So helpful! I have so many ideas for stories but I never seem to be able to get them on the paper and have it sound the way I want them to sound. So that is frustrating, but it's always encouraging when people make videos like this. Thanks for sharing! :D
keep working at Andimithe. I have that problem too but I am getting through it. research will help on how to write books and read, read, read. cannot stress that enough. Good Luck.
I read The End Games for the second time last night. I love your book and your writing style so much and your characters remind me of myself in the best way. I can't wait to read more of your books! ;) Lucy
Not only was this incredibly helpful and uplifting because I'm writing two novels (under two different pennames) at the same time, but also because you are absolutely fascinating to watch speak. You emote SO much, it's really wonderful. I feel as if you are genuinely trying to help out those who are watching your video, rather than just spewing some information that may or may not work. You're point of view is helpful and the way you are expressing yourself is warm, and I really needed this. Thank you.
I tend to writing in 3 or 4 two hour sessions, on a good day. If i get stuck, i do what you do, i take a break and do something else, maybe take the day off. I also listen to music. I used to do this digitally, but have moved to vinyl, now every 15 - 20 minutes i have to stop to flip or change the disc, this helps me writing. I used to have daily/weekly writing goals, which i always felt pressured to met, now i just write and don't care how much or how little i get done.
Very well. Some people like to set the goal of 1,000 words a day, some set 2,000+, and some writers simply write in bursts of energy and then take a break for a few days and repeat. I think I like the idea of setting a 1,000 word goal. Just to make sure one gets work done. It is certainly no good waiting for sparks of inspiration - since that will only be a few days out of the year - and it also could get monotonous, tedious and frustrating just sitting there staring at the blank pages waiting for brilliant ideas to form. It seems most prudent to me, that one sets a 1,000-2,000 daily goal.
I appreciate this a whole lot. Thank you for bringing this video into the world. The hardest thing for me as an armature writer is resisting the urge to start writing before I actually have any coherent plot. I start writing from a basic concept and then get really frustrated when I have no idea where I'm going with it. Again, I'm quite thankful that you've shared your wisdom with the world once again!
I want to write my first book and publish it and see it in the Library. It's much to wish for as my first book but I hope it will come! This video is really helpful and I would like to ask you for your ULTIMATE BEST beginner tips! Thank you!
I am not a published book person, but I write. I have read alot, and have used diffrent things I liked about the books to create a diffrent story, but also a good one. Characters should be diffrent like people are. When you need to explain what a cloud for example looks like, go and study clouds. If you have a Character who is consumed into something, make sure you study on it so you know you are writing facts and not made up stuff. When it comes to writing the book, I will just have to say, don't rush it because those books are easily spotted, and most arnt as good as they could be. But don't take to much time to get to the point. If you want the book to be about unicorns taking over Europe, maybe start in the action, or right before it happens, don't add it in after page 100, because then what's the point? One last thing when writing, don't just throw the end together and just keep it. Make sure you enjoy it yourself, and good luck on that goal of yours I hoped this helped.
Michael, I admire your discipline as a writer (setting aside specific amounts of time to write and keeping to a schedule). I guess it is necessary if you want to produce anything though. I don't have the occasion to write much, since I'm an engineer, and when I do write is is usually technical stuff that would put a normal person to sleep (immediately). Every time that I do write I don't follow the same process. Sometimes I will sit down and write something all at once and other times in small segments that are patched together. The one consistent and most important thing to my writing style is to set aside the finished work (like you said) for about a week, to make sure that I have forgotten what I was trying to say when I first sat down to write. This has worked for me pretty well thus far and people say that I'm not a bad writer, but I think I'm going to keep my day job nonetheless.
Thanks so much for the kind words! It takes a long time to find your rhythms, I think. (It took me about 10 years, honestly.) But it's definitely worth it to keep at it. Thanks for watching!
This was cool, Mike, thanks for sharing! I think concept/emotional through line is really helpful for almost any kind of writing. I'm a songwriter and found myself doing the same type of thing while writing my song last week- I started writing a song a week as part of an email group about month ago. Anyway, last week especially, I found myself concentrating more on the story I wanted to tell and how best to convey that. Then I thought of a title, which became my chorus. I also think setting aside time to write or giving yourself a deadline might be the best thing you can do as a creator. Before I started writing with the group I had written 3 songs and countless fragments over the course of about 7 years. I now have one more song I would play for people and 3 more that are well on their way to becoming something I might share in the future. Those could still stand some editing, but are way farther along than some of the ideas I've put down before. Again, thanks for the video! I'd love to hear more about your process and/or from other artists and how their process might be similar or different depending on their particular medium/ genre/ style.
I've been writing on and off for a few years, always doing about 50 pages or so, then hating it and deleting every single page. Now, 27 and bored in my job, I'm neck deep in one that i'm loving. Sitting hourly in Belfast staring out a window at birds and hoping that i'll finish. Your video, i love. Thanks for sharing amigo!
Thank you SO much for sharing all of this. You're writing advice always helps me so much! You are my favorite youtuber...I have yet to read The End Games, but I just bought it...IT'S ABOUT TIME lol. Can't wait to read it!
Agreed :) I need to get my copy of The End Games. So excited!! I'm at a stuck point in the novel I'm working on, so this was super helpful. -Sarah (Writer, Blogger, Tutorial Maker)
Thank you so much for making this! I've been trying to start a novel for a few months now, and it's really lacking in structure and all of that good stuff... this is really really helpful! Thank you!
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This was the best writing tips video I've seen here so far, congrats! Also: your book sounds amazing, I'm totally purchasing it as soon as possible! :)
This is actually really awesome and super convenient for me! I have been practicing my writing skills this summer, and I keep running into doors so I sometimes just write about something else. I think writing is sort of like vlogging, its hard at first sometimes because you are trying to find your voice in the process and you don't really know what that voice sounds like in the very beginning (I mean, I used to sound really weird to myself when I would edit my first videos and over time I began hearing myself, and not some weird other person…if that makes any sense) I also hand write, I have tried doing it on a computer, but unless it is the right time, it just doesn't do it for me. I would totally love more videos like this in the future!!!
Oh yeah, writing is /definitely/ similar to vlogging in my experience. Early on in my "UA-cam life," I actually filmed and edited several vlogs that I never uploaded at all -- they just felt too bad to share. Looking back, they're actually a bit better than I remember, and I can see some great "moments" in them. But, yeah, finding your voice is a really hard thing to do. I may have to make more vids like this, now that you mention it. :] Thanks so much for watching!
These tips really made me think about planning my novels differently, thank you! :) Scrivener is my favourite thing :D When I write, I have to get everything down really quickly for the first draft and then I spend ages on revisions XD
I can't plot before I write, so I do more fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants writing, sticking characters in interesting situations and to see what they'll do. It usually involves more revision later on, but I have an easier time developing the story this way :)
Yeah, every writer is different. (John doesn't outline at all, if I'm not mistaken. Same with King.) I used to try to do that, but I'd just get overwhelmed with anxiety. WHICH HAPPENS ANYWAY SOMETIMES, hahaha, but less so if I've got the plot handy already. :] Thanks for watching!
Yeah, I totally get that, I have writer friends who are definitely pre-plotters too :]. The concept + emotional throughline thing is a really helpful idea! I hadn't thought of it that way before, but that's such a good way to summarize a story idea so you have clear direction when you start out :) Thanks!
Yeah I can't plot either when I do it is less AHA you know. My teachers always tell me to plot but I never do and I'm the best writer in my grade (and probably my school) I've been that way since 4th grade
A typewriter? Mad props! I'm working on an outline for a novel at the moment. It is _all over the place_. I keep going back and revising plot points and pencilling in new ones. It's both frustrating and exhilerating.
I tend to write speculative fiction, so I usually come up with a world or plot first. I do think it's what my characters sometimes fall flat in the first drafts... so I've been focusing on those types of questions you outlined above and also try to come up with a secret or quirk for every (main) character. Also, I can't believe you use a typewriter!! That's awesome! (But I feel like I'd mess up all the time!)
Oh, dude, I /do/ mess up all the time. I just correct myself when I type it into the MacBook Air. :] Sounds like you're on the right track with your writing! Thanks for watching!
I'm literally taking a break from writing a short story/ novella right now to watch this lol. You know I love your vidz T. I usually write for however long I want, I usually find that I'm in between a discovery writer and planner. I begin writing and I write and the setting and characters come and then I stop and go plan out the initial plot in my head and refine it. Then that plan gets more refined. But I stick to planning the big events of the story not the minute stuff. I think that's where the magic of characters and nuance comes in and you surprise urself. Do a sequel about Literary agents and sending your stuff! Man that was a stressful time for me.
Yeaaaaahh, the whole literary agent process can often result in many dark nights of the soul. I'll see if I can whip up a script that's helpful. Thanks for watching!
GReat tips. You can add what Aaron Sorkin says: You don't have a story if you don't have the "But, And Then, and except." I am looking forward to Nanowrimo 2016.
Do you have an agent? Could you maybe talk about the process of working through an agent and editor and publisher/publishing house? (or if you don't, why not or what do you do instead?)
I found that the best habit I learned was to only skim what I last wrote to get me back into where I'm going with my writing. If I read in detail some of what I wrote before finishing the whole thing I'll never get out of nit picky editing hell.
Thank you for this video! It is always helpful to hear the process of other writers. I also need to look into that app Freedom. The internet is my biggest distraction.
I dont keep count on words. Plus, I never start a book without agreeing a due deadline for it, roughly a year. Deadlines are great. It keeps you from prolonging your publishing from time you waste going in circles. Also, spending a month on story layout and blueprints are worth the effort. Its like drawing a map from where you are to where you need to go to.
That is so strange to me, timing yourself. I wrote my first book in one summer, because it was all I could think about. I was so obsessed with it that I was constantly writing, weather it was in my head or on my computer.
When I write, I usually don't do an outline because: 1. I'm lazy 2. The idea of an outline rubs me the wrong way. What I mean is that with all those little details already written on paper (or screen), I lose that spark to write. Also, when I think of what I wrote in the outline, I feel like I have to stick with it and I can't change it (even though I can) and I feel restricted. I just keep track of everything in my head and it works out! I also write when I feel like it. And when I write, I get three or more chapters done. The rest of the week comes down to editing and refining those three chapters. Then I take a break for a week and write the next week. I found that it was easier for me to write with this kind of pattern rather than just straining for a few days on a single chapter.
+J. A. Evans You sound like me lol! I have tried and failed at outlining so many times and in sooooo many ways. It literally puts me to sleep because I feel like I'm doing a homework assignment. I occasionally jot down ideas I have for my current WIP in the notes app in my phone so that I don't forget (no more than a sentence or two), but I usually keep everything in my head and later when I feel like writing, I just let it all out on the page. Before I know it, the whole day has passed and I have written a few chapters. It may need a shit-ton of editing after, but progress is progress lol.
One of my best friends is writing a book. We're both twelve. Let me repeat that, my friend is writing a book (magicish, but not like harry potter) and she's TWELVE! And i've already read prts of it and i'm just super proud of her! I think a tip on writing a book would be writing it instead of paying attention in class... That' s how my friend does it!
My friend's always writing in class as well but she only scarcely managed not to fail three subjects so please tell her to not let it go too far with the not paying attention!
Wow this is really different than my writing plan but I feel like it would totally work better. Thanks this was really cool I have been reading since I was three and absolutely love it but I can never seem to finish a book I try to write.
Very good advice here! Hmm, my tips: 1.read as much as you can from writers completely outside your genre, 2. Learn a new word everyday, 3. If you have material on a computer, buy a flashdrive/external drive to back up your work thoroughly. Back it up often!
honestly I have always loved writing so my best tip is: If you don't love to write find a away to enjoy it. I always listen to music as i write so it becomes fun and I can focus
What happened with my novel was: I thought of some, and said "Hey that'd be a cool book" Then I opened up google docs. Just made the book up as I was writing it. While I wasn't writing it I was usually thinking of where my story could go. I didn't know when the book was going to end until it ended. I didn't schedule my writing, I just wrote whenever I wanted to [which was most of the time], and my revision was scarce, I didn't change any plots. All I did was make my words flow, and grammatically sound. I also did not pay for an editor. The novel's currently being published, not released yet. Only took about a year to write it.
Great advice! I always love your videos! OMG I can't believe you use a typewriter--how cool! I love scrivener so much--it's definitely helped me in writing novels and organizing everything. I definitely need to check out freedom b/c INTERNET. Have you shared what your next project is going to be yet? Also the end games is so pretty in paperback!
I'd like to think that my best tips are that it's okay for your novel to suck, or for it to have plot holes so big that a troll could walk through. Nobody writes a novel that perfect the first time. That is what revisions are for. By the way thank you Mike for posting yet another amazing video.
My boyfriend told me an idea to practice writing. Neither of us have tried it yet, but I'd be interested to hear from someone who has/ your opinions of it. Basically it's just taking a book you really like from an author you admire and a genera you want to write in and copying it down word for word. To be clear, this isn't for the purpose of plagarism or piracy but rather to put you in the mindset of that author, realize the decisions he/she made and why he/she made them. Also a question for Micheal: What order do you write your stories in? Start to finish? Finish to start? Or do you jump around? Where does the title come in?
I'm currently writing a book and its a horror/ investigation/ supernatural fiction book. I keep showing odd bits to people I trust and they keep saying its really good but recently I had some issues and I just couldn't think of anything to write. So I took a month break from writing and when I came back I managed to write quite a bit.
what an awesome video. I'm a super beginner ( not even 14 old). I'm just starting to write and it creeps me out not advancing in the story already. Thank you for your great advice. I look forward to read your book. I have a doubt: do they sell it in Mexico? thanks again
That was a great video and very helpful/inspiring to me. I really liked hearing you say it takes you 2 to 4 years to make a draft (not a month like in nanowrimo). Thanks for posting!
I usually write in short or long spurts. The problem I have most is that I start a story but while writing it, I lose interest and never finish it. However, I am participating in NaNoWriMo this year and have a really tight grasp on that my story is and characters so hopefully it helps!
What perfect timing! I just decided a few days ago that I am going to get serious about writing my novel, and I've been writing 1,000 words a day with surprising consistency. I find myself writing out a lot of scenes just to get the ideas out, and then cringing when I look back on the writing. It's not flat out bad, but it feels a little "empty" and I'm never sure whether to revise or keep going so I don't lose steam. Could you talk a little more about your editing process? How did you feel about The End Games when you finished the first draft? Thank you for posting this!
Writing is rewriting. The original draft of THE END GAMES has an ending that is too embarrassing to describe, but I totally get what you're saying about it being "empty." For me, characters never come alive until the 2nd draft. Before that, they can often feel like placeholders for the sake of presenting the plot. BUT, over time, I've come to be really proud of my character work. A lot of it is just patience, frankly, and being willing to do the uncomfortable work pushing yourself to the shadowy borderlands at the edge of your abilities. But oh boy oh boy, is it worth it. Thanks for watching!
i write books about characters that i have created. i watch them live, struggle, agonize, and enjoy life. sometimes to the bitter end, sometimes to become immortalized by our group. the group i am referencing is my GURPS group, similar to D&D, yet much, much better :P roleplaying table top games can be a huge help when striving for a certain kind of character, it lets you create an entire persona for them, as if you were living as them yourself. That is assuming you can lose yourself while roleplaying lol.
Dean Michaels eventually you get to the point to where, since your used to creating entire personality's and characters you can do them very quickly, and only have to spend a few minutes getting into character. feeling the feelings your characters would feel almost lets the story create itself. ive got about 12 books or so worth of stuff Ive put together. i have no intention on publishing them, they are more for my enjoyment and my roleplaying friends. when someone ask me what kind of characters i play, i can just lone them a 4or 5 hundred page book that details a lot of what types of other personality's i like to take on when roleplaying. i guess it helps that all my RP friends are also writers with published books (even if they arent that popular). one of them is a write from wizards of the coast and he keeps trying to get me to let his friends read my books. :P
Hey, great video! I'm an amateur writer and this video really helps me to create great plot lines and do stuff in order. Can you share how you create such a good flow in writing and what to do whenever we get stuck? Thanks.
I start my book off with an idea. Then, I create a fabulous opening scene. If I don't like my current progress it restart everything. I create everything while I write. I let my stories build in my head.
I always lose focus. Like i get into it, then i hit a block both in my mind and on the page. I usually give it a couple days to see if i can break through, but i usually cant. I have a ton of unfinished work.
Here's how I write, 1 I usually start off with Ideas and events in bullet point form. 2 come up with Ideas and cure plot-holes and inconsistencies 3 formulate characters and how they react to changes, and how they develop. 4. My chapters are very long. I personally make each chapter focus on a main central Idea, so the chapter can be read as if it's a story all by itself. while making it partially dependent on the rest of the novel to fit and the chapter will have an influence on the story. 5. I heavily edit my chapters individually, so it's less stress to edit the whole novel 5. Rich diverse dialog, this depends on the situation and characters. 6 give the story diversity, you can't have 3 /16 be the same basic idea, that gets annoying 7 read through and make minor edits and publish.
That was interesting. Unfortunately whatever I do hasn't worked out yet and I can't finish something longer than a short story that I actually like and want to ork on more :(
I was thrilled to see this video show up. =] (DexyFace from Twitter). As always, this video is great! I will be sharing it with my NaNoWriMo group on facebook and others along the way. I have to say that I am so glad that I gave your debut novel a chance. It was truly amazing and inspiring. I'm anticipating your next book and all of those that may come after it. I hope to one day be as dedicated to the craft as you. I'm working on it!
I like to listen to music that goes with the theme of what I right while I right also I am currently writing a book calls The old Kingdom that is a midevil fantasy with war betrayal and more
I'm just wondering what peoples opinions of writing are in general. I don't consider myself creative, and the last story I wrote was a school thing when I was 10. Do you think anyone can write a story? (obviously not a bestseller, just decent enough to read without having to throw it across the room) I'm honestly in awe of people who can do that, I just think 'but where did it come from?'.
I too am writing a novel and surprisingly it does contain zombies ! Not going to give away the plot (copyright issues) but it's called in the arfter light . And this helped a bunch! :)
This is more for the coming up with the idea part. I've always been a big fan of if you want to see a book about [insert topic here], you probably already know something about it and have the power to MAKE THAT HAPPEN by writing it yourself. It's actually how I came up with the novel I'm currently working on. Also during the writing process I've found it's helpful to make sure you're writing the kind of book YOU, as the writer, would like to read. Since you're a reader yourself, you're really the best judge. Plus if an idea feels awkward and overdone to you there a chance it would to any other reader. As a writer you have the power to will into creation the kinds of books you want to read. So put your butt in the chair and WRITE!
I'm planning on becoming an author, but after a certain amount of time writing, I find that I lose inspiration. Either I'll put in too few details, or I'll slow down the entire book through blocks of detail. I can't seem to get the right amount. Any advice? I'll add that I am only 13, and thus have quite a bit of time to practice. I've been told my short stories, or unfinished pages, are rather good. But I can't seem to get more then a chapter, if that, done. My longest attempt was three chapters long, but each chapter was maybe three or four pages long, and was written years ago.
I have no idea how to write. Or, well... I can write well, I believe, I just don't know how stretch the material, and I just can't seem to get started. But I do have some interesting ideas for a couple of stories, so I need to get t it.
My tip would definitely be: when you get an idea, write it down straight away! I can't count the amount of times I get an amazing idea and then completely forget it! :/
Nice vid! As of now I am writing a zombie apocalypse story as a first attempt on writing. I only write at late night and almost exclusivly handwrite My handwriting is terrible though. And I am too lazy to copy everything. Any advice?
i'm trying to write this large, epic G.R.R.M style novel on word. i plan for it to be 700 to 1,000 pages. i love epics and fantasies but every time i write it's just hard for me to describe it in a rhythmic form like most writers do. it looks so amateur when i write it. right now i'm writing a timeline for my novel.
I've just started writing a book and I'm struggling with how to introduce the characters. It's based around a girl who's around 15 but I don't know how to introduce her classmates. Any tips?
I am a young writer and i have a lot of questions. So can teens publish books? I have been writing some character development to help get started with my book for about 4 months now. I have practiced everything I need touch ups on and I am ready to begin writing. I know whatever the process is a long time waiting. Im fine with that and i respect it. I just think I am ready to start writing. I have heard you need to be extremely good with critisism and i am working on that so... Any tips for the planning and writing process?
I am a 17 year old, trying to become an author. I've tried so many different ways of writing a certain plot-line and cannot seem to get past a certain point. Any advice for writers block?
Elizabeth Williams When I write, I don't worry about writing the plot-line first. It's the theme that matters. When you got that down, you can start building a plot-line around that. As for writer's block, try doing something else. Read a book, draw, roll on the ground or simply "zone out". The best way (for me) to get rid of writer's block is to let it pass.
Im now 16 and just getting into the art of writing. I've run into the same problem you have many times over. I've learned that when I run into writer's block it's because I over think the overall story. I take a few weeks away from my book and then begin with a fresh start to where I left off.
Thanks for the video! I've tried writing several books but I always give up in the middle because I lose interest in the story. Does that sometimes happen to you? And I never outline anything because I only seem to have ideas while writing, which can be a pain in the bum at exams.
how do books end up in the library? do they have to aquire a certain amount of recognition first? what if I just gave my public library a few copies for free? I just want to see myself near Tolstoy.
+Ethan Thompson I think you can market yourself to libraries, ask to speak to the manager there. Dress smart and present yourself well and they might give you a shot
Good god I would never be able to use a typewriter to type my stories I would pulling my paper out of the typewriter every 10 seconds. I like to write the basics of what is about to happen first then go back and actually explain it in more details later. I find it easier to give details about a scene after the main ideas of the scene are already decided. So a typewriter would simply be awful for me.
Thanks so much for making this vid! I already have a great storyline (in my opinion) but don't have the time or really, confidence to start writing, what should I do?
Hello, I am just a teenager who is writing books myself. Confidence is really needed in yourself. To make time you can start with days and times where you can just sit and type, or write. I wrote my first draft of a book in four notebooks, then I read it decided what needed to go, and what I wanted to change about it. It took me around 5 months. Second draft is started on the computer now, I am stuck on how to start it really. But how I am getting confidence in my writing, is if I enjoy it. Of you enjoy that writing, keep it and feel good about it. Time wise, you just need to use up that free time if you want to write that book. I hope this helped. Another tip I use, when writing make sure that characters have diffrent things they might say, for example, "Wow bow HOW?" Sandy said as she cleared her head. "Cookies in ice cream, what is that?" Ashton starred into the sky. Like those. Characters are important as well. Good luck with your book, if you want to email me, I can help if you need any.
Yeah, I'd say so. Harry Potter is extremely popular and somewhere around 8-12 publishers turned that down. I'm sure that if the book you wrote is written and %100 ready to go, you should keep trying until you find someone who'll publish your book. If you look up Jenna Moreci, her videos have really helpful tips for anything from writing to book marketing
+Tristan Valentine if your book is ready, you might want to start sending query letters and a sample to agents. if you want to go self publishing jenna has great info
I wrote one as a hobby. Now what do I do? I threw up my latest version on lulu.com and made some quick and silly youtube videos, one including my questionable reading of the first scene. I'm an award winning classical music composer and don't want to take time away from that, as it took me 20 years to master such. Thus I'm certainly not going to go the John Green route, and make UA-cam videos all the time to get folks interested. But i would like some grocery money here and there...
You have to find someone you trust, I'm currently in college for creative writing and it's hard to trust other writers to read my writings and know they won't steal the ideas. But I've learned that by letting other writers read it it gives me professional and honest critiques. You can't trust your mom to be honest so you have to find someone that you KNOW won't take your ideas.
dont be so focused on originality. People take ideas to make ideas to use ideas for their own ideas. Point being, don't spend a second worrying about people stealing your material. Ones you have your book you already mutually publish the content as your own version of your work regardless of originality.
It helps to realize that in the process if writing a great book, you're going to write a bunch of crap. Don't get discouraged and do work around the crap to find the good stuff.
So true. I've always liked Maureen Johnson's phrase: "DARE TO SUCK." (Also Hemingway's: "The first draft of anything is sh*t." :] ) Thanks so much for the comment!
So helpful!
I have so many ideas for stories but I never seem to be able to get them on the paper and have it sound the way I want them to sound. So that is frustrating, but it's always encouraging when people make videos like this.
Thanks for sharing! :D
Glad you enjoyed it! :D
keep working at Andimithe. I have that problem too but I am getting through it. research will help on how to write books and read, read, read. cannot stress that enough. Good Luck.
I read The End Games for the second time last night. I love your book and your writing style so much and your characters remind me of myself in the best way. I can't wait to read more of your books! ;) Lucy
Thanks so much, Lucy!
Not only was this incredibly helpful and uplifting because I'm writing two novels (under two different pennames) at the same time, but also because you are absolutely fascinating to watch speak. You emote SO much, it's really wonderful. I feel as if you are genuinely trying to help out those who are watching your video, rather than just spewing some information that may or may not work. You're point of view is helpful and the way you are expressing yourself is warm, and I really needed this. Thank you.
TwentyThreeMillimeterHole Thank you so much! I really needed this lovely comment today! Take care! :D
I tend to writing in 3 or 4 two hour sessions, on a good day. If i get stuck, i do what you do, i take a break and do something else, maybe take the day off. I also listen to music. I used to do this digitally, but have moved to vinyl, now every 15 - 20 minutes i have to stop to flip or change the disc, this helps me writing.
I used to have daily/weekly writing goals, which i always felt pressured to met, now i just write and don't care how much or how little i get done.
Very well. Some people like to set the goal of 1,000 words a day, some set 2,000+, and some writers simply write in bursts of energy and then take a break for a few days and repeat.
I think I like the idea of setting a 1,000 word goal. Just to make sure one gets work done. It is certainly no good waiting for sparks of inspiration - since that will only be a few days out of the year - and it also could get monotonous, tedious and frustrating just sitting there staring at the blank pages waiting for brilliant ideas to form. It seems most prudent to me, that one sets a 1,000-2,000 daily goal.
This was actually one of the most helpful videos I've watched. I'll definitely keep an eye out for your book!
I appreciate this a whole lot. Thank you for bringing this video into the world.
The hardest thing for me as an armature writer is resisting the urge to start writing before I actually have any coherent plot. I start writing from a basic concept and then get really frustrated when I have no idea where I'm going with it.
Again, I'm quite thankful that you've shared your wisdom with the world once again!
I want to write my first book and publish it and see it in the Library. It's much to wish for as my first book but I hope it will come! This video is really helpful and I would like to ask you for your ULTIMATE BEST beginner tips! Thank you!
I am not a published book person, but I write. I have read alot, and have used diffrent things I liked about the books to create a diffrent story, but also a good one. Characters should be diffrent like people are. When you need to explain what a cloud for example looks like, go and study clouds. If you have a Character who is consumed into something, make sure you study on it so you know you are writing facts and not made up stuff. When it comes to writing the book, I will just have to say, don't rush it because those books are easily spotted, and most arnt as good as they could be. But don't take to much time to get to the point. If you want the book to be about unicorns taking over Europe, maybe start in the action, or right before it happens, don't add it in after page 100, because then what's the point? One last thing when writing, don't just throw the end together and just keep it. Make sure you enjoy it yourself, and good luck on that goal of yours I hoped this helped.
Honestly, I've been putting off starting my piece for weeks. This video motivated me to begin. Thank you ^.^
Michael, I admire your discipline as a writer (setting aside specific amounts of time to write and keeping to a schedule). I guess it is necessary if you want to produce anything though.
I don't have the occasion to write much, since I'm an engineer, and when I do write is is usually technical stuff that would put a normal person to sleep (immediately). Every time that I do write I don't follow the same process. Sometimes I will sit down and write something all at once and other times in small segments that are patched together. The one consistent and most important thing to my writing style is to set aside the finished work (like you said) for about a week, to make sure that I have forgotten what I was trying to say when I first sat down to write. This has worked for me pretty well thus far and people say that I'm not a bad writer, but I think I'm going to keep my day job nonetheless.
Thanks so much for the kind words! It takes a long time to find your rhythms, I think. (It took me about 10 years, honestly.) But it's definitely worth it to keep at it.
Thanks for watching!
This was cool, Mike, thanks for sharing! I think concept/emotional through line is really helpful for almost any kind of writing. I'm a songwriter and found myself doing the same type of thing while writing my song last week- I started writing a song a week as part of an email group about month ago. Anyway, last week especially, I found myself concentrating more on the story I wanted to tell and how best to convey that. Then I thought of a title, which became my chorus.
I also think setting aside time to write or giving yourself a deadline might be the best thing you can do as a creator. Before I started writing with the group I had written 3 songs and countless fragments over the course of about 7 years. I now have one more song I would play for people and 3 more that are well on their way to becoming something I might share in the future. Those could still stand some editing, but are way farther along than some of the ideas I've put down before.
Again, thanks for the video! I'd love to hear more about your process and/or from other artists and how their process might be similar or different depending on their particular medium/ genre/ style.
Cool, I will definitely think about ways I can create more videos along those lines. Thanks for watching!
Thank god I found this video! This is the perfect video to use for my PPT for being an author. Thank you, Michael!
I've been writing on and off for a few years, always doing about 50 pages or so, then hating it and deleting every single page. Now, 27 and bored in my job, I'm neck deep in one that i'm loving. Sitting hourly in Belfast staring out a window at birds and hoping that i'll finish. Your video, i love. Thanks for sharing amigo!
Thank you SO much for sharing all of this. You're writing advice always helps me so much!
You are my favorite youtuber...I have yet to read The End Games, but I just bought it...IT'S ABOUT TIME lol. Can't wait to read it!
Wow, thank you so much! I really hope you enjoy the book!
Agreed :) I need to get my copy of The End Games. So excited!! I'm at a stuck point in the novel I'm working on, so this was super helpful.
-Sarah
(Writer, Blogger, Tutorial Maker)
Thank you so much for making this! I've been trying to start a novel for a few months now, and it's really lacking in structure and all of that good stuff... this is really really helpful! Thank you!
This was the best writing tips video I've seen here so far, congrats!
Also: your book sounds amazing, I'm totally purchasing it as soon as possible! :)
This is actually really awesome and super convenient for me! I have been practicing my writing skills this summer, and I keep running into doors so I sometimes just write about something else. I think writing is sort of like vlogging, its hard at first sometimes because you are trying to find your voice in the process and you don't really know what that voice sounds like in the very beginning (I mean, I used to sound really weird to myself when I would edit my first videos and over time I began hearing myself, and not some weird other person…if that makes any sense) I also hand write, I have tried doing it on a computer, but unless it is the right time, it just doesn't do it for me. I would totally love more videos like this in the future!!!
Oh yeah, writing is /definitely/ similar to vlogging in my experience. Early on in my "UA-cam life," I actually filmed and edited several vlogs that I never uploaded at all -- they just felt too bad to share. Looking back, they're actually a bit better than I remember, and I can see some great "moments" in them. But, yeah, finding your voice is a really hard thing to do.
I may have to make more vids like this, now that you mention it. :]
Thanks so much for watching!
These tips really made me think about planning my novels differently, thank you! :)
Scrivener is my favourite thing :D
When I write, I have to get everything down really quickly for the first draft and then I spend ages on revisions XD
I can't plot before I write, so I do more fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants writing, sticking characters in interesting situations and to see what they'll do. It usually involves more revision later on, but I have an easier time developing the story this way :)
Yeah, every writer is different. (John doesn't outline at all, if I'm not mistaken. Same with King.) I used to try to do that, but I'd just get overwhelmed with anxiety. WHICH HAPPENS ANYWAY SOMETIMES, hahaha, but less so if I've got the plot handy already. :]
Thanks for watching!
Yeah, I totally get that, I have writer friends who are definitely pre-plotters too :]. The concept + emotional throughline thing is a really helpful idea! I hadn't thought of it that way before, but that's such a good way to summarize a story idea so you have clear direction when you start out :) Thanks!
I can't plot. I have before and I find that I never continue afterwards. I lose my creativity if I plot.
***** OHMYGOD I HAVE A TWIN!
Yeah I can't plot either when I do it is less AHA you know. My teachers always tell me to plot but I never do and I'm the best writer in my grade (and probably my school) I've been that way since 4th grade
out of all the videos I've seen, this has been the most helpful, thanks!
A typewriter? Mad props! I'm working on an outline for a novel at the moment. It is _all over the place_. I keep going back and revising plot points and pencilling in new ones. It's both frustrating and exhilerating.
"both frustrating and exhilarating" pretty much describes my creative process. :]
Appreciate the insight! I'll look into acquiring a copy of your story!
Loved the book. Thanks for the video.
I tend to write speculative fiction, so I usually come up with a world or plot first. I do think it's what my characters sometimes fall flat in the first drafts... so I've been focusing on those types of questions you outlined above and also try to come up with a secret or quirk for every (main) character.
Also, I can't believe you use a typewriter!! That's awesome! (But I feel like I'd mess up all the time!)
Oh, dude, I /do/ mess up all the time. I just correct myself when I type it into the MacBook Air. :]
Sounds like you're on the right track with your writing! Thanks for watching!
This really helped me figure out how to go about writing my book,
thank you so much!!!
I'm literally taking a break from writing a short story/ novella right now to watch this lol. You know I love your vidz T.
I usually write for however long I want, I usually find that I'm in between a discovery writer and planner. I begin writing and I write and the setting and characters come and then I stop and go plan out the initial plot in my head and refine it. Then that plan gets more refined. But I stick to planning the big events of the story not the minute stuff. I think that's where the magic of characters and nuance comes in and you surprise urself.
Do a sequel about Literary agents and sending your stuff! Man that was a stressful time for me.
Yeaaaaahh, the whole literary agent process can often result in many dark nights of the soul. I'll see if I can whip up a script that's helpful.
Thanks for watching!
"You gotta be like Elsa and let it go" 😂
GReat tips. You can add what Aaron Sorkin says: You don't have a story if you don't have the "But, And Then, and except." I am looking forward to Nanowrimo 2016.
This is extremely helpful. Thank you. Also I will look into reading your book.
Do you have an agent? Could you maybe talk about the process of working through an agent and editor and publisher/publishing house? (or if you don't, why not or what do you do instead?)
This video was very helpful to me. Thank you for the awesome tips!
I found that the best habit I learned was to only skim what I last wrote to get me back into where I'm going with my writing. If I read in detail some of what I wrote before finishing the whole thing I'll never get out of nit picky editing hell.
Thank you for this video! It is always helpful to hear the process of other writers. I also need to look into that app Freedom. The internet is my biggest distraction.
I dont keep count on words. Plus, I never start a book without agreeing a due deadline for it, roughly a year. Deadlines are great. It keeps you from prolonging your publishing from time you waste going in circles. Also, spending a month on story layout and blueprints are worth the effort. Its like drawing a map from where you are to where you need to go to.
That is so strange to me, timing yourself. I wrote my first book in one summer, because it was all I could think about. I was so obsessed with it that I was constantly writing, weather it was in my head or on my computer.
When I write, I usually don't do an outline because:
1. I'm lazy
2. The idea of an outline rubs me the wrong way. What I mean is that with all those little details already written on paper (or screen), I lose that spark to write.
Also, when I think of what I wrote in the outline, I feel like I have to stick with it and I can't change it (even though I can) and I feel restricted. I just keep track of everything in my head and it works out!
I also write when I feel like it. And when I write, I get three or more chapters done. The rest of the week comes down to editing and refining those three chapters. Then I take a break for a week and write the next week. I found that it was easier for me to write with this kind of pattern rather than just straining for a few days on a single chapter.
+J. A. Evans You sound like me lol! I have tried and failed at outlining so many times and in sooooo many ways. It literally puts me to sleep because I feel like I'm doing a homework assignment. I occasionally jot down ideas I have for my current WIP in the notes app in my phone so that I don't forget (no more than a sentence or two), but I usually keep everything in my head and later when I feel like writing, I just let it all out on the page. Before I know it, the whole day has passed and I have written a few chapters. It may need a shit-ton of editing after, but progress is progress lol.
One of my best friends is writing a book. We're both twelve. Let me repeat that, my friend is writing a book (magicish, but not like harry potter) and she's TWELVE! And i've already read prts of it and i'm just super proud of her! I think a tip on writing a book would be writing it instead of paying attention in class... That' s how my friend does it!
Amazing. Good luck, y'all!
My friend's always writing in class as well but she only scarcely managed not to fail three subjects so please tell her to not let it go too far with the not paying attention!
I'm the same age as her and I'm writing a romance drama I just love books like that it's not going to be erotic or anything
I might as action into the mix as well if you can't tell I like divergent
Wow this is really different than my writing plan but I feel like it would totally work better. Thanks this was really cool I have been reading since I was three and absolutely love it but I can never seem to finish a book I try to write.
Very good advice here! Hmm, my tips: 1.read as much as you can from writers completely outside your genre, 2. Learn a new word everyday, 3. If you have material on a computer, buy a flashdrive/external drive to back up your work thoroughly. Back it up often!
honestly I have always loved writing so my best tip is:
If you don't love to write find a away to enjoy it. I always listen to music as i write so it becomes fun and I can focus
What happened with my novel was:
I thought of some, and said "Hey that'd be a cool book"
Then I opened up google docs. Just made the book up as I was writing it. While I wasn't writing it I was usually thinking of where my story could go. I didn't know when the book was going to end until it ended. I didn't schedule my writing, I just wrote whenever I wanted to [which was most of the time], and my revision was scarce, I didn't change any plots. All I did was make my words flow, and grammatically sound. I also did not pay for an editor.
The novel's currently being published, not released yet. Only took about a year to write it.
Great advice! I always love your videos! OMG I can't believe you use a typewriter--how cool! I love scrivener so much--it's definitely helped me in writing novels and organizing everything. I definitely need to check out freedom b/c INTERNET. Have you shared what your next project is going to be yet? Also the end games is so pretty in paperback!
I'd like to think that my best tips are that it's okay for your novel to suck, or for it to have plot holes so big that a troll could walk through. Nobody writes a novel that perfect the first time. That is what revisions are for.
By the way thank you Mike for posting yet another amazing video.
Thanks for watching and for the great tips!
Win for managing to insert the Elsa quote!
My boyfriend told me an idea to practice writing. Neither of us have tried it yet, but I'd be interested to hear from someone who has/ your opinions of it. Basically it's just taking a book you really like from an author you admire and a genera you want to write in and copying it down word for word.
To be clear, this isn't for the purpose of plagarism or piracy but rather to put you in the mindset of that author, realize the decisions he/she made and why he/she made them.
Also a question for Micheal: What order do you write your stories in? Start to finish? Finish to start? Or do you jump around? Where does the title come in?
I'm currently writing a book and its a horror/ investigation/ supernatural fiction book. I keep showing odd bits to people I trust and they keep saying its really good but recently I had some issues and I just couldn't think of anything to write. So I took a month break from writing and when I came back I managed to write quite a bit.
Thank you so much for this video, it helps me everytime I watch it!
what an awesome video. I'm a super beginner ( not even 14 old). I'm just starting to write and it creeps me out not advancing in the story already. Thank you for your great advice. I look forward to read your book. I have a doubt: do they sell it in Mexico?
thanks again
That was a great video and very helpful/inspiring to me. I really liked hearing you say it takes you 2 to 4 years to make a draft (not a month like in nanowrimo). Thanks for posting!
Le Troll there's an average? Everyone writes at their own speed.
I usually write in short or long spurts. The problem I have most is that I start a story but while writing it, I lose interest and never finish it. However, I am participating in NaNoWriMo this year and have a really tight grasp on that my story is and characters so hopefully it helps!
Awesome! You should do more writing videos.
What perfect timing! I just decided a few days ago that I am going to get serious about writing my novel, and I've been writing 1,000 words a day with surprising consistency. I find myself writing out a lot of scenes just to get the ideas out, and then cringing when I look back on the writing. It's not flat out bad, but it feels a little "empty" and I'm never sure whether to revise or keep going so I don't lose steam. Could you talk a little more about your editing process? How did you feel about The End Games when you finished the first draft?
Thank you for posting this!
Writing is rewriting.
The original draft of THE END GAMES has an ending that is too embarrassing to describe, but I totally get what you're saying about it being "empty." For me, characters never come alive until the 2nd draft. Before that, they can often feel like placeholders for the sake of presenting the plot. BUT, over time, I've come to be really proud of my character work. A lot of it is just patience, frankly, and being willing to do the uncomfortable work pushing yourself to the shadowy borderlands at the edge of your abilities. But oh boy oh boy, is it worth it.
Thanks for watching!
i write books about characters that i have created. i watch them live, struggle, agonize, and enjoy life. sometimes to the bitter end, sometimes to become immortalized by our group. the group i am referencing is my GURPS group, similar to D&D, yet much, much better :P roleplaying table top games can be a huge help when striving for a certain kind of character, it lets you create an entire persona for them, as if you were living as them yourself. That is assuming you can lose yourself while roleplaying lol.
Dean Michaels eventually you get to the point to where, since your used to creating entire personality's and characters you can do them very quickly, and only have to spend a few minutes getting into character. feeling the feelings your characters would feel almost lets the story create itself. ive got about 12 books or so worth of stuff Ive put together. i have no intention on publishing them, they are more for my enjoyment and my roleplaying friends. when someone ask me what kind of characters i play, i can just lone them a 4or 5 hundred page book that details a lot of what types of other personality's i like to take on when roleplaying. i guess it helps that all my RP friends are also writers with published books (even if they arent that popular). one of them is a write from wizards of the coast and he keeps trying to get me to let his friends read my books. :P
This is absolutely awesome advice! Thanks so much :) Will be subscribing.
Your book The End Games seems awesomeI Can you do a video on naming characters?
Hey, great video! I'm an amateur writer and this video really helps me to create great plot lines and do stuff in order. Can you share how you create such a good flow in writing and what to do whenever we get stuck? Thanks.
I start my book off with an idea. Then, I create a fabulous opening scene. If I don't like my current progress it restart everything. I create everything while I write. I let my stories build in my head.
I always lose focus. Like i get into it, then i hit a block both in my mind and on the page. I usually give it a couple days to see if i can break through, but i usually cant. I have a ton of unfinished work.
Here's how I write,
1 I usually start off with Ideas and events in bullet point form.
2 come up with Ideas and cure plot-holes and inconsistencies
3 formulate characters and how they react to changes, and how they develop.
4. My chapters are very long. I personally make each chapter focus on a main central Idea, so the chapter can be read as if it's a story all by itself. while making it partially dependent on the rest of the novel to fit and the chapter will have an influence on the story.
5. I heavily edit my chapters individually, so it's less stress to edit the whole novel
5. Rich diverse dialog, this depends on the situation and characters.
6 give the story diversity, you can't have 3 /16 be the same basic idea, that gets annoying
7 read through and make minor edits and publish.
That was interesting. Unfortunately whatever I do hasn't worked out yet and I can't finish something longer than a short story that I actually like and want to ork on more :(
I was thrilled to see this video show up. =] (DexyFace from Twitter). As always, this video is great! I will be sharing it with my NaNoWriMo group on facebook and others along the way. I have to say that I am so glad that I gave your debut novel a chance. It was truly amazing and inspiring. I'm anticipating your next book and all of those that may come after it. I hope to one day be as dedicated to the craft as you. I'm working on it!
You'll get there! Just give yourself time. :D
I hope so. It's easier to believe that since i've found a community of writers online.
Do you have any advice for those interested in writing non-fiction?
I like to listen to music that goes with the theme of what I right while I right also I am currently writing a book calls The old Kingdom that is a midevil fantasy with war betrayal and more
I FREAKING LOVE THE END GAMES!!!!
I'm just wondering what peoples opinions of writing are in general. I don't consider myself creative, and the last story I wrote was a school thing when I was 10. Do you think anyone can write a story? (obviously not a bestseller, just decent enough to read without having to throw it across the room) I'm honestly in awe of people who can do that, I just think 'but where did it come from?'.
I too am writing a novel and surprisingly it does contain zombies ! Not going to give away the plot (copyright issues) but it's called in the arfter light . And this helped a bunch! :)
I am ordering your book right now
I find this very helpful!
This is more for the coming up with the idea part. I've always been a big fan of if you want to see a book about [insert topic here], you probably already know something about it and have the power to MAKE THAT HAPPEN by writing it yourself. It's actually how I came up with the novel I'm currently working on.
Also during the writing process I've found it's helpful to make sure you're writing the kind of book YOU, as the writer, would like to read. Since you're a reader yourself, you're really the best judge. Plus if an idea feels awkward and overdone to you there a chance it would to any other reader.
As a writer you have the power to will into creation the kinds of books you want to read. So put your butt in the chair and WRITE!
Agreed. Good luck with the book!
Thank you!
i've been on and off on writing because of issues that happens in every day life, so one of my questions is any tips on how not to get writers block?
I'm planning on becoming an author, but after a certain amount of time writing, I find that I lose inspiration. Either I'll put in too few details, or I'll slow down the entire book through blocks of detail. I can't seem to get the right amount. Any advice?
I'll add that I am only 13, and thus have quite a bit of time to practice. I've been told my short stories, or unfinished pages, are rather good. But I can't seem to get more then a chapter, if that, done. My longest attempt was three chapters long, but each chapter was maybe three or four pages long, and was written years ago.
I have no idea how to write. Or, well... I can write well, I believe, I just don't know how stretch the material, and I just can't seem to get started. But I do have some interesting ideas for a couple of stories, so I need to get t it.
My tip would definitely be: when you get an idea, write it down straight away! I can't count the amount of times I get an amazing idea and then completely forget it! :/
POSITIVELY MAD RESPECT FOR YOUR NOD TO REST!!!!!
Great tips
I was wondering how often should there be a revision and even a rewrite. Like should I revise and edit after a chapter or two and rewrite after ten.
Nice vid! As of now I am writing a zombie apocalypse story as a first attempt on writing. I only write at late night and almost exclusivly handwrite My handwriting is terrible though. And I am too lazy to copy everything. Any advice?
i'm trying to write this large, epic G.R.R.M style novel on word. i plan for it to be 700 to 1,000 pages. i love epics and fantasies but every time i write it's just hard for me to describe it in a rhythmic form like most writers do. it looks so amateur when i write it. right now i'm writing a timeline for my novel.
Use the Method of "In Medias Res"
I've just started writing a book and I'm struggling with how to introduce the characters. It's based around a girl who's around 15 but I don't know how to introduce her classmates. Any tips?
I am a young writer and i have a lot of questions. So can teens publish books? I have been writing some character development to help get started with my book for about 4 months now. I have practiced everything I need touch ups on and I am ready to begin writing. I know whatever the process is a long time waiting. Im fine with that and i respect it. I just think I am ready to start writing. I have heard you need to be extremely good with critisism and i am working on that so... Any tips for the planning and writing process?
For beginners try to start writing books on Wattpad. You can read others books too! It's a really good site for beginners.
I am a 17 year old, trying to become an author. I've tried so many different ways of writing a certain plot-line and cannot seem to get past a certain point. Any advice for writers block?
Elizabeth Williams When I write, I don't worry about writing the plot-line first. It's the theme that matters. When you got that down, you can start building a plot-line around that.
As for writer's block, try doing something else. Read a book, draw, roll on the ground or simply "zone out". The best way (for me) to get rid of writer's block is to let it pass.
Elizabeth Williams just go with it, start writing and let your imagination take you to your next plot line, then make changes :)
Im now 16 and just getting into the art of writing. I've run into the same problem you have many times over. I've learned that when I run into writer's block it's because I over think the overall story. I take a few weeks away from my book and then begin with a fresh start to where I left off.
Thanks for the video! I've tried writing several books but I always give up in the middle because I lose interest in the story. Does that sometimes happen to you? And I never outline anything because I only seem to have ideas while writing, which can be a pain in the bum at exams.
How many days did you written the novel bro ?
Great video, will you be doing more of these?
Thanks! I'd be glad to make more videos about creativity. Do you have any specific topics or questions you'd like me to cover?
T. Michael Martin Topics along the lines of charcter/world building would be great to see!
Going Spaceward Cool. Thanks, guys.
how do books end up in the library? do they have to aquire a certain amount of recognition first? what if I just gave my public library a few copies for free? I just want to see myself near Tolstoy.
+Ethan Thompson I think you can market yourself to libraries, ask to speak to the manager there. Dress smart and present yourself well and they might give you a shot
Good god I would never be able to use a typewriter to type my stories I would pulling my paper out of the typewriter every 10 seconds. I like to write the basics of what is about to happen first then go back and actually explain it in more details later. I find it easier to give details about a scene after the main ideas of the scene are already decided. So a typewriter would simply be awful for me.
Thanks so much for making this vid! I already have a great storyline (in my opinion) but don't have the time or really, confidence to start writing, what should I do?
Hello, I am just a teenager who is writing books myself. Confidence is really needed in yourself. To make time you can start with days and times where you can just sit and type, or write. I wrote my first draft of a book in four notebooks, then I read it decided what needed to go, and what I wanted to change about it. It took me around 5 months. Second draft is started on the computer now, I am stuck on how to start it really. But how I am getting confidence in my writing, is if I enjoy it. Of you enjoy that writing, keep it and feel good about it. Time wise, you just need to use up that free time if you want to write that book. I hope this helped. Another tip I use, when writing make sure that characters have diffrent things they might say, for example, "Wow bow HOW?" Sandy said as she cleared her head. "Cookies in ice cream, what is that?" Ashton starred into the sky. Like those. Characters are important as well. Good luck with your book, if you want to email me, I can help if you need any.
I like your Marshmallow Man. :)
So what happens when you send a book off to be published and it doesn't get published? Do you try again or something else
Yeah, I'd say so. Harry Potter is extremely popular and somewhere around 8-12 publishers turned that down. I'm sure that if the book you wrote is written and %100 ready to go, you should keep trying until you find someone who'll publish your book. If you look up Jenna Moreci, her videos have really helpful tips for anything from writing to book marketing
+Tristan Valentine if your book is ready, you might want to start sending query letters and a sample to agents. if you want to go self publishing jenna has great info
My book is fanatical dragons&revenants(undead) the title an island of frost&power
(Only 11)
Cool! I'm 11 too, and doing Nanowrimo this year. My story is about a brother and sister who capture book characters! Hope your book is going well!
I wrote one as a hobby. Now what do I do? I threw up my latest version on lulu.com and made some quick and silly youtube videos, one including my questionable reading of the first scene. I'm an award winning classical music composer and don't want to take time away from that, as it took me 20 years to master such. Thus I'm certainly not going to go the John Green route, and make UA-cam videos all the time to get folks interested. But i would like some grocery money here and there...
"You gotta be like Elsa and let it go" lol good stuff and thanks for the insight.
I actually have a brother that is 17 and one that's 5.
I write about 1-4 pages per day.
When letting people read your work do you fear your ideas will be stolen? Just curious because I have that feeling. lol
You have to find someone you trust, I'm currently in college for creative writing and it's hard to trust other writers to read my writings and know they won't steal the ideas. But I've learned that by letting other writers read it it gives me professional and honest critiques. You can't trust your mom to be honest so you have to find someone that you KNOW won't take your ideas.
dont be so focused on originality. People take ideas to make ideas to use ideas for their own ideas. Point being, don't spend a second worrying about people stealing your material. Ones you have your book you already mutually publish the content as your own version of your work regardless of originality.
If you don't know your ideal schedule, try writing at least ten minutes a day. It'll work wonders.
It helps to realize that in the process if writing a great book, you're going to write a bunch of crap. Don't get discouraged and do work around the crap to find the good stuff.
So true. I've always liked Maureen Johnson's phrase: "DARE TO SUCK." (Also Hemingway's: "The first draft of anything is sh*t." :] )
Thanks so much for the comment!
You sound and talk a bit like John Green 🤔
Its his rythm if speech right? I felt that too.
How to describe different races in your book?
Koi Pond white, brown, yellow, red, and purple :P
Hey dude. For ANY of your writing queries go on thewritingcafe on tumblr. Trust me :3
do anyone know any good apps where i can write my novel thanks peace and blessings
Wattpad
Thank you
Rokdo