Thank you all for watching me take my idea for _house of stone_ and turn it into an *_actual plot_* !! Let me know what your process is for turning an idea into something workable. 🤗
I've lost count of how many tutorials I watched because I was stuck with an idea. It was always an idea and when I started writing I didn't know where to start, or what the PLOT was. And trust me, none of it helped me. It gave me tips but not those that worked for me. But your video, for me, was a total eye-opener. I have a very short attention span and the way you don't just stare at the camera and talk like many others do, but instead SHOW us the process was such a big deal for me. I love you so much for making this video. You gained a loyal subscriber. May you reach the peak of success and happiness.
This is the most helpful video I’ve come across. Don’t get me wrong. I love watching published authors, indie and traditional, talk about their process. But they never start at the VERY beginning. They go from plot outline to publication process. What a lot of us need is how to get started at the ground level, like going from idea to premise to outline to plot. I don’t even want to think about publishing until I have a completed draft. And this video was excellent for getting me on the path to a completed draft. I’ve been writing since I was five, and yet I’ve never finished anything novel length. I’ve started dozens, and I’ve completed long short stories and poetry, but never a novel. Thank you for starting at the beginning!!! 😊😊
Thank you for watching!!! Always got to start at the beginning - it took me a while to find a process that worked for me getting me from idea to plot - I’m glad I get to share it now!
i love how you used pinterest to find the vibes and atmosphere of your book! I have aphantasia so its a bit difficult for me to visualize the atmosphere of my story but your method is PERFECT
Yes!! Pinterest is such a great tool to be able to hone in on how you want your novel to look and feel!! So glad you found it useful - thanks for watching 🥹
Girl this is SO HELPFUL. I've also spent the last few years trying to write a story and I'm now at the point where I'm trying to crack down and get words onto paper, but I have so many ideas from years of brainstorming and daydreaming that the entire plot is a MESS. At this point it feels like a twelve season tv show based solely on vibes instead of a plot for one (maybe two) books. So glad that I'm not alone in this.
I really appreciate a video of turning a vague idea into a plot. Most authortube channels don't really break this process down in a simple and manageable way. For that, thank you very much.
I have been trying to write a book for the last 3 years since I was 15 and I never knew how to properly start and over the years I kept re-doing the one idea I had originally and now I’ve decided to start fresh. This video is EVERYTHING I have been missing in the last 3 years. Thank you so much 😭♥️
thank you for this!! as other comments mentioned, i’ve watched so many other videos on how to plot out books, but yours is the first one i’ve come across that actually starts from the beginning. i’ve had this dream of writing a book and ideas floating around in my head for YEARS but could never figure out how to get past the brainstorming phase. after watching your video, i feel like i can finally navigate those next steps. so thank you so much for that!! wishing u all the best on your writing journey, i can’t wait to read your book! 🤍
I just want to say that I magically stumbled upon this video and wow! Your approach is so interesting and I'm sitting here fully invested in trying this for my own writing project. Thanks for the wonderful ideation ideas!
The video ended so fast i didn’t realise cuz i was so invested in writing my own plot as well I have this idea for 8 years and im trying to write it so this was so helpful I’m excited for this series 💛💛
Thank you for sharing your process. I love how you use Pinterest boards as your own personal Ouija board to tap into your subconscious and build your plot. Very creative and inventive. My personal approach starts similarly to yours (at least if I don't already have an idea, my brain is always dreaming up ideas for me.) I think of aspects I love of other stories and then pick the ones that speak to me in that moment. I can usually toss together a basic premise from those aspects and then I plot out the start and the end. Like you, the middle is where I tend to get stuck and things change on a day to day basis. You wouldn't believe how different my stories are from one day to the next at this stage. Recently, I've started incorporating AI in the brainstorming process. It's a good way to get a huge list of ideas like you do with Pinterest and then I can pick ones that I like and refine them.
I think what helps me most is input by friends and other people. Every time I share a story idea someone asks questions that I have not asked myself but that I feel like I need to answer in that very moment which creates a much more intriguing story. My current story idea that I am currently drafting has changed drastically since I first came up with it like 2/3 years ago all thanks to input from other people and I love it
I've done a similar thing but with songs! I baked my premise from listening to certain songs and compiling a playlist, and the characters and everything just came to me. Then I worked on the plot. :) It was so much fun, so much vibes, and I've completed the first draft now and in the editing process. Pinterest is so good for solidifying the vibes and the imagery and tone and mood. I realised one of my main projects doesn't have a good mood board, so I'm going to make one now since I'm feeling too sick to write.
Thank you so much for taking us through the process of where you started with your premise and all the way through to crafting it into an outline as a reformed person that writes by the seat of their pants into an outliner. It’s great to see how other people are navigating creating fictional worlds.
Yay! I'm so glad this could help 🥰- it took me so long to realize that any book I wrote just didn't up the stakes, I've been trying to also be really intentional of upping them whenever it calls for it!
I've been really stuck lately. I have the plot, characters, and where it's going but not feeling like I could go forward. I tried outlining the other day and that helped but you said several things I want to try to get back into the excitement of my book. Thanks!
I’m so glad this could help!! I feel like I was always getting stuck there and I couldn’t figure out why - this process worked for me, I hope it can work for you too! 💗
I came, intrigued to know how much you were going to share, and that was a really interesting video to watch! I like the word-association type of idea-building you did :D I've long been thinking about how to share my process with people because mine is more like chaos and pantsing, so there's not too much of a process XD But your video gave me an idea of some idea-building things I could possibly share, so thanks for that! I also use Pinterest, but not until after I pantsed the story to my heart's content for a bit. I also make aesthetic boards and then imagine my characters' personalities, likes, and dislikes while I do it. And then I go back and pants some more :D
Your voice and the way you talk is so calming. I love your organisation and the way you plan out your novel its so satisfying and inspiring, please make more videos on how to organise a plot/plot beats or chapters
I definitely would love to go more in depth with my process! I’m hoping to do more book deep dives on my channel also that study other books for this 💗
This was super helpful!! I love that you were into detail with an actual example, which btw I’m now dying to read! Most author don’t really share how they plot like this and this really worked for me! I moving forward with my own story so thank you so much!! Just a quick question, what app/web are you using in the plotting part of the video? Thank you so much!! Please keep sharing and best of luck with the book! 🩵
Absolutely floored you don't have more likes/comments/subscribers! When I tell you I thought you were a well known professional writer.... This is probably one of the most helpful videos I've come across ngl Can't wait for episode 2
Exactly the kind of video I needed to see right now ☺️ I laughed so hard when I saw my current project matches perfectly with the list of what you like to read 😂 urban fantasy, mafia, sinister big families, and secret societies 🙌🙌 can’t wait for the next episode 😉
New sub here. For me it usually begins with something I've seen in a film or television show, or a line in a song that has hooked my brain and won't let go. The series I'm currently working on came from a story I was writing (over 200 pages hand written) then a fan fiction I began that I felt wasn't mine to write. Though there was one character in that I spun off into my own story by changing who he was and his background. I'm on the outline stage with this series. My plan is to completely write the outline (hand written of course - I always torture myself), for the entire series, then when I go to transfer it to my zero draft, I'll then decide where the divisions of the individual books will go.
New subscriber here!! I am so excited to follow your journey and write my novel right along side you! You seem so organized which helps my adhd jumpled brain that wants to do a million things at once! Thank you!!! You inspired me to keep going!
So glad you found this helpful! I am also glad it looks like i'm super organized because my ADHD brain always feels scattered 😂😅 but we got this!!!! 👏💗
Birds have become a new fun obsession of mine lol - I love that you figured out your own process though! I think it's so important for writers to figure out what process works for them!! -- I hope you accomplish your goals with this draft!! 🤍🤍 we got this!
I absolutely love this video, and I'm so glad I stumbled across your channel! I'm in a similar position you were, so this is really motivating me to follow a similar process to flesh out my idea - I can't wait to get started!
Aaahhhh so happy I found your video, I LOVE your vibe and you inspired me so much! A question: what’s the thing you’re using for fleshing out your plot with the little boxes/photos etc?!
If I can't think of a part of my story myself, I ask ChatGPT for examples on what I could put into that part of my story. And usually I ask for 20 examples and might combine three of them into one, or I'll ask for more examples. Don't be afraid to use AI in the brainstorming phase, or even to pick out your characters voice. I have a paragraph handy of random sentences in third person, that I ask ChatGPT to write in first person with a distinct character voice (that fits the character I'm doing) to get more into the vibes of that character, though this is mostly done for side characters who don't have their own voices shown much, because I tend to have ideas for my main characters.
Thank you so much for such an insightful video! This has helped immensely! Would it be alright with you to share the app/program you are using to flesh out the characters and outline? Because it seems fantastic :)
Since listening to your video a week ago, I have developed a complete plot which I had never done before! The program you use also really helped me structure my ideas! Now, I just need to create a writing routine and I feel like for the first time I'm going to be able to write my novel! A huge thank you!🤍 I am truly grateful! I'm looking forward to reading your novel! 🤗
Hi! Great tips for writing. I'm definitely someone who gets stuck on the brainstorming part so I really need to get my act together.😅 May I please get the name of the software you're using to write in the video? It looks really versatile and I'd like to give it a try.
This is a great video. I am traditionally a pantser, despite being a total organisation nut. This video is such a creative way to put things together. Also, what program are you using to put everything into. It looks so clean and great.
Thank for this vid! Maybe I missed you saying it, but what program are you using during the 'add conflict' segment? I see it says 'Arc' but I cant seem to find the program!
My issue is taking it that next step further. I have a ton of ideas that I have worked out a very rough outline for but breaking it down into what happens from chapter to chapter is where I falter. The 'what happens next' or 'what part of the story do I tell" is where I get stuck. I have a bunch of books on how to draft an outline and I still get stuck. I get the premise, plot, and characters all fleshed out and then it just sits there. I don't have a particular way to get ideas. They come to me in a variety of different ways. Something I see, hear, read just sparks an idea. Daydreaming in the car. I have about 21 ideas lined up after the current WIP I am doing.
I feel you on that - it takes me a while to attach plots to an idea - outlining has helped me but it definitely takes me a loooong time to do it! Don’t give up hope! What helped me was studying story and everything started clicking
I use Pinterest all the time as art reference in my illustrations but never thought of creating a board to distill my ideas/aesthetic, thanks for the tip. I am super fearful of the blank page so I write down any idea I have on Post-Its, plot, worldbuilding, character development, magic systems, whatever. After a couple months I end up with an embarrassing amount of notes in my messenger bag and empty my shame in the dead of night. Somehow a story emerges and I write it all down in a loose outline (screw you blank page!) Side note: but I noticed that all of your characters of color were grouped together and secondary characters. This isn’t a huge issue just something to think about, if you continued forward with your “casting” it’s important to give them dynamic personalities, their own motivations/conflicts, and for Zoya, at least, to play a pivotal role in moving story beats along. Good luck on finishing your novel.
Love that you also use Pinterest and your process of post-it notes is one I can relate to as well! 😂 As for my cast of characters - at the time of this video none of them had been fleshed out outside my main female character, main male character, and Zoya! All others were photos I pinned from the board but hadn’t attached anything to - truly just photos I liked. And of course all characters always are rounded out!
Thank you so much for sharing your process! It honestly helped me so much, I have a giant Pinterest board with only vibes for my story but I wasn't able to put it down until today, so thank you so so much! Also, I really love how you use symbols or like meanings/imaginary to represent concepts, like Medusa and the "eyes all over the city", I hope to see your book published one day! Btw, I think this might be creepy, but what if the statues are actual people that Medusa (the cult leader) has converted to stone and it's a reminder for the cult followers to kind of not betray her or to remind them of the actual power she has?? Also, I think it might be interesting the concept of the spider teapot for the mafia family, like how they control everything or how people fall to their spiderweb of power/control. I just wanted to share those ideas I got from the video hahaha thank you again!
Hey, Mik . Very interesting story plot idea . And with an Ancient Greek Mythology air in it. Medusa's story is really dark and tragic. 😢. Even I have that thing about scratcing stories from nothing I had deferent approach to this. It's called dashes! Dashes , dashes and again dashes. I explain... Move one ...Dashes filled with random words. Gives you the title of story. The idea. Second move , combine those words until they give you a meaning. Move number three... make three combinations from all the list withe dashes and you have the premise(sentence). Move four... make the sentence a paragraph combined with other random words. Then you have the longline of your story. Move five , try to fill gaps with another paragraphs (story beats). Move six... combine all beats and create a one page synopsis. Move seven, synopsis breakdown with the plotting out process as you done. Then you have the entire story broken in three parts , beginning , middle and end! The 3 act structure of Aristoteles about drama. Parallel creating of the characters , main , antagonists or supporting. Move number eight and pre- last, revise, add and remove plot points from board , remove your index cards in every place if you want, and from beats create scenes , sequences , episodes. Just like a screen play of a tv series. Last move , summary of the information you have until then and create you fantasy world background, with the who, what, where, when what if , brainstorm questioning process. And that is for me the process that helps me to create fiction story , of any genre . For genres must learn about the rules , what themes have, how they work , how to form them etc. Maybe , you can try it if it helps for the ploting process. Greetings from Greece.
@@Readingwithkels yes completely agree - when in reality so many writing software features can be done by hand or on Google docs! I like miranote for the visualization aspect ☺️
Loved this video!! Thank you so much. I'm curious what the program was that you used at the end for the premise to plot. The interface is SO pleasing to me.
Yes, definitely! Cult leaders have a need for control and the followers have a need for stability/community/hope etc. which makes followers so vulnerable!!
My ideas/plots sometimes just come into my head fully formed or...word vomit. I just find a hapless victim and start talking at them. Not really to them, but verbalizing the thoughts help me solidify it into something that makes sense.
The "clay teapot with spider legs" makes me think of an Addams Family style "inanimate" object that grows legs and moves to the person who summons it magically and retracts the legs when it arrives, or as an actual sentient object, probably something within the rich family, as it appears to be porcelain in the picture.
As soon as I finish nursing school, I plan to write my own book. I would try now but nursing school takes up all of my time, but I love love love how relatable you are. I love that you’re showing your process from the beginning. What app are you using? Is it scrivener?
Does anyone know where the plot chart in the thumbnail is from? I’m always interested in different plot outlines, but it wasn’t featured in the video. Thank you in advance!
It’s the outline from the six act story structure! There is a website you can download the template from - I just made it pretty in Google docs. I actually will be going through this in my outlining video dropping next week!
I recommend Story Genius by Lisa Cron for starting a story with your main character and their wants and needs and misbelief. I also recommend: Sarra Cannon’s Heart Breathings channel on RU-vid and her courses. Abbie Emmons’s RU-vid channel. Jenna Moreci’s RU-vid channel. Barbara Vance’s RU-vid channel and courses. These dig deep into character.
I had an idea about the tattoo! what if to prove their loyalty they must get a tattoo of a snake somewhere its visible (especially on forearm, hand, wrist, ect)
@@g-9723I agree. It’s so nice to have something simple to listen to that focuses on the content. Overstimulation is such a killer of creativity and mental health.
I really liked the video, first time i see someone actually showing the process! also, as someone who never liked happy endings, there's a story where i absolutely loved the ending and would have never liked it otherwise since it wouldn't have made any sense for everything that has been happening, (and the story had more tragedy than anything i have experienced tbh) and from that moment my opinion on what the ending should be changed, an ending should always focus on the messages the story is conveying and that what the story did, i will admit he ending wasn't really happy for some character, rather very heart-wernching, but the main characters had themes to convey and it was done masterfully, by the end i didn't even think about the vibe of the ending, but the storytelling itself, and this is what many forget about, storytelling doesn't care whether the ending should be tragic or happy, it should just make sense of the themes and messages that been building up in the story.
