As a kid I hated the idea of having to draft things. "I just want to get it done on the first try" Now? It's so freeing I'm like "eh, it sucks, but that's fine! it's a first draft. It's supposed to suck"
Definitely perfectionism. It’s annoying that people will always tell you to stop being a perfectionist, but they never explain HOW to actually do that. I’ve been a perfectionist literally all my life; my PRESCHOOL teachers told my parents that I was a perfectionist. It’s easier said than done to just ‘stop’ being something that is a core part of your personality. I’m 40k words into my first novel right now and it’s definitely starting to get rough. I feel like I started strong but the last ten thousand words I’ve written is complete garbage. Having a daily habit of writing and wordcount goals has helped me to keep writing through it, though. I’m dreading editing this mess, but for now I just keep telling myself I just need to get through the first draft. Hopefully I’ll finally finish something this time.
For me the saying "All first drafts are going to be shitty" helped a lot. The prefectionism is still there, but when the "perfect" standard I'm aiming for is practically on the ground, it's easy to pass it.
I have been working on my book for 5+ years. the beginning was slow but now I'm only 1.5 chapters from completing the first draft. There were two things that helped me push through it. At first, I was a perfectionist. Any time I'd come up with a new idea or change something, I would dive into all previous chapters and make the relevant changes. But as I got further along, each change would take longer until I was spending 90% revising old chapters and only 10% writing new ones. This was annoying because I really wanted to make progress. And it only needs to be perfect by the time it gets to readers. So, I created a "Notes" document and broke it down by chapter. It includes bullet points of all the things I want to change in each one. And now, as soon I begin my second draft, I'll know exactly what to do. Then, about 10 chapters in, I started setting a weekly writing time of 1-6pm at a local coffee shop every Sunday. All of my friends and family know that's sacred time and are kind enough to schedule events around that best they can, or agree not to be offended if I can't make it to their event. Along with the scheduled time, I gave myself the goal of one chapter a month, and for the most part Ive been able to hit that. An attainable goal like this has encouraged me to squeeze in another night or two at the end of the month to get it done. It's been a journey, for sure, but I can finally see the light at the end.
I've been a devoted follower of your channel for years, and I'm thrilled to announce that I've recently completed my very first novella! I couldn't contain my excitement and decided to share it with the world by uploading it on RUclips. While I'm eager to receive reviews and feedback on my book, I've encountered a small obstacle: most of my friends aren't avid readers, making it challenging to obtain constructive criticism. Can you guide me towards any platforms or communities where I can connect with other aspiring writers like myself, who might be interested in reviewing my work?
I've been working on the sequel of my first novel and it's been laying there for a while. This video is a sign that I must continue working on it and finish it.
My biggest issue is that I get bored easily. I'll start all excited and then I'll write myself into a corner that makes me not want to continue to write the following scenes. I don't know how to stop that because often it's not the whole project I'm bored with but the way I've written it.
I think a lot of these reasons are pretty similar to each other, and probably could have been summarized as two reasons (negative perspective and lack of consistency).... For me, I definitely have all of the reasons discussed, at least at some point. Now I realize some of the root causes. Many (perfectionism, inner critic, negative perspective, not weathering ups and downs, wallowing) I've managed to address through incorporating perspective changes gained by growing as a person in general, in my professional and personal life. But the root cause to lack of consistency and not building momentum I believe comes from not understanding the writing process that works for me. I'm very much not a type A plotter, and can't apply methods for plotting, but I need to have a full picture of the story (character arcs, conflicts, themes, relationships, motivations, major events, setting and the relationship of setting to theme) before I get too far in a draft. So, pantsing also does not work for me. Before I found the balance, it was very hard to be consistent or to feel any sort of confidence that I was going anywhere at all. So I think a third major reason (behind negative perspective and lack of consistency) is definitely not knowing your writing style.
Reason number 7: Watching videos about writing instead of actually _writing,_ Great list, thank you. Now I need to go and write instead of clicking on "next video"...
This is why I've been writing children's books in the meantime. At least that way I finish them and can publish them. That way I can still work on novels at my own pace.
Anyone else get shiny-new-idea-itis? I think it may link to perfectionism, easier to endlessly chase the sparkling new concept. Took me years to realise i just need to commit to a novel and get. it. finished. Plenty of time for starting new projects afterwards
Currently writing my first novel. It’s been almost 6 years now, and I have a long way to go. I’m confident to say that if I didn’t have to juggle my creative inspirations with…let’s just say, life (finances/work taking up a large portion of this)… then I would be so much farther along. Could go as far to say I’d be finished, or close to it by now. None of the points in this video applied to me, honestly. I’ve gotten good at doing this (or, at least confident). I am held back by external forces. Every month, even weeks at times, there’s something new that comes up and demands my time and attention. I’m blown away at how many external forces can bombard and actually, consistently manage to hold back an introverted, dedicated writer such as myself. Too many external disruptions in my life, not always keeping me from progress of course, but very often keeping me from achieving and remaining in a flow state.
If stuck switch hats to the editor's hat and test each scene to make sure it is doing what you need it to do. Sometimes that will help you see the rail you jumped off of. When you see the problem you'll know how to fix it. Look at the structure to plan your way out of the box canyon.
Biggest challenge for me is a combination of internal critic, focusing on what's not working plus a serious lack of consistency. Just recently, I've experienced a rise of new energy. This is supporting a bit more consistent movement forward. I finally decided, it doesn't matter how long I write each day; important to just sit down and write something (or even plan a next scene, etc.). Then, I find I will often write/plan/consider next steps for a longer time period. This is bringing a renewal of the consistency that will move me forward!
Mine are I didn't make an outline for my book. I only knew what I had in mind for a general story. Also college ruined English for me so I don't even want to read a book let alone write one
#4 focussing on problems. This! It's so easy, especially after even a little editor time, to see your work as a big warty knot, more trouble than you want to take. Remember, books are more than structure, plot, timeline, especially fiction. If you have a compelling story, interesting characters, prose worth reading, folks will forgive a lot. They've already suspended disbelief just to pick up a work of fiction. Say your secondary character reacts as if they know something two chapters ahead, well, somebody will probably notice. Most will forgive! Appreciate the art and not just the structure. That's what the reader is doing.
My first manuscript was actually surprisingly easy to write, it was for a competition so it was really easy to feel the pressure and force myself to write everyday generating a lot of momentum for the project. It wasn’t until my second manuscript that i started encountering issues, admittedly I probably bitt off more than I could chew taking on a genera I’ve never worked on, in a style i’ve never seen before, but everything from perfectionism, lack of ideas, inner critic, procrastination, it wasn’t until diving head first on my second project that i realized how woefully inexperienced i was
I keep fixing and changing things that I don't really need to, but feel compelled to. Like changing character names. I feel like it it makes the book better but at the same time I need to get it over with. But also I plan on making a series so it's important I get the first book right, correct names etc for the next book . I don't want to publish it and then look at it and say oh I should have changed this one detail. I guess it's kind of like cleaning your house it never seems to be done
For me I've have the idea but when it's time to write after a stressful day. Years for me. That when I try to write at night and I start writing, I get tired.
Reason 4, I always focus on the problems and can't see the good parts and end up stuck in that vicious circle of '' there's something wrong with this plot''
*Writing in terms of pleasure A.S. Byatt.* The Guardian online. Sam Leith. 2008. A.S. Byatt is author of The Virgin in the Garden. She is a great teacher, read her two books of essays & online interviews. Her sister Margaret Drabble's novels were reissued by Canongate the Scottish publisher owned by a Canadian. Read *The Peppered Moth*.
I’ve written a 3 book series and 2 stand alone novels. Each time I set off down the road, I feel as if I’ve never done it before. It’s such a lonely world to be in, this writing thing. 🤔
Wallowing in problems : An acute analysis of so many writers who in every other way may be confident & assertive.. Nelson Algren talked himself out of novel writing in spite of winning the National Book Award and having the admiration of Hemingway. Depression, isolation, money worries, relationship problems were the threads running through Tillie Olsen's seminal book *Silences*. Find characters who grow in your daydreams, and a time and a place (+ places) you love to reveal. And tell it at a slant as Anne Tyler said.
My first draft was easy because I was at a stage in my life where I needed a passion project and discovered I really enjoyed writing--and I had the time. I knocked out 130K words in a year. The editing process... 2 kids later... I'm loving it but it's taking a long time =P Thanks Shaelin!
I'm totally in this phase right now. Is my first book and for a grade, I'm struggling with perfectionism and losing momentum because of fear... but we keep going because I literally can't drop the project
My first book went as planed and I didn't get stuck. Why is because I knew every aspect of it in advance. The hardest part was starting the MS once ready. I'm stuck now on my 9th book-- this time NF--because I didn't have a structure. No guild post. I stopped to work on organizing the material. Once done I will fill in the blanks. I'll unstick by changing focus to a different task IE. review what I have so far.
For me it's a matter of money. I'm now at the point of needing to hire an editor and the finances are just not available. My fear is having a buildup of the manuscripts just sitting there.
Guilty as charged in all 6 of these. Of the 6, the 'easiest' to cope with is not building momentum. You can at least figure out a rhythm to your writing schedule, even if your schedule is tight & you don't get to write as often as you want. Writing daily is nice idea, but not very practical for me. So I shoot for once a week. Less than that can be problematic. Regarding perfectionism/wallowing/over-focus on problems, inner critic, & not wheathering ups and downs---I will toss out one suggestion that most people won't like: write a project with another author. I'm experimenting with this right now. We are not done so I can't speak to overall success of a finished project. What I can say is that when you are responsible to someone else's life and timeline & not just your own, you can't just shove the project away for months/years & let perfection, etc. shut you down. And co-authoring forces you to share your rough draft with your writing partner so you are forced to start getting over yourself and showing your work even when it's ugly.
Hi.. I like your content so much.. But you should be talking more slowly, cous my English language isn't a good.. And i'm usually debend on video translation to understand what do you mean.. So go ahead.. And be more slowly ❤
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
As a kid I hated the idea of having to draft things. "I just want to get it done on the first try"
Now? It's so freeing
I'm like "eh, it sucks, but that's fine! it's a first draft. It's supposed to suck"
All of these are me, but I love literature , I love writing. Wtf is wrong with me 😭 💔
Time management is a big problem. Literally finding time to write and trying to deal with the demands that family, job and life put on your time.
Definitely perfectionism. It’s annoying that people will always tell you to stop being a perfectionist, but they never explain HOW to actually do that. I’ve been a perfectionist literally all my life; my PRESCHOOL teachers told my parents that I was a perfectionist. It’s easier said than done to just ‘stop’ being something that is a core part of your personality.
I’m 40k words into my first novel right now and it’s definitely starting to get rough. I feel like I started strong but the last ten thousand words I’ve written is complete garbage. Having a daily habit of writing and wordcount goals has helped me to keep writing through it, though. I’m dreading editing this mess, but for now I just keep telling myself I just need to get through the first draft. Hopefully I’ll finally finish something this time.
Agree--it's easy for people to toss around the statement "well stop being a perfectionist" when they don't offer helpful solutions.
For me the saying "All first drafts are going to be shitty" helped a lot. The prefectionism is still there, but when the "perfect" standard I'm aiming for is practically on the ground, it's easy to pass it.
I have been working on my book for 5+ years. the beginning was slow but now I'm only 1.5 chapters from completing the first draft. There were two things that helped me push through it.
At first, I was a perfectionist. Any time I'd come up with a new idea or change something, I would dive into all previous chapters and make the relevant changes. But as I got further along, each change would take longer until I was spending 90% revising old chapters and only 10% writing new ones. This was annoying because I really wanted to make progress. And it only needs to be perfect by the time it gets to readers. So, I created a "Notes" document and broke it down by chapter. It includes bullet points of all the things I want to change in each one. And now, as soon I begin my second draft, I'll know exactly what to do.
Then, about 10 chapters in, I started setting a weekly writing time of 1-6pm at a local coffee shop every Sunday. All of my friends and family know that's sacred time and are kind enough to schedule events around that best they can, or agree not to be offended if I can't make it to their event. Along with the scheduled time, I gave myself the goal of one chapter a month, and for the most part Ive been able to hit that. An attainable goal like this has encouraged me to squeeze in another night or two at the end of the month to get it done.
It's been a journey, for sure, but I can finally see the light at the end.
I've been a devoted follower of your channel for years, and I'm thrilled to announce that I've recently completed my very first novella! I couldn't contain my excitement and decided to share it with the world by uploading it on RUclips. While I'm eager to receive reviews and feedback on my book, I've encountered a small obstacle: most of my friends aren't avid readers, making it challenging to obtain constructive criticism. Can you guide me towards any platforms or communities where I can connect with other aspiring writers like myself, who might be interested in reviewing my work?
I've been working on the sequel of my first novel and it's been laying there for a while. This video is a sign that I must continue working on it and finish it.
You got this!
My biggest issue is that I get bored easily. I'll start all excited and then I'll write myself into a corner that makes me not want to continue to write the following scenes. I don't know how to stop that because often it's not the whole project I'm bored with but the way I've written it.
I think a lot of these reasons are pretty similar to each other, and probably could have been summarized as two reasons (negative perspective and lack of consistency).... For me, I definitely have all of the reasons discussed, at least at some point. Now I realize some of the root causes. Many (perfectionism, inner critic, negative perspective, not weathering ups and downs, wallowing) I've managed to address through incorporating perspective changes gained by growing as a person in general, in my professional and personal life. But the root cause to lack of consistency and not building momentum I believe comes from not understanding the writing process that works for me. I'm very much not a type A plotter, and can't apply methods for plotting, but I need to have a full picture of the story (character arcs, conflicts, themes, relationships, motivations, major events, setting and the relationship of setting to theme) before I get too far in a draft. So, pantsing also does not work for me. Before I found the balance, it was very hard to be consistent or to feel any sort of confidence that I was going anywhere at all. So I think a third major reason (behind negative perspective and lack of consistency) is definitely not knowing your writing style.
Reason number 7: Watching videos about writing instead of actually _writing,_
Great list, thank you. Now I need to go and write instead of clicking on "next video"...
Literally me. Or most of us. Hahaha
This is why I've been writing children's books in the meantime. At least that way I finish them and can publish them. That way I can still work on novels at my own pace.
Anyone else get shiny-new-idea-itis? I think it may link to perfectionism, easier to endlessly chase the sparkling new concept. Took me years to realise i just need to commit to a novel and get. it. finished. Plenty of time for starting new projects afterwards
Currently writing my first novel. It’s been almost 6 years now, and I have a long way to go. I’m confident to say that if I didn’t have to juggle my creative inspirations with…let’s just say, life (finances/work taking up a large portion of this)… then I would be so much farther along. Could go as far to say I’d be finished, or close to it by now.
None of the points in this video applied to me, honestly. I’ve gotten good at doing this (or, at least confident). I am held back by external forces. Every month, even weeks at times, there’s something new that comes up and demands my time and attention. I’m blown away at how many external forces can bombard and actually, consistently manage to hold back an introverted, dedicated writer such as myself.
Too many external disruptions in my life, not always keeping me from progress of course, but very often keeping me from achieving and remaining in a flow state.
If stuck switch hats to the editor's hat and test each scene to make sure it is doing what you need it to do. Sometimes that will help you see the rail you jumped off of. When you see the problem you'll know how to fix it. Look at the structure to plan your way out of the box canyon.
I struggle with all of these, but if I were to choose my top three, it'd be perfectionism, writing sporadically, and the inner critic.
Biggest challenge for me is a combination of internal critic, focusing on what's not working plus a serious lack of consistency. Just recently, I've experienced a rise of new energy. This is supporting a bit more consistent movement forward. I finally decided, it doesn't matter how long I write each day; important to just sit down and write something (or even plan a next scene, etc.). Then, I find I will often write/plan/consider next steps for a longer time period. This is bringing a renewal of the consistency that will move me forward!
I just started watching it and I already feel called out.
Mine are I didn't make an outline for my book. I only knew what I had in mind for a general story. Also college ruined English for me so I don't even want to read a book let alone write one
#4 focussing on problems. This! It's so easy, especially after even a little editor time, to see your work as a big warty knot, more trouble than you want to take.
Remember, books are more than structure, plot, timeline, especially fiction. If you have a compelling story, interesting characters, prose worth reading, folks will forgive a lot. They've already suspended disbelief just to pick up a work of fiction. Say your secondary character reacts as if they know something two chapters ahead, well, somebody will probably notice. Most will forgive!
Appreciate the art and not just the structure. That's what the reader is doing.
Speaking directly to me
My first manuscript was actually surprisingly easy to write, it was for a competition so it was really easy to feel the pressure and force myself to write everyday generating a lot of momentum for the project. It wasn’t until my second manuscript that i started encountering issues, admittedly I probably bitt off more than I could chew taking on a genera I’ve never worked on, in a style i’ve never seen before, but everything from perfectionism, lack of ideas, inner critic, procrastination, it wasn’t until diving head first on my second project that i realized how woefully inexperienced i was
I keep fixing and changing things that I don't really need to, but feel compelled to. Like changing character names. I feel like it it makes the book better but at the same time I need to get it over with. But also I plan on making a series so it's important I get the first book right, correct names etc for the next book . I don't want to publish it and then look at it and say oh I should have changed this one detail.
I guess it's kind of like cleaning your house it never seems to be done
For me I've have the idea but when it's time to write after a stressful day. Years for me. That when I try to write at night and I start writing, I get tired.
Reason 4, I always focus on the problems and can't see the good parts and end up stuck in that vicious circle of '' there's something wrong with this plot''
*Writing in terms of pleasure A.S. Byatt.* The Guardian online. Sam Leith. 2008.
A.S. Byatt is author of The Virgin in the Garden. She is a great teacher, read her two books of essays & online interviews.
Her sister Margaret Drabble's novels were reissued by Canongate the Scottish publisher owned by a Canadian. Read *The Peppered Moth*.
I’ve written a 3 book series and 2 stand alone novels. Each time I set off down the road, I feel as if I’ve never done it before. It’s such a lonely world to be in, this writing thing. 🤔
Wallowing in problems : An acute analysis of so many writers who in every other way may be confident & assertive..
Nelson Algren talked himself out of novel writing in spite of winning the National Book Award and having the admiration of Hemingway.
Depression, isolation, money worries, relationship problems were the threads running through Tillie Olsen's seminal book *Silences*.
Find characters who grow in your daydreams, and a time and a place (+ places) you love to reveal. And tell it at a slant as Anne Tyler said.
Momentum!
Wow .. this video called me out in so many ways. This was spot on!
My first draft was easy because I was at a stage in my life where I needed a passion project and discovered I really enjoyed writing--and I had the time. I knocked out 130K words in a year. The editing process... 2 kids later... I'm loving it but it's taking a long time =P
Thanks Shaelin!
I'm totally in this phase right now. Is my first book and for a grade, I'm struggling with perfectionism and losing momentum because of fear... but we keep going because I literally can't drop the project
Yeah. There was definitely some that applied to me in here. Gotta stop being such a perfectionist...
Just wanted to say the ai webmeeting was great. Thanks
My first book went as planed and I didn't get stuck. Why is because I knew every aspect of it in advance. The hardest part was starting the MS once ready. I'm stuck now on my 9th book-- this time NF--because I didn't have a structure. No guild post. I stopped to work on organizing the material. Once done I will fill in the blanks. I'll unstick by changing focus to a different task IE. review what I have so far.
I guess I'm a product of all theses issues together. Very frustrating.
Be sure to end your writing session by adding a sentence or two to start you again when you come back to the work!
For me it's a matter of money. I'm now at the point of needing to hire an editor and the finances are just not available. My fear is having a buildup of the manuscripts just sitting there.
Guilty as charged in all 6 of these. Of the 6, the 'easiest' to cope with is not building momentum. You can at least figure out a rhythm to your writing schedule, even if your schedule is tight & you don't get to write as often as you want. Writing daily is nice idea, but not very practical for me. So I shoot for once a week. Less than that can be problematic.
Regarding perfectionism/wallowing/over-focus on problems, inner critic, & not wheathering ups and downs---I will toss out one suggestion that most people won't like: write a project with another author. I'm experimenting with this right now. We are not done so I can't speak to overall success of a finished project. What I can say is that when you are responsible to someone else's life and timeline & not just your own, you can't just shove the project away for months/years & let perfection, etc. shut you down. And co-authoring forces you to share your rough draft with your writing partner so you are forced to start getting over yourself and showing your work even when it's ugly.
Doing ones best to do a meticulous work on the manuscript?
can't figure out what happens next. 🙄
Should really consider bookmarking the video.
First viewer
7. You just started lol
what you have done with your hair you have been so beautiful before
Hi.. I like your content so much.. But you should be talking more slowly, cous my English language isn't a good.. And i'm usually debend on video translation to understand what do you mean.. So go ahead.. And be more slowly ❤