I would miss your videos for sure. I am always looking for them. I don't write romance, but that doesn't make a difference to me. You are a writer. What you write doesn't make you a writer. Writing makes you a writer.
I have been a full-time copywriter for seven years and I'll tell you, sometimes the words just flow, and sometimes it's like pushing a boulder up a hill. One thing I've learned is that there is no difference in the results. The copy that was a struggle to write is neither better nor worse than the easy copy. When you're on a deadline you just have to push through.
With all the misinformation out there, I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. I don't really write romance. I write fantasy (sometimes with a romantic subplot). I've learned SO much from your channel that's helped me from making some pretty terrible marketing decisions. I truly appreciate all you do here.
Outdoor setting was a nice change, but I can understand about the wind. I love your videos and I watch them everytime. You have great advice and I truly love your "no sugar coating" way of sharing things.
Yay for the marketing series, I seriously CAN NOT WAIT! :D And thank you for keeping going on this channel, don't stop! You inspire me more than you know and I really look up to you!
I would DEFINITELY notice your absence. Your videos were the first self publishing videos that actually made me believe that I could make a living self publishing. I am always motivated to write after your videos and your knowledge about the industry has helped me make the best plans for my career. Don’t let your mind tell you your videos aren’t worth much because to some like me your videos are invaluable.
Regarding feeling like a failure: It happens to me when I get really tired. I'm working on my book, and I'm feeling good, so I start pushing myself, staying up too late, not getting enough exercise, and just pouring myself 100 percent into the project. Then, when the creative burst begins to wane and I'm at the point of really having to step back and think about it, I start to lose steam. Next thing I know, I am wondering if I was wrong about the idea and the story isn't worth writing. I've learned that's when I need to refuel. I need to start eating and sleeping and exercising regularly, leading a more balanced life, making writing one (big) thing I do instead of everything. It isn't long before I feel good again, and I can consider my writing with a more objective eye. I recommend if you're feeling sad and crummy about you're writing you get some sleep. :)
Omg we would notice if you vanished. You are my favorite RUclipsr , I've learned so much from your videos and you continue to inspire me to pursue my dreams to self publish! So excited for your marketing series and just all content you put out. You are amazing and I hope when you are ever doubting yourself you remember that!
Thanks, LJ! I try to be my most authentic-self online. Some people like me and other's don't, but at least I'm not pretending to be someone I'm not. Sooooo excited to chat about marketing in depth!
Thank you so much, Brooke. Means a lot to me. I hope you all find it helpful! Oooh, Vampire PNR sounds amazing and rapid releasing works so well. Thanks for being here and happy I can help!
I love your videos. You have inspired and motivated me in more ways than writing. I talk to my husband about you like I know you. "Oh Courtney says to do this, Courtney did this with her books." You gave me the courage to pursue my dream.
I would definitely notice if you stopped making videos!! I love your videos, they're the inspiration I need sometimes, they're uplifting and I love watching them!! I love romance. If I could one day wrap my head around an idea for a romance novel it would be a dream come true. So, I love seeing you do it!
@@TheCourtneyProject so same I've written a YA Urban Fantasy type and a YA Contemporary but I've read a ton of romance and it's always been something that I want to do. One day! I just keep telling myself one day! I think that's awesome description btw "like finding home" because the romantic subplots in the YA fantasies are always my favorite part to read and write so I feel the romance genre calling my name pretty hard lol. Right now I just feel blocked as far as coming up with a premise...ugh!
Confession: I can't stop writing romance but I can't read romance. I read romance when I was a teenager and enjoyed romance books. Now... I see the matrix. When I read someone else's romance books, I can't turn off my writer brain and all I see is tropes and backstory and foreshadowing and so on.
@@TheCourtneyProject But I feel such a fraud :( At least I love re-reading my own romance books. Sometimes when I re-read them, I'm surprised how much better they were than what I thought when I was getting ready to publish them and I was sure that people weren't going to enjoy them
@@TheCourtneyProject You're most welcome! Thank you for your encouraging words! I self-published on Amazon earlier this year, and I am very excited to see your marketing series!!
Courtney! It was so useful to hear you talk about #of hours spent on writing and editing. It's more relevant and helpful than weeks. Thank you for the passion you put into all your vids. I am currently hoping to overcome exactly the kind of corporate stress you are describing and it is HARD. I hope to quit, someday. Happy writing!
I want to say thank you for putting in the time to answer these questions. This is one of the most useful series I watch on youtube and I'm grateful that you would give us the beenfit of your experience.
First off, I’d definitely notice if you stopped making videos. I’ve watched a lot of RUclips channels to help with all things writing but I always give up on them. I haven’t with yours. Even when you weren’t posting as much, I stayed and looked forward to when you would post. I find your videos inspiring, motivational, and entertaining. They’ve helped me so much and I look forward to however many you decide to make. Secondly, yay for the marketing series! I’m so stoked about those. I hope they help me but they may not. My main issue when it comes to marketing is not wanting to waste money. I don’t have a lot so I feel like I have to get it right from the first try. I’ll have to figure that out. Thank you for answering my questions! I do plan out my writing time and what needs to be done on a daily & weekly basis. And I’ve tried planning home life too but no matter what I do I am not able to write during the day either. Forcing it just means I waste the hours. I’ve stopped doing that but lately every week is different when it comes to my grandma. She’s the point where she can’t walk, stand, or sit up on her own so I keep having to adjust which can be hard. Now I just write in the hours or time I have. I make the most of it and go from there. I’m trying to be kinder to myself and get over it if I don’t reach my goals.
What I was saying was.... Thank you! I appreciate it. I'm so glad you haven't given up on me yet. Secondly, I understand how that is with the constant distractions and trying to help family members. Not so much now that my dad is in a great place where he's being taken care of, but for months it was terrible. I know it's hard, and since you know you can't write during the day, maybe use that time to come up with different promotional ideas for your back list or sales you can do that works with your schedule to keep those books in front of people? Also, if you haven't downloaded David Gaughran's books yet, I'd like to recommend them. Maybe you can read some because I think those would help you tremendously. I know even concentrating on reading can be hard as well. You're doing the best you can and that's enough! Remember there are indie authors out there who release 2-3 books per year and do INCREDIBLE. You can too.
@@TheCourtneyProject You're welcome and I won't give up on you! I like your content and the fact that you're straightforward with all of us. And I'm so glad your dad is now in a facility that takes care of him. I know that must take some of the constant worries off your plate. I hope he's getting better and liking this place a lot better. It really is. I think the problem is that we can't settle into anything. Every week or two it's something new with my grandma and we have to readjust and figure out how to take care of her. I'm hoping once we can figure out a routine (which seems impossible right now), it'd be better for all of us. Thank you for your kind words--sometimes it's nice to hear that you're doing your best and that's enough--and suggestions. I worry publishing so little is going to hurt me. It's not like I'm not writing constantly. I just want to put as much time into my books as I can so I'm putting out quality work. And I am going to do that. I still try to force writing during the day. Last week when I decided to write after my grandma went to bed, I did better. I'll get back to that and during the day I will read David Gaughran's books (I downloaded one of them), and some of the others I already have and try to come up with promotional ideas. My first book is about to be 1 year old so I want to do something for that, plus I want to tap into using TikTok so maybe that's what I can do during the day and just focus on helping with my grandma. Thank you again!!!
Oh! I forgot to mention this. When I tried to go and ask another question on the form, it wouldn’t let me. It said that I’ve already responded and that I can only fill out the form once. It also has a button to view score. Not sure why it’s doing that but I wanted to let you know.
"When my partner gets out of the bath, she comes out with like a full outline of our book..." 😲 wow, i need to know what magic bath bomb she be using 🤣😂
There's been times where you're off youtube and I miss the crap outta your content! We're glad you're here and that you enjoy helping us newbs :)
Aww, thank you Brookie! You're the best! HUGS!
I would miss your videos for sure. I am always looking for them. I don't write romance, but that doesn't make a difference to me. You are a writer. What you write doesn't make you a writer. Writing makes you a writer.
Thank you! Really means a lot! And yes...you're totally right!
I have been a full-time copywriter for seven years and I'll tell you, sometimes the words just flow, and sometimes it's like pushing a boulder up a hill. One thing I've learned is that there is no difference in the results. The copy that was a struggle to write is neither better nor worse than the easy copy. When you're on a deadline you just have to push through.
Absolutely. There’s so much truth to this!
With all the misinformation out there, I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. I don't really write romance. I write fantasy (sometimes with a romantic subplot). I've learned SO much from your channel that's helped me from making some pretty terrible marketing decisions. I truly appreciate all you do here.
Thank you, Audrey. Wow, it's responses like this that make me keep going. Appreciate it so much! I'm happy I can help!
Outdoor setting was a nice change, but I can understand about the wind. I love your videos and I watch them everytime. You have great advice and I truly love your "no sugar coating" way of sharing things.
Aww. Thank you! Means a lot! The wind was soooo bad. I was like noooooooo! My audio... 😭😭😭
@@TheCourtneyProject I have had to scrap some videos because of the wind or the AC running in the background.
Yay for the marketing series, I seriously CAN NOT WAIT! :D And thank you for keeping going on this channel, don't stop! You inspire me more than you know and I really look up to you!
Eep! Thank youuuu. That means a lot to me. I adore you so much!
I would DEFINITELY notice your absence. Your videos were the first self publishing videos that actually made me believe that I could make a living self publishing. I am always motivated to write after your videos and your knowledge about the industry has helped me make the best plans for my career. Don’t let your mind tell you your videos aren’t worth much because to some like me your videos are invaluable.
Thank you so much! That means a lot! And yes, you can do this! ❤️🙌
I love these q&a Mondays, love seeing your view on things. You're amazing and I hope you have a good week!
Thanks Joey! I hope you have a great week too!!!
the only thing i miss about working from home--is getting to see your videos as they are published.
Aww, thanks Kimberly! You're the best!
Regarding feeling like a failure: It happens to me when I get really tired. I'm working on my book, and I'm feeling good, so I start pushing myself, staying up too late, not getting enough exercise, and just pouring myself 100 percent into the project. Then, when the creative burst begins to wane and I'm at the point of really having to step back and think about it, I start to lose steam. Next thing I know, I am wondering if I was wrong about the idea and the story isn't worth writing. I've learned that's when I need to refuel. I need to start eating and sleeping and exercising regularly, leading a more balanced life, making writing one (big) thing I do instead of everything. It isn't long before I feel good again, and I can consider my writing with a more objective eye. I recommend if you're feeling sad and crummy about you're writing you get some sleep. :)
Yes! I agree with this! That’s burn out and it sucks so bad. Thankfully it doesn’t last forever! ❤️
Book Blubs and Titles... can't wait for those videos! This series may change my life :)
Omg we would notice if you vanished. You are my favorite RUclipsr , I've learned so much from your videos and you continue to inspire me to pursue my dreams to self publish!
So excited for your marketing series and just all content you put out. You are amazing and I hope when you are ever doubting yourself you remember that!
I don't just watch once--i watch many many times. you are amazing.
❤️❤️
I always enjoy your videos! You’re straight talking and I love that. I’m very excited for your marketing series ❤️
Thanks, LJ! I try to be my most authentic-self online. Some people like me and other's don't, but at least I'm not pretending to be someone I'm not. Sooooo excited to chat about marketing in depth!
Please keep making videos! Checking for your latest video is a habit of mine. And they motivate my writing... even though I don't write fiction!
I watch for new videos from your channel daily. I love your personality! You are absolutely my favorite authortube channel
Thank you so much, Brooke. Means a lot to me. I hope you all find it helpful! Oooh, Vampire PNR sounds amazing and rapid releasing works so well. Thanks for being here and happy I can help!
I love your videos. You have inspired and motivated me in more ways than writing. I talk to my husband about you like I know you. "Oh Courtney says to do this, Courtney did this with her books." You gave me the courage to pursue my dream.
Aww, thanks Rachel! That means a lot! I’m glad to be a household name! LOL! You’ve got this!
please do the Vellum video! I live in the US and I want to publish for the Greek audience so I am doing self-pub. Your channel means the world to me.
I would definitely notice if you stopped making videos!! I love your videos, they're the inspiration I need sometimes, they're uplifting and I love watching them!! I love romance. If I could one day wrap my head around an idea for a romance novel it would be a dream come true. So, I love seeing you do it!
Aww, thank you! I used to write YA Fantasy with romantic elements, making the switch was like finding home. It could totally happen for you one day!
@@TheCourtneyProject so same I've written a YA Urban Fantasy type and a YA Contemporary but I've read a ton of romance and it's always been something that I want to do. One day! I just keep telling myself one day! I think that's awesome description btw "like finding home" because the romantic subplots in the YA fantasies are always my favorite part to read and write so I feel the romance genre calling my name pretty hard lol. Right now I just feel blocked as far as coming up with a premise...ugh!
I love these! Thanks for answering my question 😊
I'm really looking forward to the marketing series. I'll be taking notes!
Aww yay! ❤️❤️❤️
Some of your readers, (me) read a book a day minimum, writing 365 new books each year would be expecting entirely to much of my fav authors.
I love you! Maybe one day we'll be able to hook our brains up to our laptops and write a book a day. Come on technology, don't let me down. Hehehe!
Confession: I can't stop writing romance but I can't read romance. I read romance when I was a teenager and enjoyed romance books. Now... I see the matrix. When I read someone else's romance books, I can't turn off my writer brain and all I see is tropes and backstory and foreshadowing and so on.
That totally happens!
@@TheCourtneyProject But I feel such a fraud :(
At least I love re-reading my own romance books. Sometimes when I re-read them, I'm surprised how much better they were than what I thought when I was getting ready to publish them and I was sure that people weren't going to enjoy them
Love your videos! I have only written 1 therapeutic children's story, but I find your videos so helpful! Thank you!
Thank you so much! That's incredible you wrote a therapeutic children's story!
@@TheCourtneyProject You're most welcome! Thank you for your encouraging words! I self-published on Amazon earlier this year, and I am very excited to see your marketing series!!
You do you girl 🙌🏻 I love your videos. Thanks for all you do and share. And I’m stoked to watch marketing videos 🖤
Thank you! So glad you're excited! Whoop!!!
Courtney! It was so useful to hear you talk about #of hours spent on writing and editing. It's more relevant and helpful than weeks. Thank you for the passion you put into all your vids. I am currently hoping to overcome exactly the kind of corporate stress you are describing and it is HARD. I hope to quit, someday. Happy writing!
I want to say thank you for putting in the time to answer these questions. This is one of the most useful series I watch on youtube and I'm grateful that you would give us the beenfit of your experience.
I'm so excited about the marketing video coming soon. It's my biggest downfall. XO
Yay!!!
I have learned so much from you. Ty for your videos. My first book was sent to my editor yesterday. Your encouraging.
First off, I’d definitely notice if you stopped making videos. I’ve watched a lot of RUclips channels to help with all things writing but I always give up on them. I haven’t with yours. Even when you weren’t posting as much, I stayed and looked forward to when you would post. I find your videos inspiring, motivational, and entertaining. They’ve helped me so much and I look forward to however many you decide to make. Secondly, yay for the marketing series! I’m so stoked about those. I hope they help me but they may not. My main issue when it comes to marketing is not wanting to waste money. I don’t have a lot so I feel like I have to get it right from the first try. I’ll have to figure that out.
Thank you for answering my questions! I do plan out my writing time and what needs to be done on a daily & weekly basis. And I’ve tried planning home life too but no matter what I do I am not able to write during the day either. Forcing it just means I waste the hours. I’ve stopped doing that but lately every week is different when it comes to my grandma. She’s the point where she can’t walk, stand, or sit up on her own so I keep having to adjust which can be hard. Now I just write in the hours or time I have. I make the most of it and go from there. I’m trying to be kinder to myself and get over it if I don’t reach my goals.
Oh my goodness, Firefox ate my reply!
What I was saying was....
Thank you! I appreciate it. I'm so glad you haven't given up on me yet.
Secondly, I understand how that is with the constant distractions and trying to help family members. Not so much now that my dad is in a great place where he's being taken care of, but for months it was terrible. I know it's hard, and since you know you can't write during the day, maybe use that time to come up with different promotional ideas for your back list or sales you can do that works with your schedule to keep those books in front of people? Also, if you haven't downloaded David Gaughran's books yet, I'd like to recommend them. Maybe you can read some because I think those would help you tremendously. I know even concentrating on reading can be hard as well.
You're doing the best you can and that's enough! Remember there are indie authors out there who release 2-3 books per year and do INCREDIBLE. You can too.
@@TheCourtneyProject That's so crazy! :D
@@TheCourtneyProject You're welcome and I won't give up on you! I like your content and the fact that you're straightforward with all of us. And I'm so glad your dad is now in a facility that takes care of him. I know that must take some of the constant worries off your plate. I hope he's getting better and liking this place a lot better.
It really is. I think the problem is that we can't settle into anything. Every week or two it's something new with my grandma and we have to readjust and figure out how to take care of her. I'm hoping once we can figure out a routine (which seems impossible right now), it'd be better for all of us.
Thank you for your kind words--sometimes it's nice to hear that you're doing your best and that's enough--and suggestions. I worry publishing so little is going to hurt me. It's not like I'm not writing constantly. I just want to put as much time into my books as I can so I'm putting out quality work. And I am going to do that. I still try to force writing during the day. Last week when I decided to write after my grandma went to bed, I did better. I'll get back to that and during the day I will read David Gaughran's books (I downloaded one of them), and some of the others I already have and try to come up with promotional ideas. My first book is about to be 1 year old so I want to do something for that, plus I want to tap into using TikTok so maybe that's what I can do during the day and just focus on helping with my grandma.
Thank you again!!!
I find your content inspiring! Thank you!
Thank you! ❤️
These Monday videos have been a lovely way to start the week. I'm so excited about your marketing series, it sounds like it'll be really informative!
Aww, that makes me happy! I’m excited about it!
You are FANTASTIC!! Your information and insight is invaluable!! ❤️
Thank you so much! ❤️
I’m super excited for your marketing series! I need so much help.
Cute!
I mean your enthusiasm for writing is very cute (in a nice way).
Just found your channel. So happy I did!
Glad you’re here!
I love your videos!
Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️
Oh! I forgot to mention this. When I tried to go and ask another question on the form, it wouldn’t let me. It said that I’ve already responded and that I can only fill out the form once. It also has a button to view score. Not sure why it’s doing that but I wanted to let you know.
LOL, wow. I went and looked and it was setup like a quiz. Thanks for letting me know! It's been fixed and should be good to go now. Mwah!
@@TheCourtneyProject That's what I was thinking and of course! I'll go submit a question I had. Mwah!
I need you! Don't go! (big eyes)
"When my partner gets out of the bath, she comes out with like a full outline of our book..." 😲 wow, i need to know what magic bath bomb she be using 🤣😂
It’s true! I’m not even kidding.