I always end up binge watching Abbie’s videos because I jump around and rewatch all the videos she mentions lmao. The advise about not rushing your story, bc of the crushing expectations in these times to succeed young, is so true! Great video.
Same here. While writing and scrolling pintrust or brain dumping ideas and dialogues I play the videos from the different play lists. It helps me stay motivated 😊
It really is. Expectations on succeeding young is so heavy these days. I've been crippled by it before. It's becoming an insecurity that I don't need in my life.
I discovered your channel 3 days ago and have binge-watched almost everything you've put out. You've given me so many lightbulb moments! I've watched *hours* of videos on writing, and nothing else comes close to your content for writing advice. You are an amazing lady. Thank you.
One thing I don't like when consuming content is how the "relatable characters" are always just facing the same things we face everyday and there end up being no stakes. It becomes boring because people lose sight of the fact that relatable characters are also ones that have autonomy, characters that make decisions, make _mistakes_. There needs to be stakes, that's why we read. Because it's more interesting than hearing our neighbours rant about their problems. But that's how it comes across sometimes. Again, thank you so much for your content, Abbie!
Maybe it's the genre you're reading that has repetitive stakes? YA does that a lot with high school crushes/ drama and whatnot. I've read Abbie's books, and despite me not liking YA, I loved her books because the internal conflict is palpable throughout--even with it being about teenage love.
It's sooo true! Watching a movie snaps a lightbulb into your head. Also, analyzing your favorite video game (if you play any) is a great way to learn as well.
Actually, the book that is most like what you teach is "Creating Character Arcs" by K.M. Weiland. It is so spot-on that I thought you got all your information from her! The book connected a lot of dots for me in terms of writing character-driven stories, and the concepts were only further reinforced by your videos. Highly recommend it! It's not one you have to necessarily read in one sitting, but something you can follow along while developing/outlining and always refer back to (writing the first plot point? go to the first plot point chapter. at your midpoint? see the midpoint chapter, etc.) It's so streamlined and comprehensive with what elements need to be accomplished (And I know a lot of people think this will result in formulaic writing but no-formulaic writing is a reflection of your skill level)
"Favorite movies and a notebook". That's advice I've never heard before and it makes a lot of sense. I quickly wrote down 11 (meant to do 10 lol) of my favorite shows and movies, and most of them have a common theme, which is also a theme in my story. Interesting. :)
01:28 Actually my problem is that I have too many story ideas and want to write all of them at once. The result is that I get overwhelmed and won‘t write at all. The opposite is really not much better😓
Try and figure out which one is closest to you and zoom in on that story. If you focus on it, you'll find yourself thinking about it everyday and the dialogue and scenes will come to you easily.
Same tho!!!! As soon as I get inspiration for a story, I mull it over a bit, then write the summary down in my catch-all notebook. When I'm bored, I go back and reread my story ideas and get pumped up for each one.
As Kate and Abbie advised last month: think about what each story idea really *says* and decide which message is so important to you that you want to spend months on it.
Sameee here!! But I choose a story that is closest to what I want to tell and stick to it. For the rest of my story ideas, I write them down and create mini short stories to make me remember what's so great about the stories. So that, when the time comes, I have like what looks an outline/ a guide for me to write. :D :D
I got your book! Tessa and Westin the best Christmas ever I got my mom to read 100 days of sunlight because I wouldn't stop talking about it and she loves it and we fangirl about it a lot
LOVE #5. As someone who's struggling with "reader's block", this advice is really helpful! It really helps me pinpoint what's important to me in a story and how I can translate it into my own. Thanks Abbie!
Hey Abbie...my question is : Sometimes when you start a Book you are hella excited but more the time u spend on it and thinking about it .... Halfway through the story u feel like....umm NO...it's a good story following all 3 act story structure and stuff but just no...and then I contemplate on whether it's a story capable of putting out in the world. I mean yes I know WHY writing matters so much to me and why this story does as well but just don't know if it is capable or deserving enough to be put out in the world... thankyou
Put it out anyways. Maybe it won't impact everyone, but there's always a handful that gain something from it and they're worth the shortcomings. The way I see it, there's a ton of crap on KDP, so why not MY crap? I have a book I'm working on that I refuse to self publish until I'm absolutely soul-crushed by the industry (good luck, world, I've been to jail and still have a positive attitude so fight me) because that's my goal: publishing from a professional publisher. But all my other stuff? The short stories, novellas and episodic stuff? Screw it. I'll toss that on kdp and invite, medium, WordPress or wherever and whatever I can just to get it out there. Once it's outside of ME, I can move to the next thing and get closer to the end goal of the book I'm polishing or the next book I want to polish.
I'll say go for it. You will learn alot of things on the way and the story will automatically change from the way you first planned it. It will have a different outcome because when you feel the need to change something, you will thus changing the course of the story. You can rewrite it changing it and twisting it anyhow you like and it will be much more easier, since you know what is going on. (I am saying this coz I kinda get the feeling the story isn't complete yet.....? Have fun with it. )
I'm so glad about what you said about not bothering with the stuffy "how to write" books. I was feeling guilty that I've never bought any as yet. A niggling voice kept telling me "you can't write professionally if you don't read how to write guide books" but then I thought, sometimes this isn't always the way and that it can make your writing too formulated/technical and sterile, depleting the spontaneous passion that should come naturally in your writing. So thanks for saying this Abbie and suggesting 10 favourite movies and notebook - suits me much more! 🥰
Your novel, "100 Days of Sunlight'" is beautiful. Great story and conflicts. Nice twists and turns. A beautiful ride. Thanks for sharing your insights and guidance, too.
Abbie..! u know u r great 👍🏻 you're really helping me out . I wrote a great story while taking your advices but I actually have a question , how do I choose a great title...which actually makes people curious about reading it ~ ♡♡♡
Hmm… Not brutal enough. If you feel like giving up. Give up. If the need to write your story doesn’t pull you back in, you’ve done the right thing. Go find a new hobby. ✨🖊❤️✨
I had a mindset for a long time that I wanted to publish before I graduate high school, but now that I'm near there, I'm realizing it will happen when it happens, and I'm not going to try to publish something I'm not confident in.
Loved the video! ❤️ Quick question for you, are there any tips for fanfiction writers you'd like to share? How to take a story and put a fresh spin on it? I know you used to write fanfic and it would be awesome to hear any thoughts you have. Thank you!
Fellow fan fiction writer here! Until Abbie answers your question, I hope you don't mind getting an answer from me! :D I usually gravitate towards writing modern AU stories, and I take my fav video games (however genre they are) and start to pluck away those aspects about it. I usually play the games to nail the characters voices and personalities, and watch any anime/ movies related to it to write them well. The fresh spin comes with the internal conflict. I do tailor it to the original conflict of the character in the game, but add my touch to it by maybe changing the "trauma" that caused it, or event, whatever you wanna call it. I basically change their backstory, but keep it true to who they are originally. I do write from experience as well, which really gives some authenticity to the protagonist. I had to go to the hospital back in June for an injury. It was quite painful, and so I made it into a fanfic lol. Hope this helps?
I love to improv and change stories that already exist so I hope you don’t mind hearing from me either 😂 I usually like to think of what already has been done, and then flip it on its head or make it different. For instance in the Merlin show, Morgana goes evil but she and Merlin never get a romance. I’d change it so they do and see how that would change her shift to the dark side. Or toss up who was interested in who to begin with. Some things have already been done really well, so see how you can do them differently or flip the plot on its head by positioning the characters in a different way. Hope that helps
I am also writing a fanfic - or planning to. I’m new to writing so I can’t give you any advice from a position of experience; but i’ve chosen a favorite movie of mine ( in my top 3). I am picking up where that movie left off. However I’m changing some of the events of the movie to send the protagonist’s character arc in another direction from the original. It’s like a “what if…” scenario. I am also creating two original characters and dropping everybody into a plot that “naturally” grows out of the events I changed in the movie. The ramifications if those changed events give rise to the external plot of my fanfic which in turn is a function of the main characters’ desires, fears and misbeliefs. There will be two protagonists. I think it’s going to be the same process (or at least a similar one) to further develop my premise and my original character, my themes and my plot for a fanfic as it would for my original ideas. I want to delve into the fandom mc’s psyche and further cement my understanding of that characters’s existing fear and misbelief. However, I’m going to give the mc a new specific goal / desire and therefore create a tweaked/ different internal conflict as well as a new relationship with my original character. It will be great practice in crafting. I have some original ideas (not fanfic) that I will work on after I do the fanfic. I just feel like going through the entire process once with training wheels on (fanfic) will enable me to do better on my original idea. So it’s a year after your original post here. What’s happening? Did you start writing? I’ve been binging Abbie for several months now but then I had some life events happen and I had to step away. But I’m back and still excited about learning the craft. Every time I think I’m ready to start working on my wip I find another concept to grasp that I’m ultimately glad I was exposed to before I started writing more pages. The latest example of this was choosing what POV i will write from and how to write in it correctly. It is a huge concept that I thought I was on solid ground about. Nope! 😂😂 I do think I’m getting close to being ready to start developing my two original characters for the fanfic. I’ve got what I think is a solid premise and some good themes that are congruent with what the original movie put out there to contemplate. So I will give myself a cutoff date for exclusively spending time learning craft after which I will start working pages and continue to still learn AS I GO. One last aspect I am looking into is tweaking the genres represented in the original movie by choosing a different combination of genres. That means different story beats will be expected in my story based on the new combination as compared to the original. This will be another way to make it fresh and unique (hopefully) but still connected and relatable to the fandom. So I’ll be rewatching this video and some other ones of Abbie’s as well to start with the character development. I’d love to know if you moved forward with your WIP.
Hi, Your videos are absolutely incredible. I just bought 100 days of sunlight as a thank you for all your support with my writing. I’m guessing it’ll be unputdownable! Thanks again!
Me who gets ideas for new stories all the time, writes down whole story in shortcut, creates characters. And then looses wish to actually write it, because I get new idea o-o *pain*
I've actually found your channel today and oh boy i'm gratefull. After three years I can finally move further with my book, all thanks to you. I love your honesty and that you are straightforward. Amazing job
Hey #AskAbbie! I'm curious about how you approach characterization? Weston is easily a favorite of mine, and I wonder how you came about to creating this ball of sunshine, from looks to dialogue! Thanks. :)
Hi Abbie. I love your videos. I also just got done with one hundred days of sunlight it was amazing. I have a question. So I have two books that I have finished editing and are ready to publish. I'm having trouble picking out which one to be my debut novel. How do you pick one if you have approval from a lot of people that it is good? Should publish them at the same time? I need help!
100% agree, the best way to learn to write is to read and ruminate. It's much better than reading _On Writing_ like it's gospel and painstakingly cutting out every adverb because Stephen King said to, then realizing your draft has become a little too bland as a result.
I would love to hear your advice for indie publishing for major introverts and also how much it costs to indie publish a professional looking book. Thank you!!
Watching movies and TV are great and efficient way to consume and analyse story, but if you are writing a novel, nothing is as invaluable as other books themselves. Stories have to be told in a different way on-screen compared to in writing. There are scenes in TV and movie that are difficult to capture in words, and scenes in books which, if they were translated directly to screen, would be boring. This is not for people who do both - it's best to consume both - but for people like me who avoided reading actual books and used analysing movies and TV as an excuse. I'd get to writing a scene that I'd planned to write and realise that I'd constructed a movie scene rather than a book scene. TLDR Analysing movies and TV shows is a great way to learn, but analysing books is even better
Hey Abbie! I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE your channel! It helps me A LOT with my writing! So, thanks for doing these videos! They're extremely helpful! Greetings from Spain!
I’ve been into writing stories and reading horror and some other books but I don’t know what books to read so far I have five books bloody valentine- James Patterson , at the worlds end -Catherine fisher , the fall - Anthony mcGowan , deadly night - l.s Mathews and flesh and blood - Chris Priestley which looks like a good book :)
Bee and puppycat and over the garden wall are two I love and have rewatched and shared with a lot of people. Theres a few others but there not coming to mind.
Questions? More ideas for videos? I gotchu Abbie! ;D 1. How do you write a story from an Omniscient POV without it turning into confusing head-hopping? 2. Is there a way to tell another characters' story from a third-party perspective (that's NOT omniscient) and do it well even if they technically weren't there for the whole thing? ...think that's all I got for now but I'll probs get back to you. Thank you for all your thoughts and things!!!
That was awesome! I'm wondering, where do YOU start when revising a first draft? Not line editing, but revising. I'm basically asking how you do a self developmental edit.
I have a presentation to do in a few days (I analyze a scene from a movie) and you literally taught me so many things about stories that I'll talk about aha moments and inner conflicts. If I don't get a good grade I'll kill myself I worked rlly hard on it
When writing the Best Christmas Ever did you ever have a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit to write the story and if so how did you overcome it?
I don't know if anyone asked this question yet but do you think that you have to build up your brand first as an author before writing and publishing a book like developing your platform/presence on social media? By the way love your channel Abbie ❤
I want to write a sideplot for my story but have no idea how to make it matter to the protagonist. My story is about a girl who writes a fictional fantasy world where animals go when they die because she was taught that animals become non existent once ether die-is a Christian and raised by Christian parents who believe that animals don't go to Heaven. The sideplot is that my MC wants to write a story for her church's talent show but doesn't know what to write. I want the talent show to be the Climatic Confrontation, but I don't know how to make it relevant to the protagonist's internal conflict and misbelief. I don't want it to be a sideplot that adds nothing to the story. I could really use some help!😅
I have 2 questions. 1. When should you use first-person storytelling and when not, or is that just personal preference? 2. English is my second language, but the story is coming to me in English. I was taught British English, but over time got more familiar with American English. I think my style is a mix of the two. Should I keep that as a personal style or should I commit to either one or the other?
1. I vote personal preference, or whatever works for the story/genre you're telling. 2. I'd commit to one or the other. Unless you're being subversive and making a specific point about the differences between British and American English, or it's a particular trait of a character or the POV character in first person, I would stick to one. Otherwise you face the danger that readers think you've made lazy mistakes. The preferable option (I think) would be American English. British readers, and most non-American readers, are used to interpreting American-isms because so much media is from America. Americans are less familiar with British-isms unless they make an effort to be. The exception is if you are writing a novel set in Britain or through the lens of a British person. Then, I'd go with British English because it would be truer to the character POV. Hope that helps!
Got a story with a generation ship that I only really started working on thanks to your advice. And indeed, that spaceship doesn't explode. Well, not in book one, at least... 😊
Before you turn 20? Dayum. I'll be stoked if I can publish mine before I'm 40. This was all great advice. Really glad I found this channel, it's helped me get my head around a lot of ideas as i wrestle with Draft 2. Thanks!
Thank you Abbie... I like your videos very much.. Any potterheads here? I still like the series... Abbie can you make a video on characters of hp series? I would love it.❤️🙂
I've been writing the same book over 10 years, going on 7 drafts. It's changed a lot over the years. I would advise to write short scripts for short films. It will give you a better idea how to appeal to the audience.
Hi Abbie, how can I find personality traits for a character and the misbelief? I have been watching a lot of videos on these and I am really struggling with it and I am turning to you for help.
Your advice to not put your writing out there (into the big bad world) until you feel comfortable that you can write the book that you want, and have it ready is great. Over the last few years I've seen a lot of pressure put on writers to "just finish it and publish on Amazon". Once that book is out there, it will haunt you forever. I like your energy!
I've had this one problem with my story, and it's stumped me for quite a while. I have overarching theme I want to tell in my story and I've got a cast of main characters but the plot is where I'm stuck. I've got a few different variations of the plot but I'm not sure which one I want to write and which one will be best for my story. Any advice?
I had the same problem in which I kept switching up the events and it was getting really annoying. I watched Abbie's 3 act story structure and started to plot along with her as she talked about every story beat. It did wonders. I'm now satisfied with what I have written down, and excited to start writing.
@NPC 1337 The three main characters are Ezra, Thea and Charlie(names may change) I'll try to explain the ideas briefly as possible 1) Ezra gets a phonecall one night that his father was found dead in his study and that the police are not sure what the cause of death is. He returns back to his hometown for his father's funeral and finds his father's leather journal, which documents his last days before his death. After an unexpected reunion with old friends, he uses that journal to find out what really happened to him and along the way finds dark secrets and realizes that his father may not be the man he looked up to in his entire childhood. In this idea Ezra is the protagonist with Charlie and Thea being supporting/secondary characters 2) This one is similar to the last idea but is told in the perspective of all three. After a major accident in their childhood, the trio is torn apart and go their own separate ways. Years after, they're all brought back to their hometown, and discover a series of crimes that seem to all connect. Together, the three friends work to solve these crimes, and find out secrets about their town that destroy everything they previously thought was true. This idea also includes the one above but as a side plot rather than the main focus My main problem with this idea was that it felt cramped and there were too many side plots going on at the same time. I spent quite a while trying to organize it better, but that only complicated the plot even further. 3) this last one is completely different from the other two. While the first two takes place in present day, this one is set in medieval times, in a small port city in Ireland. It follows the story of three friends from wildly different backgrounds, all with big dreams. But when they discover magic, their worldview is changed. They unlease powerful magic, one that's been locked away for centuries. Soon, they find themselves fighting to protect this magic from the ones who want to use it for their own gain. This is the story of three friends, human greed, and how an unexpected discovery changes their lives completely. My theme is about perspectives and how a story can change based on who's telling it. It's also about hidden meanings and how the greed of mankind ends up destroying them.
@@shanthi4855 I would highly (HIGHLY) recommend you read "Chalk Man" by C.J.Tudor. Reading your reply made think of that novel instantly. It does share the prospect of a traumatic event experienced by 4 or 5 characters, including the protagonist, and they discover things about their town along the way. The only difference is that Chalk Man flips between two perspectives: the protagonist's childhood self and adult self. The book is so well-written and weaves in so many details that will leave you smacking your forehead for missing them out in the first place. It's very mysterious as well, and revolves around a crime.
Dear Abby/ John prine you gotta check that song out Abby 😁 loven your material , I only recently discovered YOU, don't why I've been watching writing advice on RUclips for at least 2 years, but you've become my favorite ROCK ON 🤟
The books you should read on the writing craft are fictional books. That's what I do. That's how I decide what works and what doesnt by reading fictional stories.
#AskAbbie Hey Abbie! I've been working on so many ideas maybe 3 at once but I'm not sure of any of my stories have good themes or plots or structure, but I have a gift with words.. The only thing I'm so motivated for is romance, but I can't find any theme into them. Also, I know how to make romantic scenes, but I can't collect all of them into one neat book. Well, it also might be that English is not my mother language but I'm better at it than my native one, it's kind of hard to get a grip of good standalone novels. I tried going through realistic fiction, but there's nothing interesting about normal plain ol' middle school days. I tried going through your methods, but it's hard applying them to my weak ideas and vague plot. Is there a good way to fix all my issues, or is that natural for a 12-year-old with very little experience of logic and how the world works? Thanks, Abbie!
Abbie needs her own TV show. She could be a modern age Mary Tyler Moore 😃. She really does have such a relatable nature and energy about her. But for now, I’m glad she’s helping folks like me learn how to write story.
I have a question I hope somebody can answer. How do you incorporate someone else's property into your story without it being a copyright problem. For example the story I'm working on involves a high school production of a broadway musical which has a major role in the plot and for the characters. What can I include and not include from the musical? (characters, quotes, lines, songs, etc) Or would it be best if I make a parody of the musical of some sort? Thanks to anyone who answers this.
I think the hardest part of #5 would be the analysis to answer why my 10 favorite movies are. I guess things I will watch over and over, although that might be a bit embarrassing.
Hello! I noticed in one of your podcasts with Kate you mentioned how helpful it can be to find a writing buddy. I don't have one and it would be difficult to find one where I live. Do you have any recommendations on online places where we could find a good writing community? (with, if possible, free options because I can't afford much).
I'm a recent subscriber and man did you made the characters of my novel a lot more interesting especially my main character. Would love to know your advice with writing traitor characters tho. Two of my WIP novels have traitors and I kinda wanna spice their reasons for treachery up.
Thank you for answering these questions that you getting ask on it really helped me and my story and the most shocking answer is : watching movies and notebooks. because it’s actually what I do 💕. So yeah that all what I want to say oh by the way you look like Nancy from stranger things🤗
Is it just me or do other people also struggle with giving your characters names? Cause sometimes I give a name and am happy with it ...but then I go back on it and I think maybe it doesnt fit the personality, or the vibe of the character? Or sometimes I sort of invent a name and it sounds okay,but then I just end up thinking its bad or it makes no sense at all...idk I just have some troubles with that.
I always end up binge watching Abbie’s videos because I jump around and rewatch all the videos she mentions lmao. The advise about not rushing your story, bc of the crushing expectations in these times to succeed young, is so true! Great video.
Same here. While writing and scrolling pintrust or brain dumping ideas and dialogues I play the videos from the different play lists. It helps me stay motivated 😊
It really is. Expectations on succeeding young is so heavy these days. I've been crippled by it before. It's becoming an insecurity that I don't need in my life.
Yeah I always binge watch Abbie 😅
I discovered your channel 3 days ago and have binge-watched almost everything you've put out. You've given me so many lightbulb moments! I've watched *hours* of videos on writing, and nothing else comes close to your content for writing advice. You are an amazing lady. Thank you.
Welcome to the community, Clare! :)
Welcome!
One thing I don't like when consuming content is how the "relatable characters" are always just facing the same things we face everyday and there end up being no stakes.
It becomes boring because people lose sight of the fact that relatable characters are also ones that have autonomy, characters that make decisions, make _mistakes_. There needs to be stakes, that's why we read. Because it's more interesting than hearing our neighbours rant about their problems. But that's how it comes across sometimes.
Again, thank you so much for your content, Abbie!
Maybe it's the genre you're reading that has repetitive stakes? YA does that a lot with high school crushes/ drama and whatnot. I've read Abbie's books, and despite me not liking YA, I loved her books because the internal conflict is palpable throughout--even with it being about teenage love.
“10 well written stories and a notebook!” Why can’t I think about it before thank you for opening my eyes…..😅😂😂
It's sooo true! Watching a movie snaps a lightbulb into your head. Also, analyzing your favorite video game (if you play any) is a great way to learn as well.
@@kaokurosawa3872 Yeah that's right it literally does ☺
Actually, the book that is most like what you teach is "Creating Character Arcs" by K.M. Weiland. It is so spot-on that I thought you got all your information from her! The book connected a lot of dots for me in terms of writing character-driven stories, and the concepts were only further reinforced by your videos. Highly recommend it!
It's not one you have to necessarily read in one sitting, but something you can follow along while developing/outlining and always refer back to (writing the first plot point? go to the first plot point chapter. at your midpoint? see the midpoint chapter, etc.) It's so streamlined and comprehensive with what elements need to be accomplished (And I know a lot of people think this will result in formulaic writing but no-formulaic writing is a reflection of your skill level)
Lisa Cron's "Story Genius" is a great one!
"Favorite movies and a notebook". That's advice I've never heard before and it makes a lot of sense. I quickly wrote down 11 (meant to do 10 lol) of my favorite shows and movies, and most of them have a common theme, which is also a theme in my story. Interesting. :)
Whenever someone asks me how to overcome their writing worries, and I respond with ‘write’, they get really angry with me.
Strange.
What do I do with all of my exploding spaceships now??
01:28 Actually my problem is that I have too many story ideas and want to write all of them at once. The result is that I get overwhelmed and won‘t write at all. The opposite is really not much better😓
Try and figure out which one is closest to you and zoom in on that story. If you focus on it, you'll find yourself thinking about it everyday and the dialogue and scenes will come to you easily.
Same tho!!!! As soon as I get inspiration for a story, I mull it over a bit, then write the summary down in my catch-all notebook. When I'm bored, I go back and reread my story ideas and get pumped up for each one.
As Kate and Abbie advised last month: think about what each story idea really *says* and decide which message is so important to you that you want to spend months on it.
@@ruthholter9678 same here everyday randomly I get story ideas and then dialogue and so on now a days it became natural😂😂
Sameee here!! But I choose a story that is closest to what I want to tell and stick to it. For the rest of my story ideas, I write them down and create mini short stories to make me remember what's so great about the stories. So that, when the time comes, I have like what looks an outline/ a guide for me to write. :D :D
Stop telling people to smash the like button, I just broke my tablet doing so
I got your book! Tessa and Westin the best Christmas ever
I got my mom to read 100 days of sunlight because I wouldn't stop talking about it and she loves it and we fangirl about it a lot
She looks like Lizzy Bennet!
Abbie: *uploads a new video*
Me: I'VE BEEN SUMMONED
LOVE #5. As someone who's struggling with "reader's block", this advice is really helpful! It really helps me pinpoint what's important to me in a story and how I can translate it into my own.
Thanks Abbie!
"Study your favorite stories" is one of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard.
This was so helpful, thank you! LOVE your channel so much! (and your bangs LOL)
I literally grinned when I saw another Q&A video from you. Love from a sleep-deprived teen from the Philippines!
Hey Abbie...my question is :
Sometimes when you start a Book you are hella excited but more the time u spend on it and thinking about it .... Halfway through the story u feel like....umm NO...it's a good story following all 3 act story structure and stuff but just no...and then I contemplate on whether it's a story capable of putting out in the world. I mean yes I know WHY writing matters so much to me and why this story does as well but just don't know if it is capable or deserving enough to be put out in the world... thankyou
Put it out anyways. Maybe it won't impact everyone, but there's always a handful that gain something from it and they're worth the shortcomings. The way I see it, there's a ton of crap on KDP, so why not MY crap? I have a book I'm working on that I refuse to self publish until I'm absolutely soul-crushed by the industry (good luck, world, I've been to jail and still have a positive attitude so fight me) because that's my goal: publishing from a professional publisher. But all my other stuff? The short stories, novellas and episodic stuff? Screw it. I'll toss that on kdp and invite, medium, WordPress or wherever and whatever I can just to get it out there. Once it's outside of ME, I can move to the next thing and get closer to the end goal of the book I'm polishing or the next book I want to polish.
I'll say go for it. You will learn alot of things on the way and the story will automatically change from the way you first planned it. It will have a different outcome because when you feel the need to change something, you will thus changing the course of the story. You can rewrite it changing it and twisting it anyhow you like and it will be much more easier, since you know what is going on.
(I am saying this coz I kinda get the feeling the story isn't complete yet.....? Have fun with it. )
Revisit the initial spark that inspired you to write this story. You don't have to follow ANY structure, you only have to write.
I've never tried this, but maybe write the middle first then the beginning and then the end. It might help, but I don't know.
write the story for yourself first and worry about the rest of the world later.
LOVE IT! UR THE BEST! ROCK ON!!!
Question, can I be an author if I hate reading? I just can’t focus and I get so bored… I force myself to read though
I'm so glad about what you said about not bothering with the stuffy "how to write" books. I was feeling guilty that I've never bought any as yet. A niggling voice kept telling me "you can't write professionally if you don't read how to write guide books" but then I thought, sometimes this isn't always the way and that it can make your writing too formulated/technical and sterile, depleting the spontaneous passion that should come naturally in your writing. So thanks for saying this Abbie and suggesting 10 favourite movies and notebook - suits me much more! 🥰
I LOVE YOU WITH MY WHOLE HEART I NEEDED THIS. You helped me so much with Motivation since I found your chanel
Please help how to write humour. How to make your readers laugh.My sense of humour is......kinda dry
Watch movies that have a lot of humor in them. Your brain will pick on them and with time you'll find yourself writing humor no problem
Love Your Talent And Dedication; You're The Best Writer On The "tube" ~
"Teen writers"
Me: ...tEn?
Your novel, "100 Days of Sunlight'" is beautiful. Great story and conflicts. Nice twists and turns. A beautiful ride. Thanks for sharing your insights and guidance, too.
Abbie..! u know u r great 👍🏻 you're really helping me out . I wrote a great story while taking your advices but I actually have a question , how do I choose a great title...which actually makes people curious about reading it ~ ♡♡♡
Abbie, I love when you crack yourself up. 😂
You are beautiful 😁
I just noticed she has the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows duology on her shelves in the background
Hmm… Not brutal enough. If you feel like giving up. Give up. If the need to write your story doesn’t pull you back in, you’ve done the right thing. Go find a new hobby. ✨🖊❤️✨
I had a mindset for a long time that I wanted to publish before I graduate high school, but now that I'm near there, I'm realizing it will happen when it happens, and I'm not going to try to publish something I'm not confident in.
Oh yes i am so hear for the savage sarcasm. And i love the Eliza Bennet bangs😍
Loved the video! ❤️ Quick question for you, are there any tips for fanfiction writers you'd like to share? How to take a story and put a fresh spin on it? I know you used to write fanfic and it would be awesome to hear any thoughts you have. Thank you!
Fellow fan fiction writer here! Until Abbie answers your question, I hope you don't mind getting an answer from me! :D
I usually gravitate towards writing modern AU stories, and I take my fav video games (however genre they are) and start to pluck away those aspects about it. I usually play the games to nail the characters voices and personalities, and watch any anime/ movies related to it to write them well. The fresh spin comes with the internal conflict. I do tailor it to the original conflict of the character in the game, but add my touch to it by maybe changing the "trauma" that caused it, or event, whatever you wanna call it. I basically change their backstory, but keep it true to who they are originally.
I do write from experience as well, which really gives some authenticity to the protagonist. I had to go to the hospital back in June for an injury. It was quite painful, and so I made it into a fanfic lol. Hope this helps?
I love to improv and change stories that already exist so I hope you don’t mind hearing from me either 😂
I usually like to think of what already has been done, and then flip it on its head or make it different. For instance in the Merlin show, Morgana goes evil but she and Merlin never get a romance. I’d change it so they do and see how that would change her shift to the dark side. Or toss up who was interested in who to begin with. Some things have already been done really well, so see how you can do them differently or flip the plot on its head by positioning the characters in a different way.
Hope that helps
I am also writing a fanfic - or planning to. I’m new to writing so I can’t give you any advice from a position of experience; but i’ve chosen a favorite movie of mine ( in my top 3). I am picking up where that movie left off.
However I’m changing some of the events of the movie to send the protagonist’s character arc in another direction from the original. It’s like a “what if…” scenario.
I am also creating two original characters and dropping everybody into a plot that “naturally” grows out of the events I changed in the movie. The ramifications if those changed events give rise to the external plot of my fanfic which in turn is a function of the main characters’ desires, fears and misbeliefs. There will be two protagonists.
I think it’s going to be the same process (or at least a similar one) to further develop my premise and my original character, my themes and my plot for a fanfic as it would for my original ideas.
I want to delve into the fandom mc’s psyche and further cement my understanding of that characters’s existing fear and misbelief.
However, I’m going to give the mc a new specific goal / desire and therefore create a tweaked/ different internal conflict as well as a new relationship with my original character.
It will be great practice in crafting. I have some original ideas (not fanfic) that I will work on after I do the fanfic. I just feel like going through the entire process once with training wheels on (fanfic) will enable me to do better on my original idea.
So it’s a year after your original post here. What’s happening? Did you start writing? I’ve been binging Abbie for several months now but then I had some life events happen and I had to step away. But I’m back and still excited about learning the craft.
Every time I think I’m ready to start working on my wip I find another concept to grasp that I’m ultimately glad I was exposed to before I started writing more pages.
The latest example of this was choosing what POV i will write from and how to write in it correctly. It is a huge concept that I thought I was on solid ground about. Nope! 😂😂
I do think I’m getting close to being ready to start developing my two original characters for the fanfic. I’ve got what I think is a solid premise and some good themes that are congruent with what the original movie put out there to contemplate. So I will give myself a cutoff date for exclusively spending time learning craft after which I will start working pages and continue to still learn AS I GO.
One last aspect I am looking into is tweaking the genres represented in the original movie by choosing a different combination of genres. That means different story beats will be expected in my story based on the new combination as compared to the original. This will be another way to make it fresh and unique (hopefully) but still connected and relatable to the fandom.
So I’ll be rewatching this video and some other ones of Abbie’s as well to start with the character development.
I’d love to know if you moved forward with your WIP.
I currently own 0 books on writing novels!!! Your videos have taught me writing!
Hi, Your videos are absolutely incredible. I just bought 100 days of sunlight as a thank you for all your support with my writing. I’m guessing it’ll be unputdownable! Thanks again!
Me who gets ideas for new stories all the time, writes down whole story in shortcut, creates characters. And then looses wish to actually write it, because I get new idea o-o *pain*
Thanks!
I've actually found your channel today and oh boy i'm gratefull. After three years I can finally move further with my book, all thanks to you. I love your honesty and that you are straightforward. Amazing job
We were writing a short story in English today and I based mine on my mc for my novel I’m writing and I learnt that my mc gets jealous easily
Hey Abbie,
My question is: when will you publish te NaNoWriMo novel you wrote this year????
Also, luv u content 🙃
Hey #AskAbbie! I'm curious about how you approach characterization? Weston is easily a favorite of mine, and I wonder how you came about to creating this ball of sunshine, from looks to dialogue! Thanks. :)
Toni Morrison did say to write the story you want to read.
Hi Abbie. I love your videos. I also just got done with one hundred days of sunlight it was amazing. I have a question. So I have two books that I have finished editing and are ready to publish. I'm having trouble picking out which one to be my debut novel. How do you pick one if you have approval from a lot of people that it is good? Should publish them at the same time? I need help!
I got your new book yesterday! The packaging was so pretty! I can’t wait to read it over Christmas break :)
100% agree, the best way to learn to write is to read and ruminate. It's much better than reading _On Writing_ like it's gospel and painstakingly cutting out every adverb because Stephen King said to, then realizing your draft has become a little too bland as a result.
I would love to hear your advice for indie publishing for major introverts and also how much it costs to indie publish a professional looking book. Thank you!!
HOW DO YOU START THE PUBLISHING PROCESS FOR YOUR NOVEL OH MY GOODNESS. 😂😂😂
Watching movies and TV are great and efficient way to consume and analyse story, but if you are writing a novel, nothing is as invaluable as other books themselves. Stories have to be told in a different way on-screen compared to in writing. There are scenes in TV and movie that are difficult to capture in words, and scenes in books which, if they were translated directly to screen, would be boring. This is not for people who do both - it's best to consume both - but for people like me who avoided reading actual books and used analysing movies and TV as an excuse. I'd get to writing a scene that I'd planned to write and realise that I'd constructed a movie scene rather than a book scene.
TLDR Analysing movies and TV shows is a great way to learn, but analysing books is even better
This is a really good video.
I can't count how mnay times I've seen each video or write with me. I enjoy watching the videos. They are motivation for me to keep going
Thank you so much about this Abbie 💜💜
Hey Abbie! I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE your channel! It helps me A LOT with my writing! So, thanks for doing these videos! They're extremely helpful! Greetings from Spain!
Love your nails
I’ve been into writing stories and reading horror and some other books but I don’t know what books to read so far I have five books bloody valentine- James Patterson , at the worlds end -Catherine fisher , the fall - Anthony mcGowan , deadly night - l.s Mathews and flesh and blood - Chris Priestley which looks like a good book :)
Abby can you please make a video about writing episodic series!!
I love ur insights
Honestly, I'm enjoying watching your videos so much and they are so helpful..
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ABBIE!! I really needed this! 💛💛
1:35 I do that with so many shows.
Bee and puppycat and over the garden wall are two I love and have rewatched and shared with a lot of people. Theres a few others but there not coming to mind.
Hi Abbie, I have to say, I can't find another authortuber better than you, I've been watching you since May, and it's really helped my writing, thanks
Questions? More ideas for videos? I gotchu Abbie! ;D
1. How do you write a story from an Omniscient POV without it turning into confusing head-hopping?
2. Is there a way to tell another characters' story from a third-party perspective (that's NOT omniscient) and do it well even if they technically weren't there for the whole thing?
...think that's all I got for now but I'll probs get back to you. Thank you for all your thoughts and things!!!
That was awesome! I'm wondering, where do YOU start when revising a first draft? Not line editing, but revising. I'm basically asking how you do a self developmental edit.
I have a presentation to do in a few days (I analyze a scene from a movie) and you literally taught me so many things about stories that I'll talk about aha moments and inner conflicts. If I don't get a good grade I'll kill myself I worked rlly hard on it
@@benjaminramsey498 lmaooo sorry I just exaggerated bcz I didn't know how to express myself
I want to ask how to make a strong desire and motivation. Lack of goals is the reason why I can't push my story forward. They are indeed necessary.
Once again you provide lots of wisdom and charm in a concise presentation. Thanks!
When writing the Best Christmas Ever did you ever have a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit to write the story and if so how did you overcome it?
What is the easiest way to edit your story?
I don't know if anyone asked this question yet but do you think that you have to build up your brand first as an author before writing and publishing a book like developing your platform/presence on social media? By the way love your channel Abbie ❤
Ay-Oh!
I want to write a sideplot for my story but have no idea how to make it matter to the protagonist.
My story is about a girl who writes a fictional fantasy world where animals go when they die because she was taught that animals become non existent once ether die-is a Christian and raised by Christian parents who believe that animals don't go to Heaven. The sideplot is that my MC wants to write a story for her church's talent show but doesn't know what to write. I want the talent show to be the Climatic Confrontation, but I don't know how to make it relevant to the protagonist's internal conflict and misbelief. I don't want it to be a sideplot that adds nothing to the story. I could really use some help!😅
Your 10 favorite movies and a notebook!!! Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!
I have 2 questions.
1. When should you use first-person storytelling and when not, or is that just personal preference?
2. English is my second language, but the story is coming to me in English. I was taught British English, but over time got more familiar with American English. I think my style is a mix of the two. Should I keep that as a personal style or should I commit to either one or the other?
1. I vote personal preference, or whatever works for the story/genre you're telling.
2. I'd commit to one or the other. Unless you're being subversive and making a specific point about the differences between British and American English, or it's a particular trait of a character or the POV character in first person, I would stick to one. Otherwise you face the danger that readers think you've made lazy mistakes. The preferable option (I think) would be American English. British readers, and most non-American readers, are used to interpreting American-isms because so much media is from America. Americans are less familiar with British-isms unless they make an effort to be. The exception is if you are writing a novel set in Britain or through the lens of a British person. Then, I'd go with British English because it would be truer to the character POV. Hope that helps!
Go with English English
thank you so much abbie !! all i know about writing is thanks to you
Got a story with a generation ship that I only really started working on thanks to your advice. And indeed, that spaceship doesn't explode. Well, not in book one, at least... 😊
Before you turn 20? Dayum. I'll be stoked if I can publish mine before I'm 40.
This was all great advice. Really glad I found this channel, it's helped me get my head around a lot of ideas as i wrestle with Draft 2. Thanks!
Thank you Abbie... I like your videos very much..
Any potterheads here? I still like the series... Abbie can you make a video on characters of hp series? I would love it.❤️🙂
I've been writing the same book over 10 years, going on 7 drafts. It's changed a lot over the years. I would advise to write short scripts for short films. It will give you a better idea how to appeal to the audience.
You rock Abbie!
Hi Abbie, how can I find personality traits for a character and the misbelief? I have been watching a lot of videos on these and I am really struggling with it and I am turning to you for help.
I really like your channel. You personality is so charismatic. Thanks for cheering me up.
Your video editing is honestly phenemonal!
Your advice to not put your writing out there (into the big bad world) until you feel comfortable that you can write the book that you want, and have it ready is great. Over the last few years I've seen a lot of pressure put on writers to "just finish it and publish on Amazon". Once that book is out there, it will haunt you forever. I like your energy!
I've had this one problem with my story, and it's stumped me for quite a while. I have overarching theme I want to tell in my story and I've got a cast of main characters but the plot is where I'm stuck. I've got a few different variations of the plot but I'm not sure which one I want to write and which one will be best for my story. Any advice?
I had the same problem in which I kept switching up the events and it was getting really annoying. I watched Abbie's 3 act story structure and started to plot along with her as she talked about every story beat. It did wonders. I'm now satisfied with what I have written down, and excited to start writing.
@NPC 1337
The three main characters are Ezra, Thea and Charlie(names may change) I'll try to explain the ideas briefly as possible
1) Ezra gets a phonecall one night that his father was found dead in his study and that the police are not sure what the cause of death is. He returns back to his hometown for his father's funeral and finds his father's leather journal, which documents his last days before his death. After an unexpected reunion with old friends, he uses that journal to find out what really happened to him and along the way finds dark secrets and realizes that his father may not be the man he looked up to in his entire childhood. In this idea Ezra is the protagonist with Charlie and Thea being supporting/secondary characters
2) This one is similar to the last idea but is told in the perspective of all three.
After a major accident in their childhood, the trio is torn apart and go their own separate ways. Years after, they're all brought back to their hometown, and discover a series of crimes that seem to all connect. Together, the three friends work to solve these crimes, and find out secrets about their town that destroy everything they previously thought was true. This idea also includes the one above but as a side plot rather than the main focus
My main problem with this idea was that it felt cramped and there were too many side plots going on at the same time. I spent quite a while trying to organize it better, but that only complicated the plot even further.
3) this last one is completely different from the other two. While the first two takes place in present day, this one is set in medieval times, in a small port city in Ireland. It follows the story of three friends from wildly different backgrounds, all with big dreams. But when they discover magic, their worldview is changed. They unlease powerful magic, one that's been locked away for centuries. Soon, they find themselves fighting to protect this magic from the ones who want to use it for their own gain. This is the story of three friends, human greed, and how an unexpected discovery changes their lives completely.
My theme is about perspectives and how a story can change based on who's telling it. It's also about hidden meanings and how the greed of mankind ends up destroying them.
@@shanthi4855 I would highly (HIGHLY) recommend you read "Chalk Man" by C.J.Tudor. Reading your reply made think of that novel instantly. It does share the prospect of a traumatic event experienced by 4 or 5 characters, including the protagonist, and they discover things about their town along the way. The only difference is that Chalk Man flips between two perspectives: the protagonist's childhood self and adult self. The book is so well-written and weaves in so many details that will leave you smacking your forehead for missing them out in the first place. It's very mysterious as well, and revolves around a crime.
@@kaokurosawa3872 ooh I've never heard of the book before. I'll definitely check it out!
@@shanthi4855 I hope it helps you out!
You're fantastic, Abbie! Great content, great advice.
This is so helpful! The questions and answers are great and it really helps me become a better writer!
Dear Abby/ John prine you gotta check that song out Abby 😁 loven your material , I only recently discovered YOU, don't why I've been watching writing advice on RUclips for at least 2 years, but you've become my favorite ROCK ON 🤟
I am 11 and I have written two books in a series I am making. And my parents are helping me publish it.
The books you should read on the writing craft are fictional books. That's what I do. That's how I decide what works and what doesnt by reading fictional stories.
What about narco trafficking UFOs 😆
#AskAbbie
Hey Abbie! I've been working on so many ideas maybe 3 at once but I'm not sure of any of my stories have good themes or plots or structure, but I have a gift with words.. The only thing I'm so motivated for is romance, but I can't find any theme into them. Also, I know how to make romantic scenes, but I can't collect all of them into one neat book. Well, it also might be that English is not my mother language but I'm better at it than my native one, it's kind of hard to get a grip of good standalone novels. I tried going through realistic fiction, but there's nothing interesting about normal plain ol' middle school days. I tried going through your methods, but it's hard applying them to my weak ideas and vague plot. Is there a good way to fix all my issues, or is that natural for a 12-year-old with very little experience of logic and how the world works?
Thanks, Abbie!
Abbie needs her own TV show. She could be a modern age Mary Tyler Moore 😃. She really does have such a relatable nature and energy about her. But for now, I’m glad she’s helping folks like me learn how to write story.
I have a question I hope somebody can answer. How do you incorporate someone else's property into your story without it being a copyright problem. For example the story I'm working on involves a high school production of a broadway musical which has a major role in the plot and for the characters. What can I include and not include from the musical? (characters, quotes, lines, songs, etc) Or would it be best if I make a parody of the musical of some sort? Thanks to anyone who answers this.
I think the hardest part of #5 would be the analysis to answer why my 10 favorite movies are. I guess things I will watch over and over, although that might be a bit embarrassing.
Hello! I noticed in one of your podcasts with Kate you mentioned how helpful it can be to find a writing buddy. I don't have one and it would be difficult to find one where I live. Do you have any recommendations on online places where we could find a good writing community? (with, if possible, free options because I can't afford much).
How does one get over yourself and say enough planning, time to write?
When you understand the internal conflict and tailor it to the big plot points of of your story. Writing down big plot points helped me a lot.
I like to read books that's sounds recommend to read books
I'm a recent subscriber and man did you made the characters of my novel a lot more interesting especially my main character. Would love to know your advice with writing traitor characters tho. Two of my WIP novels have traitors and I kinda wanna spice their reasons for treachery up.
Thank you for answering these questions that you getting ask on it really helped me and my story and the most shocking answer is : watching movies and notebooks. because it’s actually what I do 💕. So yeah that all what I want to say oh by the way you look like Nancy from stranger things🤗
Is it just me or do other people also struggle with giving your characters names? Cause sometimes I give a name and am happy with it ...but then I go back on it and I think maybe it doesnt fit the personality, or the vibe of the character? Or sometimes I sort of invent a name and it sounds okay,but then I just end up thinking its bad or it makes no sense at all...idk I just have some troubles with that.