Was swamped all day with outlining a project, so I didn't even know about this stream until half an hour after it ended. But to answer some of your questions: 1. Forcing myself through a draft has happened before, but it's when the stakes were high. The Theatre Guild in my city needed one-act plays to fill each annual package ... out of the 25 submissions I wrote, 20 were written in the span of 2 yearly rounds, and out of those 20, I brought 19 of them start to finish whether they felt good to me or not. (Not to brag but 12-15 of them were masterpieces.) Do not try that at home, kids, I am a mentally unsound professional. It was mostly about proving myself as an A-tier craftsman, only to learn years later that the Guild's program committee considered me worthless anyway. 2. Small towns are my least-favorite place in real life (I was born in one), but they're my paradise when crafting fiction. On the sadism scale of 1 to George RR Martin I am a 9.5: I stroke the egos of my richest and most powerful characters, only to deconstruct with utter savagery the importance of their actions within the grand design of the world. None of them are the center of the universe, not even the "chosen one" of that specific sequence of events. "The intertwining of setting and story" already sounds like an ideal lesson. I hope you continue having fun with that course. 3. Since July, I've read "Apostles of Mercy", the 3rd book in the Noumena series by Lindsay Ellis. She continues to rip apart the absurd mores of American culture through her sci-fi. Something good that happened: I reached the end of this month without going broke.
I finally got a chance to catch up on your video and i love the coziness of your content! I love seeing how you navigate juggling creative projects with life commitments because sometimes it's just so dang hard. Not to mention that constantly being in front of a screen is so exhausting. love love love the video, anna!🥹🤍
I always appreciate seeing how other writers handle time management (and maybe I’m hoping to find a way to hack my own time management). I admire the balance you try to strike in your life when it comes to writing and personal life and taking breaks. And congrats on all the progress you’re making!! 💖
I love your vlogs Anna❤ They are so chill, relatable, and inspiring. I love the end especially. You got so much accomplished! 🙌🏽 As a fellow 9-5er, that was so helpful to hear. Can’t wait for the next vlog!😘
Thought I'd answer some of your questions, having come back for a rewatch. A1: Color is tricky in plays and screenplays. If the color of something ties directly into the plot, I'll include it. Otherwise the director takes care of it when the work gets produced. I visualize every scene as if I intend to direct it myself, so there are an inevitable piling up of notes separate from the script itself. I took color theory at some point in classes long ago, but color theory doesn't apply with precision to every story you want to tell, so I go into each project trusting instinct and (as a director) the majority of my color choices are trial and error. As for describing physical elements in a scene, on a script level I'll usually draw attention to something by including characters' interactions with it. The actors are the only ones changing whatever is on stage, unless it's a lighting change (which does technically "touch" objects but doesn't move them) or a special effect where backstage hands manipulate a rigged object. A2: There isn't an exact quote on the tip of my tongue to sum up any of the numerous epiphanies passed to me by countless great writers. But there is an approach to the craft I've always held ever since hearing Chuck Jones discuss it: what are your disciplines? As a writer you can do literally anything, so as soon as you take off, whether you land smoothly or not is determined by what you DON'T do. Set parameters; work within them. If you have a superior who's setting parameters for you, think critically about what this will mean for how you personally write. I love hearing about your "things happen because X" approach to structure. A3: The goal is to wait for a particular statistic to appear online, then bring one particular back-burner project to the front burner and work on it full force. It will only make sense to other people when I've completed a first draft. In the meantime there might be a little breathing room to take editing jobs for other writers, but we'll see.
Ahhh new Anna vlog 🥰 Was I the beta reader you were talking about cause I can't figure out how long ago you filmed this but I feel like it's likely enough 😉 I can't believe you didn't think you were doing well while the week was happening, you are doing absolutely stunningly amazing! Keep going, you've totally got this! 💪 Also I love that you and Luke go to cafes to work together on Saturdays! My boyfriend doesn't like working in cafes, but it sounds like such a perfect thing to do with your partner so I'm very jealous.
@@MartaCanPixel haha yesss, I think it was you I was speaking with when I was wearing my headset on Saturday! Thank you so much again for reading for me! 🥹🧡🙏
Great vlog as always! It's good to reflect on a week and to have the video footage to support your thesis statement of "I really did the best I could" so I love that for you. I also love B-roll footage 📷 Love to see you're making progress on the Reedsy course, it looks like a blast! But the fact that you don't take notes during the lectures stress me lol, how do you remember it all if you don't take notes but work on other stuff during it? Two different birds with two different stones I guess :p My own writing this week has been abysmal, I've been down bad with covid since Sunday, and finally starting to feel human again yesterday. But reached my writing goal yesterday, and working on today's goal so we're picking up the pieces, one by one! 🤠
@@authorstigdyrdal thank you my friend! As for the notes, the Reedsy video player has a little section where you can type, so I’ve been typing notes attached to the videos, if that makes sense. But, I’ve also started a notion page to keep a collection of my favorite resources that they’ve provided, so I guess I’m using a few different methods lol 😂 I’m so sorry you were sick, but really glad that you’re doing better 🧡 take care!!
6:20 is the most relatable expression for my week too. During the day I am 20% awake and 40% productive. Most breaks from work are because of screen headaches, paired with a sudden reminder that I have to eat in order to physically function.
GOD I love your vlogs. Perfect vibes that inspire and motivate. I’ve seen Reedsy stuff all over of course, but I never knew they had such an extensive course, that’s so interesting. Definitely appreciated seeing you go through it, even if I don’t think it’s for me at the moment with that price point. That’s so crazy that you couldn’t go to the wedding!! I’m so sorry to hear that. But I’m excited to see your progress on this story! 💖
I am so excited for you! This Reedsy course is a wonderful opportounity and I am happy you are already gaining so much from it. It sounds like the instructor is giving students the freedom to figure out what they need to write versus a cookie cutter approach to novel writing. I cannot wait to hear how you develop Hera's Book! Also, I am glad that cute denim shirt made it into another video! And I can totally relate to the post-cleaning malaise. I panic-cleaned my house before my parents came to visit last weekend, and watched this as my treat to myself. (I am late to comment because I was holding Clark when I watched the video, and just now realized I never actually posted this comment.)
Hi there. I can't seem to find the adjustment for zoom level in Dabble Writer. I only have a few days left on my trial and I can't figure that out. I don't want to purchase if I can't zoom in like you can in Word and other writing apps. Does anyone know? Thanks!
@@Cowdog1 since it's browser based, you would use the same controls as you would to zoom in on any other webpage :) for example, on PC that's hitting Ctrl and Plus. Best wishes!
Yeah, but, they can completely see yor writing as you go, and also steal your ideas. To believe they wouldnt is naive. You'll see many hollywood writers stay completely offline.
Fantastic vlog. 💛 it's really awesome to see your experience taking such a writing course. And not gonna lie; it looks really, really cool 👀 I'm excited to see how it all concludes in September
new anna video!! <3 your vibes are always so lovely, it's a treat to listen to you! i love that you're taking us along the journey of hera's book, it sounds like your having a lot of fun and i'm really impressed you're keeping up so well with the course next to work and travelling! also "information dropping left and right out of my coat pockets" is actually a great visual i think hahahah. i definitely relate to that for a first draft! excited to watch the next vlog and hear how you're finding things then <3
This was a fun one! I am SO excited to hear how your fast draft goes! My goals for the year are to hit 200 strength training workouts, read 12 books, and finish my journal. However, I am a mood reader, and I recently picked up a book that is 800 pages long. That should count for two, right? I add collections of poetry (but not anthologies) to my book list. If the collection was compiled as is by the poet, I count it. I also keep a separate list of "short pieces" I've read. I add short stories and essays to the list. It's a fun way to encourage myself to dig into some of the anthologies I stockpiled during undergrad.
Anna: "I feel like line editing is a big weakness of mine" Me having just finished Project Gemstone: "Strongly disagree" 😂💙 I'm so in awe with how well you did in this video, I doubt I could handle taking a class with that many extra bits to watch and read and do while writing 1k words a day and having a job and travelling, not to mention filming the whole thing and then getting it edited with such a quick turn around while still continuing to do the course. Honestly insane, well done! I hope you continue enjoying the course for the next two months. Also I think I said this last video but congratulations on your first ever partnership! That's so exciting, and I'm so jealous you get to do this course for free it sounds so interesting (even if the time comittment would probably kill me 😂)
@@MartaCanPixel waaah thank you!! 🥹🥹 That's so kind of you to say. Yes, it has definitely been a lot to balance to be sure! I'm living that paddling duck life where I'm trying to keep cool but running as fast as I can under the surface 😂 in the end though, it's been very fun to be in this book and I'm glad I had the perfect excuse!
What a cozy vlog! How exciting that you get to try out the Reedsy novel course, it looks really solid! 😍 I think 10k words in a month with holiday and a full time job is solid, well done. Excited for part 2 and more of your thoughts on the course 😊
That course sounds interesting! I’m excited to see how it goes. And it’s so nice to see you feeling so good about the new project, that’s exciting too! I’m so sorry to hear you didn’t get to go to the Renn Faire! 😭It seems strange how different it is elsewhere; in MD, it starts at the end of August, but then right around the corner in DE, it starts in late October. Now you can just be super prepared for it next year! You may not have been able to check off a lot of things, but you’re still killing it! 💪🏻
For DNFs, I think if you've made it to ~66%, then you can count it, assuming it's at least a 300 page book. 200 pages is a short novel's worth. If you stop after a chapter, no, it doesn't count. As for one goal I've accomplished this year - finished draft one of novel four (at ~250K words!).
Oooh a whole new project! 🤩 cant wait to hear how that fast drafting is going 😊 and you did really well on your goals. Good job setting them realistically 😊🎉
Omg I'm so excited about you taking that course and pushing yourself to fast draft a book in three months! As someone that also only gets ideas few and far between, I'm so excited for you not only getting a new shiny idea, but also getting that idea in between drafts of a project when you are in the perfect spot to work on it. It sounds like everything is lining up for you! I can't wait to hear how the project goes 💖💕
In general it sounds like your ambition is growing. Really rooting for that to pay off for you. 💚 2023 was off for the both of us, but based on the experience I'd advise you not to judge yourself on the productivity front and end up overcorrecting as a result. The ren faire sounds like such a dollop of enjoyment that confidentially, if you miss it, why not organize a smaller one with your friends and find an outdoor space somewhere that's dirt cheap or (with luck) zero cost?
Omg the way that I am making this exact same video tomorrow and hopefully uploading on Monday! I love the mid year check in because it's much more powerful to still be chugging along now rather than during the bright eyed days of early January.
@@Wallisimo oooh yay I’ll be looking out for it! 🧡 it’s definitely one of my favorites to watch as well, and can be a nice reminder to stop and reflect ☺️
Sharing your work with loved ones, especially close ones is also paradoxically difficult! You would think it’d be easy but it’s definitely not. It’s good to share your work with them though, in my opinion because they’ll give you some feedback and also a well earned pat on the back! 😊
I love hearing you talk about your goals, something about the way you talk about your progress and what you hope to achieve in the future is just so interesting
oh my gosh, thank you Mars 🥲 that is so lovely of you to say. and so nice that this is the first comment I read, when I'm fresh off of editing myself and self-conciously worrying if my rambling is even worthwhile 😂 thank you 🧡
Congratulations! I am so happy for you! I have enjoyed following you on this journey, and I look forward to holding a copy of this book in my hands after you publish it. (Btw, if you need any more Beta readers, I know quite a few folks who are avid fantasy readers and would enjoy discussing your work with you.) I just got "A Rival Most Vial" on Kindle. I will start it after I finish the fantasy series I am currently reading. :-) I did not realize how creative the process of language teaching was until I started watching your v-logs and unexpectedly found them relatable to my work. I consider building the online courses I teach to be easier than writing a novel, but I do see parallels. Every semester, I start a new round of revisions. I think about how the parts relate to each other, and scan it critically to see if there are any bits that are superfluous and not contributing to the overall goal of the course that I need to delete, change, or put in a different place. I incorporate feedback from my own beta readers (a.k.a. my students) and tweak the course accordingly.
Thank you so so much!! 🧡 I hope you love a Rival Most Vial. It was like a warm hug of a book! And I love your connection between teaching and writing--I see so many parallels too! I definitely see how it involves that same analytical part of our brains.
I watched this a few weeks ago while I was holding Clark and forgot to leave a comment! I always appreciate your authenticity, and I am sure your other viewers do, too. Thank you for capturing this not-so-easy season of writing, and for reminding the rest of us that it is okay to experience slumps with our creative work.
