To cope with anxiety I sit down at the floor with a cushion, play "Africa" by Toto full volume and try to feel the music. That resets me. In fact, I going to do it right now (damn writer's anxiety!)
2:50 This is one of the very best advice. Can't stress it enough, cause you'll get stressed out if you keep going back to what you wrote. Giving you both the feeling of not making headway as well as feeling like everything you do write is just trash
I’m engineer who has this bad for large reports for many many angles. I lost weeks probably of just freaking out and procrastinating. It’s painful. This has been helpful thank you. Technical report is a story too.
Great video as always guys. I always find myself, tuning out the world with music that I feel might fit with what I'm writing about or just the sounds of rain. Feedback is my biggest issue honestly. I am deeply afraid of being a horrible writer and that no one will ever enjoy my work. What have I learned? There will always be someone that doesn't like what you do, and that critique is always good. To top it, be proud of your work. Never approach it like you're going to be next big thing, but appreciate that you made it and that you will get better. I still get nervous on showing people my stuff, and I hope to someday have you guys review one some of my writing, whether you like it or not (hopefully the latter!). In conclusion: I think everyone can write, and everyone has a story to tell and that critique can be something as simple as asking someone about a character's motivations as opposed to simply pointing out plot holes with a harsh tone.
Thanks for the kind words! You are very correct about there always being people who will dislike your stuff. That's how art goes, and we just have to focus on what we like 😊
4:45 Can confirm, Levi is not crazy. I'm somewhere at 9.5k at the end of the second day and I've been in the zone a couple of times (although I'm still a victim of self editing as I go, but writing dialogue scenes usually helps to smooth it out, it's like a coping mechanism for me I guess) Also, great content, I love all the writing videos and the weekly podcast too. Keep up the amazing work!
A really great way when writing, is to use google.docs. Have a friend you trust to do editing, who can have editing access to the document and they can edit any mistakes live as you go. With enough practice with learning to let go of editing as you go (since said friend could do it for you) might help a lot. I use those docs when co-writing with a friend, as it's super exciting to see it happen live.
It's true, you're not crazy at the moment of making this video. I have a thought on not editing. One way I deal with a bump in the road is to read a previous section of a book I am writing. It helps me get back to the plot and purpose of writing the book and reduces my anxiety. I know I am breaking some sort of unwritten rule, but it works for me. Cheers, and thanks for the video.
6:01 I just recently found ambience, and it works *magically* for me. Personally, even instrumental music can get distracting, but ambience provides some nice-sounding white noise in the background so I can focus. It really helps me find the flow.
It is not often that a comment absolutely floors me, but here we are. How have I never thought of this or seen it posted anywhere else? This is genius.
@@AroundTheCampfire ohhh dang so i actually tried it!! I was really anxious about writing my thesis presentation notes and I managed to write the whole draft with this! If you try it out, let me know :)
@@MsAuriauri Will do! I've been living the writing sprint life to avoid self editing, and this might just be a new regular tool in the tool belt. Especially for shorter bursts!
Good video, I've already started trying to hammer into place that you write while writing and edit while editing. As for ambience while writing I use sounds of nature such as recordings of thunderstorms, haven't tried instrumental music yet.
@@AroundTheCampfire Yeah and the variety can also be used to give you an idea of what a place sounds like, for example a jungle at night. Instrumental music could probably be used to give you a vibe, if you're writing something that's designed to get the reader to cry maybe listen to Adagio for Strings while you do it? 🤔🤷🏽♂️
I know this video is three years old, but can anyone give advice on how to relax enough to write a draft? I have trouble getting the initial words down - I want to get to the editing part (my favorite) but I don’t have any words…
That's fair! I have a hard time editing my own stuff sometimes. Idk what your current method is, but I've found it to be super helpful when editing your own work to take large chunks of time between drafts. When I go right from drafting to editing, I tend to overthink stuff since I'm still in the same mindset, but if I take a lot of time, it's much easier to disconnect from where my head was at during drafting and be more objective. That makes me less likely to overthink things. Hope that helps!
Hey, Great video! I have a really hard time sticking to ideas so I'm thinking of writing short stories instead of novels. I find myself never being able to really start something and definitely never finishing one. I don't know if you have any tips about this, since it feels really personal, but I want to at least try the short stories thing first. I don't want to rule out novels. As for the video, great tips! I try and follow all the tips already except finding the flow. Whenever I find the flow it goes great but I can't seem to pin point what makes it happen. Also, what is that awesome track for transitions and in the background?
Short stories are a great place to start! I assume that's where everyone get's their legs so no shame there. I can also relate to starting being difficult. I think incentivising yourself to start or creating some kind of structure can help! Find what makes you want to write and explore it. I like to warm up by finding something that inspires me. It's usually music, but sometimes I'll read too! Rarely do I write without one of those two things before. Whenever you pick up the scent of creativity, you gotta follow it. As for finishing, if you're writing short stories, I recommend not leaving the seat until your first draft is done. Just get it all out then you can go back and edit later. For novels, "write regularly" is the go-to advice, but also pointless because writing regularly is the hard part. I have an entire video on making writing a habit if you want to check that out: th-cam.com/video/neYHeguwaew/w-d-xo.html
@@AroundTheCampfire thanks for the reply! I have watched that video and I am trying it its just hard to find a time schedule because I'm a very creatively impulsive person. Like, now I want to play this game, and now this book, and now this TV show etc. In writing it's more of sticking to one genre and plot. But thanks for your tips. I'm trying to write more often.
It's Campfire! I made the map in Azgaar, and I exported a few different types of the map (country borders, height map, temperature, etc). Then I put those into Campfire as different map layers so I could flip between them with my location pinned on.
To cope with anxiety I sit down at the floor with a cushion, play "Africa" by Toto full volume and try to feel the music. That resets me. In fact, I going to do it right now (damn writer's anxiety!)
Having a go-to coping mechanism like that is so powerful. Recently, I've started playing sudoku when I'm anxious!
The crossed-out cellphone already speaks to my life situation. It's a disguised sinkhole.
Uninstalled all social media off my phone for NaNo, and it was like taking off a heavy backpack that I didn't know I was wearing.
2:50 This is one of the very best advice. Can't stress it enough, cause you'll get stressed out if you keep going back to what you wrote. Giving you both the feeling of not making headway as well as feeling like everything you do write is just trash
I don’t understand this advice - how can you write a draft if you don’t reread what you’ve already written to know where you left off?
@@milkflavored You can. At best, read last paragraph once before your writing session.
I’m engineer who has this bad for large reports for many many angles. I lost weeks probably of just freaking out and procrastinating. It’s painful. This has been helpful thank you.
Technical report is a story too.
Great video as always guys.
I always find myself, tuning out the world with music that I feel might fit with what I'm writing about or just the sounds of rain.
Feedback is my biggest issue honestly. I am deeply afraid of being a horrible writer and that no one will ever enjoy my work. What have I learned?
There will always be someone that doesn't like what you do, and that critique is always good. To top it, be proud of your work. Never approach it like you're going to be next big thing, but appreciate that you made it and that you will get better.
I still get nervous on showing people my stuff, and I hope to someday have you guys review one some of my writing, whether you like it or not (hopefully the latter!).
In conclusion: I think everyone can write, and everyone has a story to tell and that critique can be something as simple as asking someone about a character's motivations as opposed to simply pointing out plot holes with a harsh tone.
Thanks for the kind words! You are very correct about there always being people who will dislike your stuff. That's how art goes, and we just have to focus on what we like 😊
this was SO helpful i felt so stupid for struggling with something like this but this video has made me feel so seen
Great video as usual. Good luck getting through the Wheel of Time series. It too me better part of a year to slog through that.
I'm going to take breaks between books, so hopefully it doesn't consume my whole brain 🧠
9:35 Same here. Came up with some interesting plot twists while trying to go to sleep.
Some nights are just an endless cycle of writing down an idea, trying to sleep, getting another idea, and repeat until it's 2 AM 😂
4:45 Can confirm, Levi is not crazy. I'm somewhere at 9.5k at the end of the second day and I've been in the zone a couple of times (although I'm still a victim of self editing as I go, but writing dialogue scenes usually helps to smooth it out, it's like a coping mechanism for me I guess)
Also, great content, I love all the writing videos and the weekly podcast too. Keep up the amazing work!
A really great way when writing, is to use google.docs. Have a friend you trust to do editing, who can have editing access to the document and they can edit any mistakes live as you go. With enough practice with learning to let go of editing as you go (since said friend could do it for you) might help a lot. I use those docs when co-writing with a friend, as it's super exciting to see it happen live.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for making this. I am always having this issue so thanks for addressing it.
No problem! It something I also struggle with, so I thought it might help to share how I cope
It's true, you're not crazy at the moment of making this video. I have a thought on not editing. One way I deal with a bump in the road is to read a previous section of a book I am writing. It helps me get back to the plot and purpose of writing the book and reduces my anxiety. I know I am breaking some sort of unwritten rule, but it works for me. Cheers, and thanks for the video.
6:01 I just recently found ambience, and it works *magically* for me. Personally, even instrumental music can get distracting, but ambience provides some nice-sounding white noise in the background so I can focus. It really helps me find the flow.
I'll have to try this!
maybe typing with a white font will help with the self editing! you can turn it black when you’re done😌
It is not often that a comment absolutely floors me, but here we are. How have I never thought of this or seen it posted anywhere else? This is genius.
@@AroundTheCampfire ohhh dang so i actually tried it!! I was really anxious about writing my thesis presentation notes and I managed to write the whole draft with this! If you try it out, let me know :)
@@MsAuriauri Will do! I've been living the writing sprint life to avoid self editing, and this might just be a new regular tool in the tool belt. Especially for shorter bursts!
@@AroundTheCampfire sounds good😌🌟
Thanks dude!!
Thank you for this video! Exacly what I needed right now!
Glad it was helpful!
Good video, I've already started trying to hammer into place that you write while writing and edit while editing.
As for ambience while writing I use sounds of nature such as recordings of thunderstorms, haven't tried instrumental music yet.
Oooo nature noises sound perfect for me. I am 100% going to try that
@@AroundTheCampfire Yeah and the variety can also be used to give you an idea of what a place sounds like, for example a jungle at night. Instrumental music could probably be used to give you a vibe, if you're writing something that's designed to get the reader to cry maybe listen to Adagio for Strings while you do it? 🤔🤷🏽♂️
What show was that @ 11:46, great advice btw
Over the Garden Wall! 100% recommend if you haven't seen it. It's a mini-series that can easily be watched in a single sitting.
@@AroundTheCampfire On it today!
You're awesome ! this video is Awesome ! Camp fire Technology is awesome !
Thanks 😊 You're awesome!
I know this video is three years old, but can anyone give advice on how to relax enough to write a draft? I have trouble getting the initial words down - I want to get to the editing part (my favorite) but I don’t have any words…
I'm ok with writing but editing gives me full on panic attacks.
That's fair! I have a hard time editing my own stuff sometimes. Idk what your current method is, but I've found it to be super helpful when editing your own work to take large chunks of time between drafts. When I go right from drafting to editing, I tend to overthink stuff since I'm still in the same mindset, but if I take a lot of time, it's much easier to disconnect from where my head was at during drafting and be more objective. That makes me less likely to overthink things. Hope that helps!
What program do you use for world/character building?
We actually make our own software for this! You can check it out for free at www.campfirewriting.com/
GET OUT OF MY HEAD.
Jk. A lot of relatable and good advice here. Thanks.
No prob! Hope it helps 😊
Check out Campfire Blaze here:
www.campfireblaze.com/
Hey, Great video! I have a really hard time sticking to ideas so I'm thinking of writing short stories instead of novels. I find myself never being able to really start something and definitely never finishing one. I don't know if you have any tips about this, since it feels really personal, but I want to at least try the short stories thing first. I don't want to rule out novels.
As for the video, great tips! I try and follow all the tips already except finding the flow. Whenever I find the flow it goes great but I can't seem to pin point what makes it happen. Also, what is that awesome track for transitions and in the background?
Short stories are a great place to start! I assume that's where everyone get's their legs so no shame there.
I can also relate to starting being difficult. I think incentivising yourself to start or creating some kind of structure can help! Find what makes you want to write and explore it. I like to warm up by finding something that inspires me. It's usually music, but sometimes I'll read too! Rarely do I write without one of those two things before. Whenever you pick up the scent of creativity, you gotta follow it.
As for finishing, if you're writing short stories, I recommend not leaving the seat until your first draft is done. Just get it all out then you can go back and edit later. For novels, "write regularly" is the go-to advice, but also pointless because writing regularly is the hard part. I have an entire video on making writing a habit if you want to check that out: th-cam.com/video/neYHeguwaew/w-d-xo.html
@@AroundTheCampfire thanks for the reply! I have watched that video and I am trying it its just hard to find a time schedule because I'm a very creatively impulsive person. Like, now I want to play this game, and now this book, and now this TV show etc. In writing it's more of sticking to one genre and plot. But thanks for your tips. I'm trying to write more often.
th-cam.com/video/3ISdao7BA7k/w-d-xo.html What map program is this? It looks like Azgaar FMG but that fancy black bar is not a thing in FMG.
It's Campfire! I made the map in Azgaar, and I exported a few different types of the map (country borders, height map, temperature, etc). Then I put those into Campfire as different map layers so I could flip between them with my location pinned on.