"Let your first draft suck" is very close to what I call my 'throwaway' novel, i.e., I just let go of any expectations and just wrote, telling myself that this wasn't destined for anything more than a practice run or dress rehearsal. This helped me shake off my self-consciousness and other self-sabotaging -- and, as it turned out, a more-than-decent first draft.
First time writer here (at least i will be if i evr actually write something) and i have been following Reedsy tutorials for months. But here's the thing... there's a story developing in my so-called brain. there's a drawer full of research in my desk. i have spent sleepless nights pondering character profiles, plot-twists and allusive ARC' thingys? And if Ms Reedsy says start writing? Start writing i will, cuz Shaelin is my hero. For the longest time i thought her name was Shaelin Reedsy and i don't know why. Anywhoo, today's the day! Thanks Shaelin (i think?) but whatever happens i will alway luv u (don't ask)
Distraction has always been a huge problem for me - I ended up getting an Alphasmart a few years ago and it has changed my whole flow for the better! Instead of putting energy into stopping myself from going on the internet, it’s not even an option when I’m writing!
You're a truly fantastic help in my turning writing ideas into actual writing. I love outlines, wikis, notes, etc...but I'm making good progress on just writing out the characters, themes, questions, conflicts, etc...and getting good drafts started. Thank you!
"Get rid of distractions" and "let your first draft suck" are such useful pieces of advice! Both tend to be my downfall. Using your advice, I started writing a short story. I am aware it's not great in terms of its writing at the moment, but I fully intend on going back and upgrading the writing style, descriptions etc. once I have the plot nailed down. It's actually LESS pressure to write now!
I'm a historical fiction writer, and I use research as procrastination. Recently I was three or four pages away from finishing a chapter when I pieced together what happened during a particular time and place and I had to delete six page's and am now ten to fifteen page's away from finishing the chapter. So, procrastination can pay off sometimes lol.
@@juliall255 best tips I have is go to you local library and find books about your topic, biographies on historical figures who may have interacted with your topic (such as a war particular place, time or an event or occasion). Then look up topics that took place around your topic, they may have key information pertaining to your topic. If you are doing a topic that pertains to say a war, if you're able to, I would suggest calling libraries the areas that the war took place in, and in particular the areas that you're MC is in. Ask if there's a local Historical society that you can talk to, those help me a lot. Finally, RU-vid. There are a lot of history channels on RU-vid that are really good and have a lot of detailed information about niche topics. The comment section in them are usually very helpful and good. And most of them will list their sources or say what their sources are. Hope this helped, and best of luck.
Thanks for the tips, Shaelin. I've been noted a novel for the past two years, and I'm trying to get the motivation to actually finish it. Hopefully I'll EVENTUALLY get to the first draft stage.
Shaelin, I love your content but so many of these videos are soooo quiet. It’s like 1/10th the volume of any other video. Can’t hear you with volume on full blast on my phone idk if it’s a reedsy thing or not but I’ve noticed it specifically when listening to your videos.
While working on a novel Nicholas Shakespeare writes a short paragraph in his notebook at night which contains a secret thought. *These paragraphs are a kind of bushfire that light up sections of my novel if I have written something flat. I look back through my notebook, and bring out some phrase or metaphor or energy, and I pour it like gasoline on the page, and it lights up.* I have edited his words which can be found in *Writers on Writing* edited by James Roberts, Barry Mitchell & Roger Zubrinich. Penguin 2002.
I started working on my book when i finally said to myself: "Your idea is so tiny, let's try writing a short story instead of a novel". Being inspired by my friend to take part in an online competition, I began my first story. The was a limit of 40 000 symbols, and I pushed myself to reach it. I did not manage to finish on time because of my schedule, but my story is far beyond the limit right now. It turned out that my idea was not tiny at all, but I would never know that without starting
Canny and cogent counsel, as always. *Today I Wrote Nothing* a selection of writings by Daniil Kharms (1905-1932) should be on every procrastinator's book shelf. To avoid being executed in Stalin's Russia Kharms simulated insanity but his writing is wonderfully lucid and sane. Poets often hear a pattern of sounds before they find the words, and they go wherever the line takes them. Try this in storytelling. *Enter late, exit early* was the advice of screenwriter and novelist William Goldman. There are blogs and vlogs on this theme.
Question: i have heard that the book has to have a set plot unfolding from beginning to the end. My question is if it is possible to have few chapter stories while maintaining the same chronology and characters for example as in tv show mad men, it is much more episodic so the viewer can turn it on on any episode and still enjoy it
Hi Shaelin, Do you have reading lists or videos with book recommendations? I want to take your advice to start reading more in the genre I am writing and would love a list to work from! I think it could make a great video series.
Looking for recommendations on the best writing software for my novel. I have been using Microsoft Word forever, but now I am ready for some heavy copy editing. Looking to possibly use something else. Thanks
TY. Q: At what stage do you start workshopping chapters or excerpts of a novel in progress ? Do you wait until your final edits are done ? Or when the 1st draft (admittedly the sucky first draft) is written ? Thanks.
Grab a pen, put it to paper, ---or a computer ---punch away at relevant keys, or seize hold of a voice recorder, ---and tell a good tale. Currently onto one myself. It ain't as easy as many presume itnro be---if it must a good fictional work.
