A huge criticism I've ended up circling with a lot of contemporary YA that's popular on booktok is authors with no control or modulation of interiority, and where it is present, the stylistics fail the content. I wrote a whole article for ZeroIndent about Powerless that I never released because it just felt... mean pointing out that Roberts' lack of craft training in this regard makes the work almost impossible to engage with for this reason (I'll use her work because it demonstrates the purpose of this exercise that this snippet refers to). The story opens with close free indirect with an internal voice for the protag that fails to match her dialogue register, *and* the free indirect third person has the protag thinking things she would never think. The specific example stuck in my craw is the first chapter where the protag does the YA equivalent of "I bet you're wondering how i wound up here" and proceeds to summarise the history of the world and her personal situation in like, 3 paragraphs as "naturalistic" context. By contrast, Pat Rothfuss & Ursula K. Le Guin are masters of modulating free indirect third person with stylistics to match the moment. All to say, yes, yes, and yes, we need more accessible craft lessons like this article (also neat that it seems like substack made the vid for you, that's rad as hell), keep it up!
Getting a better idea of what a nano write is but still not clear. Yes. I'm a bit dense 🙂 Well, enough of youtube. Need to get back to Wizard & Glass. It's 893 pages. Whew!
No you're not dense!! It's a challenge to write 50,000 words (roughly a first draft of a novel) in November. It's a fun challenge, lots of community! Keep an eye out for it this year :) Ooo Wizard & Glass! A book series?
@NicoleWilbur Yes. It's The Dark Tower series from Stephen King. Not scarry, particularly. Just a little. He writes horror but also standard fiction, fantasy, mystery, thrillers. A little of everything. He's a master at craftsmanship. One reason he's the # one author on the planet :o) I like reading his style of wording in his stories.
The 'problems' don't seem that big. Nothing you can't fix easily with a few concentrated days of writing. I've always felt you have to go with your own feelings. Critics are helpful but writers gain their own style by writing a lot and their own way. Read us some excerts sometime and see what kind of feedback you get.
Absolutely! 'Problems/'mistakes' etc. are honestly RU-vid SEO terms. These were suggested edits, from an experienced editor I hired. Accept the edits that resonate, and if something is unaligned, leave it out
I LOVE that goal!! I admit I'm not really a vampire person...but I know how much others love them and it's so exciting that they're coming back! Plus, sounds like pure fun to play with!
not novels per say, but I work in comics, and I write comic scripts too, and we have so many folks who want to really write films but decide "comic scripts are basically film scripts right?" without them having any understanding of comics or drawing at all. (like it sounds really dumb but some writers truly don't understand drawings don't move....)
Omg comics - that's so cool! Holy shit I just took a look at your channel and your art is AMAZING! The detail omg! I love the violinist with the ripped jeans!! And you do book covers? I LOVE the Fairest of All One! Okay back to our regularly scheduled programming: that's quite funny...drawings don't move 😂
@@NicoleWilbur ah thanks!! Yeah I do book covers but mostly comics art and writing now (not much of that on my channel tbf) The Fairest of All was a whole graphic novel too! That was a fun one to make! And yes... I've seen many a script where the writer forgets that in panel one the character can't... I dunno walk down a corridor, then go through a door and sit on a chair, like they might do in a single shot of a film. You have to pick which moment you want the artist to draw, walking? opening a door? sitting on the chair? or make them 3 panels. Sometimes it's a slip up but it's a great indicator that the script was originally a screenplay if it happens a lot. I'm definately not saying writers can't try their hands at different kinds of writing but you do need to keep the end result in mind. (Also in a script for an artist, the Artist actually makes the images the reader is looking at so you have to be able to give up some control of your work and let the artist do what they do best, I imagine similar in screenplays handing it to directors and actors and... everyone involved gets to bring a little of themselves to the story, wheras in prose it can be more of just the writer (and help from editors etc).
I've been writing short stories, mainly, for some years and started and still do it because I love to put the nagging ideas down on paper. I love the forming of the story and organizing of all elements. I don't try to get published. For me, it's just a hobby and enjoyable.
Ahh that's amazing - I know that feeling of wanting to get the idea down. There's something so special and exciting about just having a story! Not that there's anything wrong w trying to get published, but I love writing as a hobby too - it should be for enjoyment :)
There is certainly a huge difference between wanting a living, wanting success, and wanting to be famous. It’s important to know the difference so you know you’re working from an honest place.
Ooo that's a beautiful way of putting it. I completely agree! And not just working from an honest place but a place that sets you up to feel successful and creatively fulfilled, regardless of any publishing numbers games.
This is a great video. I’m studying writing and Story Grid really stands out. It’s great to hear the other side / weaknesses / blind spots of it, because it does seem to be quite unique and powerful otherwise
Agreed! It is super powerful and offers lots of value! But no one method can be perfect for everyone :) I know elements of their methodology have evolved since I posted this video as well
Most people are all talk, so anything that gets you to finish a book is a valid motivation. However, the likelihood that you’ll receive a huge external reward from your first book is minuscule
Absolutely agree!! I think that the hope of that external reward though is often not enough to sustain all the work needed...especially after early rejections!!
If only we can come up with such a great series like J.K. And get her money too. True aspirations. I think you’re on the way to getting your novel done I’m still outlining 😂
Why are you writing your book? Or why do you want to write one? Check out my author newsletter and say yes to a party in your inbox: nicolewilbur.substack.com/
I am writing mine because Russia is going through incredible changes and so is Ukraine. A new Enlightenment era seems to be on the horizon, which makes an exciting topic to write a novel for. The important thing to do was to determine the number of pages, or stick around a given number - which in this case was 194. It was compiled in a week based on four years of research into how to write characters.
(Story nerd from the UK, here - old granny writer). I found your channel today, Nicole. I agree with much that you say about Story Grid, and, like some of the commenters, I use it more as an editing tool. The point you made about preferring 'plot archetype' rather than 'genre' - absolutely agree. I cannot stuff my Fantasy/Mystery novel into the 'genre' glass slipper! Story Grid, I think, comes into its own after all the hard work of writing the draft, that tells the story we want to tell, has been done. It allows us to view the story dispassionately, scientifically - like a surgeon. All good wishes to you. Happy Writing!
Thank you so much! That's such a great way to frame it: looking at it scientifically like a surgeon. I've really started using it more as an editing tool now too. Happy writing to you!
Oh I'm SO glad it was helpful!! Thanks for watching (and for telling me your keywords lol)! Are you writing a book or a massive romance fan? I'm so curious!! :)
Omg thank YOU! 😂 You know those words where you've read them a millon times but have never heard anyone say it aloud? Denouement is one for me. Colonel is another one. I learned French in school, I should be better 😜
If you liked this video, check out my Story Grid series: ru-vid.com/group/PLte6jZwxpFsXb2UpZIcKnAOw4eROv4TGU I went through the ENTIRE Story Grid process with one of my books!
I have an issue with 'Story Grid' although, there are many useful free resources that can be very useful. The main drive of 'Story Grid' is trying to sell you books and courses. My main problem I have with 'Story Grid' is, if you watch the videos on RU-vid, Tim presents himself as an expert in most videos, then a video in March 2024 or so, he goes through the process of writing a scene and getting critical feedback from his 'Editor' (Also, business partner Shawn Coyne) in this video you can see this 'so-called expert' struggle with understanding the concept of POV and how it affects his scene. I think when someone presents themself as an expert, giving advice and especially selling courses, they should understand basic concepts of POV, at least that is what I think. I pointed out this inconsistency to Tim in a comment on the video, and he muted me and deleted my comment. Tim is a very arrogant guy, that likes to wave his 'published' accolades (amazon, for the most part) to anyone that brings up a valid point in the comments. My advice is use the free resources on the website and the RU-vid channel, but don't fall for paying for 'courses' when they are taught by someone whom, shouldn't be teaching a course.
Esp in self-publishing, novellas seem to be a thing. It's not my cup of tea because I don't like short stories sooo much, but it seems to work for self-publishers (you can publish many of them, earn money and you can also put them all together in a bundle for a higher total price, too). Last month, I bought my first novella from an author I just watch here on youtube, never bought a book from her before. Just because I like her and she published a book in june & I wanted to support her. So I went to her Amazon page and saw that she published a novella in January as prequel to said book. So I bought the new book plus the novella, and began reading the novella (haven't had the time yet to begin the other book). Long story short: Novellas are good for attracting customers, for those who want to have a fast "reading success" and if it's part of a world or series, then I guess it's a really good marketing tool, too. I don't know how it is in trad publishing, I guess, it's kind of hard to get a novella published if one is an unknown author, maybe as part of an anthology, but I guess the success rate of getting a contract for a novella may be low.
Oh very cool! I love the idea of novellas as a marketing tool, actually! I remember in the YA era of my youth 😂 Ally Carter and Lauren Myracle would publish super cheap (or free) novellas set in their books' worlds: some for Christmas, some for crossing over between series! Yeah I haven't heard of novellas getting traditionally published...but it's certainly an avenue I'm interested in!
I'm a physicist. The title of the book got my attention because I thought there would be less rambling. I was truly disappointed when I started reading the book.
What a relatable video! Thank you! I've just received a Reedsy newsletter and there's this upcoming prompt for a story done in a script/play style and based on Shakespeare. Antony and Cleopatra comes to mind. I think I'll give it a try. Otherwise, I'm also thinking about getting my works out there gradually, starting this year. Let's do this!
Yes, totally agree about writing every day! It’s not necessary, but it really does help to keep up your consistency and progress. I have an ancient little piece of flash fiction on my website, but that’s it. I don’t know what else I would post since everything I’m writing now are complete novels.
I prefer the Kishotenketsu, for overall story outline but also for each and every single scene. This generate a wavelike feel to the fiction which I enjoy.
I've never heard of kishotenketsu but I just looked it up and it seems like a wonderful, incredibly useful framework! Do you have any resources on it you'd recommend? I'd love to learn more!
Okay I finally had time to listen and OH MY GOODNESS!!! They were gushing over your pages 😭😭😭 Great feedback on the query too-I have no doubt you’ll be able to rework it so it nabs agents’ attention. I’ve listened to a bunch of this podcast over the years and I rarely hear so much praise during one critique. CONGRATS!!
Ahh so excited that you listened!! Thank you !! 😂 Yes, query needs some tweaking & their feedback was so helpful...but the praise on the writing gave me a lot of confidence - like OMG!! The work they do is SO generous for the writing community. I listen religiously :) Thank you!!!
Fair point. Stands to reason that not every writer will respond the same to each bit of advice. Personally I find an editor’s insights to be invaluable, though it seems to impede my forward progress as I’m an over-thinker. C’est la vie
Oh absolutely! There's so much value in the story grid ! It completely changed how I wrote...but exactly -- when I relied on it exclusively -- I started overthinking, arguably about the wrong things for the point in the process I was in & found how *I* used the story grid ineffective
I'm glad I saw this video. I guess I'm not the only one having some issues with the Story Grid. I get what they're saying, but I find that some of my plot ideas really don't fit that neatly into one Content Genre/Plot Archetype. And yes, although Story Grid is helpful in some ways and as a way to analyze a completed draft, it's not that great for construction of the character or how the plot relates to the character. I have a friend who says that if you get stuck on your writing, return to what your best element in the story is. For example, mine happens to be setting: so, if I get stuck, I try to remember how the story relates to the setting etc. Hers happens to be character, if she gets stuck, she always returns to the character to ask what happens next etc. And yeah, it doesn't always help to model your work on one specific type of process. I tried the Three Story Method by J. Thorn as well as The Story Equation by Susan May Warren. They have some of the same basic ideas as Story Grid, but they focus more on plot construction and character journey, respectively. I agree that Story Grid has too much to keep track of, and that it's not always possible to use that model to construct a story. I get lost in all the new terms and acronyms and such that it *takes the joy away from writing*. I get exasperated. The Story Grid seems to be for people who are more mathematically inclined than most writers are. I'm about emotion and raw feelings and reaction rather than thinking and logic and calculation. And I'm willing to bet most writers are like me. So thank you for putting this video up here, I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling with it.
I'm glad you found it relatable!! I love that advice to go back to the best element...I've found myself following that a lot. Or rather, asking "where's the conflict?" and just going from there. I haven't heard of those books, excited to add them to my list!! Haha there's definitely good stuff but I totally get the exasperation :)
Hello Im Tusar SEO expert.. maybe everything is going well... I see your youtube channel and ur videos are good. but your views are too poor. maybe SEO systems are wrong to check it. by the way. your videos are very good and the content was so interesting. Thank You.
