Your bond with Vicious is a very visible thing, and it makes me so happy to see someone care so much about what they've created - openly. What I'm writing at the moment only exists because I was in a lot of pain at the end of my A levels, and the only ones who knew were the characters in my book. They saved me. I think I see something similar when I see you talk about Vicious. Thank you for reminding me that I am my first reader, I'm writing this book for me - but I hope my characters can help save somebody else someday. (and the Oliver sneeze was really cute)
Thank you for this very sensible advice, Victoria. I've been at sixes and sevens about something, and after watching this (particularly the bit about what to do while querying agents at 1:40), my path forward seems clearer. For about six years, ending late last year, I was at work on a science fiction novel. (I'm a slow writer in any event, but several life circumstances stretched the project out.) I finally wrote it the way it needed to be written in the fall of 2021, but it's such an expansive story that I ended up with a high word count which appears unfeasible for a first novel (183,600 words). Since the novel is in its seventh draft and I really don't know what to cut or how to (again) reformulate the plot to reduce this length, I decided the story just takes as long as it takes, and this year, I tried my luck with literary agents anyway, querying en masse. Unsurprisingly, I've only met with rejections. While I'm not yet giving up on querying, I figure I've got to write and publish another, much shorter book before this one has any chance. I was giving thought to trying to write a prequel (since a few minor character arcs in my novel feel incomplete). Then I watched this video. Though my novel is science fiction in the strictest sense, it reads more like a fantasy novel, especially where depicting technology is concerned. Now, I'm thinking of writing a prequel which is fully-fledged fantasy and dispenses with any hint of science fiction. That's possible for one character, who has an intriguing but as yet barely sketched back story. Given the practice I've had, I don't think it will be a six-year project; rather, perhaps a six-month project if I'm diligent. What do you think?
Just wanted to say that I discovered A Darker Shade of Magic when wasting time wondering through a random book store last week and have since then finished the entire Shades of Magic series and begun on Vicious. :D they're exactly what I was looking for without even realising it! Incredible imagination you must have. Then I discover you have a helpful RU-vid as well as being an extremely likeable person :) Can't wait to see what else you produce in the future.
I certainly made the mistake of writing the sequel after completing my first book. All the time I was submitting to agents, I was cracking on with Book 2. In the end, two years later, I wasn't able to get my first book out there, but now I have a brand new book, with brand new ideas and I'm so much more excited about it. I wish I hadn't lost those months in between and will definitely try not to make the same mistake again this time around. Thank you for the advise!
I really needed to watch this. Over the past few weeks, I'd been so unenthused with what I was writing to the point where I wasn't getting any enjoyment out of it and I was even considering dropping it. But then I watched this video and I realised that I'd stopped writing for myself. I'd been so busy trying to make sure my book fit into popular trends that I'd written something someone else might like, but not what I'd want to read. Now I've picked up where I left off, keeping in mind that question of, "What do I want to read?" and I feel even more passionate about my story than ever. So thank you, Victoria Schwab, for saying what I needed to hear. And even if my little book doesn't make it, at least I can say to myself, it wasn't a waste of time because I enjoyed it.
Hi V! Great advice. My twin brother and I are screenwriters, which is also a soul crunching experience. The only thing that keeps me sane is to keep writing! And we've been fortunate to sell a big fairy tale movie to MGM before they were the trend and were told no one will buy it! Then we used some of our deal money to option a great book by Robert R. McCammon and adapted it, which made the round for several years until we sold to Universal! Ironically that lead to us meeting about adapting "Vicious!" We loved the book-- and the producers dug our faithful pitch but the backers were a buzzkill--- love your talent and spirit!!!
The first time I saw and heard you speak at a book event (it was last year for This Savage Song), you literally changed my life. I had never truly believed that my writing would lead to anything solid because everybody talks about plotters vs pantsers... and I am neither. And then you talked about the way you write and it was incredible to realise that somebody else writes in a connect the dots fashion too. You gave me inspiration, strength and hope, and this post does the same, because I have always written "selfishly", for myself. And I rewatched that video just so I could hear Oliver sneeze. :') I hope he's all better by now.
I haven't yet read Vicious, but now I know I really need to. I do writing on a blog and one of the important things about writing articles/topics is that you're writing to an avatar - a specific person, according to their needs/desires. What you said about writing for yourself when it comes to writing books is so important. Because while we know that we are special, individual people, the truth is that there are tons of people out there who enjoy the same things as us, have similar thought patterns, etc. And you will find an audience for your book. Thanks for another great video!
I just found this recent volley of videos yesterday, and now I've watched them all... and I'm halfway through Conjuring of Light and going nuts (because I have to "life", when I'd rather read)! You're the best. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your advice! I'm an aspiring editor/writer, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I love these videos, you're so passionate and fun to watch.
I feel like there was a reason I have been too busy to watch this video until right now. I am a day or two away from finishing my first novel and one of the things on my mind was literally what to write next. I wanted to work on a different project but felt that I needed to work on the sequel of the book I am currently finishing . I guess that question is no longer one that I need to be bothered by since you answered it for me. Thank you for that! I also went and checked the one star reviews for my favourite book as soon as you said it (paused the video and then came back) and I am literally so shocked by those reviews. Lastly, thank you because sometimes someone just needs to remind you that you should write something you love and are passionate about and I guess that now as I am so close to the first "finish line" in this book I have just not wanted to write it. I did not, do not want it to end and I suppose that that is the reason I have been writing so much slower lately. So, thank you for reminding me to look back at my story and remind myself of why I love it so much!
First of all, I hope Oliver feels better soon! Second of all, yes to everything you said! The last sixty pages or so of ACOL and "Vicious" are my rewards for finishing this draft of my book. Your vids make my Mondays infinitely better
this is very helpful. I have been trying to write a story that I feel comfortable reading myself. I keep changing things in it because I come up with something that sounds better.
Thank you for this! Every video you post seems to have such great advice I'd never heard or thought about before. And I hope Oliver feels better! Even if his sneeze was cute.
Thank you so much for these videos! Can't wait to meet you in Dublin in August - I don't think I'm going to be mentally prepared but I'll give it a go!!
Oh my God, I needed to hear this. I was stuck in a scene that has a bit of a moral dilemma. The whole time I was agonizing on how it would appear to other people. Would others think that my character made the right choice? Would her choice even be plausible considering her circumstances. I'm going to turn off that inner critic that says to think about other people and I'm going to start thinking about just writing it. The way it comes to me. I have another story that I'll take up after this one is done. Just going to surge ahead. I'll never give up.
This is fantastic. Thank you! I'm struggling a lot with time management right now. I have been editing + querying for a year now and am finding it very difficult to fit new writing (plus real life!) into the equation when I'm still seeing no publishing progress with my first novel. Gah.
Thank you for this. I spent so much time writing stuff that I felt like others would want to read, and even when I'd tell myself no, write for myself, it's hard to keep reminding myself. But now, now I'm shoving away the pressure I make for myself and I'm writing for me and instead thinking about what scenes I should put in, I think about what I want to write. Sigh. Haha. I think that made sense. Anyway. Thank you xx p.s. Vicious was the first book of yours I ever read and loved and I'm so glad I decided to pick it up. XD
I’ve found that your advice about “if you’re trying to appeal to everybody you will appeal to nobody” applies to all creative ventures. Sometimes I need a reminder of that.
This is so true! Just keep writing! Oh boy now I have that song from Finding Nemo stuck in my brain. Just keep swimming except I'm thinking about writing instead of swimming lol. 😂
What if you, yourself, are so damnably unusual that it stains your stories--and in fact, it would be of benefit to write less for yourself than an intended audience? Hypothetically, you know... for a friend.
