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Nicole Wilbur Writes
Canada
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 2 ธ.ค. 2019
I talk about all things writing and storytelling while sharing my journey towards traditional publishing.
How A Good Girl's Guide to Murder raises the stakes ✍️ Write like Holly Jackson | Nicole Wilbur
Stakes are key in a story, but they can be hard to write. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is a veritable masterclass in keeping the reader turning pages, and raising the stakes with every chapter. Since the best way to learn how to write is to study books, we're going to break this one down in detail - focusing especially on the final line of every scene.
💻 M Y A U T H O R N E W S L E T T E R :
Say yes to a party in your inbox: nicolewilbur.substack.com/
💬 L E T ' S C O N N E C T 💬
Website | www.nicolewilbur.com/
Pinterest | pin.it/3jx8lbC
I'm Nicole Wilbur and on my channel, I review craft books, share my writing journey, and break down popular books to mine insights on how to write a better one of my own. If that sounds good to you, hit suscribe!
💻 M Y A U T H O R N E W S L E T T E R :
Say yes to a party in your inbox: nicolewilbur.substack.com/
💬 L E T ' S C O N N E C T 💬
Website | www.nicolewilbur.com/
Pinterest | pin.it/3jx8lbC
I'm Nicole Wilbur and on my channel, I review craft books, share my writing journey, and break down popular books to mine insights on how to write a better one of my own. If that sounds good to you, hit suscribe!
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Edit a book with me✏️ Writing vlog: prepping for draft two
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So you've just finished the first draft of your book. What comes next? Revision!! Draft two is about editing the novel into the story you wanted to tell. Come revise my book with me!
What good interiority looks like | Writing free indirect style
มุมมอง 4621 วันที่ผ่านมา
💻 M Y A U T H O R N E W S L E T T E R : Say yes to a party in your inbox: nicolewilbur.substack.com/ 💬 L E T ' S C O N N E C T 💬 Website | www.nicolewilbur.com/ Pinterest | pin.it/3jx8lbC I'm Nicole Wilbur and on my channel, I review craft books, share my writing journey, and break down popular books to mine insights on how to write a better one of my own. If that sounds good to you, hit suscribe!
The WORST reasons to write a novel
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Should you write a novel? And are you writing for the right reasons? This is a question a LOT of people ask themselves. Over 80% of folks want to write a book at some point...but why? What is a GOOD reason to write one? Are there bad reasons to write a book? Well, yeah. There are bad reasons. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 00:53 I wanna be a bookionaire so (oh oh) baaad! 03:05 But book's not like the m...
Story Case Study📖 Write a ROMANCE book like Julia Quinn | Authortube
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#writinganovel #writingskills #authortube Writing a novel case study: Analyzing Julia Quinn's trope-filled romance The best way to learn how to write a better novel is to study our favourite books to understand how and why they work. This is a deep dive into Julia Quinn's Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, which is the basis for Bridgerton: Season 3. We look at the prologue and first six chapters, which...
write better SCENES ✍️ how to outline a novel 8 different ways
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Scene by scene novel analysis on substack: nicolewilbur.substack.com/p/give-me-a-beat-romance-tropes-meet?r=1odtbd Welcome to an outlining method video where we talk about different processes for planning the scenes in your novel! Scenes are the building blocks of a novel: if you can write great scenes, you're halfway there! So when you're outlining a book, you'll typically outline it scene by ...
first draft with me ✍️ I wrote a YA book-version of Love Actually
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first draft with me ✍️ I wrote a YA book-version of Love Actually
I Wrote 4 Books in 4 Years, Here's what I learned. | Writing process, Stakes & Stephen King
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I Wrote 4 Books in 4 Years, Here's what I learned. | Writing process, Stakes & Stephen King
Outline your Scenes 📚 How to use 8 different scene structures
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Outline your Scenes 📚 How to use 8 different scene structures
How to PITCH literary agents🎙️ get REQUESTS at writing conferences
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How to PITCH literary agents🎙️ get REQUESTS at writing conferences
Create characters with me 👩🦱 Worksheets, research & craft books
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Create characters with me 👩🦱 Worksheets, research & craft books
Can you call your book a heist? | Editing with genre reader expectations | Author interview
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Can you call your book a heist? | Editing with genre reader expectations | Author interview
EVERYTHING you need to know about The Story Grid's masterwork analysis books
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EVERYTHING you need to know about The Story Grid's masterwork analysis books
Writer solo travel vlog in Asia | Visiting the DMZ, writing in airports, and designer shoes
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Writer solo travel vlog in Asia | Visiting the DMZ, writing in airports, and designer shoes
Adverbs aren't cancelled. | Dissecting Stephen King's famous writing advice
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Adverbs aren't cancelled. | Dissecting Stephen King's famous writing advice
I didn't know I was querying?! | Querying vlog Nicole Wilbur
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I didn't know I was querying?! | Querying vlog Nicole Wilbur
Let's write DIALOGUE: more conflict, more character, more energy!
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Let's write DIALOGUE: more conflict, more character, more energy!
OUTLINING a multi-POV YA novel and creating SCENES -- (because I'm stuck!)
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OUTLINING a multi-POV YA novel and creating SCENES (because I'm stuck!)
Writing VOICEY interiority / Line editing character voice
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Writing VOICEY interiority / Line editing character voice
EVERYTHING you need to know about WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL by Donald Maas
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EVERYTHING you need to know about WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL by Donald Maas
Line edit a book with me: Rule-of-three, specificity, show vs tell
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Line edit a book with me: Rule-of-three, specificity, show vs tell
How I write a first chapter + opening MISTAKES to avoid
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How I write a first chapter opening MISTAKES to avoid
How I'm writing my first draft in TWO months + Querying is stressful
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How I'm writing my first draft in TWO months Querying is stressful
What's it like working with a critique partner? / A conversation with my CP!
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What's it like working with a critique partner? / A conversation with my CP!
START writing your BOOK in 2024 / What I WISH I did
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START writing your BOOK in 2024 / What I WISH I did
16 most EXCITING book releases of 2024 / YA, historical, contemporary fiction
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16 most EXCITING book releases of 2024 / YA, historical, contemporary fiction
Goals & writing plans for 2024 / last-minute plan with me!
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Goals & writing plans for 2024 / last-minute plan with me!
So you want to write a HEIST BOOK in 2024 // Authortube collaboration
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So you want to write a HEIST BOOK in 2024 // Authortube collaboration
10 GENRES you *might* write in // Write a book in 2024 authortube collab
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10 GENRES you *might* write in // Write a book in 2024 authortube collab
Writing & Goals Round-up 2023 (+ querying news)
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Writing & Goals Round-up 2023 ( querying news)
Story Grid has a lot of good advice, mainly unteaching us bad habits that we learned in school, but each writer is unique. What works for some won't work for all. Here's my process, but I can't tell you if it's good because I've never gotten anything published. It's just helped me get words on a page quickly. Brainstorm until you have a one sentence story idea: Create a detailed outline via zero drafting--now that AI's a thing, you have it help you using something called the fractal technique, or you can just use the older version of that--the snowflake method--and do it yourself. Break your outline into a chapter-by-chapter guide and continue to fill in details Go back and continue adding details until you have a first draft. Edit the first draft--go back and add detail, polish, line edit, etc. Get a friend to read it, rinse and repeat.
The Nutcracker Effect is such a great title ❤
Check out the Substack version here: nicolewilbur.substack.com/p/what-writers-can-learn-from-a-good
A huge criticism I've ended up circling with a lot of contemporary YA that's popular on booktok is authors with no control or modulation of interiority, and where it is present, the stylistics fail the content. I wrote a whole article for ZeroIndent about Powerless that I never released because it just felt... mean pointing out that Roberts' lack of craft training in this regard makes the work almost impossible to engage with for this reason (I'll use her work because it demonstrates the purpose of this exercise that this snippet refers to). The story opens with close free indirect with an internal voice for the protag that fails to match her dialogue register, *and* the free indirect third person has the protag thinking things she would never think. The specific example stuck in my craw is the first chapter where the protag does the YA equivalent of "I bet you're wondering how i wound up here" and proceeds to summarise the history of the world and her personal situation in like, 3 paragraphs as "naturalistic" context. By contrast, Pat Rothfuss & Ursula K. Le Guin are masters of modulating free indirect third person with stylistics to match the moment. All to say, yes, yes, and yes, we need more accessible craft lessons like this article (also neat that it seems like substack made the vid for you, that's rad as hell), keep it up!
Ooo yes I know exactly what you mean! I haven't read Powerless but massive exposition dumps are uncomfortable exactly for that reason: the characters would never do that! Do you follow Alexa Donne at all? She recently put out a video about mechanical writing that was very very good! Not exactly the same, but it's related to the sloppy prose you're discussing here. Thank you so much!! That's wonderful to hear! And yes lol Substack does make the videos after I record the narration, which is wonderful :)
Incredibly insightful, thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!
Yes, critique are difficult to weigh. Go with your gut.
👏 Good for you, girl. // Is your hair darker?
Haha lighting I think!
Yes. Stay enthused and aware. Smart. Good reminder.
You're such a girl 🥲
Getting a better idea of what a nano write is but still not clear. Yes. I'm a bit dense 🙂 Well, enough of youtube. Need to get back to Wizard & Glass. It's 893 pages. Whew!
No you're not dense!! It's a challenge to write 50,000 words (roughly a first draft of a novel) in November. It's a fun challenge, lots of community! Keep an eye out for it this year :) Ooo Wizard & Glass! A book series?
@NicoleWilbur Yes. It's The Dark Tower series from Stephen King. Not scarry, particularly. Just a little. He writes horror but also standard fiction, fantasy, mystery, thrillers. A little of everything. He's a master at craftsmanship. One reason he's the # one author on the planet :o) I like reading his style of wording in his stories.
The 'problems' don't seem that big. Nothing you can't fix easily with a few concentrated days of writing. I've always felt you have to go with your own feelings. Critics are helpful but writers gain their own style by writing a lot and their own way. Read us some excerts sometime and see what kind of feedback you get.
Absolutely! 'Problems/'mistakes' etc. are honestly TH-cam SEO terms. These were suggested edits, from an experienced editor I hired. Accept the edits that resonate, and if something is unaligned, leave it out
Finish outline to a romantic vampire novel I've had in mind for several years, my goal for this month.
I LOVE that goal!! I admit I'm not really a vampire person...but I know how much others love them and it's so exciting that they're coming back! Plus, sounds like pure fun to play with!
@NicoleWilbur It is fun. More on the lines of none violent love story Ala Twilight. I abhor bloody vampire tales.
I once wrote 78,000 words in 3 days, about half of my story and lost it all a day later. My computer broke. Cripes!
Oh no!! Literal worst nightmare 🙈
@@NicoleWilbur... and I didn't have it backed up. Dumb.
not novels per say, but I work in comics, and I write comic scripts too, and we have so many folks who want to really write films but decide "comic scripts are basically film scripts right?" without them having any understanding of comics or drawing at all. (like it sounds really dumb but some writers truly don't understand drawings don't move....)
Omg comics - that's so cool! Holy shit I just took a look at your channel and your art is AMAZING! The detail omg! I love the violinist with the ripped jeans!! And you do book covers? I LOVE the Fairest of All One! Okay back to our regularly scheduled programming: that's quite funny...drawings don't move 😂
@@NicoleWilbur ah thanks!! Yeah I do book covers but mostly comics art and writing now (not much of that on my channel tbf) The Fairest of All was a whole graphic novel too! That was a fun one to make! And yes... I've seen many a script where the writer forgets that in panel one the character can't... I dunno walk down a corridor, then go through a door and sit on a chair, like they might do in a single shot of a film. You have to pick which moment you want the artist to draw, walking? opening a door? sitting on the chair? or make them 3 panels. Sometimes it's a slip up but it's a great indicator that the script was originally a screenplay if it happens a lot. I'm definately not saying writers can't try their hands at different kinds of writing but you do need to keep the end result in mind. (Also in a script for an artist, the Artist actually makes the images the reader is looking at so you have to be able to give up some control of your work and let the artist do what they do best, I imagine similar in screenplays handing it to directors and actors and... everyone involved gets to bring a little of themselves to the story, wheras in prose it can be more of just the writer (and help from editors etc).
😮 Hi, Niki. Whew! This was short. Took my breath away thinking it was going to be another long one. It was good anyway. 🙂
Haha yup - that is a teeny update! I appreciate the watch though :) Have you done Nano?
@@NicoleWilbur I'm a hick from the Utah sticks. What's Nano?
@@rainbowhiker haha sorry NaNoWriMo? National Novel Writing Month :)
@NicoleWilbur Oh? STILL at a loss. Not important. You stay bubbly.
I've been writing short stories, mainly, for some years and started and still do it because I love to put the nagging ideas down on paper. I love the forming of the story and organizing of all elements. I don't try to get published. For me, it's just a hobby and enjoyable.
Ahh that's amazing - I know that feeling of wanting to get the idea down. There's something so special and exciting about just having a story! Not that there's anything wrong w trying to get published, but I love writing as a hobby too - it should be for enjoyment :)
I write first, then talk later. Used to do the other thing until this turned out to be better.
nicolewilbur.substack.com/
There is certainly a huge difference between wanting a living, wanting success, and wanting to be famous. It’s important to know the difference so you know you’re working from an honest place.
Ooo that's a beautiful way of putting it. I completely agree! And not just working from an honest place but a place that sets you up to feel successful and creatively fulfilled, regardless of any publishing numbers games.
This is a great video. I’m studying writing and Story Grid really stands out. It’s great to hear the other side / weaknesses / blind spots of it, because it does seem to be quite unique and powerful otherwise
Agreed! It is super powerful and offers lots of value! But no one method can be perfect for everyone :) I know elements of their methodology have evolved since I posted this video as well
Most people are all talk, so anything that gets you to finish a book is a valid motivation. However, the likelihood that you’ll receive a huge external reward from your first book is minuscule
Absolutely agree!! I think that the hope of that external reward though is often not enough to sustain all the work needed...especially after early rejections!!
Seriously save some bucks and make your own movie . Don't let a tom dick and Harry to teach how to write.
I want to be famous without anyone knowing who I am. But also this story is eating me from the inside and demands to be written.
Love this! I feel the same...want the story to be famous! Also I love how you frame that..."demands to be written."
If only we can come up with such a great series like J.K. And get her money too. True aspirations. I think you’re on the way to getting your novel done I’m still outlining 😂
Haha the dream 😂 Honestly, the outlining stage is so important!! I'm cheering you and your book on! 🎉
@@NicoleWilbur thanks 😊
I certainly don't want to be the Rowling, bigotry is simply not my style.
I was thinking of sales numbers, but very very true! I think I need a new example!
Why are you writing your book? Or why do you want to write one? Check out my author newsletter and say yes to a party in your inbox: nicolewilbur.substack.com/
I am writing mine because Russia is going through incredible changes and so is Ukraine. A new Enlightenment era seems to be on the horizon, which makes an exciting topic to write a novel for. The important thing to do was to determine the number of pages, or stick around a given number - which in this case was 194. It was compiled in a week based on four years of research into how to write characters.
(Story nerd from the UK, here - old granny writer). I found your channel today, Nicole. I agree with much that you say about Story Grid, and, like some of the commenters, I use it more as an editing tool. The point you made about preferring 'plot archetype' rather than 'genre' - absolutely agree. I cannot stuff my Fantasy/Mystery novel into the 'genre' glass slipper! Story Grid, I think, comes into its own after all the hard work of writing the draft, that tells the story we want to tell, has been done. It allows us to view the story dispassionately, scientifically - like a surgeon. All good wishes to you. Happy Writing!
Thank you so much! That's such a great way to frame it: looking at it scientifically like a surgeon. I've really started using it more as an editing tool now too. Happy writing to you!
This was great. Thank you!
I'm so glad you liked it!! Curious if you're a writer or you enjoyed it as a reader?! 😊
Thank you so much for this. This is what I was looking for. I typed "romance book essay". Thanks for doing the work.
Oh I'm SO glad it was helpful!! Thanks for watching (and for telling me your keywords lol)! Are you writing a book or a massive romance fan? I'm so curious!! :)
“Denouement” is pronounced “dey-new-mah” I think it’s French origin 😊
Omg thank YOU! 😂 You know those words where you've read them a millon times but have never heard anyone say it aloud? Denouement is one for me. Colonel is another one. I learned French in school, I should be better 😜
@@NicoleWilbur colonel will forever mess me up. I don’t think I’ll ever look at the work and not think “conolelelelel” 😭😆
If you liked this video, check out my Story Grid series: th-cam.com/play/PLte6jZwxpFsXb2UpZIcKnAOw4eROv4TGU.html I went through the ENTIRE Story Grid process with one of my books!
What's YOUR favourite outlining method? Do you use different methods at different times?
This was really interesting, thank you x
Thank YOU!
The sound on your 'story study announcement' is almost "unhearable."
Thanks for letting me know!
@@NicoleWilbur You bet. Keep up the good work!
hi Nicole have you heard of Heiress Takes All. I think you would like it its a heist story.
YES this is already on my TBR!!
Great video! Do more!
Thank you! I have a big backlog of writing videos if you're interested :)
Great title and concept!
Thanks Emma!!
I have an issue with 'Story Grid' although, there are many useful free resources that can be very useful. The main drive of 'Story Grid' is trying to sell you books and courses. My main problem I have with 'Story Grid' is, if you watch the videos on TH-cam, Tim presents himself as an expert in most videos, then a video in March 2024 or so, he goes through the process of writing a scene and getting critical feedback from his 'Editor' (Also, business partner Shawn Coyne) in this video you can see this 'so-called expert' struggle with understanding the concept of POV and how it affects his scene. I think when someone presents themself as an expert, giving advice and especially selling courses, they should understand basic concepts of POV, at least that is what I think. I pointed out this inconsistency to Tim in a comment on the video, and he muted me and deleted my comment. Tim is a very arrogant guy, that likes to wave his 'published' accolades (amazon, for the most part) to anyone that brings up a valid point in the comments. My advice is use the free resources on the website and the TH-cam channel, but don't fall for paying for 'courses' when they are taught by someone whom, shouldn't be teaching a course.
Esp in self-publishing, novellas seem to be a thing. It's not my cup of tea because I don't like short stories sooo much, but it seems to work for self-publishers (you can publish many of them, earn money and you can also put them all together in a bundle for a higher total price, too). Last month, I bought my first novella from an author I just watch here on youtube, never bought a book from her before. Just because I like her and she published a book in june & I wanted to support her. So I went to her Amazon page and saw that she published a novella in January as prequel to said book. So I bought the new book plus the novella, and began reading the novella (haven't had the time yet to begin the other book). Long story short: Novellas are good for attracting customers, for those who want to have a fast "reading success" and if it's part of a world or series, then I guess it's a really good marketing tool, too. I don't know how it is in trad publishing, I guess, it's kind of hard to get a novella published if one is an unknown author, maybe as part of an anthology, but I guess the success rate of getting a contract for a novella may be low.
Oh very cool! I love the idea of novellas as a marketing tool, actually! I remember in the YA era of my youth 😂 Ally Carter and Lauren Myracle would publish super cheap (or free) novellas set in their books' worlds: some for Christmas, some for crossing over between series! Yeah I haven't heard of novellas getting traditionally published...but it's certainly an avenue I'm interested in!
I'm a physicist. The title of the book got my attention because I thought there would be less rambling. I was truly disappointed when I started reading the book.
Same 😂
Very cool
What a relatable video! Thank you! I've just received a Reedsy newsletter and there's this upcoming prompt for a story done in a script/play style and based on Shakespeare. Antony and Cleopatra comes to mind. I think I'll give it a try. Otherwise, I'm also thinking about getting my works out there gradually, starting this year. Let's do this!
Ooo I love this! I'm going to check out the prompt, some of them are so inspiring! Let's do it!! 😊👋✋
Yes, totally agree about writing every day! It’s not necessary, but it really does help to keep up your consistency and progress. I have an ancient little piece of flash fiction on my website, but that’s it. I don’t know what else I would post since everything I’m writing now are complete novels.
So true! I've read that - love it!! Agree with you though, I am so deep in my novels, it feels like working on other things would be a distraction
FYI, you can move scenes around easily in Word if you use "Headings" and the Navigation page.
OH! Great info! Thank you :)
Bulgaria
Congratulations 🎉
Thanks!
Here is the Substack article I mentioned, about the new series! nicolewilbur.substack.com/p/something-borrowed-something-new?r=1odtbd
I prefer the Kishotenketsu, for overall story outline but also for each and every single scene. This generate a wavelike feel to the fiction which I enjoy.
I've never heard of kishotenketsu but I just looked it up and it seems like a wonderful, incredibly useful framework! Do you have any resources on it you'd recommend? I'd love to learn more!
I would like more info on this as well!
Okay I finally had time to listen and OH MY GOODNESS!!! They were gushing over your pages 😭😭😭 Great feedback on the query too-I have no doubt you’ll be able to rework it so it nabs agents’ attention. I’ve listened to a bunch of this podcast over the years and I rarely hear so much praise during one critique. CONGRATS!!
Ahh so excited that you listened!! Thank you !! 😂 Yes, query needs some tweaking & their feedback was so helpful...but the praise on the writing gave me a lot of confidence - like OMG!! The work they do is SO generous for the writing community. I listen religiously :) Thank you!!!
NICOLE!!! That is so cool! I can’t wait to listen.
Fair point. Stands to reason that not every writer will respond the same to each bit of advice. Personally I find an editor’s insights to be invaluable, though it seems to impede my forward progress as I’m an over-thinker. C’est la vie
Oh absolutely! There's so much value in the story grid ! It completely changed how I wrote...but exactly -- when I relied on it exclusively -- I started overthinking, arguably about the wrong things for the point in the process I was in & found how *I* used the story grid ineffective