My theme for the year 2021 is to immerse myself in all things writing. Read craft books, learn more about the publishing industry and get my manuscript completed and polished. Then comes the agent hunt. :)
So far... 1. Me: "I'm gonna write a book" 2. Spends what's seems like a thousand watts of brain power to come up with title, some characters, and even a nice intro. 3. Reedsy - "start your book where it's interesting" 4. ....Trashes everything This is the most challenging exciting thing I've ever done. Thanks for the encouragement 😊
I had no plan to write a book in 2020. The determination of writing generated suddenly in the mid of the year. I became a published author in the end of Dec 2020. Thanks Reedsy for that helpful book creation tool and guidance. Happy new year 2021.
This is amazing! If you don't mind me asking, was this the first book you've ever written? I'm 60% into my first draft, in love with the story and fully aware there's still ton ahead, still, self conscious about the idea of putting it out there.
Finding this channel at the beginning of 2021 is probably the best way I could’ve started this year. Can’t wait to binge watch other videos. love the clear and accessible tips :)
Hi, Shaelin. This is the first time I’ve ever put this out verbally into the universe. Fear has paralyzed me my entire life. I am a 54-year-old mother to 2 teenage boys, and I am now disabled. All I have ever wanted to do, besides be a mother to my children, is write a book. There. I said that. I would like to write one from start to finish in 2021. I feel like a failure because I can’t seem to stay motivated. I know an accountability partner would be a wonderful thing to find, and I would like to accomplish that as well.
I hope to get through a first draft of a first novel whilst learning to actually write. Yes I know, there will be a LOT of editing to do, but I learn best by doing and I need to learn to do it. Throw in a good few short stories to skill develop and chance my arm at producing something somebody will have to read. Your lessons and videos are proving invaluable. Thank you and Happy New year.
Thanks for the tips Reedsy! I would like to write about my experiences in the Peace Corps living in Albania for 27 months and this was helpful to get me started on a plan. I've been "meaning" to write it for a while, but did not have a set plan. Like you said, I would just write whenever the mood struck me - and the content just didn't materialize. Looking forward to checking out your other videos!
My goal for this year is to stop delaying on projects, stop losing interest when it gets tough or I lose the passion I first had for the project. My goal for this year is to finish my first book. For anyone interested it's focused on how magic would mesh with the modern day world.
From Wikipedia: "The planning fallacy was first proposed by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky in 1979. In 2003, Lovallo and Kahneman proposed an expanded definition as the tendency to underestimate the time, costs, and risks of future actions and at the same time overestimate the benefits of the same actions. According to this definition, the planning fallacy results in not only time overruns, but also cost overruns and benefit shortfalls." Just to add, Shaelin, your videos on POV including tense and psychic closeness was most helpful for my writing. With such a fine, analytical treatment you should be teaching on the college level.
I got the idea for a novella (my first book ever) in October of last year. It wasn't until 2 weeks ago though that I had finally started writing it and I swear I felt like Stephen King. I was writing tons of words everyday for almost 3 days and then I started to slow down a bit. Now, I've been doing a few edits to everything I already have and hope to continue the story sometime this week. Btw, this is my first time ever getting this far with a book even though I've tried writing some a few times before. And like you said, I'm still a beginner so I have a long way to go, but honestly I believe in myself :)
Writing my first book in 2021. been trying to write a book all of this year but have been failing miserably and restarting but i feel like Ive learned enough this year to actually get it done.
Ah, hello everyone. I suppose I shall be writing a book tommorow Update: Have finished my outline. Still need to develop quite a few characters and some subplots, but I've got the main story vaguely outlines from beginning to end.
@@yourlocalrat3757 I'm starting on the other storylines and trying to come up with some character arcs for everyone but my MC. I got derailed by midterms but I'm picking it up again. Thank you for asking!
I track my word count in my bullet journal and it's so motivating and interesting to look back how much I have accomplished for the past months and how much or little I've written some days. It makes it easier to keep writing. Knowing that it's okay to write more or less on some days, as long as I just write! It's easy to feel like it's impossible to reach a certain word count, but I started writing my first novel in August, and now it's January and I've managed to write a little above 50k words. Maybe it's slow progress according to some writers, but to me, I know I am getting there!! And it feels amazing.
Thank you for the tips ☺️ I have wanted to write a story for years, but for various reasons I have yet to accomplish that goal. Enter 2021. I will write my first complete story this year, and although I will do my best, I will also give myself permission for it to be less than stellar. After all, it’s my first go at it! Thanks again for all of your videos! They are very information, and motivating as well 😃💪🏻
I really want to start a fantasy world and books, unrelated but all in the same world, I know that a lofty goal, and a probably a decades worth of writing but I really enjoy world building so
These tips are very helpful. This year I plan to enter more screen writing contests. I also plan on finishing my horror short stories since I am still new to writing short stories.
Although writing and finishing my first book isn’t my New Year’s resolution, I still want to do it and thanks to this video, I’ve figured out how to personally get through any setbacks that come, so thank you for that. Anyways, great video! Happy New Year!🎊
I’ve just started working on a story that I’m excited about. For once, I’m not forcing the plot to come together. I think I’ve finally figured out a writing process that works for me.
My 'system' is one you said would never work. I'm a full time, live-in caregiver. I write on my free time (usually every other day between 2 to 4 am) and have never set deadlines or timelines. I write when and where I can. So far, in 2020, I've written four book manuscripts. 2021 is going to be the time for me to rewrite them -- when and where I can. I can see getting only two done, as editing is so much more detailed than just getting the first draft done. Looking forward to that part. I do like your videos, when I can catch them. :)
I believe any system can work, actually! I also never set deadlines or timelines so I certainly believe that's a valid way to write, and congrats on completing four manuscripts in 2020 that's incredible!
Mine is to write and publish my eight book by December 31, 2021. I'm already five chapters in, with lots of story left to tell. Good luck to everyone hoping to pen their first novel, and Happy New Year to everyone.
my main writing goal for 2021 is to draft my first novel and write more short pieces! i had to take january off for personal reasons but i'm feeling good about everything so far!
My New Year's Resolution that i've broken for the last 20 years, to write my memoir, my bestseller! I am almost 70 years old now and need to get it done before i exit this planet. But THIS year 2021 is the year! HOW? You've surely heard of him. I got myself The World's Only Award Winning #1 Bestselling Certified Professional Ghostwriter Joshua Lisec!
My goal is to write a book this year, hopefully, so this was very helpful. Every year I have failed to reach the end. This year hopefully that will change!
I write my books in autumn every year ready for publication by the end of the year. The rest of the year I spend polishing ideas, collecting flashes of inspiration and editing. Summer is a season for poetry for me. I do recommend just finishing your first draft in a month or two if you know what you want to write about. Just do it in one go rather than spreading it throughout the year. A year is a long time. 3/6 months for the first draft will keep you focused on finishing.
My goal for 2021 is actually to write the sequel in my fantasy-paranormal series. I started the first book back in January 2020 and the first draft finished by May, which resulted in spending the rest of the year editing and polishing it up. I've already begun writing the sequel. I'm 7k words into it and I very much appreciate the timing of this video. ♥♥
My plan for 2021 is to finish the book I began in NaNoWriMo and get it ready for publishing or even publish it this year. I'm so excited for this year.
I definetly need to set my goal to finish the novella I started back in julyish or august 2020! I havent written a whole lot final drafts and this will be my biggest project I will have finished. I first set out to writing a short story which I typed out on the typewriter and then after finishing 12 pages (small word font) I realized it was going to have to be a novella since the world and all the elements in the story was too big for a short. I did another better version of a second draft and is basically the way I want it pre-edited and before finalizing. I've been copying the typewriter pages over to computer. Its not that the writting has been too difficult or that I lack motivation, its just that it feels like it has been such a drag in the overall process and I planned to edit after copying every word, every sentence just the way I wrote it. Do you think there can have been a better way to tackle this or like you said its just the nature of writing? It feels like quite a drag, though I find my self enjoying it every time I write, but I found myself doing small bits once a week til hardly anything at all. Sorry for such a long comment lol
Can you make a video on how to make a powerful, fun and effective Trio or any group of friends (consisting of both girls and boys) for a book series? Like what qualities each of the member must possess and they must not, their flaws, abilities etc..
Start early. Start the first week of January. This is good advice, and probably why NaNoWriMo never has worked for me; why I've never been successful trying to write a book starting at the end of the year.
I’m writing my first short story . I hope to have it done by March. I’m at like 6000 words. It is starting to get harder though. It’s in the horror genre.
My 2021 goal is to finish editing and releasing a Novella, finish a first draft of another Novella, and finish another draft of a devotional idea I have.
I’ve been at this since ‘05 This is my year. I have a full world like...... hinted at in my head. Getting my characters rolling, with words, is the hardest part. I know I can make words go like a mf, but for years I’ve been under this evil “keep it simple stupid” spell. And that’s stunted me.
If every subscriber writes a new book in 2021, the market might get a little to crowded ... Let's do it. One book. Novel, novella, novelette, poem collection, ... Whatever, let's just show the world, we are here. :-)
@vesperview Normally, that would be true. In this case; however, Shaelan- please excuse me if I spelt that incorrectly- is uploading this video for Reedsy, which is a website that offers advice to writers. If I’m correct, Shaelan has been given these points and advice by the site. Please note that I’m not 100% certain that is how this channel works, so it is more than likely that everything I’ve just written is complete and utter rubbish. Have a Happy New Year!
Shaelin is offered to film these videos for Reedsy. Plus, it isn't necessary that a published author is a good one. Many writers can give tips, published or not.
@@FrankThorntonReviews I can correct you, it's Shaelin! Also, she has published lots of short stories and has a novel in the making, Honey Vinegar. She's more than qualified to talk about stuff like these.
@Mr. Undra: Thanks for the correction! I didn’t doubt for a second Shaelin’s right to publish content on writing advice, and I’ll definitely look into her short stories. Thanks for the information, and have a Happy New Year and an even better 2021!
@Piyali: I agree, heck, I give writing advice to my peers and I haven’t ever been able to complete the first draft for my novel- but with the advice in this video, I’m certain I’ll be able to this year! Have a great evening and an even better 2021!
This is one of the most underrated channels on RUclips
yuh
Agreed and she's humble and unassuming and gets straight to the point whereas I find a lot of other writing channels being snarky and showy
hell yeaa
Also her self deprecating humor on her own channel is on fucking point
True that
My theme for the year 2021 is to immerse myself in all things writing. Read craft books, learn more about the publishing industry and get my manuscript completed and polished. Then comes the agent hunt. :)
ME TOO. I wish You All The Success in the world for writing your book.
Those are fantastic goals!
So far...
1. Me: "I'm gonna write a book"
2. Spends what's seems like a thousand watts of brain power to come up with title, some characters, and even a nice intro.
3. Reedsy - "start your book where it's interesting"
4. ....Trashes everything
This is the most challenging exciting thing I've ever done. Thanks for the encouragement 😊
I had no plan to write a book in 2020. The determination of writing generated suddenly in the mid of the year. I became a published author in the end of Dec 2020. Thanks Reedsy for that helpful book creation tool and guidance. Happy new year 2021.
This is amazing! If you don't mind me asking, was this the first book you've ever written?
I'm 60% into my first draft, in love with the story and fully aware there's still ton ahead, still, self conscious about the idea of putting it out there.
Yes, my goal, desire, intention is to write my first book in 2021.🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thanks for the tips
Good luck!
Finding this channel at the beginning of 2021 is probably the best way I could’ve started this year. Can’t wait to binge watch other videos. love the clear and accessible tips :)
Hi, Shaelin. This is the first time I’ve ever put this out verbally into the universe. Fear has paralyzed me my entire life. I am a 54-year-old mother to 2 teenage boys, and I am now disabled. All I have ever wanted to do, besides be a mother to my children, is write a book. There. I said that. I would like to write one from start to finish in 2021. I feel like a failure because I can’t seem to stay motivated. I know an accountability partner would be a wonderful thing to find, and I would like to accomplish that as well.
I am so glad I found this channel while writing.
I hope to get through a first draft of a first novel whilst learning to actually write. Yes I know, there will be a LOT of editing to do, but I learn best by doing and I need to learn to do it. Throw in a good few short stories to skill develop and chance my arm at producing something somebody will have to read. Your lessons and videos are proving invaluable. Thank you and Happy New year.
Writing a book is absolutely the best way to learn how, you've got this!
Thanks for the tips Reedsy! I would like to write about my experiences in the Peace Corps living in Albania for 27 months and this was helpful to get me started on a plan. I've been "meaning" to write it for a while, but did not have a set plan. Like you said, I would just write whenever the mood struck me - and the content just didn't materialize. Looking forward to checking out your other videos!
My goal for this year is to stop delaying on projects, stop losing interest when it gets tough or I lose the passion I first had for the project. My goal for this year is to finish my first book.
For anyone interested it's focused on how magic would mesh with the modern day world.
I'm writing a similar book. The hive mind has spoken 2022 will be full of modern fantasy books
@@expertionis794 Sounds accurate! I wonder how we'll both make use of similar concepts. Best of luck with your novel!
I'm doing something somewhat like that too, dark fantasy and mixing with the modern world. I guess that 2022 will be full of modern fantasy-!
@@godlybeing3664 Good luck to you as well!
From Wikipedia: "The planning fallacy was first proposed by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky in 1979. In 2003, Lovallo and Kahneman proposed an expanded definition as the tendency to underestimate the time, costs, and risks of future actions and at the same time overestimate the benefits of the same actions. According to this definition, the planning fallacy results in not only time overruns, but also cost overruns and benefit shortfalls."
Just to add, Shaelin, your videos on POV including tense and psychic closeness was most helpful for my writing. With such a fine, analytical treatment you should be teaching on the college level.
Ah, thank you. I was getting curious
Thank you, I was wondering about this!
I got the idea for a novella (my first book ever) in October of last year. It wasn't until 2 weeks ago though that I had finally started writing it and I swear I felt like Stephen King. I was writing tons of words everyday for almost 3 days and then I started to slow down a bit. Now, I've been doing a few edits to everything I already have and hope to continue the story sometime this week. Btw, this is my first time ever getting this far with a book even though I've tried writing some a few times before. And like you said, I'm still a beginner so I have a long way to go, but honestly I believe in myself :)
A great motivational start. Thanks reedsy. A Happy Prosperous New Year. 🎉
Thank you for all of the helpful videos. I love your positivity.
Happy new year and thank you so much for such an insightful video! :)
Writing my first book in 2021. been trying to write a book all of this year but have been failing miserably and restarting but i feel like Ive learned enough this year to actually get it done.
I am planning to write two novels
Thank you for the instructions : )
Thanks for your video it always motivat me and I hope I will write one book this year .❤️🙏🏻
I am so gonna do this
You got this
@@socialanxiety9153 lol I love how your name is social anxiety but you're being so supportive 😆
(Edit: I can't spell)
@@TheCrustaceanQueen lmao I had the same thought
Happy Happy New year, Reedsy...🎊🎉🤓❤️🎊🙏🎊❤️ ...N thanku for the tips.
Ah, hello everyone. I suppose I shall be writing a book tommorow
Update: Have finished my outline. Still need to develop quite a few characters and some subplots, but I've got the main story vaguely outlines from beginning to end.
ooh best of luck!!
@@alobalomaloo I started my outline, using the 3 act method from Katytastic
How’s it going?
@@yourlocalrat3757 I'm starting on the other storylines and trying to come up with some character arcs for everyone but my MC. I got derailed by midterms but I'm picking it up again. Thank you for asking!
@@lowercase_ash just caught up and that’s super exciting progress, well done!!
I track my word count in my bullet journal and it's so motivating and interesting to look back how much I have accomplished for the past months and how much or little I've written some days. It makes it easier to keep writing. Knowing that it's okay to write more or less on some days, as long as I just write! It's easy to feel like it's impossible to reach a certain word count, but I started writing my first novel in August, and now it's January and I've managed to write a little above 50k words. Maybe it's slow progress according to some writers, but to me, I know I am getting there!! And it feels amazing.
Thank you for the tips ☺️ I have wanted to write a story for years, but for various reasons I have yet to accomplish that goal. Enter 2021. I will write my first complete story this year, and although I will do my best, I will also give myself permission for it to be less than stellar. After all, it’s my first go at it!
Thanks again for all of your videos! They are very information, and motivating as well 😃💪🏻
Happy 2021 sister!
I really want to start a fantasy world and books, unrelated but all in the same world, I know that a lofty goal, and a probably a decades worth of writing but I really enjoy world building so
I'm doing the same as you 😆
These tips are very helpful. This year I plan to enter more screen writing contests. I also plan on finishing my horror short stories since I am still new to writing short stories.
Although writing and finishing my first book isn’t my New Year’s resolution, I still want to do it and thanks to this video, I’ve figured out how to personally get through any setbacks that come, so thank you for that. Anyways, great video! Happy New Year!🎊
I'd like to write a book this year. That sounds like a most wonderful idea! It will pass the time nicely when i have nothing better to do.
I’ve just started working on a story that I’m excited about. For once, I’m not forcing the plot to come together. I think I’ve finally figured out a writing process that works for me.
My 'system' is one you said would never work. I'm a full time, live-in caregiver. I write on my free time (usually every other day between 2 to 4 am) and have never set deadlines or timelines. I write when and where I can. So far, in 2020, I've written four book manuscripts. 2021 is going to be the time for me to rewrite them -- when and where I can. I can see getting only two done, as editing is so much more detailed than just getting the first draft done. Looking forward to that part. I do like your videos, when I can catch them. :)
I believe any system can work, actually! I also never set deadlines or timelines so I certainly believe that's a valid way to write, and congrats on completing four manuscripts in 2020 that's incredible!
Mine is to write and publish my eight book by December 31, 2021. I'm already five chapters in, with lots of story left to tell. Good luck to everyone hoping to pen their first novel, and Happy New Year to everyone.
My goal ? Write the book I've been working on for a long time 💪🏽
underrated indeed
January 1st and my chapter one is already half-written.
my main writing goal for 2021 is to draft my first novel and write more short pieces! i had to take january off for personal reasons but i'm feeling good about everything so far!
I plan on publishing some gems in 2021.
My New Year's Resolution that i've broken for the last 20 years, to write my memoir, my bestseller! I am almost 70 years old now and need to get it done before i exit this planet. But THIS year 2021 is the year! HOW? You've surely heard of him. I got myself The World's Only Award Winning #1 Bestselling Certified Professional Ghostwriter Joshua Lisec!
My goal is to write a book this year, hopefully, so this was very helpful. Every year I have failed to reach the end. This year hopefully that will change!
Happy new year 💃
I write my books in autumn every year ready for publication by the end of the year. The rest of the year I spend polishing ideas, collecting flashes of inspiration and editing. Summer is a season for poetry for me. I do recommend just finishing your first draft in a month or two if you know what you want to write about. Just do it in one go rather than spreading it throughout the year. A year is a long time. 3/6 months for the first draft will keep you focused on finishing.
First time writer working on a first novel.
My goal for 2021 is actually to write the sequel in my fantasy-paranormal series. I started the first book back in January 2020 and the first draft finished by May, which resulted in spending the rest of the year editing and polishing it up. I've already begun writing the sequel. I'm 7k words into it and I very much appreciate the timing of this video. ♥♥
I won't attempt a novel yet. I have a few (too many!) short stories I'd like to finish and I'm starting to get into poetry.
My plan for 2021 is to finish the book I began in NaNoWriMo and get it ready for publishing or even publish it this year. I'm so excited for this year.
I definetly need to set my goal to finish the novella I started back in julyish or august 2020! I havent written a whole lot final drafts and this will be my biggest project I will have finished. I first set out to writing a short story which I typed out on the typewriter and then after finishing 12 pages (small word font) I realized it was going to have to be a novella since the world and all the elements in the story was too big for a short. I did another better version of a second draft and is basically the way I want it pre-edited and before finalizing. I've been copying the typewriter pages over to computer. Its not that the writting has been too difficult or that I lack motivation, its just that it feels like it has been such a drag in the overall process and I planned to edit after copying every word, every sentence just the way I wrote it. Do you think there can have been a better way to tackle this or like you said its just the nature of writing? It feels like quite a drag, though I find my self enjoying it every time I write, but I found myself doing small bits once a week til hardly anything at all. Sorry for such a long comment lol
Can you make a video on how to make a powerful, fun and effective Trio or any group of friends (consisting of both girls and boys) for a book series? Like what qualities each of the member must possess and they must not, their flaws, abilities etc..
happy new year
*and happy writing-*
*but i'll still be stuck writing not knowing what to write-*
*frick-*
1st, say no. 2dnly write, 3rdly write some more until is finished.
Start early. Start the first week of January. This is good advice, and probably why NaNoWriMo never has worked for me; why I've never been successful trying to write a book starting at the end of the year.
I started writing my book on Monday.
Can you please talk about light novels, how to write one, what you need to know about light novels
Can you please do a video for how to write a romantic crime novel???? please
In modern society
Early January? How about the last day of February?
You know, never too late!
I want to write a book about philosophical view of time or point of existence . Im 15, so any tips for me ?
I’m writing my first short story . I hope to have it done by March. I’m at like 6000 words. It is starting to get harder though. It’s in the horror genre.
Is there anyway to purchase one of your books?
Hmmm. It ain't easy to right a book but I'm going for it
Please watch & comments what you feeling about my gift , shear
My 2021 goal is to finish editing and releasing a Novella, finish a first draft of another Novella, and finish another draft of a devotional idea I have.
I’ve been at this since ‘05
This is my year.
I have a full world like...... hinted at in my head. Getting my characters rolling, with words, is the hardest part. I know I can make words go like a mf, but for years I’ve been under this evil “keep it simple stupid” spell. And that’s stunted me.
Hi
I’m definitely not a pantser and I’m spending January *aggressively outlining*
If every subscriber writes a new book in 2021, the market might get a little to crowded ... Let's do it. One book. Novel, novella, novelette, poem collection, ... Whatever, let's just show the world, we are here. :-)
Because you know ))))
Haha
do you have a personal instagram
Please reply me
So basically start early and be ready to deal with roadblocks
U have a beautiful forehead and a cute voice
No offense, but shouldn’t someone who has actually published a book do this kind of video?
@vesperview Normally, that would be true. In this case; however, Shaelan- please excuse me if I spelt that incorrectly- is uploading this video for Reedsy, which is a website that offers advice to writers. If I’m correct, Shaelan has been given these points and advice by the site.
Please note that I’m not 100% certain that is how this channel works, so it is more than likely that everything I’ve just written is complete and utter rubbish.
Have a Happy New Year!
Shaelin is offered to film these videos for Reedsy. Plus, it isn't necessary that a published author is a good one. Many writers can give tips, published or not.
@@FrankThorntonReviews I can correct you, it's Shaelin!
Also, she has published lots of short stories and has a novel in the making, Honey Vinegar. She's more than qualified to talk about stuff like these.
@Mr. Undra: Thanks for the correction! I didn’t doubt for a second Shaelin’s right to publish content on writing advice, and I’ll definitely look into her short stories. Thanks for the information, and have a Happy New Year and an even better 2021!
@Piyali: I agree, heck, I give writing advice to my peers and I haven’t ever been able to complete the first draft for my novel- but with the advice in this video, I’m certain I’ll be able to this year! Have a great evening and an even better 2021!