Видео

ugh, yes, that need to do the thing all the way. That's me exactly. I mean I actually love a whole day to do just one thing - if I can plan for that and then not feel guilty

I've been annoyed more than once that it's called three acts and not four. I finally feel seen 😂

This is such good info and fun to watch, as well! One thing that's been bothering me though, and I'm sure it's mostly a mindset issue of mine, but ... dictating sounds really fun! I'm excited to try it, but whenever I try it, my inner ciritc takes over and I just don't get any words done besides "test test umm test period" ... I'm scared about what people would think, if I sound weird, or if people would ask questions, or ... I don't know, it's really frustrating and stops me from what starts to feel like something that could be a game changer for me, as well... does anyone feel the same, or/and has any advice? Thank you again for the video!

oh, I LOVE the idea of doing multiple idea outlines of possibilities

aww, such a beautiful tribute to the thing you created and the time you created it in. I totally got teary eyed by the end.

Those existential thoughts are hitting me. I love both your chaotic and your introspective modes

I’ve never found myself within someones mindset more than I have yours in this video🙏 Just wow! I can’t explain how much I felt seen 🤍

As a Scottish girl I love that you have an electric tea kettle. Why aren't they more popular in America?

I like watching your vlogs because hearing your struggles is so real and relatable! I’m barely a writer, but I’m a professional painter. One of the main ways to improve in art is to join a critique group. Constructive criticism is so beneficial, to get new eyes on the work and hear what it means from another brain! It’s OK to share work half finished, even if you think it’s “bad.” We even share work when it’s 25%-50% complete, because that is when the foundations can still be tweaked. The last bits are usually stylistic flourishes anyway. I encourage you to let go of the fear of letting beta readers see your unfinished work. It’s going to propel you forward so quickly! Maybe you aren’t actually afraid of that, but that’s just how it came across in the video 😅 anyways, back to my lurk hole

everything you're saying about what you want this book to be sounds EXACTLY right up my alley!

Yay, you're back! I always watch these on replay because I am not on speaking terms with 6am.

thank you, now I want jimmy johns

omg the imposter syndrome is so real i literally just filmed a video about it haha

Oh no I missed the come back of the morning streams :(

I keep checking back waiting for an agent vlog because - sending good vibes, I feel like it’s imminent 😊

Love the roller skate mug!

Everyone wake up, new alyssa vlog

So sorry that you're feeling this way, Alyssa. You're an awesome writer and you're doing great! Going through those periods is so normal but frustrating, but you'll always come out of it stronger and more resilient for your craft 🤍🤍🤍

I realized, editing, makes me over analyze my sentence structure, to a debilitating degree. Which is why I find editing to be excruciating. I’m just assuming tho. I’ve actually sat down and edited something such a small amount I can’t remember, and just did it today and found myself growing disgusted and confused and imposter-y about my sentences… Every single sentence. It’s actually really awful, and I am currently terrified what happened that one time will happen again.

one day when your book is a new york times bestseller, you're going to be looking back and thanking this version of yourself for never giving up! ✨gaslight yourself until it becomes your reality✨

Currently annotating and reverse outlining my first draft. Trying to go scene by scene and find all that needs to be cut or elaborated.

🤗 I can relate to the imposter syndrome vs feeling confident fluctuations. I think you shared a sentence or something before; it sounded really good! And the bits you shared about Gas Station during Livestreams were really interesting! Alyssa, you do thorough research and do critiques with your friends! They said in Livestreams that you are skilled & that your story is fun to read! And you have great discipline in regards to writing ✍🏻 Don’t be hard on yourself! You inspire us! Editing can make us super critical of ourselves so try to balance that out with reading parts you love when it feels upsetting~❤ I’m currently killing my darlings. (As a writer; FBI, don’t come for me. It’s not literal.) And moving around parts, which is changing the timing of a lot of things, but my miniseries is getting stronger! “Happy” editing! 😅 GET WELL SOON!! 🥺

Being a writer is so up and down! One second you’ll feel like a literary genius and the next like literal garbage. But your writing is great, Alyssa! You’ve made it so far and you wouldn’t have if people were just lying to you. Those agents just weren’t right for your story, but you can always improve it if you see fit! Loved your honesty in this video! You got this! 👏👏👏

So relatable the back and fourth of one day feeling like you are a great writer and the next you are horrible. We all go through it!!! You got this 🎉

What a great reflection of non-craft books that have impacted your writing!

i'm sorry, but the mug at 3:01 is on another level!

This kept me company while I made weekend tortillas lol

My ambition is to get an agent, but since that's one I have no control over, I want to finish my current WIP/rewrite and prepare to query that. I would also like to learn how to knit or crochet lol. I can be obsessive with my hobbies (reading/writing) and having a more mind-numbing task would feel good every now and then.

This is so relatable! I have similar stats right now and it's easy to get discouraged, but you just keep writing. You just keep leveling up. If not this book, the next book. Or the next. Just continuing to push for it until it happens! Thank you for sharing your experience, it is so validating (and misery loves company in the trenches lol)

Oooh THANK YOU! I am trying to read Crescent City and I AM STRUGGLING. Sometimes it feels like she starts a chapter multiple times one line right after the other. And I came from Kingdom of Ash, which makes it so much worse. Obvi I'm going to keep reading but now I can read it and make this list of what I don't want to do, too!

20 seconds in and i'm already like HEAVY agree 😂😂 always spitting facts and the truth Alyssa lol

Great video. I feel the same way you do about a lot of things.

If you EVER want a beta reader who will text you like a clingy ex about your book as I’m reading it: “I VOLUNTEER!! I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!!” 😂💕 No, but I actually totally understand what you’re going through every time I give someone one of my projects to read. I am so in my head about if they like it or if they absolutely despise it😂😂 🖤🖤🖤

I love a blackout curtain too! Hello darkness 🤗

The rejection isn’t because of the “small mistakes” as you identified. They’re just giving you actionable feedback you can use. I have the same attitude towards agents as dating “if he/she wanted to, they would.” Newer agents have fewer clients and may have more time to edit, established ones have so many clients to manage they really don’t have the time and would not send something that needed a lot of technical work to an editor. Editors also want polished work. The technical improvements might help in general but agents only offer if they’re obsessed with the story, as in it’s soooo subjective. Good luck!

Alyssa this video was so transparent and helpful!! Seriously, all the things you articulated are so real and relatable! YOU GOT THIS! I truly believe that. :)

Oh and ! I would watch a long video of your thoughts on harry potter - I’m sure you have something to say after all those re-readings - pleaaaase ? 😊

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin almost did the opposite and made me want to quit writing because I knew I would never write anything that good. 😭 I think there are actual craft lessons that could be learned from it, I'm just not able to parse them because I open the cover and just immediately start ugly crying.

I unfortunately agree with the critique about the backstory being unnecessary, and the title does sound romcom. Half the pitch sounds romcom and half sounds thriller. If you don't care, sure. But the audience may be confused. For example, I consider Jurassic Park character driven too, and you don't hate the characters. But you'd never sell it with the characters' pasts...Hope this doesn't sound too harsh!

This makes me feel less alone with the pressure of writing. As much as I love writing and filming the process, it's been so hard to manage everything with other personal commitments. I also don't film as often as I would like despite writing a ton in the background so it feels like my content is always lacking. So proud of you Alyssa and I can't wait until your dreams come true!

Missed your vlogs Alyssa!

This is so good Alyssa! Love the simple breakdown of all these books!

Why are we literally the same with having read and loved The Cellar?! 😂 I was obsessed with that on wattpad!

The only that causes me to spiral is my mental health which affects me daily. Yet I manage enough, though it’s never been easy for me to. That’s all I have to say. The story that I am currently writing is like that and I would like to focus on other stories. Just not there yet. Thanks for the video.

Your videos are always a treat 😆! I am so glad to hear your thoughts on this. I've tried two writing craft books, but didn't find them as helpful as simply reading books critically and noting what I liked and didn't like about the stories. Hoping to try a few more craft books, but I like the organic approach of reviewing authors/stories and noting what works and doesn't work. 📖

very useful Alyssa!

Excellent ! 🙌🏼last year you spoke about Lynette noni and then I read the prison healer 🥹 that last page 😳

📚

Interesting... 👀 I don't have experience with writing thriller, but this is still interesting to me~ 😛