"That sounds like a lot of paperwork. Are you sure you don't wanna... write another book?" GIRL. I felt that in my SOUL. So glad you're back and glad you took the time to prioritize your healing.
I also had a himbo cat. He trained me to be paranoid about where I throw away my dental floss and how carefully I stored my guitar strings. He would still try to eat the strings I'd just strung on the guitar but didn't get around to snipping yet. It's kind of a miracle he managed to die of old age at 17.
A video on your writing routine would be good. How do you fit in working full-time, mentoring, visiting friends and family etc AND writing? Do you have a set time in the evening that you MUST write, or do you write randomly? I’m lucky to have 24 hours a day to write, yet I struggle to be consistent. I also have looooong breaks from writing. I’m agented too, but my debut isn’t out yet.
You are a breath of fresh air. You have made me want to write again. My Mum died shortly before the pandemic. I told myself that lockdown was the perfect opportunity to finish my book. Not one word. I abandoned it and started a new one, but no, my heart just wasn't in it. I found your videos and it was like a kick in the butt. Just what I needed and at the right time. Your tell it like it is warts and all attitude, your enthusiasm, and passion ooze from my screen and have somehow got into me.Thank you.
My writing quest has improved massively (which considering how wonky my health has been is definitely good), I've actually got a book due out on May 6th. Sadly thanks to Amazon rules my publisher could only put Kindle pre-orders up for now, but the physical pre-orders will be available next Friday so it's not that much of a wait
Sidebar: Regrets are just us reflecting on an imaginary reality that never existed in which we create an entire experience wherein nothing bad happens from that alternate choice in that imagined, fictional reality. Choose remorse, not regret. :)
@@The_WriterVerse My dad used the word a lot growing up. It was exhausting. The man could’ve written 20 novels with all the imagined lives he didn’t live - all of them perfect and uncompromising in their outcomes. In none of those fictional realities was he ever hit by a bus 20 seconds after making the alternate decision. 🤣😂
Very reassuring that I'm not the only one who doesn't find time to de-cobweb my apartment. You motivated me. I got to doing the kitchen cleaning jobs, the ones that only need doing occasionally, but occasionally wasn't coming for me, while I listened to your chat. I am now happy that I'm not alone in these overwhelming things. I always think others must have cleaning fairies. Thank you Alexa!
Oh my god your eyeshadow and your blouse. Your makeup is always flawless but this one is on another level! I can't stop admiring how perfectly the shades match your blouse. So glad to see you back and to hear that you're in such a great place right now.
Himbo cat! I'm in a nasty cycle of avoidance. When I want to write, I don't because I'm afraid of being interrupted -- and, of course, I'm not. Then when I do start writing -- I'm interrupted. I keep telling myself it's just a self-fulfilling prophesy and just write, deep breath, be flexible. I need to day dream over some stuff, and I'm afraid of doing that, too. So while I'm not doing anything, and I could be thinking about stuff -- I'm not. Just bring us writing stuff, Alexa. I'll take whatever you've got.
Glad you're back! If they put your panel on RU-vid, can you please announce/share the link for us non-locals? 1. I find 1st page reactions very motivating. 2. Pep talks. I can always use one. 3. Slightly more advanced writing topics? 4. When talking about different methods (plot v pants, personal optimum writing output, etc), maybe include a poll so that it's a bit interactive and we can see that yes we're not the only ones who need xyz?
its very funny that you came back with a detox success story. im in the middle of edits for my wip and i got an hour in and just went "i dont think im getting further than this today." so i closed up shop and as soon as the video ends, im gonna play stardew valley and then read a spooky book :) self care!
You're fantastic, Alexa! I'm a first-time fiction writer, and your videos have been my constant companions since embarking on this journey. I've learned so much from them, and your willingness to impart knowledge to help aspiring writers like me is a gift. I'm so happy to see you back on RU-vid, and it was a delight learning about what you've been up to as of late. Best of luck to you and all your literary endeavors!
To answer your questions - I love lives, vlogs, and your book recaps but, honestly, I enjoy all Alexa Content! I've been doing alright. Since January, I've moved and started two new jobs so I'm busy trying to get settled. I've been watching old Survivor seasons and playing Sims to pass my free time!
Any videos you put out I love but my favorite are your reading wrap ups because the way you talk about books and how they’re either good/not as good, the plots etc is so well thought out and gets me jazzed about reading 🤣
Hi Alexa, it's Alex here 😊I can appreciate your position as my mother is also no longer with us. And like you it was only a year ago. But as always, there are more positive days in one's life than negative ones, so a nicer day is just around the corner for the both of us. P.s. I wish my name was as nice as yours, oh! Wait! It is LOL 🤣😂🙃🥰
For news: the AP news app is free and will send you notifications when important things happen. Another plus for me is that it’s also fairly unbiased so it’s just the story.
The computer problems you had reminded me of something that happened to me, and you’re right, the one thing that isn’t backed up will be lost I’m glad you didn’t lose much. A couple years ago for a school project which is just a passion project where you get to do whatever you want, I decided to build a huge castle that is like something out of a Disney movie in Minecraft. The thing was huge I spent over a month working on it, 2 weeks before it was due I was just gonna go on my laptop, and the world save files were completely deleted about a month and a half of work was gone. So 2 weeks before it was due, I had to start over. So I’m glad you didn’t lose much.
Yay for getting the needed things done! Also, the whole having to start a chapter from scratch so you don't want to start at all....such a relatable mood. :/
I've been on a social media cleanse following intensifying anxiety, uninstalled everything (I only use Instagram really, but sometimes Twitter). But still, my mental health is boosted after just 2 weeks (so is my self-esteem-funny how that happens, huh?) 10/10 won't be going back. Also, I just paused this video and backed up my entire desktop, which I haven't done since...never. lol my laptop is nearing a decade old and has this cute habit of shutting off randomly of late. :) Great to see you back, Alexa, you're glowing!
I was literally just thinking/ wondering about you today and here you are! I'm very excited and am adult thriller from you because I always feel like I can sense you holding back in your YA
Until you mentioned knitting, I thought you said Leo swallowed 2ft of urine! 🤣Poor kitty. Great update, Alexa. Looking forward to hearing more about this adult thriller 👍
So nice to hear an update from you Alexa. As a relatively new viewer who discovered you in Jan, I have watched so many of your videos that have helped me write my debut novel and I am so thankful for that. Having missed a few of your more recent videos, I had no idea what you were going through, but I saw that you were on a break and I thought that was well deserved! My condolences for your loss and thank you for sharing your experience, this was a beautiful video and has made me reflect on my own life. Wishing you lots of love and strength P.s. When you first said that your cat swallowed "two feet of yarn", I legit thought you said that it swallowed "two feet of urine". I was shaking my head, it wasn't until you said it the 3rd time that I realised you were saying yarn. (That's my bad, and not a comment on your pronounciation). Mostly I was wondering how one measures urine in feet 🤷🏼♀️ Anyway, hope that makes you chuckle 😅. I'm glad your cat is okay
Way to go on a Twitter Detox!!! I'll take any pointers XD. I don't use Twitter but I need to seriously cut down my scrolling on Instagram and Reddit because it just cuts out so much productivity for me.
👏 You are doing so much, very inspirational. Went through the clean-up process a few years ago for my Mom with my siblings. One hint, research places you want to donate to locally and consider getting a local storage unit - depending on the amount of stuff to go through and the time you have. Also, take breaks, you are dealing with visualize triggers and "smells" (good or bad) can catch you off guard and just bring things up. Glad you took a break and it worked!
I'm so glad you're back to any capacity that you are back. You were definitely in my thoughts and I always hoped you were doing okay with all the stuff you were going through.
Yay, so much good news here! Excited you're back! Really anticipating the adult and YA ideas! The people are not readyyyyy. (Gotta second the huge recommendation for Olivia Worley's People to Follow. So. Freaking. Good. Truly can't wait to scream at everyone I know to read it.)
I'm so thrilled that you're in a place where you're ready to be here(ish) again. I for one have missed your presence on my feed greatly. I'm glad to hear that you're in a better place overall, and I'm looking forward to what you choose to share as we push on through 2022. As an aside, your eyeshadow is amaaaaaaaziiiiiiiing! Do you mind sharing what you used for the lovely watercolor look?
Welcome back Alexa! I’m really glad to hear you’re doing well, irl stuff is always horribly stressful. But it seems like you’re feeling hopeful for the future and that’s good to hear. Good luck at the con!!
Hi Alexa, I'm a fairly new subscriber of yours but I've binge-watched soo many of your videos in the past few weeks. I can say with the utmost certainty that you've provided such a clear and insightful perspective of the writing process. It's been a delight to watch. I've been working on the same damn novel for almost a decade... Work and family have always taken priority -- especially with two kids on the autism spectrum -- but the concept for my book series has remained relatively unchanged the entire time. You could say it's been 10 years of intense outlining!! But this year I'm finally motivating myself and scheduling dedicated windows where I can sit down and get into the nitty gritty. Thank you for being a shining light for debut authors, like myself 💜
Good for you for stepping back. I was on a lot of social media ONLY because I felt like I had to as I pursued traditional publishing. Not doing it anymore. Twitter is down. No insta. No tic toc. I follow like 10 friends/family members on FB. Pretty much a complete news break. And I'm so much happier!!! So much of my anxiety is gone. Not going back. I can't change the news, so no need to follow it.
My problem is that I haven't written anything because I have like three story ideas brewing in my head and don't know which one I should write....probably the one that flows better? Also, glad you are back! Thank you for taking your time in creating this video :)
Welcome back! Glad things are getting sorted out! Would love to see a video on when your genre changes on you. This story started out as a romance novella, moved to novel-length... I don't know, slice-of-life existential crisis? And just recently, after deciding it was boring me out of my MIND, it's going straight into the supernatural genre. Still has existential crises, though! So a video on basically working out what genre your story fits best and what happens when that changes would be rad!
The colors of that blouse 😍 please take your time with your videos. Does anyone have any books/speakers/RU-vidrs who talk about writing about children's books? Specifically, in the 7-9 year old stage and the 12-13 year old stage? Writing for children seems to be so different, but most writing tips I see are for YA and adult books
I am impressed with your approach to prioritizing life stuff. And I am excited about your new thriller ideas! And from one owner of a himbo cat to another, you have my sympathy. I have found things in the litter box that must have been horrific to pass, like a gift bow and a sprig of Christmas tree. As far as putting my big-girl writing pants on, I am determinedly chugging along with my MG contemporary despite all the great YA thriller ideas I keep having!
Hi Alexa! I’m happy to hear your back! You have been my favorite RU-vidr for the past three years so I am excited for more from you! I would love for you to do more writing sprints, especially as you begin a new project!
Good to hear from you again. I understand you've had a lot to deal with. A break was completely necessary. Glad to hear you're getting on the other side of things a bit. Wonderful that your writing is going to come back to where it usually is. Excited to see what comes.
I'm glad you're feeling better. My husband and I are in the process of buying a house. It's in IN. We close May 3rd and it's stressful, to say the least. Especially with things we can't control. like when the aprasser will come. If he keeps to it he'll keep to it. Shiny new idea syndrome is hitting hard as well as a "Shiny new idea that is huge and scary."
Glad to see you back-ish! Getting real-life things done and taking breaks when you need them is always important. And btw, your eye makeup is gorgeous! 😍
Hey Alexa, I had to deal with cleaning out homes for both parents. My thoughts go out to you, it is very difficult and the fact that it's across the country will make it harder for you to bring stuff back. A strange tip that might be helpful: if you need to ship things to yourself from Georgia, pack them well and secure... And it is cheaper to ship them via Greyhound bus than any other courier service. Once you get back to LA you will have to go down to the Greyhound station to pick it up, which is always a unique experience, but the money it saves has helped me move across the country before... And back. (Sorry for any typos or whatever I am voice typing) much love!!!
Oh another long comment here, sorry: I have been telling everyone that since the dirty stuff left Tumblr I have found it far easier, if I catch myself doomscrolling, to switch over there and just look at fan art, aesthetic images, and jokes. For the most part a lot of real news doesn't make its way over there and it just is a vibe now. If you miss scrolling but want to avoid the doom this is one way to do it.
I’ve missed you so much! Sending so much love. I loved “The Ivies” and I’m diving into “The Stars We Steal” as soon as college finals are behind me. I’m glad you took a break from writing. It can be so healing.
Glad to see you back! Well husband went on vacation and decided to sprint clean and I am currently sitting outside on the back porch with a camping table and camping chair so i can write outside and enjoy nature instead of being inside all day like before. Of course its starting to warm up so some days i wont be able to be outside where it will be so hot. I dont do well over 70f in the summer.
I’ve been missing you. I’ve been editing book 1. I’m also editing my short story for August publishing. I would love more writing content and take your publishing journey. Show us what happens through your publishing journey.
So happy you had a good break and important life things were accomplished. Adult life admin sucks. LOL. Oh, your himbo cat! I am so glad he was able to expel that yarn! What a relief. Is the himbo your younger cat or the old gentleman? So glad you are full of inspiration and energy for writing again. Have a great time at the LA Times Festival of Books.
Glad to have you back... and even happier you're finding a balance between work and rest. Extremely important in order to survive this industry and be productive.
I just subscribed to you either yesterday or the day before, and this video was super inspiring because I think it's easy for writers to just push off your life and push through productivity, but it is super important to rest and take breaks. I binged a couple of your videos already, and I can tell I'm going to really like it here.
