What happens when you edit 3 videos the Sunday before you leave for a business trip to NYC so you can upload all your videos for the next week ahead of time: you have a HUGE typo on screen! It's spelled STUBBORNNESS, of course. Missing a b in the video :( Thanks to the viewer who pointed it out to me! I obviously completely missed my mistake before uploading. *collapses after exhausting travel*
I think being a daydreamer is an excellent quality-treating your imagination like a garden. And I think having a sense of humor is essential. Especially a sense of humor about yourself-but I think that ties into what you have to say about the aspects of humility. Lovely video! Patience, I find, is difficult in that I never want breaks from writing. I really have to force myself to take breaks between drafts, but it’s worth it, like you say. When I take planned breaks, I’m much more likely to have revising and problem-solving brainwaves.
I would say that you gotta LOVE to WRITE in many different ways: typing, longhand, texting, etc. YES, you must be IN LOVE with the written word! I'm a person who actually expresses myself MUCH BETTER in written words than I do verbally. I LOVE synonyms and being able to use different words to mean the same(or nearly the same) thing! It's also good to have writing tools: dictionaries, thesauri, grammar references, etc. Yeah, and you should also love to READ.
The one I’m trying to work on the most: PATIENCE! 😅 I think I’m hardest on myself and get impatient when I don’t make progress “fast enough”. But with patience also comes less stress, which actually helps things go more smoothly 😊
Great list! I’d also add that having a growth mindset and taking advice from people who know what they are talking about are incredibly important. Even though I felt like I had a growth mindset, I was often incredibly overwhelmed by the learning curve of writing and self-publishing. I also had trouble taking feedback from those who truly knew what they were talking about because I was too heavily invested in my book covers, titles, or blurbs to change them. (I did finally change them, but they not anywhere close to what I’d go with nowadays.) ...So many lesson learned! 🤦🏻♀️
Alexa today my soul jumped out of my skin while I stepped up to speak up and asked a SCBWI Crystal Kite winner to look at my book ideas. I have been a decorative artist for years and have been an independent artist for over 30 years. I developed cancer and had been bed ridden for the last three years and totally lost my physical abilities. I started writing and sketching in bed to keep my mind off the big C. I was blind sided how shake and how anxious I was. Yes my book is my life line. Your videos kicked me in the pants and grabbed my kite string and put me back on the ground. I am so glad you said all the things you said. All your videos gave me the directions on how to solve the blocks My book fantasy world has been brewing foe along time and I do have confidence in it. Anytime I get stuck or begin to doubt I am going to rematch. Your videos are well thought out and informative. Thank you for posting them.
I'd add organization to this list! Being organized in the writing process, but also with expenses, retirement, taxes, etc. It really helps (and can be learned - I'm not naturally organized).
Being a teacher toughened me up a lot. From those first weeks of crying in despair to now feeling fairly accomplished. XD I'm not too afraid of taking a rough turn or two, though I am gonna be sad if people hate on my stuff. But heck, I have more than one story in my head. :D
Very interesting! My weakest trait of these is confidence, but I've learned to just do things anyway. I'm self-conscious about my writing and my video content. But will I let that stop me from sending work to crit partners, or posting videos here on youtube? Nope. Because if I want to improve, I have to practice and share my work. I think people that go far in creative industries understand that it's more important to be improving than to get hung up on what you have or where you are right now. Masters of the craft were once terrible at it. People who are terrible at it might one day become masters. Ergo, it doesn't matter which end of the spectrum you're currently at, as long as you continue to move forwards.
Yay! I am going to make it as a writer! I’ve been told I have these traits by many people, even those who have recently met me. 1. Emotional Fortitude: People always say I’m calm, and easygoing. If I feel out of sorts, I will talk about it or take some time to figure it out. 2. Stubbornness: I’m told I’m quite ambitious, and bullheaded sometimes. 😂 3. Patience: Yep. I understand it. No point getting worked up about something that hasn’t happened in the time we want it. 4. Self Starter: I need to work on this more. I haven’t been the best at this lately, but I’m working on it. 5. Humility: I have this trait. I distance myself from Ego monsters, and do my best to keep my ego in perspective. So 4/5 Huzzah! 😃 6. Confidence: This I’m building back up. My self esteem has been beat up over the years, so taking time to practice self love to build this back up. I’m getting there. ☺️ Other traits I think are good to have as a writer. 1. Adaptable. 2. Discipline. 3. Curiosity. 4. A sense of humor. As a writer, I think it’s good we have some semblance of humor, even if it’s dark humor.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Thank you for always serving the hard, but necessary advice! And for being so open to people learning. It’s too easy to find people who will say and treat you like you’reneither born capable for the craft or else you can’t ever pick it up. It’s refreshing and inspiring.
Great advice as always. I feel much better now, since I pride myself in my lack of pride. (It's actually a fantasy of mine to someday have my books receive snarky reviews from funny RUclipsrs, and then I'll use some of the points and wording from their reviews in the sequel when characters are chewing each other out.) I think an important thing, which I am *not* good at, is diplomacy. As in, keeping your opinions to yourself when it comes to other popular writers in your genre. The easy thing is to either not review other author's books, or review under an anonymous account; trouble is, for me, reviewing is just another art I'm putting out there, along with drawing and writing. Fortunately, I only plan to self-publish, and have no intention of ever being rich and famous; but even with that, to make any money at all, I think I have to learn to rein my loud mouth in.
Hey Alexa, let me just say how encouraging your videos are to me - this one's a new favourite! I'm in the process of querying and damn, do I need all the qualities you describe... Some I feel I possess already (so that's good), others (like patience) I reeeeally learn to train the hard way...😉 So keep those vids of yours coming, they are much appreciated!
Hi Alexa, wonderful video as always. I'd humbly suggest a desire to improve is essential to being successful as a writer too. Oh, an also an obsessive-compulsive streak (in addition to stubbornness) helps also. :)
You crack me up Alexa. Thanks for another great video - and pretty spot on, too. Your list is comprehensive, but the only thing I'd add is make sure you're open to learning. Like playing a musical instrument or slapping paint on a board, once you decide you've learned all you need, you'll hit a plateau and stagnate. Learning is the nutrient that writing requires to grow and flourish. Or something. Yeah, I suck at metaphors too. Much appreciated, as always :)
These are so spot on especially patience and being a self-starter. I would also add a love for learning and self-improvement really helps too but I think that kind of ties in with the self-starter trait ^^.
Thank you for this 💕I've been watching you for a while on another account but I just posted my first video on this channel and found the courage to comment. I struggle a lot with self doubt but I'm really stubborn, so I hope youtube will help me become more brave and put myself out there. You are a beautiful, inspirational human 😊
I found your channel only two days ago, but I have to say you're helping me a lot to improve in this field and at the same time, you give me a lot of courage, because I see that the mistakes I make are limited. I still have to work a little on stubbornness and confidence, but I can do it! :P Thanks for all these constructive videos!
I like what you said, "love your own writing" but then I add humility by adding "even if no one else reads it". Lol Maybe my kids will someday worse case lol Expect the worst, hope for the best. Lol
@@JonTanOsb hahaha No. I was typing it on my phone and flipped the RU and didn't realize until I posted. I never reread people I post. It's a terrible habit that's hard to break.
Well, that wasn't too bad. I know I have patience and stubbornness in bucketfuls, at least... and if anyone wants to argue with that, I can wait here indefinitely for them to do so. :-\
These things help, but the don't stop you from writing. I love the writer Caitilin R, Kiernan, but she loses it over bad personal reviews on Amazon, and she hates writing. She writes out of the fear of becoming homeless, with no income. I'm alway amazed she writes so well, and hates it so much.
It's driving me nuts that I can't read the words on the item beside the letter A behind you. If I may ask - what does it say? (I'm thinking it's a blueberry candle?) Thank you... I struggle with lack of patience and independence, I think I will really be working on patience in the new year. I can't sit isolated, I look for people and stimulation. Not sure this can be changed. Still aiming at "writing the thing" though. 💜✨
It is a candle by Second Star Books! It came in their book box that featured my book. So it says "Aboard the Rochester." It's their most popular candle so far and they bring it back every so often for solo purchase. I recommend it!
If you don't have confidence, fake iy till you make it. There's nothing more annoying and off-putting than a writer that's always going on and on about how insecure they are. Leave that kind of talk for your friends, they are the only ones who care because strangers cringe at you and people who dislike you love to hear you suffer. Don't bash yourself out loud, especially if you are trying to get readers!
Television writers have it the hardest period. Novel writers have to worry about robust language sure, but film and television are economic and strict, there's no time to relax in your story, even for a second. And trying too find the exact structure and pace and tone is like trying to splice an atom with your pinky toe. Television writers don't have the luxury of writing at home. They have to wall themselves in a little room with other writers post ten hours a day. And trying to keep track of a long running narrative requires insane amounts of management and memorizing and book keeping. It's a nightmare a book or film writer will never understand.
What happens when you edit 3 videos the Sunday before you leave for a business trip to NYC so you can upload all your videos for the next week ahead of time: you have a HUGE typo on screen!
It's spelled STUBBORNNESS, of course. Missing a b in the video :( Thanks to the viewer who pointed it out to me! I obviously completely missed my mistake before uploading. *collapses after exhausting travel*
Honestly, I prefer how you spelled it. It just looks better with one "b".
Emotional fortitude: *sings * I get knocked down, but I get up again!
Drunk me thinks this is the most hilarious thing I've ever heard
I think being a daydreamer is an excellent quality-treating your imagination like a garden. And I think having a sense of humor is essential. Especially a sense of humor about yourself-but I think that ties into what you have to say about the aspects of humility. Lovely video!
Patience, I find, is difficult in that I never want breaks from writing. I really have to force myself to take breaks between drafts, but it’s worth it, like you say. When I take planned breaks, I’m much more likely to have revising and problem-solving brainwaves.
I agree with you mentioning day dreaming. It does help to dream that you can either gets some ideas or something you want to write.
I think discipline is really important. I don’t have it naturally :(, but u need it to actually write things. It leads in with the self starter stuff
Same here! I constantly run off my mouth about things that could harm my writing reputation down the road...
YOU GOT THIS BRO!
I would say that you gotta LOVE to WRITE in many different ways: typing, longhand, texting, etc. YES, you must be IN LOVE with the written word! I'm a person who actually expresses myself MUCH BETTER in written words than I do verbally. I LOVE synonyms and being able to use different words to mean the same(or nearly the same) thing! It's also good to have writing tools: dictionaries, thesauri, grammar references, etc. Yeah, and you should also love to READ.
I would add curiosity or the desire to learn. There is always new skills and tactics to learn.
" There are always new skills..." Yeah, I'm a nitpicker. Thirty-four years as an editor ingrain it into you.
Yes. I second this.
Time management and diligence are crucial
The one I’m trying to work on the most: PATIENCE! 😅 I think I’m hardest on myself and get impatient when I don’t make progress “fast enough”. But with patience also comes less stress, which actually helps things go more smoothly 😊
Great list! I’d also add that having a growth mindset and taking advice from people who know what they are talking about are incredibly important. Even though I felt like I had a growth mindset, I was often incredibly overwhelmed by the learning curve of writing and self-publishing. I also had trouble taking feedback from those who truly knew what they were talking about because I was too heavily invested in my book covers, titles, or blurbs to change them. (I did finally change them, but they not anywhere close to what I’d go with nowadays.) ...So many lesson learned! 🤦🏻♀️
Those are great ones! I may have to do another video down the line :D
Honestly these traits are things EVERYONE needs to have, writer or not
Alexa today my soul jumped out of my skin while I stepped up to speak up and asked a SCBWI Crystal Kite winner to look at my book ideas. I have been a decorative artist for years and have been an independent artist for over 30 years. I developed cancer and had been bed ridden for the last three years and totally lost my physical abilities. I started writing and sketching in bed to keep my mind off the big C. I was blind sided how shake and how anxious I was. Yes my book is my life line. Your videos kicked me in the pants and grabbed my kite string and put me back on the ground. I am so glad you said all the things you said. All your videos gave me the directions on how to solve the blocks My book fantasy world has been brewing foe along time and I do have confidence in it. Anytime I get stuck or begin to doubt I am going to rematch. Your videos are well thought out and informative. Thank you for posting them.
I think this video is so essential for anyone in the industry (indie or traditional). I love how brutally honest you are!
Thanks Mandi! :)
These are great traits. Another great trait is finishing what you start. It sounds easy but it isn't haha
I'd add organization to this list! Being organized in the writing process, but also with expenses, retirement, taxes, etc. It really helps (and can be learned - I'm not naturally organized).
Agree with all of these!! Being an introvert, it was hard to learn to be outgoing or sociable but so worth it.
Being a teacher toughened me up a lot. From those first weeks of crying in despair to now feeling fairly accomplished. XD I'm not too afraid of taking a rough turn or two, though I am gonna be sad if people hate on my stuff. But heck, I have more than one story in my head. :D
Very interesting! My weakest trait of these is confidence, but I've learned to just do things anyway. I'm self-conscious about my writing and my video content. But will I let that stop me from sending work to crit partners, or posting videos here on youtube? Nope. Because if I want to improve, I have to practice and share my work.
I think people that go far in creative industries understand that it's more important to be improving than to get hung up on what you have or where you are right now. Masters of the craft were once terrible at it. People who are terrible at it might one day become masters. Ergo, it doesn't matter which end of the spectrum you're currently at, as long as you continue to move forwards.
I need to get back to writing my second draft of my book. All I can think when I watch this video is namaste!!!
Yay! I am going to make it as a writer! I’ve been told I have these traits by many people, even those who have recently met me.
1. Emotional Fortitude: People always say I’m calm, and easygoing. If I feel out of sorts, I will talk about it or take some time to figure it out.
2. Stubbornness: I’m told I’m quite ambitious, and bullheaded sometimes. 😂
3. Patience: Yep. I understand it. No point getting worked up about something that hasn’t happened in the time we want it.
4. Self Starter: I need to work on this more. I haven’t been the best at this lately, but I’m working on it.
5. Humility: I have this trait. I distance myself from Ego monsters, and do my best to keep my ego in perspective.
So 4/5 Huzzah! 😃
6. Confidence: This I’m building back up. My self esteem has been beat up over the years, so taking time to practice self love to build this back up. I’m getting there. ☺️
Other traits I think are good to have as a writer.
1. Adaptable.
2. Discipline.
3. Curiosity.
4. A sense of humor.
As a writer, I think it’s good we have some semblance of humor, even if it’s dark humor.
Yes! So happy you included both #5 & 6! They are key in balance!
Thanks Kat!
Your videos are so encouraging! Thank you for posting and keeping us going :D
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Thank you for always serving the hard, but necessary advice! And for being so open to people learning. It’s too easy to find people who will say and treat you like you’reneither born capable for the craft or else you can’t ever pick it up. It’s refreshing and inspiring.
Can you do a video talking about the differences and up- and downsides of self publishing vs. traditional publishing?
wow thank you! this really helps me a lot. you are sympathetic and awesome
greets from germany :)
Vielen Dank :D (Ich war eine Austauschuelerin!)
A lot of this advice is good for creative industries whether writing or something else :D love this video Alexa
I think I am ok on these except emotional fortitude. I will work on this. Great vid, made me feel hopeful.
Great advice as always. I feel much better now, since I pride myself in my lack of pride. (It's actually a fantasy of mine to someday have my books receive snarky reviews from funny RUclipsrs, and then I'll use some of the points and wording from their reviews in the sequel when characters are chewing each other out.)
I think an important thing, which I am *not* good at, is diplomacy. As in, keeping your opinions to yourself when it comes to other popular writers in your genre. The easy thing is to either not review other author's books, or review under an anonymous account; trouble is, for me, reviewing is just another art I'm putting out there, along with drawing and writing. Fortunately, I only plan to self-publish, and have no intention of ever being rich and famous; but even with that, to make any money at all, I think I have to learn to rein my loud mouth in.
When I was a kid, I was told over and over that I was "too stubborn." Guess they were wrong! :D
I feel like I need to print these and frame them. Merch idea? 😄
I'll make sure to keep these traits in mind if I ever intend to publish my own works someday.
Hey Alexa, let me just say how encouraging your videos are to me - this one's a new favourite! I'm in the process of querying and damn, do I need all the qualities you describe... Some I feel I possess already (so that's good), others (like patience) I reeeeally learn to train the hard way...😉 So keep those vids of yours coming, they are much appreciated!
You are my writing mentor right now. Thank you so much for these videos, they help me to keep going instead of sitting in the corner and crying.🤗
Drive and determination- I love your you tube, but when you come on i have to turn the volume down it's a bit loud but I love it xxx
Hi Alexa, wonderful video as always. I'd humbly suggest a desire to improve is essential to being successful as a writer too. Oh, an also an obsessive-compulsive streak (in addition to stubbornness) helps also. :)
You crack me up Alexa. Thanks for another great video - and pretty spot on, too. Your list is comprehensive, but the only thing I'd add is make sure you're open to learning. Like playing a musical instrument or slapping paint on a board, once you decide you've learned all you need, you'll hit a plateau and stagnate. Learning is the nutrient that writing requires to grow and flourish. Or something. Yeah, I suck at metaphors too. Much appreciated, as always :)
Totally agree- publishing is more than the mere act of writing, but it's a whole business, and so, sometimes you ought to act like you're in one.
how do you come up with such creative videos??? amazing!!
still need to actually buy your book.....trust me i will. not sure when i'll get round to reading it but i'll be buying it
These are so spot on especially patience and being a self-starter. I would also add a love for learning and self-improvement really helps too but I think that kind of ties in with the self-starter trait ^^.
Thank you for this 💕I've been watching you for a while on another account but I just posted my first video on this channel and found the courage to comment. I struggle a lot with self doubt but I'm really stubborn, so I hope youtube will help me become more brave and put myself out there. You are a beautiful, inspirational human 😊
Thank you for the wonderful advice! ✨💕
Loved this video! Your last points about confidence and stubbornness really encouraged me. xx
Hi :) just started watching your videos. I wanted to say thank you for all the help and it keeps me motivated.
I found your channel only two days ago, but I have to say you're helping me a lot to improve in this field and at the same time, you give me a lot of courage, because I see that the mistakes I make are limited. I still have to work a little on stubbornness and confidence, but I can do it! :P Thanks for all these constructive videos!
Cool nuggets.
I think I’m gonna survive !
I like what you said, "love your own writing" but then I add humility by adding "even if no one else reads it". Lol Maybe my kids will someday worse case lol Expect the worst, hope for the best. Lol
Another essential trait: Focusing on the nitty-gritty details of what you're writing about. This is especially crucial in non-fiction.
Self-esteem? What even is that? I really need to work on my confidence but I'm honestly just a big baby.
You took me to church~!
So true!!!!
Edited? Did you miss an exclamation point? :) Seriously, I've gone back in to add a comma.
~ Jon
@@JonTanOsb hahaha No. I was typing it on my phone and flipped the RU and didn't realize until I posted. I never reread people I post. It's a terrible habit that's hard to break.
Well, that wasn't too bad. I know I have patience and stubbornness in bucketfuls, at least... and if anyone wants to argue with that, I can wait here indefinitely for them to do so. :-\
Guess I need to work more on my patience. XD
Who else heard that intro and wanted Alexa to look at you and tell you if she thinks that you have what it takes? Just me?
These things help, but the don't stop you from writing. I love the writer Caitilin R, Kiernan, but she loses it over bad personal reviews on Amazon, and she hates writing. She writes out of the fear of becoming homeless, with no income. I'm alway amazed she writes so well, and hates it so much.
Thank you for the helpful information. Side note: the word “stubornnes” is correctly spelled “stubbornness”
Oh shoot, it's a typo, obviously. (I know how to spell the word...)
My apologies. I didn’t mean to imply you did this on purpose.
@@aaronlewis9769 No worries! I'm super bummed b/c I can't fix it! RUclips only allows you to delete things after uploading, not edit.
It's driving me nuts that I can't read the words on the item beside the letter A behind you. If I may ask - what does it say? (I'm thinking it's a blueberry candle?) Thank you...
I struggle with lack of patience and independence, I think I will really be working on patience in the new year. I can't sit isolated, I look for people and stimulation. Not sure this can be changed. Still aiming at "writing the thing" though. 💜✨
It is a candle by Second Star Books! It came in their book box that featured my book. So it says "Aboard the Rochester." It's their most popular candle so far and they bring it back every so often for solo purchase. I recommend it!
@@AlexaDonne Very cool! Thank you and thanks for the recommendation! 💜💜
Is writing your full time job?
Nope. I have a day job, in addition to writing books.
Hmm... After a lifetime of having self-confidence squashed by parents, teachers, and bosses, these traits may prove to be a problem.
If you don't have confidence, fake iy till you make it. There's nothing more annoying and off-putting than a writer that's always going on and on about how insecure they are. Leave that kind of talk for your friends, they are the only ones who care because strangers cringe at you and people who dislike you love to hear you suffer.
Don't bash yourself out loud, especially if you are trying to get readers!
Television writers have it the hardest period. Novel writers have to worry about robust language sure, but film and television are economic and strict, there's no time to relax in your story, even for a second. And trying too find the exact structure and pace and tone is like trying to splice an atom with your pinky toe. Television writers don't have the luxury of writing at home. They have to wall themselves in a little room with other writers post ten hours a day. And trying to keep track of a long running narrative requires insane amounts of management and memorizing and book keeping. It's a nightmare a book or film writer will never understand.
Connect your survival with God's help ... and take a deep breath ..
Very deep .... phhhiuuuuhhh .... slowly ....