Hey everyone! Just wanted to say that I filmed this a while ago, before there was a pandemic, but I just wanted to extend some good wishes and say I hope you’re all staying safe and keeping hopeful
Thank you, Shaelin. It's absolutely true - non-stop pandemic news can be emotionally unbalanced and draining, as good as it is to stay healthily up-to-date. A little brilliance, in the word's original sense, goes a long way in this night. :-)
Wow okay you saying you need to be confused while writing a novel is...so relatable to my own experience. I'm happy you put this weird feeling into words but also sad because I feel a lil' bit like an insane person.
I've always found videos on writing so demotivating but I never feel more motivated to write than when I'm watching your videos! It's like the passion is contagious
Shaelin, we've really got to love you. You really helped me learn a lot about writing and motivated me to actually try it and to not shy away from it, thinking it's something that I cannot do. When the anxious thoughts come, I just write on and say "I can just fix this in revision". I always look forward to watching your videos. Thank you! ♥️ And stay safe!
It’s nice seeing someone with a writing process so similar (and by similar I mean chaotic) to mine. Seeing I do best discovery writing and editing as I go has been a recent realization, and a lot of that can be attributed to figures in this community insisting on outlines and detailed planning beforehand. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but some preach it as if it’s the only way and it made me think I had to do it like that (only to then frustrate me because it made the process so slow). Now that I’m just discovery writing I’m getting far more done and having way more fun! Thank you for explaining your process and not presenting it as the only process!
Hear hear. Same. I stopped writing all together for a while since I thought that I needed to outline and plan heavily. And I just couldn't do that. It didn't resonate with me for a number of reasons. Feels so good to hear that it's normal and to be reminded to just let it flow and then go back and make sense of it after a while instead if there are loose ends.
I get ideas the exact same way! A fleeting image and a feeling. And I know the problem with too many story ideas very well, too. I have about 50 of them...
Extremely informative video as always; I love how you don’t succumb to the frigid “rules” of authortube. Also, I just got accepted into my dream university writing course and I’d like to thank you for being so inspiring! 😅💓
That bit about you being a "confused" person made so much sense to me. Ive been described as "blonde" already because of my moments of confusion. But i do get things. When I get confused its usually because there wasnt enough detail. Also, I think confusion is kind of like curiosity, which is something we NEED. (Always love your videos, esp the writing vlogs. If you can make more, Id love to watch them.)
We are so similar! That's weirdly refreshing! Thank you for all your videos (I rarely comment so I'm making the most of it :) ). Love and sunshine from the South of France.
I like your evolution and I'm not sure if I'm not jealous. I've been writing for a long time and has been watching you since you still had 1k subs and talking about that five book fantasy series you planned, but I've always been an intuitive discovery/pantser writer. I never evolved. I wished I can also feel I'm growing in my craft. Stay safe everyone On a positive side, we can write more. Let's be productive during these times.
i like being confused writing my stories too, if i’m not confused i’m not as interested in “seeing” it play out. it’s like piecing together a jumbo puzzle without a clue of what the finished product is meant to be, therefore being excited to see what you help make of it, rather than referencing the box cover & following routine analysis of every piece to establish said portrait (storyline) and make passion present later. Don’t misconstrue that, this is a GREAT way for people with opposite brains from mine (who actually get MORE passion for their story by following a clear cut plan). but, often to my projects’ detriment, my chaotic mind destroys any proper path i lay out for it to write through; my best/most confident work comes from following an idea into the dark & feeling my way through this foreign forest. sitting under a tree once in a while to observe, adjusting where needed. eventually my eyes adjust to the darkness & i can forge a manifest destiny for the story-the mistake comes when i get too comfortable and actually map out that guestimated fate, sun always rising as soon as i get used to the pitch black which only now = too much exposure to possibilities at once to actually make my own fated way. sorry for getting all corny-poetic lol apparently needed to ramble after only 10 mins of ur video switching a bulb in my brain about exactly what i supposed my process is. anyway congrats on finishing ur first draft & thanks for sharing love
Very wisely put :) I can't plan ahead to much. I've tried that. I think that this confused feeling that you are talking about can be translated into curiousness. Finding out what happens as I go is the only way for me to stay curious and inspired. And then I can go back and make more strategic choices after a while to make sense of things. Make some things less random.
Legit had to rewind a couple of times when you described getting ideas, because it triggered my own personal hamster for a story I’ve been struggling with. So thanks for that! Also, I love the analogy. Non-creative people might think it’s weird, but it just fits so perfectly.
This was great! Lovely to hear you say things like, "I usually make it part way through a character profile and then forget about it entirely." On Reedsy, you're always focusing on "best practices," and even though you're sure to mention that writing is an individualized process, it's nice to hear it in this way. I do A LOT of things similar, like outlining as I go (and updating only after I've done a few chapters), editing at the same time... But I think I can REALLY benefit from trying to outline my edits before I go through it. I find myself bouncing around a bit too much. And then I need some discussion group, beta readers, critique partners and such =0
It's very spooky how this entire video feels like a pointed finger at my own brain. But thanks a lot for the video! I think I need to rethink the way I work exactly because I'm structuring too much and this is killing my joy for writing a little bit (even though I think I sort of need an "external force" currently to get out of a recent creative burnout, and you have to put some effort out to get bac in the zone sadly), so that's great food for thoughts!
I'm really glad you mentioned how many words a day you write, because I was getting down on myself about how much I write. Your numbers line up with mine, so I feel like I'm on a good pace now.
Shaelin, this has inspired me immensely! I myself have a pretty non-linear and “intuitive” writing style that I always felt was “wrong” or “disorganized”, but after seeing this and reading your work I’ve really come to appreciate it. You’ve given me a lot of confidence to get back out there and truly write my heart out. Thank you 💓
Ooh what you said about characters really resonated with me. For me character development can be hard to do intentionally because so much of it comes down to whether I have the 'essence' of the character and from there it's almost like figuring out who they are instead of making choices about it. Or at best, it's floating different ideas and seeing what fits with the essence of the character and the needs of the story. And for characters where I don't have their essence... yeah, it shows. Like, maybe some of their backstory and deeper issues/motivations are there, but their personality sure isn't. Some cases I've been able to fix in editing and find their essence, and some just never got there.
I’ve made the opposite journey. I’ve always enjoyed discovery writing. I enjoy not knowing what will happen and telling myself the story as I write it. That’s how my best ideas happen, intuitively and on the fly. However, my WIP has many layers and complexity to it, and I had to bite the bullet and make a fully fledged plan, because I kept getting a few chapters further on and hating everything before it, because the new ideas I was generating meant large developmental edits, and the idea of having to revise an entire draft THAT inconsistent caused me significant anxiety. I’ve always struggled with that, getting so far into a first draft and knowing how much I will have to change and then thinking “well why bother continuing then”
Every bit of this is me exactly. (Especially about characters.) I can definitely relate to the “Needing to be confused”, I just sort of have a feeling in my gut about the story, but if I try to figure things out on my own, it drains life from my stories. I also think I'm going to try not having a specific goal for each day, because if I force myself to write a certain amount then I end writing filler stuff. Which seems good at first, because I'm a serious underwriter, but I'm really just info dumping and, well, writing filler.
I am getting ideas exactly like you - my brain is jumping more to weird ideas than I am jumping to conclusions :D That's why I seldomly share the thought process behind ideas, because I always have to create like a whole lecture just for people to follow me
My writing process is very intuitive as well. I'm struggling with the beginning of my camp nano novel now. I love it, but it's difficult because I can't plan at all. Thank you for this video and stay safe!
I related to how you explained how you get your characters. With what I’m writing rn I know exactly who my characters are but I don’t really write down the basic things. Love ur videos ❣️
Hi Shaelin! This is a bit of a ramble, but I hope you get chance to read it. This year, I made a New Year's resolution to immerse myself in more of the world and branch out the things I do in life (vague, I know, but this was purposeful: I though it would help me actually stick to it!) and settled on the ambitious idea of trying to write a book. I wanted to educate myself before starting and UA-cam has been a huge help, especially your videos on both this channel and on Reedsy. The way you described ideas being unexplainably out of focus is the exact stage I'm at with my vision for my book. On the plotter-pantser scale, I seem to have landed more towards a plotter side and am slowly working through my story. I still have so far to go. I know that my writing will need much more work than most aspiring writers as my education was in physics, not creative writing. However, the decision to start this project has made me more happy than anything I've done in years and I wanted to thank you for aiding in my progress! Good luck in your future works, keep writing (we all know you will anyway)!
Hi Shaelin. I always appreciate your videos. I’ve been wanting to make a video about my own writing process too but GOD is it refreshing to hear from someone who’s been through it!!
Ooooh, I think we have the same writing process! haha I love having a thesaurus open too. If you have a Mac, get helium and you can open a thesaurus in a floating window alongside your document and you don't even need to switch windows. There's probably a windows version too! I've found that really useful!
I've been studying the craft intensely for three years now. And I've been developing outlines after outlines for my thousand ideas, always abandoning the project when I start writing it for a few days/weeks. I've outlined a new one but even with the characters profiles established and all that, I didn't like not having enough now to fill the blanks in my outline. You know what? I started anyway and my character voice came to life, completely different than what I assumed. And the storyline is a giant fog right now. But I wrote a damn satisfying prologue and chapter one today and... I LOVE IT and it will be minimal editing. So entertaining. I may just be a discovery writer 😂😅
Whatever works is great and is having fun while you are writing, being true to yourself is key. None of what you have said is crazy or stupid. I started as a total pantser. Then I grew into a plotter but once I have the plot it is a road map that I put into my pocket. Then the story takes me where it takes me. The plot is for when I get stuck. Music is my soul when I write and I use a playlist. Like you when I'm in the zone I have no idea what I have listened to. My cat Dusty will also tell me I've been in the zone. He'll be on the desk almost touching me and I didn't know he was there. That is also the only time he will lie there. He is the second cat that has done this the first was decades ago when I wrote longhand which was before PC's. All of my other cats over the years never cared that I was writing. My process changed when I was writing documentaries and educational films for university because I was telling other people's stories which is often a lot more work than it needs to be. I love your vlogs keep up the excellent work.
Oh my gosh. Your description of how you get your ideas, is THE SAME FOR ME. This is so abstract and indefinable and weird I never expected to hear it described.
I'm the same in so many ways it's scary :D I also first get a feeling of the plot/character/idea and that feeling's what I try to search for every time I write that book. I've also noticed that I lose the feeling easily if I actively plot or outline my story. I kind of spend my creativity until it's empty and the story just feels meh. If I go into the story blind and confused, as you said, I have the most fun. I can feel the characters, the story, the atmosphere and that's when the story writes itself. I used to try and force myself to fill different kind of character sheet or try outlining methods but very soon I got fed up with it and with my idea and still to this day I haven't touched those ideas even though I used to love them so much. When I just write I might get an idea of an ending or maybe even chapter structure but I have to wait for it, not force it.
Shaelin, your writing process is very similar to mine. I do not like using outlines. I just like to form a basic idea for a story and plan the very beginning of it. I am not in favor of structured writing. I usually don’t know what my story is going to be until I have some words out on paper. This week, I wrote two pieces for my memoir, A Stone Thrown At Me and Escaping a Lost Box. I also wrote a poem, The Hills. Although my current project is literary nonfiction, I want to work on some fiction stories. I am a fiction writer. Your novel, Honey Vinegar is so enthralling. I am currently working on a short story. I endeavor to one day finish my novel, Blessings and Pride. I love you
I have a whole stack of backlogged in-need-of-edits first draft. Maybe the next time I write a first draft I should experiment with editing-as-I go. I've always been told it's a big no-no, but it's worth trying at least once. I totally have a coked-up hamster for a writing brain, too.
I think following a plan too closely pulls your creative inner child away from the collective consciousness, or from wherever you feel the spark comes from. Stay safe.
This sounds an awful lot like my process, although my brainstorming phase is significantly longer. The main thing I want to take away from this is to get rid of daily word counts, because I know those are doing me no favors. As long as I'm making progress every day, I should be happy with that.
@@ShaelinWrites I think I subconsciously realized this a while ago, but not to the level of actually doing something about it. I appreciate you mentioning it in this video.
‘The Idea Barometer’ is so real tho. For me it happens a few minutes before I get an idea. I’ll be lying in bed and I KNOW that I will get a good idea in a few moments, it’s honestly terrifying.
I can hear myself think. I'm finishing a book about transcendent-volition and I'm showing the phenomena of ideas, a lifetime on the mechanics of the mind. Check out the place you live and the people who surround you.
Working on my fourth novel. You write just like me, a process oriented approach with shifting around, multiple edits etc. I am not one of these content oriented writers.
Hi, loving your videos and your happy vibe! Really relaxing in these hard times. I just wanted to point out that the cuts (I don´t know how to call them) in this video are a bit misplaced. Doesn´t really affect the quality of the content, but I wanted you to know.
I try to write for at least two hours a day, usually right after I wake up, but of course, I don’t always manage to conform to that schedule. If you would like to know more about my writing process, you can subscribe to my UA-cam channel, “The Cynical Writer.”
amazingly informative video as always! How do you create a “book queue”? I’ve always been interested in making one for future projects but have never had the opportunity to.
I HAVE THE WEIRD IDEA BAROMETER THING! (Sorry if I already commented this, I can’t remember). Do you think you have synesthesia, Shaelin? Or used to? Because I definitely did when I was younger and I think that might be related to it. I think it’s a mixed concurrent (that’s a weird mixture of senses that can, for some people, just feel like an indescribable vibe). It’s defined as being a response to something (hearing, smelling, etc) but I think concurrents can actually be more than that. A lot of my thoughts are in the form of my mixed concurrents, and I’m not the only one. I found someone talking about it in a Reddit post, but it’s still pretty unheard of. For me, when an idea is developing, it feels like a vibe with a visual aspect to it. But what’s weird is that the visual is always pretty much the same: a soft, imperfect circle with a dull color. I think the vibe is more so what changes and gives context. But even the vibes are usually pretty similar. Maybe I’m just interpreting it differently. Idk it’s weird. It’s like they’re all the same and different at the same time??
I get ideas that are fragmented. If I think about it I start to build on it. Most of my ideas come from history how normal people lived in the 30 year war not soldiers or kings. Sometimes it's like schizophrenia, some of my ideas come from conspiracy theories, what would things be like if we had nano machines enlarging pleasure receptors in the hypothalamus found in food ? Would we be hypnotized into consuming a poison product.
Where can I go to find a writing community online? I've done some research, but most websites haven't been updated in...years. Anyone know of a good place to go? Thanks in advance!!
Question: I recently retook MBTI and got ISFP (i think this is very accurate). So “go with the flow” is basically my mantra. But I thought that was the P, and you are INFJ if I remember, but you also vibe to that. Any theories to that?
MBTI is a little more complex than just J = likes to be organized and P = likes to go with the flow. Reading up on cognitive functions might give more insight to that, but someone's MBTI type isn't really directly correlated to how organized they might be externally, but more how their mental processes work :D
its actually the n and s that determines whether youre more intuitive. n is for intuitive. s is for sensory. the p and j are more for external presentation while the n and s are internal. the stack function is also important. im an enfp (nefitesi) which is the inverse of infj (nifetise)
Would you have any interest in doing a video abt 'witchy' as a adjective? Maybe you feel your How To Create Atmosphere video covered this ground. 'Witchy' is an adj. I use a lot to describe books n stuff, but I don't know ~exactly~ I mean by it. It seems to describe a lot of the things I like in books, tho. Your recent reads is a series I go to for consistently 'witchy' rec.'s and i feel like ur writing is maybe witchy, too? B/c of that--idk if that's too esoteric of a topic to be makeable as a video--I would love to see ur take on it.
Hey everyone! Just wanted to say that I filmed this a while ago, before there was a pandemic, but I just wanted to extend some good wishes and say I hope you’re all staying safe and keeping hopeful
Thank you, Shaelin. It's absolutely true - non-stop pandemic news can be emotionally unbalanced and draining, as good as it is to stay healthily up-to-date. A little brilliance, in the word's original sense, goes a long way in this night. :-)
Thank you!! Stay safe yourself
U inspired me to write my novel over 2 years ago and it’s just finishing now so thank u 🙃
ahhh congratulations!!
Wow okay you saying you need to be confused while writing a novel is...so relatable to my own experience. I'm happy you put this weird feeling into words but also sad because I feel a lil' bit like an insane person.
I've always found videos on writing so demotivating but I never feel more motivated to write than when I'm watching your videos! It's like the passion is contagious
Shaelin, we've really got to love you. You really helped me learn a lot about writing and motivated me to actually try it and to not shy away from it, thinking it's something that I cannot do. When the anxious thoughts come, I just write on and say "I can just fix this in revision". I always look forward to watching your videos. Thank you! ♥️ And stay safe!
It’s nice seeing someone with a writing process so similar (and by similar I mean chaotic) to mine. Seeing I do best discovery writing and editing as I go has been a recent realization, and a lot of that can be attributed to figures in this community insisting on outlines and detailed planning beforehand. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but some preach it as if it’s the only way and it made me think I had to do it like that (only to then frustrate me because it made the process so slow). Now that I’m just discovery writing I’m getting far more done and having way more fun! Thank you for explaining your process and not presenting it as the only process!
Amen.
Hear hear. Same. I stopped writing all together for a while since I thought that I needed to outline and plan heavily. And I just couldn't do that. It didn't resonate with me for a number of reasons. Feels so good to hear that it's normal and to be reminded to just let it flow and then go back and make sense of it after a while instead if there are loose ends.
I recommend writing a novel out of spite.
valid!
I am so happy to hear from someone whose process is more explorative and not dependent on goals. I really resonate with your type of process Shaelin
I get ideas the exact same way! A fleeting image and a feeling. And I know the problem with too many story ideas very well, too. I have about 50 of them...
I love how this whole video is based around the high hamster running on his little wheel in your brain 😂😂
I should be banned from analogies!!
I think it's cute :)
@@ShaelinWrites NO STOP IT WORKS
Extremely informative video as always; I love how you don’t succumb to the frigid “rules” of authortube. Also, I just got accepted into my dream university writing course and I’d like to thank you for being so inspiring! 😅💓
omg congratulations!! I'm so excited for you!
@DM Animation lmao
"A coked up hamster"
I-
oops forgot I said that
You are glowing girl!
Your tipps are on point and the energy you give off is so natural and warm.
Whatever you are doing, keep on doing it.
That bit about you being a "confused" person made so much sense to me. Ive been described as "blonde" already because of my moments of confusion. But i do get things. When I get confused its usually because there wasnt enough detail. Also, I think confusion is kind of like curiosity, which is something we NEED. (Always love your videos, esp the writing vlogs. If you can make more, Id love to watch them.)
We are so similar! That's weirdly refreshing! Thank you for all your videos (I rarely comment so I'm making the most of it :) ). Love and sunshine from the South of France.
I like your evolution and I'm not sure if I'm not jealous. I've been writing for a long time and has been watching you since you still had 1k subs and talking about that five book fantasy series you planned, but I've always been an intuitive discovery/pantser writer. I never evolved. I wished I can also feel I'm growing in my craft.
Stay safe everyone
On a positive side, we can write more. Let's be productive during these times.
i like being confused writing my stories too, if i’m not confused i’m not as interested in “seeing” it play out. it’s like piecing together a jumbo puzzle without a clue of what the finished product is meant to be, therefore being excited to see what you help make of it, rather than referencing the box cover & following routine analysis of every piece to establish said portrait (storyline) and make passion present later. Don’t misconstrue that, this is a GREAT way for people with opposite brains from mine (who actually get MORE passion for their story by following a clear cut plan). but, often to my projects’ detriment, my chaotic mind destroys any proper path i lay out for it to write through; my best/most confident work comes from following an idea into the dark & feeling my way through this foreign forest. sitting under a tree once in a while to observe, adjusting where needed.
eventually my eyes adjust to the darkness & i can forge a manifest destiny for the story-the mistake comes when i get too comfortable and actually map out that guestimated fate, sun always rising as soon as i get used to the pitch black which only now = too much exposure to possibilities at once to actually make my own fated way. sorry for getting all corny-poetic lol apparently needed to ramble after only 10 mins of ur video switching a bulb in my brain about exactly what i supposed my process is. anyway congrats on finishing ur first draft & thanks for sharing love
Very wisely put :)
I can't plan ahead to much. I've tried that. I think that this confused feeling that you are talking about can be translated into curiousness. Finding out what happens as I go is the only way for me to stay curious and inspired. And then I can go back and make more strategic choices after a while to make sense of things. Make some things less random.
Legit had to rewind a couple of times when you described getting ideas, because it triggered my own personal hamster for a story I’ve been struggling with. So thanks for that! Also, I love the analogy. Non-creative people might think it’s weird, but it just fits so perfectly.
This was great! Lovely to hear you say things like, "I usually make it part way through a character profile and then forget about it entirely." On Reedsy, you're always focusing on "best practices," and even though you're sure to mention that writing is an individualized process, it's nice to hear it in this way.
I do A LOT of things similar, like outlining as I go (and updating only after I've done a few chapters), editing at the same time... But I think I can REALLY benefit from trying to outline my edits before I go through it. I find myself bouncing around a bit too much. And then I need some discussion group, beta readers, critique partners and such =0
Another fire video from shaelin!!
It's very spooky how this entire video feels like a pointed finger at my own brain. But thanks a lot for the video! I think I need to rethink the way I work exactly because I'm structuring too much and this is killing my joy for writing a little bit (even though I think I sort of need an "external force" currently to get out of a recent creative burnout, and you have to put some effort out to get bac in the zone sadly), so that's great food for thoughts!
I'm really glad you mentioned how many words a day you write, because I was getting down on myself about how much I write. Your numbers line up with mine, so I feel like I'm on a good pace now.
"I wish I could explain it ... but I can't.
So this is very fun for me."
Literally me every day of my life lol
99% discovery writer
1% drugged hamster
Shaelin, this has inspired me immensely! I myself have a pretty non-linear and “intuitive” writing style that I always felt was “wrong” or “disorganized”, but after seeing this and reading your work I’ve really come to appreciate it. You’ve given me a lot of confidence to get back out there and truly write my heart out. Thank you 💓
Ooh what you said about characters really resonated with me. For me character development can be hard to do intentionally because so much of it comes down to whether I have the 'essence' of the character and from there it's almost like figuring out who they are instead of making choices about it. Or at best, it's floating different ideas and seeing what fits with the essence of the character and the needs of the story.
And for characters where I don't have their essence... yeah, it shows. Like, maybe some of their backstory and deeper issues/motivations are there, but their personality sure isn't. Some cases I've been able to fix in editing and find their essence, and some just never got there.
LOVED this! This channel has kept me going for so long now even my parents are able to recognise the videos by ear lol
So much of this hits home, it is nice to know you are not alone. Thank you for this!
I’ve made the opposite journey. I’ve always enjoyed discovery writing. I enjoy not knowing what will happen and telling myself the story as I write it. That’s how my best ideas happen, intuitively and on the fly. However, my WIP has many layers and complexity to it, and I had to bite the bullet and make a fully fledged plan, because I kept getting a few chapters further on and hating everything before it, because the new ideas I was generating meant large developmental edits, and the idea of having to revise an entire draft THAT inconsistent caused me significant anxiety. I’ve always struggled with that, getting so far into a first draft and knowing how much I will have to change and then thinking “well why bother continuing then”
Every bit of this is me exactly. (Especially about characters.)
I can definitely relate to the “Needing to be confused”, I just sort of have a feeling in my gut about the story, but if I try to figure things out on my own, it drains life from my stories.
I also think I'm going to try not having a specific goal for each day, because if I force myself to write a certain amount then I end writing filler stuff. Which seems good at first, because I'm a serious underwriter, but I'm really just info dumping and, well, writing filler.
I am getting ideas exactly like you - my brain is jumping more to weird ideas than I am jumping to conclusions :D That's why I seldomly share the thought process behind ideas, because I always have to create like a whole lecture just for people to follow me
My writing process is very intuitive as well. I'm struggling with the beginning of my camp nano novel now. I love it, but it's difficult because I can't plan at all.
Thank you for this video and stay safe!
I related to how you explained how you get your characters. With what I’m writing rn I know exactly who my characters are but I don’t really write down the basic things.
Love ur videos ❣️
Hi Shaelin! This is a bit of a ramble, but I hope you get chance to read it.
This year, I made a New Year's resolution to immerse myself in more of the world and branch out the things I do in life (vague, I know, but this was purposeful: I though it would help me actually stick to it!) and settled on the ambitious idea of trying to write a book. I wanted to educate myself before starting and UA-cam has been a huge help, especially your videos on both this channel and on Reedsy. The way you described ideas being unexplainably out of focus is the exact stage I'm at with my vision for my book. On the plotter-pantser scale, I seem to have landed more towards a plotter side and am slowly working through my story.
I still have so far to go. I know that my writing will need much more work than most aspiring writers as my education was in physics, not creative writing. However, the decision to start this project has made me more happy than anything I've done in years and I wanted to thank you for aiding in my progress!
Good luck in your future works, keep writing (we all know you will anyway)!
Hi Shaelin. I always appreciate your videos. I’ve been wanting to make a video about my own writing process too but GOD is it refreshing to hear from someone who’s been through it!!
Ooooh, I think we have the same writing process! haha
I love having a thesaurus open too. If you have a Mac, get helium and you can open a thesaurus in a floating window alongside your document and you don't even need to switch windows. There's probably a windows version too! I've found that really useful!
I really amazing. This year i will write 4 story at once. I thing that block system will help. Thx a lot
I've decided to experiment with discovery writing - and I've started a Novella, and your advice has really really helped. Thank you so much!!
I've been studying the craft intensely for three years now. And I've been developing outlines after outlines for my thousand ideas, always abandoning the project when I start writing it for a few days/weeks.
I've outlined a new one but even with the characters profiles established and all that, I didn't like not having enough now to fill the blanks in my outline.
You know what? I started anyway and my character voice came to life, completely different than what I assumed. And the storyline is a giant fog right now. But I wrote a damn satisfying prologue and chapter one today and... I LOVE IT and it will be minimal editing. So entertaining. I may just be a discovery writer 😂😅
I decided to start writing a novel I had the idea for for a while to day and I’ve watched so many of your videos for tips and inspiration
This was really cool. I like getting to see the way other people write.
Whatever works is great and is having fun while you are writing, being true to yourself is key. None of what you have said is crazy or stupid. I started as a total pantser. Then I grew into a plotter but once I have the plot it is a road map that I put into my pocket. Then the story takes me where it takes me. The plot is for when I get stuck. Music is my soul when I write and I use a playlist. Like you when I'm in the zone I have no idea what I have listened to. My cat Dusty will also tell me I've been in the zone. He'll be on the desk almost touching me and I didn't know he was there. That is also the only time he will lie there. He is the second cat that has done this the first was decades ago when I wrote longhand which was before PC's. All of my other cats over the years never cared that I was writing. My process changed when I was writing documentaries and educational films for university because I was telling other people's stories which is often a lot more work than it needs to be. I love your vlogs keep up the excellent work.
Oh my gosh. Your description of how you get your ideas, is THE SAME FOR ME. This is so abstract and indefinable and weird I never expected to hear it described.
I relate to so many things you mentioned! You’re the best Shaelin!
We have really similar processes! I'm currently working on my third book and you're such an inspiration for me!!
I'm the same in so many ways it's scary :D I also first get a feeling of the plot/character/idea and that feeling's what I try to search for every time I write that book. I've also noticed that I lose the feeling easily if I actively plot or outline my story. I kind of spend my creativity until it's empty and the story just feels meh. If I go into the story blind and confused, as you said, I have the most fun. I can feel the characters, the story, the atmosphere and that's when the story writes itself. I used to try and force myself to fill different kind of character sheet or try outlining methods but very soon I got fed up with it and with my idea and still to this day I haven't touched those ideas even though I used to love them so much. When I just write I might get an idea of an ending or maybe even chapter structure but I have to wait for it, not force it.
Shaelin, your writing process is very similar to mine. I do not like using outlines. I just like to form a basic idea for a story and plan the very beginning of it. I am not in favor of structured writing. I usually don’t know what my story is going to be until I have some words out on paper. This week, I wrote two pieces for my memoir, A Stone Thrown At Me and Escaping a Lost Box. I also wrote a poem, The Hills. Although my current project is literary nonfiction, I want to work on some fiction stories. I am a fiction writer. Your novel, Honey Vinegar is so enthralling. I am currently working on a short story. I endeavor to one day finish my novel, Blessings and Pride. I love you
I have a whole stack of backlogged in-need-of-edits first draft. Maybe the next time I write a first draft I should experiment with editing-as-I go. I've always been told it's a big no-no, but it's worth trying at least once.
I totally have a coked-up hamster for a writing brain, too.
I wish I had a workshop as well. That sounds soo helpfull. :) glad you found your process and are confident in it shaelin :)
Love this channel! Glad I discovered it!
I totally understand the fleeting image or feeling
I think following a plan too closely pulls your creative inner child away from the collective consciousness, or from wherever you feel the spark comes from. Stay safe.
This sounds an awful lot like my process, although my brainstorming phase is significantly longer. The main thing I want to take away from this is to get rid of daily word counts, because I know those are doing me no favors. As long as I'm making progress every day, I should be happy with that.
Getting rid of daily word counts really helped me!
@@ShaelinWrites I think I subconsciously realized this a while ago, but not to the level of actually doing something about it. I appreciate you mentioning it in this video.
‘The Idea Barometer’ is so real tho. For me it happens a few minutes before I get an idea. I’ll be lying in bed and I KNOW that I will get a good idea in a few moments, it’s honestly terrifying.
This is some of the most relatable shit I've ever seen on writing.
I'm so glad I'm not alone. She describing me
You just described me, really cool.
YOUR VIDEOS ARE PERFECT 🤙
Thanku
I can hear myself think. I'm finishing a book about transcendent-volition and I'm showing the phenomena of ideas, a lifetime on the mechanics of the mind. Check out the place you live and the people who surround you.
Working on my fourth novel. You write just like me, a process oriented approach with shifting around, multiple edits etc. I am not one of these content oriented writers.
Great vid! I think a discord would be very good for this community
Going sexy Nerd mode in 3 2 1
Shaelin: yes
Hi, loving your videos and your happy vibe! Really relaxing in these hard times. I just wanted to point out that the cuts (I don´t know how to call them) in this video are a bit misplaced. Doesn´t really affect the quality of the content, but I wanted you to know.
I try to write for at least two hours a day, usually right after I wake up, but of course, I don’t always manage to conform to that schedule. If you would like to know more about my writing process, you can subscribe to my UA-cam channel, “The Cynical Writer.”
amazingly informative video as always!
How do you create a “book queue”? I’ve always been interested in making one for future projects but have never had the opportunity to.
Haha you don't really have to 'create' anything. It's literally just your list of ideas you want to write! Nothing more complicated :)
Oh okay. Thank you for the help!
I HAVE THE WEIRD IDEA BAROMETER THING! (Sorry if I already commented this, I can’t remember). Do you think you have synesthesia, Shaelin? Or used to? Because I definitely did when I was younger and I think that might be related to it. I think it’s a mixed concurrent (that’s a weird mixture of senses that can, for some people, just feel like an indescribable vibe). It’s defined as being a response to something (hearing, smelling, etc) but I think concurrents can actually be more than that. A lot of my thoughts are in the form of my mixed concurrents, and I’m not the only one. I found someone talking about it in a Reddit post, but it’s still pretty unheard of.
For me, when an idea is developing, it feels like a vibe with a visual aspect to it. But what’s weird is that the visual is always pretty much the same: a soft, imperfect circle with a dull color. I think the vibe is more so what changes and gives context. But even the vibes are usually pretty similar. Maybe I’m just interpreting it differently. Idk it’s weird. It’s like they’re all the same and different at the same time??
Brilliant! Intuitive is best
CONFUSED. YES. Same. WRiting. Lets go
“I will never pay for Microsoft Word...” haha!
7:28 No, it does not sound stupid... it is actually what it's more important to write....
I get ideas that are fragmented.
If I think about it I start to build on it.
Most of my ideas come from history how normal people lived in the 30 year war not soldiers or kings.
Sometimes it's like schizophrenia, some of my ideas come from conspiracy theories, what would things be like if we had nano machines enlarging pleasure receptors in the hypothalamus found in food ? Would we be hypnotized into consuming a poison product.
We are very similar in our approach to writing, except that I require absolute quiet while I write. Music is too distracting.
Great advice!
Where can I go to find a writing community online? I've done some research, but most websites haven't been updated in...years. Anyone know of a good place to go? Thanks in advance!!
Question: I recently retook MBTI and got ISFP (i think this is very accurate). So “go with the flow” is basically my mantra. But I thought that was the P, and you are INFJ if I remember, but you also vibe to that. Any theories to that?
MBTI is a little more complex than just J = likes to be organized and P = likes to go with the flow. Reading up on cognitive functions might give more insight to that, but someone's MBTI type isn't really directly correlated to how organized they might be externally, but more how their mental processes work :D
its actually the n and s that determines whether youre more intuitive. n is for intuitive. s is for sensory.
the p and j are more for external presentation while the n and s are internal. the stack function is also important.
im an enfp (nefitesi) which is the inverse of infj (nifetise)
Didn't ever note this the full moons or went the Moon get it brightly, can impulse creativity, is what happened to me
I have an outline. but i don't outline all of the bits. so i planned two deaths then i'm like. Shit. I need like what happens inbetween these!?
I'd be curious to know your Myers Briggs personality as mine is INFJ and that's means intuitive writing is what works for me.
I'm also an INFJ!
have to study, but you uploaded- its not even a choice really *hits play*
You re so pretty!
Are u a full time author?
my hamster started running in the middle of this video, so thank you haha
"i dont know my main characters birthday"
THIS IS ME LMAO
in my defense i dont celebrate birthdays but still
Would you have any interest in doing a video abt 'witchy' as a adjective? Maybe you feel your How To Create Atmosphere video covered this ground. 'Witchy' is an adj. I use a lot to describe books n stuff, but I don't know ~exactly~ I mean by it. It seems to describe a lot of the things I like in books, tho. Your recent reads is a series I go to for consistently 'witchy' rec.'s and i feel like ur writing is maybe witchy, too? B/c of that--idk if that's too esoteric of a topic to be makeable as a video--I would love to see ur take on it.
Haha honestly I don't think I'd be able to make an entire video talking about just one adjective lol
@@ShaelinWrites Okay, fair point lol! If you ever run out of content tho: 'How to Write Witchier' is a video I'd watch the heck out of
Love it
damage.... your liverrr. I love Shaelin
Our writing process sounds pretty much the same
13:30 So you are exigent with yourself: it's kinda cool....
Me: **only half paying attention**
Shae: cuz you will . . . damage ur liver
Me: **spits out ramen**
Do you always know the ending of a plot beforehand?
I didn't know the end when I started my last book! I figured it out about 1/4 of the way through.
I was the one thousandth like!
i misread the thumbnail as "my writing poggers"
i know this is unrelated but, how old are you!! oh my goood you look so young
Haha I get that a lot, I'm 23.
I'm pretty sure this is my writing style.
i think im falling in love)
Hi! Thanks for sharing this! By the way im a new writer beside youtube do you share your
advices on instagram? I wanna follow you please
Are you Canadian?
Yep
@@ShaelinWrites I thought so! We have similar writing process but I think I'm discovery. I can't write with an outline at all.
Your earrings!! Where are they from ?
an etsy shop called Souvenir Handmade!
@@ShaelinWrites thanks :)
this whole video is an ADHD mood