life, experience, and even different types of projects. So many coaches try to sell a system or process that is the superior, best, only way to write.
Ughhh that’s so helpful! Thank you! Last year I wrote a fic novel with no problem - this year I’ve had such a harder time and I never knew why the experience has been so different. Watching this, I realize it’s because I switched my process to what I saw other writers doing. Abbie, my writing process was definitely the “take some steps, then light the way, take a few more steps, light the way again” and it 100000% made me more excited to write and be present w the characters. This year I’ve tried to be “better” by drafting things and outlining heavier, planning ahead all the details, and that on top of not having as much time to write in general has held me back waaaaay more. When it comes time to write, I feel unmotivated as you said! Because it feels like I’ve already written it out and then it becomes homework to have to write it eloquently lol. I can now put a name to what I’ve been experiencing this year. I think this is a sign I should just publish that Chapter 1 draft I’ve had ready FOREVERRR (I haven’t published because I felt like I needed my entire story detailed out first). Then, I’ll grab my flashlight and light the way and see where it takes me 🤭
This is my second time, and I'm working on a novel while balancing with school (had a broken leg last year). I'm writing a Gothic romance centering about a mistreated orphan who's new to the upper class and an enigmatic new money guy, having gotten the idea in August shortly after reading Rebecca for the third consecutive summer. So excited!
This comment is a little late, but thank you guys for the encouragement.
I've been "possessed" by the same story for over 3 years now and I've been writing it on and off. Lately I've been busy and have little free time, but I really want to do NaNoWriMo this year and I'm willing to rearrange my schedule to fit my writing in. 🤞🤞It's easy to get discouraged, but storytelling is my passion and I gotta start treating it that way.
I’m a weird writer. I can never plan a book out
I just start writing scenes I really want to before anything else. My story is set in a Greek inspired world where my charcter, she is pretending to be a dude in place of her twin brother who died and it’s an extremely slow burn romance with the army’s general. It also goes into the whole history of the nation and it’s rather “hostile” neighbors. It’s legit fun for me to write. I hope I can finish it
This year I've been trying to push myself and I've never finished anything and I really want to do NaNoWrMo, I'm going to try to do a straightforward story. My usual favorites are large, battle-filled, political intrigue stories but I get overwhelmed too. So going to do basic and straightforward. I might even take the complicated story I'm writing right now and try to cut it to it's bare bones and finish it that way.
I'm a solid plontser. If I don't have a good outline, I'll just ramble and write a boring story with fun characters. So, I make a fairly detailed outline, and I pants like crazy. Revise the outline, pants some more. Then when I'm finished with the first draft, I know my characters and the story well enough to start writing. I'm on draft 3.5. Revising the outline again. It's a really long process, and I'm tired of it, but the story is turning into something amazing. I'm learning a lot about my process with this book. I'm hoping the second book will be a bit more efficient, and I can streamline my process with every new project.
Thank you for the motivation and inspiration! I've been following you channel for a few months now and I can't wait to get my first full novel drafted. I'm mostly a pantser but I do plot in detail the world, environment, ongoing threads in the world - everything from daily meals to religious beliefs and organizations. I also write down the characters in a detailed way before writing. Immersing myself in the novel's world is the best way for me to get started and motivated! Hopefully I'll get a long way into my sci-fi thriller project during this next Nanowrimo.
Wow wholesome 🙊💕 How it makes my heart so complete to see this two sweet - gifted Sisters, sitting " on each other's Side".
With such Appreciation for one another's Treasure thoughts.💖 And then almost as a statemant for having each's back, your Books in the Background. :)
" Together We're stronger " Abbie & Kate you're the most precious message to this World.
I’m writing a murder mystery, my first novel. I’ve had the idea for a few years and have pages of scribbled notes. My problem is stitching the scenes together so the story makes sense. I see scenes in my head, like movies, so I started writing scene cards, then I can put them in order. We’ll see how that goes! Thanks for your videos!
That's a great idea! 👍
"The process should work for you. You shouldn't work for the process." I would say, you should put that on a t-shirt, but i know how you feel about the fast fashion industry, so instead I'll just make sure to give you credit every time I quote it 😉
I am wiritng a new story called The Enemy Of My love. I think it's going to be great. I just finished writing my novel of I'm Glad I Lived and I'm just going through the editing process right now but I can't wait until its perfect me and my soul. I'm thinking about getting it published this year because I feel like others around me need to hear my story. I love you abbie, you rock!
Hi I love your videos Abbie ❤ you have helped me so much
Great video! Can’t wait for #NaNoWriMo!
being honest writing advice videos are often unhelpful for me, either because they all say the same or that they just don’t work, but this one was so good, and refreshing! ty, I feel a little bit more prepared for nanowrimo now
Affirmation. My Creative essence and Writing Potential is unlimited.
Finally, after hours of searching UA-cam about a book on Preptober, I discover one of my favorite writers posts a podcast on that theme.
Thank you ladies! This was incredibly helpful. I'm very thankful that you are who I have come across first. I've only just decided within the last month that my next path is down the path of learning what it's like to be an author by starting with telling my own story through leadership and entrepreneurship. I'm not so sure that writing fiction books after this non-fiction book isn't where my authentic heart has been leading me all along. 😊
I just start writing regardless with whatever idea is in my head at that time. Once I have a few thousand words, then I go back and figure out where I was going. I find that some aspect of my mind wants to go somewhere and until I start writing, I don't know where that is. After that, the rest of my mind catches up and says oh, ok, that is where we are going. I repeat this almost daily. If you wait for your editor to start writing, the editor's best piece of work is a blank page. On the grand scale, I know I am headed towards a particular place at the end of the book, but I don't know yet how the characters will get there, and in some cases if they will get there.
I'm hoping to finish out my fanficition piece "Heralds of Primus" but I also know me and my plot bunnies.....
I'll see if 50k words is enough to wrap up all the subplots and the main plot. Here's to hoping my beloved readers don't give me extra ideas over the course of November, even if they're like extra sweet energon cookies that I can't resist.
Thank you for this! I have an amazing idea for my first novel but have been procrastinating for a few months to properly plan it and start writing it, life had got in the way quite a lot, but this is the video I needed. It relit the spark within me and the enthusiasm for this story idea and writing in general again. Bring on preptober!! :)
I'm working on a trilogy. I wrote the first book with some friends back in 2011 when we were teenagers and it's always held a special place in my heart. I've always wanted to fix it up and publish it. So I've been editing it for several years now and it's close to being ready. And now I'm working on the sequel, which has become so involved and complex that I will probably need to expand it into two books 😂 So in November I'm going to do my best to write as much of book 2 as I can (without pressure to finish it, cuz I lose motivation when under pressure lol)
Thank you! Perfect timing as I just finished reading Story Genius and have been feeling overwhelmed. Great book and learned a ton, but it also put me too much in my head and I've been feeling uninspired about writing my next book. But after watching this, I'm motivated again to just get started, and incorporate what I've learned in a way that works best for me :) xoxo
Good call out on Writer needing to enjoy writing the story. I’ve heard other authors and teachers say that movies and novels should be agents of energy transference.
So you have to generate the energy in the telling of the things in order for it to transfer through to the audience. Music is the same way.
I found this video so inspiring and motivating for NaNo. I immediately subscribed to your channel, can't wait to explore!! Thanks so much for your time!❤
thank you for this wonderful video! very inspiring, as always! 🥰 I'm in the middle of planning my new story & your nanowrimo prep came at the perfect time!
amazing amazing video!!! exactly the kind of advice and musings i needed to hear, thanks yall!
also love how amazing yall listen to one another, feeling inspired!
Abbie and Kate - on the case for Preptober. I wasn’t sure you guys would do it this year. 😮
I’ve never participated in NaNo but kinda want to try this year. It depends on how much I can prep since I’m still learning craft.
If I can get a solid enough outline to help me produce a decent first draft to edit, maybe I’ll give it a shot.
It’s so awesome to feel the community start to get excited for next month! I’m starting to feel like one of the Tribe.
Thanks for all you guys do!
I finished NaNoPrep 101 and now I'm going back and expanding the points in my cat beats into individual pages. I'm finding more of the story as I go.
I only needed three of the six weeks, since I already have a story and a place to write it, and if I wanted to talk to people I wouldn't be sitting at home writing a novel.
I didn't get anything done yesterday because my copy of 100DOSL arrived and I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. And now I need the Christmas book. Darn you!
This will be my first NaNoWriMo. An orphan girl is the only one who can save the kingdom from a goblin uprising. The quest to find a new home nearly gets her killed, but I'm sure she'll never forget her travels.
So, this is going to be my first NaNo and I'm sooo excited! I'm goinig to write the second book to my thriller duology
Abbie and Kate, thank you so much for this incredible inspiration and for sharing your knowledge! This video was so helpful and encouraging as I work through my own writing endeavors. I am so excited to hear you are working on a co-author series and can't wait to read and learn more! Would love to hear more about that process and other tips you may have on co-writing with someone! I am writing a series with a friend of mine and hearing your insight on this would be so helpful as we continue our story as well! Thanks so much and can't wait to see all you have in store! 🤍
I abandoned writing a while ago and now I'm even participating in writing contest. thank you very much for the spark.
Abbie, all your videos are really inspiring and motivational. please, keep going.
I also wanted to ask, how are we gonna decide our first sentence? I mean, we have to capture our audience in the first step and it seems hard.
thanks for any tips.
She has a video on creating a great opening hook if that helps!
Oh my goodness Abbie! I just finished The Otherworld and it was magical! I have to get friends and family to read it now.
So excited for this video
This will be my first Nanowrimo and these videoes are super helpful, so thank you for making them.
So many preptober videos to watch and I wouldn't hesitate to see Abbies!! ^__^
I am an artist who has transitioned to digital artistry. I have also been experimenting with AI art which I have found completely fascinating! (Don’t worry, getting to the point soon,lol). In AI, you can use the prompt from someone else’s art to see what happens. For me, it is rarely the same and doesn’t come very close to the first image (hold on, getting there 😁).
Then I came across one that came very close to the original; different, but somewhat close. I was thrilled with it! I use Midjourney and it generates one image with 4 smaller images I call a ’quad’ each one different, but using the same prompt.
Okay. This prompt was of an attractive woman sitting in the throne room of a Gothic castle with a Baroque vibe
I plan to continue my work from last summer's Camp Nano. Life got in the way of writing a little over the past two months so hoping to catch up a bit this November. One of my yearly goals was to finish a first draft of one of my projects, and while I may not quite make it, best to give it a token effort.
The project is a cyberpunk action adventure/ thriller sort of...thing. Planning a trilogy, but for now I'm gonna focus on book 1. May commission some artwork for it....
Thanks Kate and Abbie for the great advice both of you give!👍
I am also writing a novel in November. I started outline the story today
Just getting ready to write a ton of short stories this and next month, before really putting the hammer down on the novel.
I'm so excited! This will be my first NaNoWriMo!
Good luck!
Abbie, I bought your book The Other World but, I am afraid to read it because I know that it will break me. You are a beautiful soul and you have my heart with your writing. I have your first book too.
I know this is an old podcast but thank you lol I was hating my project because I was doing scene cards and felt I had to for the cause effect thing I had much more fun with it once I scrapped it and did chapter outlines instead
Endeavoring into my first memoir. Thanks for the preparation inspiration.
i have a question for the general public: how do we feel about a story where the misbelief/fatal flaw ISNT recognized at the end of the journey? by this i mean, the character’s misbelief (fear vs. desire) continues to be conflicting throughout the story, however it only gets worse. there’s a turning point where, usually they would realize their shortcomings and turn over a new leaf. but what if the turning point is instead where they decide to fully lean into their misbelief-and it’s never resolved at the end of the book? maybe the main character dies without ever getting past the misbelief? maybe they become evil/bitter/cynical and don’t get the redemption arc. thoughts from my fellow writers and readers? bc that’s the direction i’m leaning with my story. the devastating moment solidifies his misbelief and he never recovers from it (ends up dying). is that an unsatisfactory ending in a good or bad way?
Personally, if I was rooting for the character, I would hate for them to either die or not have that growth or 'happy' ending. But sometimes it works, like in a lot of kdramas there is no happy ending for the hero. You do you 😊
This was so helpful, thank you! I’m wondering if I should try out Nanowrimo this year since my friend asked me to, and I am trying to write an outline for a book so I will be prepared, but it isn’t quite going to plan.😅
I'm interested in your current writing process, and how you write with a little more spontaneous inspiration than pure outline.
Thank you for staying consistent fr🎉🎉🎉
I love your approach so much 🥰
So excited for NaNoWriMo now!
I’m outlining right now, and the plan is to do my first nanowrimo next month! 😅 hopefully I’ll still have motivation lol 😂
I am in the process of heavy research so I can get stuff ready for Nov. I have to talk to the USCG to get some information from them. Also talking to some psychologists about certain phobias and some of the ways that they can break. This all is going into my current project, but kinda turning the #Preptober into. I am probably going to need a good chunk when it comes to the Coast Guard.
Thank you so much!!
How do you find writing communities? I feel like I'm so alone when I'm writing, and I'd like to have people to discuss it with...
@@BreezyRenee333 Did you find a writers group? I just did, looked on the web (NOT NECESSARILY FACEBOOK ) my local, writers group, or guild etc. Found the Space Coast Writer's Guild. They meet monthly, costs $40 annually, and network a lot. They have guest speakers. Sounds like most groups have a diverse membership of people wanting to write, have started, already published, and the successful writers. Hope this helps. C
@@BreezyRenee333 Try looking up James S Bell's "kill zone" group.
Writers!!! Fighting!!! We can do it!!!🎉🎉🎉
I’ve already prepped my story a few months ago and am ready for November. I’m going to work on a series, hopefully, called Grace Undercover a Christian Mystery series
Amazing video. I wonder if you could do a screen video of what your project first looks like in Scrivener? As in, how much do you have when you first start the project, what do you name it, how you start pulling ideas together. I get stuck having to name the project when I don't know what the book will be yet (thank you, AuDHD executive function).
After this video I may actually participate this year!
This year I am going to do nanowrimo for the first time. You inspired me so much abbie. Abbie please can you tell me how old were you when you did it for the first time?
Super inspirational and I'm currently working on a novel inspired by King Arthur:)
Thanks so much for your video. I always find here a perfect writing vibe.
I am working on a book about war in my Motherland Ukraine