Plan Your Novel Using Index Cards \\ Preptober

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So many of you said you wanted to see a more detailed video about my index card process, and I was so happy to get a chance to talk about it here for #preptober 2020!
Here are some links to the videos and resources I mentioned today:
🖤 Plot Your Novel video series • How To Plot Your Novel
🖤 Newsletter and Blog
heartbreathing...
To receive the Plot your Novel workbook, the Preptober Planner, and many other free resources from me, scroll down to the bottom of the page and sign up for my newsletter.
🖤 Plotting a Multiple POV novel • Outlining My Novel | M...
🖤 My Video on Pacing • Writing Tips: How To M...
🖤 How To Make A Portable Plotting Notes Booklet • How To Make A Lightwei...
🖤 The Full Preptober Playlist (so far...) • Preptober 2020
🖤 Check out my favorite index cards, writing tools, and books on writing here on Amazon: www.amazon.com...
(This is an affiliate link, meaning when you make a purchase I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much!)
✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰
🖤Visit me on Etsy to see my custom 90-Day planner, the HB90 Method. The Q4 Planners are available now! Also, my 2020 Goals Planner is now discounted!
www.etsy.com/s...
🖤Want to help support me as an author? Grab my new release, The Witch’s Key, now!
books2read.com/thewitchskey
🖤FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR PLANNER HAULS, DAILY COFFEE CHATS, AND STORYBOARD UPDATES IN MY IG STORIES!
/ heartbreathingsblog
🖤Join me LIVE Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4PM Eastern time each week on my second channel as I read my first novel, “Beautiful Demons”. Every Friday is a live coffee chat Q&A. Join us! / sarracannon 🖤
🖤Buy HB90 Method Stickers and other stickers for writers at Procrastiplanner, Etc!!! www.etsy.com/s...
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SUBSCRIBE NOW -- / heartbreathings
Want to send me some Happy Mail?! I now have a PO Box!
Sarra Cannon
3642 Savannah Hwy
Suite 116, # 234
Johns Island, SC 29455
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BLOG -- heartbreathing...
INSTAGRAM -- / heartbreathingsblog
FACEBOOK -- / heartbreathings
TWITTER -- / heartbblog
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Heart Breathings - Episode 203
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About Me: My name is Sarra Cannon, and I've been indie publishing since 2010. In that time, I have published 26 books and sold well over half a million copies.
I've made some mistakes along the way, but I've also learned some valuable lessons that I think will help you reach your goals. I can't wait to help you learn to make money writing what you love.
____
MY BOOKS -- www.sarracannon...
THREE FREE BOOKS -- sarracannon.com...
My Author \ Vlog Channel - / sarracannon
#authortube #preptober

Опубликовано:

28 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 123

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

Thanks for watching!! Are you feeling ready for November! It's almost here!!!

@tifanylee9824 3 года назад

Thank you for the index cards! This tool helped me refine a story that I've failed several nano s trying to capture. Ive got it now and I'm ready to win (finally! ) nano this year!

@Katie-pm9ph 3 года назад

I normally don’t want to listen to other’s advice because they say “you have to do it this way.” You have such a light and friendly way about you that I cannot wait to try your methods! Thank you!

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

What a sweet compliment, thank you so much!

@SharkLizard 3 года назад

I also dislike being told what to do, lol. I also like that she's so free with sharing her methods. Lots of writers always seem to be holding something back to get you to sign up for their $400 course. I have no doubt Sarras cours(es) are more informative than her RU-vid videos, but I think it's probably because she really dedicated herself to making them worthwhile, not because she's holding back here 😊

@flootsmith 3 года назад

I put mine in a cute little makeup pouch to throw in my purse - they often have the perfect size at the dollar store.

@bunnyrose9525 3 года назад

I used note cards in high school for speeches and term papers. I have used them for plotting when I need something tangible to move around. It was one feature of Scrivener that I liked, but they weren't big enough. So, I finally got the biggest "white" board I could (but it's pink) that would fit in a cute frame. I use that flow-chart method where I just stack little shapes and reference other threads where something is connected, but it would take toooo long in software. Writing it out is the way to go!

@tracy238 3 года назад

I always loved the idea of using index cards however I got overwhelmed every time I tried. You broke it down into easy steps and I can't wait to give it a try.

@BettyBonkers 2 года назад

I just came to show support. I love your work and just want to reinforce that you're spreading good in this world.

@mohmeegaik6686 Год назад

Sarra you are so generous with sharing your talents. I just subscribed.

@KristenKingWrites 3 года назад

Congrats on coming up on 10 years, Sarra! Very big accomplishment

@morganeua 3 года назад

Wow, I'm only half way through the video, but this is already super helpful. I'm totally going to try out index cards for my plotting today!

@emilyvbr1878 3 года назад

This is the first time plotting has started to make sense for me 👍 💙

@MissHolliday3110 3 года назад

I have a presentation board and I labeled each flap (acts 1-3). I use 3x5 post it notes and have different colors for plot and subplots. I put the scenes in order in each section of my board.

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

Oh, this sounds awesome!!!

@aaronvillanueva2239 3 года назад

I love your videos! This is exactly what I've been working on this week--NOTECARDS! Thanks so much for sharing all your tips and tricks. You've been one of the best writing teachers I've ever had! And can I just say how stinking cute are your Halloween nails!?!? TDF!!

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

Wow, thank you for saying this! It means so much to me! And I'm glad you like the nails, too. They are so fun!

@TheKateGibbs 3 года назад

you have easily turned into my new fave authortuber. Your advice is actually useful as opposed to most authortubers vlogging updates on how many words they write and calling that content. Please do more videos on plotting. Love your plotting series so much!

@HistoricalRamblingsPodcast 3 года назад

This is so helpful! Seeing into your thought process while you're plotting was invaluable. Plenty of authors tell what to do, but showing us how in a practical sense is exactly what I needed to connect the missing dots. Thanks a million!

@margaretkiernan3253 3 года назад

Me too, Lisa. She is fab.

@patricialivangood3748 3 года назад

I just love the information. Ive learned so much and I'm in the works of using index cards in my outline for my future novel.

@esme- 3 года назад

I’m so readyyyy!!!!

@raquellopez648 3 года назад

I was waiting for this video by the edge of my seat. I wanted to see what you would share on how to use index cards before I dove into my own research and exploration. I was not disappointed and with the simple steps and advised this will definitely be a key practice that I am sure will help me on my own journey. Thank you, Sarra!

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

@spiceshewrites 2 года назад

I'm just here to show my support, once again. Sarra is a talented teacher, who has always respected fellow authors and her sources of inspiration, as well as bringing her own contribution to plotting and planning your novel.

@sailor.britters 3 года назад

This is brilliant, I could really use this method for my dark fantasy series. This is how we used to have to outline essays in high school, we had to submit the index cards on the ring to the teacher lmao. I never thought to use this for novel planning. Right now I use a poster board and post its!

@pinkskiestoday 3 года назад

I sooooo NEEDED this. 💜💜💜💜💜💜 u, Sarra!!!!!!

@part-timeprofessionalfull-8083 3 года назад

Your videos are always so darn timely! I'm deep into Preptober, working on key plot points and preparing to do the master outline. This is exactly what I needed to focus my next steps! Thank you!

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

This makes me so happy to hear!

@amytwilliams Год назад

WOW. Your process is great! Thanks for sharing. I like this approach and plan to try it.

@taryn3961 3 года назад

One of your best videos Sarra! I love how you walked thru step by step and made it easy to understand. I feel like I got punched in the face with motivation and I can't wait to get back to work. Thanks for all you do :)

@quartkneek3670 3 года назад

Great walk-through - thanks for posting this. I've been playing around with the Plottr software so I've been thinking a lot about various different ways to organize a plot. There are so many approaches beyond the Hero's Journey. I love the 3x5 system you use and I think I'm going to cobble together my own variation as I have a bunch of the cards that I use every day for random notes, shopping lists, reminders, etc.

@knottyneedle 3 года назад

When you have time (lol) you might want to check out Elizabeth George's books on writing - Write Away - is really interesting I think.

@louiseegan291 Год назад

Loving the index colour process. I have mine stuck to my wardrobe door now I'm extending the matrix. Thank you

@cate5029 3 года назад

I absolutely love the way you detail your videos. Very helpful step by step process what I can use in my own way. Thanks Sarra.

@connermcintosh4322 3 года назад

This is perfect! My plan for the day was already to use index cards to help plot my novel!

@heathermacdonald6404 3 года назад

Always fun and informative! Thanks, Sarra!

@ghoulscoutcamp8259 3 года назад

I am finding this incredibly helpful for my narrative non-fiction book project too!

@greeneyelia 3 года назад

Such a great video and so inspiring! Your energy is contagious. I immediately hopped over to Amazon and got a bunch of notecards. I'm obviously fashionably late to Nanowrimo, but am planning to have my own version of Nanowrimo next month. Will definitely check out your other vids 👍

@TheLadyAli 3 года назад

Thanks so much for sharing this!!! I have my cards all set up but wasn't sure how to actually set them up. Love that they are moveable! You've been such a great help so thank you so much. I think I'm the most prepared I've ever been for NaNoWriMo.

@pagesofkelly 3 года назад

I made some Index card books, using binder rings and I’m currently using them for scene cards. I just have to pick out what goes in the three Act structure of my nano novel.

@lindadouglas5149 3 года назад

Thank you so much I just watched the video now I'm getting ready to rewatch it and take notes

@seyox2434 Год назад

What a fantastic amount of information. Thank you! This was really helpful.

@HeartBreathings Год назад

So glad you found it helpful; thanks for watching!

@bushanbhat7280 3 года назад

good video spontaneous flow and useful info.

@beccaplans 3 года назад

Omg! I LOVE that Halloween Hello Kitty! ❤

@charlesbrentner4611 2 года назад

I've come to think of the four parts as 1) setup 2) reaction 3) action and 4) resolution simply because that's what happens in those four sections. Setup introduces the story world, Reacting is what the hero does at first then he/she starts actively fighting back and then comes the resolution where he/she either triumphs or fails completely.

@annettempalmer 3 года назад

Thanks for making this video! Btw whenever I see Hello Kitty stuff I always think of you 🤗

@therogueeducator8452 3 года назад

Your content is always SO helpful. I think my brain thinks a lot like yours.

@kayleebooks1860 2 года назад

Thank you for your information and advice! I will definitely pull some of these ideas for my own outlining!!!

@marthalowery1608 3 года назад

You can use a two hole puncher to put in two holes in your index cards so that your holes in your index cards are in the same place and this will make your cards flip more easily. Martha

@dondurbin2823 2 года назад

Very helpful. Thank you for your clarity and generosity.

@DeeBlaregold 3 года назад

Whew! Girl, I like your style! I'm working on a duplicable system.

@zoeknightley 3 года назад

Your videos have been an amazing help during my first ever Preptober.Thank you for all that you do! I’ve laminated my index cards and use an erasable marker so that I can change things easily as I prep #plannernerd #paperjunkie

@AionNoBara 3 года назад

Thank you for showing us your index card process with your current ideas. I took notes with the videos and was able to brainstorm as well =) The 'What do I already know" question really helped. I learned that it was okay to jump around on different scenes and acts when I am stuck. I'm so used to sitting down and cranking it out in one go, and felt that if I went to write something else, I would lose that inspiration for that first idea. I have ideas for chapter titles, but I don't have an idea for the whole story title. How did you come up with your book titles and when? Was it during or after writing? Thanks for all your help and good luck in NaNoWriMo

@reneebarrette4514 3 года назад

It must take SO MUCH WORK just to set this up for the first time. Not only just physically with all the cards, etc but mentally as well!

@nildam.bonilla5849 3 года назад

😍 love all the tips thank you♡

@snack528 3 года назад

Loved this video, Sarra! You're my inspiration :)

@kimgray28 3 года назад

Thank you so much! I really needed to hear these words and ideas today.

@ChiChiKeiannaJ 3 года назад

Thanks for sharing your tips. I love your vibe. 💕

@evelyngray9893 3 года назад

Thanks Sarra! This was a great video!

@wilmaharrysson8445 2 года назад

19:38 I want to remember this 🕺🏻

@SarahJaneWeldon 3 года назад

These videos are so helpful, thank you so much.

@charmaineriley9079 3 года назад

Thanks for tips because I can use this for creative nonfiction.

@alizamann4459 3 года назад

You mentioned a book early in the video. I don’t see the link here, but I could have missed it. Can you point me to the book? Love you vids, BTW!

@jenniferlamontleo6114 3 года назад

From the show notes, if you click on Sarra's link to her Amazon shop, there's a section called "Favorite Books on Writing" that lists the books she mentioned, plus some others. Hope this helps!

@taryn3961 3 года назад

You're right the link was missing but I found it at Amazon www.amazon.com/Screenwriting-Tricks-Authors-Screenwriters-HOLLYWOOD-ebook/dp/B013NI192I/ref=sr_1_3?crid=Q83OK1H3KH9N&dchild=1&keywords=screenwriting+tricks+for+authors&qid=1603549662&sprefix=screenwriting+tri%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-3

@iHanna 3 года назад

Thanks for sharing this! So helpful.

@ninamimi6622 3 года назад

I’ve just started on my index cards so this will be useful. October has gone so fast and I’m not ready yet! Hoping to be ready for Nano although I’m pregnant and didn’t appreciate how tired it’d make me but still hoping to win Nano with my cozy mystery.

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

I'm not ready yet either!!! We can do it! Congratulations on your pregnancy. It really does make you so much more tired than it seems like it would! I had to take a lot of naps, haha.

@beccaplans 3 года назад

Question: I've decided to write a book for the very 1st time ever, on my experience with having a stroke at age 26 and the impact it's had on my life. Would I be able to use this plan for it? I'm so new at this and have no clue. Would love some advice/tips. ❤

@AionNoBara 3 года назад

What about starting with a chronological outline of events- before, during, and after the stroke? Don't be nervous about what to write, because only you know what happened and no one else can tell your beautiful story =) Take it in parts and take it day by day and one step at a time in what you are able to do. I have chronic back pain and degenerating disc disease at 30 with limited mobility and I needed to learn to walk again. I am very interested in how you overcame your trial and how you are still standing and so strong =)

@beccaplans 3 года назад

@@AionNoBarathank you for the tips! I have a lot of cognitive deficits: extreme brain fog, confusion, word-finding difficulties when I'm talking/some aphasia. The brain fog gets so bad some days and I can't think clearly at all. I've noticed the only thing that helps is going outside in fresh air. I have trouble with my memory and thought-processing. I'm taking time for rest during the day. I get overwhelmed very easily so taking everything one step at a time is helpful. I have a great support system too

@wilmaharrysson8445 2 года назад

Great breakdown!! I just have a question: Is every scene a chapter or how do you section them off? 😊

@HeartBreathings 2 года назад

Such a good question. There's no "one right way" when it comes to chapter breaks. It can depend on what genre you're writing and whether you're switching POV's, etc. The way I like to think of it is that the scene is about the structure and story, where the chapter breaks are really about your reader's experience. I really should do a full video on this, but if you want to check out more about scenes in general, you might check out my writing great scenes series I recently did: ru-vid.com/group/PLg6zjsQP4Pwf4X0J42wtjUMJdy5dMEZgK I talk some about chapters in the last two videos, I believe.

@wilmaharrysson8445 2 года назад

Thank you so much for answering!! I am binging your content, you explain very realistic and doable for my brain to comprehend 🫶🏼 Yes, I would love a whole video dedicated to chapters 💫😄

@RavenTudor22 3 года назад

Are any of your book translated into danish? I would love to read them❤️

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

I don't have any translations out at the moment, but I'm hopeful for someday! Thank you!

@darcydiamond8645 3 года назад

Sarra, thank you for index card method for plotting. So many uses for this. I love the "portability" factor of the cards. I write @cafes, also, making index construct very appealing. I'm creating 2 sets of small cards bound by a 1-hole binder ring. 1) the set I will write on; 2) the set with the story arcs cheat sheet you've gleaned from your readings. Love this a lot. 2nd set with my personalized prompts I'll print out, laminate cards. What do you think? Have you done this? These are sustainable prompts I can use for several projects. Perhaps even my thriller series! Adding on to your author resources, (appreciate workbook,) Randy Ingermanson, "How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method," Blake Snyder, "Save The Cat Writes a Novel, Save the Cat Screenwriting," Jamie Nash, "Save The Cat Writes for TV." All these current writers validate the following: a seven act story structure, (Snyder;) the 15 beats of all stories, (Nash;) & the concept of beginning design with a small idea and slowly building that out like a snowflake, (Ingermanson.) Hope these ideas & add'l authors might resonate with our writer community.

@grey7153 3 года назад

just got the box set!!

@ashtonsplan Год назад

How do you go about getting a mocked up book cover...? I kind of want to have one made to give me inspiration!

@HeartBreathings Год назад

You can make it yourself on Canva! Just search the templates for book cover!

@ashtonsplan Год назад

@@HeartBreathings thank you so much! I will look into that!

@marthalowery1608 3 года назад

If you put two rings on your index cards instead of just one, they are easier to flip. Martha

@IndigoC4 3 года назад

Thank you Sarra

@shaungerald23 3 года назад

When you’re writing your scenes, do you title them? Or label them by chapter they may or may not be in?

@nenakarra2579 3 года назад

cannot find the plan your novel workbook on the website though...

@cecilywolfe4571 3 года назад

Thank you!

@lindaweedmark6025 Год назад

Curious, would you be able to tell what your Myers Briggs &/or Enneagram number is?

@HeartBreathings 11 месяцев назад

Myers Briggs is ENFJ and Enneagram is 3

@Scott29a 2 года назад

Get to the point quicker.

@Cottage-Reader 2 года назад

30:09 Don't mind me here, I just need to mark this as a relisten to for my overwhelming days. Thanks, Sarra for this encouraging part of the video.

@starbright6579 3 года назад

I use the small colorful ones for my Screenplays. But I use them a different way all yellow cards are for the beginning of the movie, Green and Pink is for the middle of the movie, and Blue is for the end of the movie. I write what happens to keep my story moving forward. It's nice. And for my novels I plan it in my head.

@Scribblewriter7 3 года назад

I really needed to hear about trusting your writers gut! Beyond timely for me! Thank you so much!

@sangitaingle4187 3 года назад

Imagine getting heart❤❤❤❤❤❤ from u❤❤❤

@HeartBreathings 3 года назад

Your are too sweet, thank you!!

@sangitaingle4187 3 года назад

😊

@kathywerebwrites 3 года назад

Thank you for this! I love your tips for streamlining the writing process. Last week I was intrigued when you said you used index cards, so I went out and bought a couple of packs and was eagerly awaiting this video! This is my first time doing NaNoWriMo, and I'm excited to try it out!

@singingsanja167 3 года назад

I have tried notecards for the last three projects, and it never worked out for me. Now I know what was missing: Pushing holes and putting them on a ring, so that I can flip through and *not* mess up the order in the process! °_° I use bulletpoint lists for the details, and sticky notes on aaper sheets for the different parts. That has been working well for me for *scratches head and thinks* five novels and two academic theses. ;-) But the notecards are a great compromise between enough room for the important infomations on one hand, and keeping it short and sweet on the other. I will get me some of those rings and give it another go the next time, as my NaNo novel is aleady poltted out. ;-) Thank you so much for sharing all your tricks! *_*

@MariaBaiasHeritage 3 года назад

I was so looking forward to this video! I love it!! Ever since I started following your channel I've become so much more organized. Thank you!!

@cl_shaner 2 дня назад

This video is so helpful!! I realize it’s an older one, but just the starting point of 10 scenes per section (to add or subtract as the story demands) is such a helpful starting place for plotting! Thank you ❤

@beccaplans 3 года назад

Congrats on your 10-Year Anniversary, Sarra!!! That's so exciting!

@mattmallecoccio8378 3 года назад

So, I got a creative planner notebook (I like it even though it's girly and I'm a guy. Must be creative planner makers must think all writers are girls.) I'm using it for lyric writing, but I'm curious as to how to use creative planners. I know you do notebook challenges, but I can't remember if you've done videos on creative planners. Help

@claricesmyth 9 месяцев назад

In creating the index cards you mention adding approximately five color POV cards per act section. What information do you write on these cards? How do you decide where to place them in the stack? In your overview and layout of the white index cards stack I did not see any references to how the colored POV cards were actually used in the index card creation process. Happy New Year. Thanks

@HeartBreathings 9 месяцев назад

If you want to see what I write on each card, I recommend checking out my series on writing scenes. Particularly this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EsyiE8PM8HA.htmlsi=c6AAW4HV-ph8imnp If I'm writing a book that has only 1 pov, they are all white index cards. If I have multiple pov's, I place the color coded card on the table where I have a scene written in that character's pov. I don't do alternating POV's so it depends totally on the story. The 5 or so per act is just a starting point, but it will become more or less depending on what the story needs at the time. If you search my channel for writing or planning multiple pov stories, you'll find more details on it!

@laduchessa30 3 года назад

Another great video Sarra and thanks to the links to the products you use. Index cards are so expensive here in Italy from Amazon and UK won't ship them out! 33 euros for a pack that costs $2 or just under £2 ... :(

@samuelewrites7249 3 года назад

I love this method! :-) I’m actually pantsing again for the first time in over a year… I’ve been a total outliner but I feel like I have a better general idea of story beats now? Filling up the story with a lot of banter between the characters and non MC conflict, I hope it works LOL. If not, back to outlining.

@TheKidsCookingSchool 3 года назад

Yay! Just in time too! I'm going out of town for a few days and now I know what to pack to do scene cards on the airplane.

@CirquedJoy 2 года назад

I'm a pantser. Any tips for using this to reverse outline?

@kathy2910 Год назад

Just stumbled across this and am so thankful. So helpful!

@tonyasmith1917 3 года назад

I just found these! I have been carrying around my outline for over two years because I haven't had the "block of time" I used to have. Thank you for showing me how to think out of the box on terms of using my time to get the writing down. This will be my first NaNoWriMo. Gonna work on these notecards tonight and tomorrow. I WILL stick to the plan!

@YoungestGoldenGirly 3 года назад

I'm way too late to try and complete in NaNoWriMo this year but I am pumped about finally getting on course to completing a novel! Your videos have been so helpful! 🎃🖤

@ig7002 2 года назад

Amazing advice. Thank you

@kathywithak7529 2 года назад

Thank you so much 🙏

@laurenyoung8694 Год назад

This is very helpful! I'm so happy I stumbled on your channel. I have my novel mapped out in my head, but I have so much trouble writing it down and outlining it.

@chrissierg 2 года назад

you have helped me before; you helped me now; and surely will again; thank you so so so much... :)

@noidph 3 года назад

Thank you very much, Sarra! This was very helpful as I prepare to join NaNoWriMo after almost a decade. Am writing historical mystery. :)

@7heSunsDaughter 3 года назад

As a new writer you have really helped me and I'm not even done with the video! A thousand thanks ❣️ I feel less stressed now that I know how to approach this project I'm working on. 🙏🏾