I have a bunch of character ideas, scenes, and random blurbs of stuff that I don't know how to incorporate into a coherent story. I hate the feeling of being stuck before even beginning. Also, the last tip about not killing the darlings reminded me of how everyone loves ghibli movies because of these random quiet moments between all the beautiful storytelling. So I agree. Don't cut off these small moments, especially if the pacing isn't being hindered that hard
@@starwing2814 perosnally i like to write different scenes first. just go in and spill all of my ideas onto the page and write whatever until my mind stops thinking of different things and ive found out that after i actually do that ideas come themselves. and also i write different scenes for one moment so that helps me to choose the favourite one :D
hii! i’ve run into this problem multiple times, but one thing i’ve learned that has really helped is figuring out which one of these random blurbs or ideas occurred first in the non-existent storyline and work from there.
my own version of the last tip is "embrace the cringe". Some may find my dnd-ish fantasy romance novel cringe, but I WANT to write the characters to be overly emotional fanfiction-style, I want to employ my favorite tropes and so on. I'm not even going to publish this novel, I'm writing it purely for my own enjoyment, as a hobby, like I used to do as a kid. (Though fanfiction readers or tumblr users could very well like this style and story, it's not like I'm not doing my best). However as I'm writing I notice stuff I wanna word better, or add, to better convey what I meant. I write my notes in a separate document (I write the novel by hand actually) and I am going to incorporate them when I edit and type the novel into a digital document.
The last tip is interesting. On the one hand, I really don't like the normalization of hiring a professional editor because it's basically gatekeeping who's allowed to be an author based on class (I cannot afford an editor, for example). But on the other hand, if I published the slop I spit out in a first draft I'd die of embarrassment. I also find a lot of my best story decisions come from editing and second drafts. There's definitely something to be said about a healthy middle-ground where you edit it yourself, but edit it the same way you wrote it, which is to say: for yourself, not an audience.
yes! u worded this so well. finding a ‘middle ground’ is important. you should edit your story so it becomes more of the book YOU want to tell. the idea about class is so interesting too. how things are so unaccessible for people, especially younger aspiring authors or single mothers for example.
To be frank with you, contributing to the arts is a mark of social class since antiquity. If the artist cannot fund his/her own art, then he/she must be sponsored by a benefactor. Someone must pay for the production of the art. Reading and writing were historically a mark of social class because the activities distinguished the aristocrats from the commoners who just had to work the fields all day. On a personal level, creative writing takes a lot of time and effort and diligence to produce one work of fiction that may quickly get rejected. So, a lot of creative writers have a day job that pays the bills or a supportive family member that pays the bills. In the world of publishing, the traditional publisher takes a risk, a gamble, on the first-time author, and if the business flops, the publisher may be unwilling to invest again. If you really really really want to see your little book in print, then you may have to go into self-publishing. Then all costs are on you to produce a commercial product. And if you do not want to hire an external editor, then you have to self-edit and take the risk. There are a lot of self-edited and unedited stories on the Internet, and they do get readers. Whether the stories are commercially viable... that's another story.
You should be editing your work anyway before sending it to a professional. There are affordable editors on Fivver, as well as Facebook/Twitter groups too
Write your book and then don't just go editing it a day or week later... give it and yourself a break... I wrote my first draft in January and now I'm going to edit it next month... it'll help me pick out my childish mistakes... some things that I wasn't able to explain like I wanted... it's not that to stop writing or something... start your other project or an idea that pops into your mind... [honestly, my father wants to see it in a book more than I do hehehe] LOVE YOU ANA~ ❤♾
Hello Ana Neu, I am a young teenager looking to write a book and you have been a big inspiration for me. Whenever I get an idea for a book, I don't know how to word it or explain it. I am a visual writer as well so whenever I watch your videos it always helps me, whether I'm in the draft, or not. I really want to be a writer and if I ever become successful ill always tell them who inspired me and helped me write my books ❤
I love the last tip. I like the idea of getting back to writing as an artform, not as something that needs to sell and appeal to everyone. I'm new to writing and I struggled a lot with sensoring myself or editing as I write, because of the pressure I put on myself, so the last tip and the concept behind it, really helps with that. Thank you ana!
Knowing the message is SO important. You don't need to have something 100% concrete or 100% perfect when you start out, or even after you finish the first draft, but having something to act as a lighthouse through the chaos of creation is incredibly helpful. Like my current main project The King of Leaves (not for April since I'm working on camp-not-camp) was a bit of a mess before I figured out the theme- why people put pressure on themselves for other's sake and the consequences of doing so- but now that I know it I can let it guide me through plotting. And about the quotes- I'm actually doing that this month, sorta lmao A mix of that, poetry, and various in-world story excerpts to stick in the beginning for a different project of mine. As well as three short stories I've yet to touch. I may have bitten off more than I can chew! Awesome advice as always, Ana! I disagree with the editing portion, but we all have different ways of doing things and that's totally okay!
IM SO GLAD YOU SOMEONE FINALLY SAID THE LAST POINT! As a writer whos stories don't alwasy naturally follow the template of hooks, climaxs and straight cut rises to action. I'd always wonder whether to change my stories to be more marketable, when really MY STPRY IS JUST MY STORY!
Ana, I think you should look at editing less as "making the story objectively better" and more of "what effect do i intend the story to have on my reader?" There are helpful tools for achieving an intended emotional effect on the readers mind, and that is what we call writing craft. If i intended my book to be a fast paced action thriller, and a 100 readers are falling asleep in chapter one, i have clearly failed at some or all of my intended effect. There are ways to alter that emotional effect by doing certain things. Doesn't mean it's necessarily a bad book, its just not latching unto the commonly used tools to create the "fast-paced thrill" effect that i wanted. Same as if you intended your book to have a great love triangle, or for the reader to have sympathy for one side character, or a compelling villan etc. 😂 There are common tools available to achieve that effect on your readers. That is the editing process. I think, fundamentally, if a writer makes it harder to get through reading their book, less people are going to finish that book. If a chef makes it harder to enjoy his meal, less people are going to enjoy his meal. No one owes an artist their time. If they're going to spend time on my art, i owe it to them to trim as much fat as possible.
Ana you really inspire me I finally finished my first draft of a project I’ve been working on I plan to get my mum (who is and editor to edit it.) and one day I hope to self publish! ❤
aaaaaa couldn't have said the last point better. it really sucks the soul out of writing when the market is constantly brought up. profit stomps out passion and it is awful. tysm for speaking about it !! can't wait to be able to read your project, the process inspires me to write my own book :)
The last tip is speaking from my soul. I understand that some points need to be scrubbed, but if it’s pretty, if I love it, if it maybe even has a deeper meaning? I want to keep it. l‘art pour l‘art.
Hi ana! I'm a teen writing a book.. I would love some tips, about what to do when you are stuck. I want to finish my book before my academic school year ends. I really appreciate these videos, because I am not that type of person who has that much patience. I really value authors, because now that I'm actually writing a book, I realize how much patience someone needs to have. Thank you ana!
actually i love hearing your voice !! you gave me more hope for my book and i love listening what you have and what you want to say about your point of view and your projects. your videos really help me and give me strength thank you ! i love you so much !!!
The tip about having a theme or reason for your book is so real. I had a book before that, although I had slaved away at worldbuilding and characters and all the things that are supposed to make a book, it just felt so empty or like a shell of a book. Having a reason for your book is literally like giving it a soul, it influences everything 😭😭
In the past few years I left the music industry and started my writing degree. The last tip you suggested makes me think of the bands I worked with, I was told that some weren’t marketable but if I enjoyed the band and thought they had potential, I would ignore the haters and help the band. Turns out my instincts were correct. You have made me realise it’s not so different when it come to writing, if you enjoy reading a section of your writing (that you think may have to be cut to make everyone else happy), find the potential in that section and draw it out using a different perspective or technique. I hope this makes sense 😂
I just want to say thank you so much for creating this video. I've been in the middle of 4 books with character ideas, scenes and just randomness over the past 4 years but I didn't know how to turn it into an actual book. Your tips have got me mind-blown! The best food for thought, especially the last tip/topic. Thank you again! :)
Dude! This video was so sooo helpful! Especially the last tip. I can sometimes feel like "killing my darlings" (or knowing I might need to) also kills my motivation or the joy I feel while writing (and that joy is one of the main reasons I do it.) So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping me make writing fun again!
7:31 I thought of this quote for a story that has elements of time travel, the quote went something like; "Skipping time is a mythical possibility, and a dangerous concept to tamper with." The main character of course did skip time, but the consequences were not too pleasing.
15:21 I'm so glad you brought this up. I'm so tired of people trying to "manufacture" the art of writing. Writing is art, and art cannot be manufactured. It's an escape from the world of capitalism and what is or isn't marketable. It's human expression! For all these publishing companies to force people to write a certain way in order to sell the most copies is strangely... dystopian? They only see readers as customers, a bodiless entity that only serves the transaction of buying a product. They don't see the reader as a soul begging for a new perspective and a new adventure. They only see authors as manufacturers rather than artists. they see the book as a product instead of something to be understood. It is like these people have lost the point of what writing is supposed to do for not just the reader, but the author. When you try to capitalize art, it's not art anymore. Make your book the way you want! It's YOUR book!! It's an expression of YOU. this is why i'll be self publishing. This book is going to be ME, dammit, and i'm not changing its contents to fit with the others on a shelf. I'd sooner sell them on the street corner than have someone else tell me what i can and cannot write.
Ana, your probably not gonna see this, but Im gonna put it out there. Your channel has inspired me to do and write so many things. And I dont know where Id be without YOU. I love you and your channel so much, and cannot wait to read your debut novella. Love you sm. Destiny ♡
7:40 Excuse me, WHAT?! YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD WRITER? I WANT TO READ YOUR BOOKS OMG MY JAW DROPPED ALSO, great tips! I'm a newbie and I'll make sure to put this tips into practice!! I already tried the first one and it has helped me SO much!! Txsm!!!
Thank you so much ana. I've been watching your videos often to help me look over what mistakes I've made and what I need to improve. I'm very new at writing and I want to try it out for the best. I was stuck at an obstacle which made it hard for me to have time with writing, adding onto that I also have been trying to improve my mental health. Depression and emotional suppression have got to me in so many ways, but I still push on to complete my book for everyone to see :) I am very grateful for your videos, and I wish you great success with your book! God bless
I absolutely love and enjoyed listening to what you just shared. "Do not edit your work", i like that. It makes sense and maybe out of the norm, but I see your POV. I am not a writer but I do write a lot for my work and for communication lol. This has been so helpful and practical. TQ for making this vid. Cheers
My friend and I started writing a book for fun about two dogs. I came up with the name and I find it very unique. I told my dad about it and now i’m working on my first book that’s gonna be published!
This is so creative and wonderful. I'm working on my own book, and I've been following your tips and suggestions from your other videos. I just want to thank you so much. You make the best videos ever. Keep up the good work. 🙂❤👍
I been struggling with what to write or rather what I "should" be writing, but like you said, I should really just write what i want. Its so hard to take that advice sometimes though >.
I wrote my first book (novella) 10 yrs ago. I wrote it intuitively and the characters were in my head for a long time. I did have it edited for grammar/ typos but did not want anyone changing my lines etc. Right or wrong I feel the same way as this is my art and I threw it at the world. If people responded fine if not ok. So now I have been working (in my head) on something else and I have been watching tons of writers videos, doing master classes etc to hope to get techniques to improve, but at the end of the day when I finally write this it will, again, be my art. So while I would very much love to be financially successful via my writing- it is what it is. I switched to visual arts the past five years doing mixed media collages. And while I do investigate different materials/supplies etc at the end of the day what I create I create. I work on until I intuitively know that it is done and I me myself and I love it❤
I agree with everything, this video has been very calming for me, i feel so validated after watching this, some people say I overthink it too much or I put in too much effort, thank you Ana
@@ananeu I've actually been struggling, but after receiving this reply I had an energy boost, thank you Ana, you helped me a lot with my writing journey,I hope all of your projects go well, rock them bestie!
I’ve never been able to actually write and complete a book before because I always drop them and never pick them up again, but I think these tips will really be able to help me stay with one project!! Love your videos 💕
I had this problem until I did NaNo. I don't recommend NaNo because the site is toxic and horrible, but the concept of tracking your wordcount on the daily over a certain period of time with a wordcount goal in mind got me to finish the first draft of my first book back in 2017 in just a month and a half.
I've been struggling so much 😩. I have this idea that's been with me (more like haunted me) for years. I've sadly let doubts and fears keep me from making choices and actually start 😢. I'm hoping to push thru day be day. It's been frustrating. Thank you for your content!!! I'll apply your advice!!!
It also helps to go on background music channels like RainRider Ambience,Coffee Shop Vibes etc. and to look at the different pictures to make them as settings for scenes.
Omg I’ve wanted to start writing for a while as I love English and reading but idk where to start. I love milanote!!! I’ve just started but it’s rly easy and like organised. I love how I can personalise it and it makes sense for me❤
No like Ana I completely understand. My book is so long like it's going to be almost 1000 pages but when people ask why I TELL THEM STRAIGHT UP, it's hugely character driven in the previous era of their lives and up to when they meet and actually are around each other to a certain pivotal point that changes their entire relationship. MEANING THERE'S A LOT OF CONTENT AND IT IS NOT BORING, TRUST ME, THE GENRE IS DRAMA ROMANCE. This book has been my baby for 7 years, since I was 12. It's part of my soul, and to have to cut scenes out or change the story for the PUBLIC. No. I'm writing this story how it's meant to be, for me, and whoever reads it and likes it or doesn't that's their opinion. I don't care if it's long, if it's short it isn't my story. ❤
Ana, you inspire me so much! I’m a young teenage writer hoping to publish my book one day. Your videos help me so much, and I use your tips quite often. I just wanted to say thank you! 😊 ❤
I began to nod my head repeatedly hearing the part about not allowing the market to determine your book!! It's about your thoughts, how your book flows. The plot of it, there doesn't always have to be these big twists with like omg she got murdered?! Who did it?! To get better marketing
New subscriber here!! Ngl at first, I thought Milanote wouldnt be that great cuz yknow they sponsored the video and you basically made an ad for them BUT I checked it out and it's really cool?? I think Ill try putting my plot and character ideas there when I have some free time (studying for the uni exam currently 😭)
I love your video! These are really good points and very helpful to know them! But please next time can you make chapters in your video? It really helps a lot of people to keep focus. ^w^ Edit: I tried out Milanote, and it seems so cool! I'm really excited to start using it!
Hey I’m a new subscriber from the uk and you’ve inspired me to write my first book. It’s called the girl in the locked cabin. It’s basically a psychological thriller. I started it last night and I’ve nearly finished the 1st chapter. I love your videos by the way xx
So, for my book I'm working on, I'm trying to touch in a few things, my passions, my memories, dreams, but also things I studied from a young age, cults, religion, ideology
Every video I’ve watched about tips or how to write your story has helped me soooo much and I’m using the brain vomit draft planning and it’s been so much easier to plan! Love you 🫶🏽 I’m writing a romantasy about a girl blessed with powers and a boy cursed with powers and it’s my fav trope, enemies to lovers 💕
Thanks a bunch miss! I’m a 7th grader girl who’s planning to write a book but I get so lost while working on it! Woah! Thanks a bunch for your advices! ❤️❤️ :) ^^
needed this bestie I'm planning and gonna try to discover write my project dorm person of colour romance college story although I haven't written a romance before. :)) Best wishes writers
I don't know how you thought about editing before but editing is ALWAYS about making your book better. And to make it better some things will have to change. Editing is a very important process that is part of your writing and should NOT be skipped over! I'm trying to imagine how it would be if all the novels out there would be first drafts or even rough drafts. I would probably loose my faith in reading Oo! Hope you are having a great time in the Netherlands. Sending you much love and good vibes
When I create fake scenarios in my head I'll imagine myself as a published author and like...people interviewing me on live TV 😭😭And the questions my brain come up with is 'why did you write this book?' My made up answer: I like...sort of saw an image on Pintrest. And then an entire world and characters came to me... Question: Why do your characters do what they do? Why do they look like they do? My made up answer: Because...when I imagined their face it just...looked like that. When I wondered what their personality is it just came to me. Like I hardly think about anything when I write my books. Ideas come to me without me doing anything. Whenever I get asked why I wrote the book I always hear people saying super deep themes and messages. I'm over here in the corner sipping on my drink, like...idk man. It just...happened. Like are there messages? I guess. But it didn't start like that. I wrote it because I liked the random idea that came to be with literally one picture. Side rant: the amount of 'likes' in this comment is unholy. I would fix it but I'm currently in a lazy mood 😃
I agree with you. The idea that you shouldn’t include details that don’t serve your plot is bull. It takes away personality from the story. There’s more to a story than the plot, having that extra fluff and little moments can help soften up the story.. if that makes sense. If you don’t have any of this extra fluff, it’d pretty much just be, “this is what happened, and this is what happened next.” It’s quite straightforward and right to the point. Which is good in a certain context, but lacks realism or life in your story. Sorry if this doesn’t make much sense.. I’m terrible at getting my point across. Wording my thoughts is not my strong suit.
“Bestie I’ve some good advice” Yes slay 💪🏼💪🏼 Also I’m pretty sure you can get project prison back because the same thing happened to me and I got my doc back And no, you’re not insane you made perfect sense ❤
That’s so devastating that you lost 40k words 😭 I use google docs so I think I’ll have to be cautious lol Thank you so much for the tips! I’ve recently started using Pinterest as inspiration for scenes and not just the aesthetic. Scene cards are a game changer for me!
its so funny to me when plotting out my book because it seems so short; like only 14 chapters. and then you realize how much you can build on it and it becomes like 25+. writing is so enjoyable
what app/website did you use to get the ai character portrait thing at 4:30 ? I've been looking for that exact thing to visualise my characters for the longest time!
As a well slightly practiced writer (only wrote a fan fiction so far starting my own series now idk when I’ll be finished) I can do tons of stuff for characters and plot, but can’t design a setting well, I can’t pick cause where do they live? Also for book quotes yep I am planning to do atleast one for every volume and character, and well then I just need to learn to do the art, also books message, oh no I have way more then just one. Also my story is character driven and why I’m wanting to write it? Uhhhhhhh, for fun and to give the message. And for the editing, I just have my mom do that, but yeah I still edit myself a lot, cause I want it to be perfect, I’m to much of a perfectionist, it’s not to be marketable it’s to make myself feel happy about it since I can’t have people read if I have a mistake or missing a tiny thing, and for marketing I haven’t even thought of that, I’ll get there in 10 years, and for if they have a dream write it, well I agree, I like describing more stuff- ooh good idea I need more dream scenes only had 1 so far in a non finished first book Edit: also meant like more dream scenes in future books
could you talk about how you lost a manuscript on google docs more if possible as i only use google docs and this is making me worried so I would love to know the details to see if i should change platforms
Through out my writing journey, you have helped me a lotttt... I'm currently writing a book and I really hope it publishes this year... I really wanna thank you for helping me writing it, THANK YOU ANAAAAAA ❤
I have a character who I know will fail on his mission, and I kinda want the story to be dark/chaotic academia. I literally have nothing else and my brain just goes blank every time I think about it. :’)
Im currently using google docs on my school computer to make the plot points then break down what happens when then im writing it on paper after so i wont lose it
Hi Ana! I was hoping I could request a video from you! I would love to see a video made about "Authors story bible," I love the concept of that but need a bit more of direction! Also, if we could get more videos of plotting from scratch without softwares, (more paper like, google slides, google docs.)
click here to sign up to milanote today! ➡️🤍 milanote.com/ananeu0424
Hiii
Can u do walkthroughs with milanote but on a phone pls? That’s the only thing I’m able to use to write
I have a bunch of character ideas, scenes, and random blurbs of stuff that I don't know how to incorporate into a coherent story. I hate the feeling of being stuck before even beginning.
Also, the last tip about not killing the darlings reminded me of how everyone loves ghibli movies because of these random quiet moments between all the beautiful storytelling.
So I agree. Don't cut off these small moments, especially if the pacing isn't being hindered that hard
I'm stuck on the same thing! If you find anything on how to solve this, could you please share them with me? :)
@@skyeishere180 sure thing! I'll try
I have the same problem 😩. It's like I'm paralyzed and I can't define anything , so it stays vague 😩.
@@starwing2814 perosnally i like to write different scenes first. just go in and spill all of my ideas onto the page and write whatever until my mind stops thinking of different things and ive found out that after i actually do that ideas come themselves. and also i write different scenes for one moment so that helps me to choose the favourite one :D
hii! i’ve run into this problem multiple times, but one thing i’ve learned that has really helped is figuring out which one of these random blurbs or ideas occurred first in the non-existent storyline and work from there.
my own version of the last tip is "embrace the cringe". Some may find my dnd-ish fantasy romance novel cringe, but I WANT to write the characters to be overly emotional fanfiction-style, I want to employ my favorite tropes and so on. I'm not even going to publish this novel, I'm writing it purely for my own enjoyment, as a hobby, like I used to do as a kid. (Though fanfiction readers or tumblr users could very well like this style and story, it's not like I'm not doing my best). However as I'm writing I notice stuff I wanna word better, or add, to better convey what I meant. I write my notes in a separate document (I write the novel by hand actually) and I am going to incorporate them when I edit and type the novel into a digital document.
That sounds really fun honestly. I've been wanting to try out making my characters based off of D&D character sheets.
The last tip is interesting. On the one hand, I really don't like the normalization of hiring a professional editor because it's basically gatekeeping who's allowed to be an author based on class (I cannot afford an editor, for example). But on the other hand, if I published the slop I spit out in a first draft I'd die of embarrassment. I also find a lot of my best story decisions come from editing and second drafts. There's definitely something to be said about a healthy middle-ground where you edit it yourself, but edit it the same way you wrote it, which is to say: for yourself, not an audience.
yes! u worded this so well. finding a ‘middle ground’ is important. you should edit your story so it becomes more of the book YOU want to tell. the idea about class is so interesting too. how things are so unaccessible for people, especially younger aspiring authors or single mothers for example.
To be frank with you, contributing to the arts is a mark of social class since antiquity.
If the artist cannot fund his/her own art, then he/she must be sponsored by a benefactor. Someone must pay for the production of the art.
Reading and writing were historically a mark of social class because the activities distinguished the aristocrats from the commoners who just had to work the fields all day.
On a personal level, creative writing takes a lot of time and effort and diligence to produce one work of fiction that may quickly get rejected. So, a lot of creative writers have a day job that pays the bills or a supportive family member that pays the bills.
In the world of publishing, the traditional publisher takes a risk, a gamble, on the first-time author, and if the business flops, the publisher may be unwilling to invest again.
If you really really really want to see your little book in print, then you may have to go into self-publishing. Then all costs are on you to produce a commercial product. And if you do not want to hire an external editor, then you have to self-edit and take the risk. There are a lot of self-edited and unedited stories on the Internet, and they do get readers. Whether the stories are commercially viable... that's another story.
Well. Yeah, it's messed up. That's just the way it is though...
You should be editing your work anyway before sending it to a professional. There are affordable editors on Fivver, as well as Facebook/Twitter groups too
Why are you publishing it if it’s written for yourself and not an audience?
Watching this at 2:46am on a school night so i can write the story that's been in my head for 2 years.
0:47 1st tip
2:25 2nd tip
6:20 3rd tip
9:05 4th tip
11:50 5th tip
i love you.
Write your book and then don't just go editing it a day or week later... give it and yourself a break... I wrote my first draft in January and now I'm going to edit it next month... it'll help me pick out my childish mistakes... some things that I wasn't able to explain like I wanted... it's not that to stop writing or something... start your other project or an idea that pops into your mind... [honestly, my father wants to see it in a book more than I do hehehe] LOVE YOU ANA~ ❤♾
I finished writing my book and couldn't bring myself to edit it almost all summer and now I'm going crazy and I'm 1/3 of the way there. I'm so proud
@@sugarcubefam ohhh good luck 🍀
@@goldenros_ss thank you
Hello Ana Neu, I am a young teenager looking to write a book and you have been a big inspiration for me. Whenever I get an idea for a book, I don't know how to word it or explain it. I am a visual writer as well so whenever I watch your videos it always helps me, whether I'm in the draft, or not. I really want to be a writer and if I ever become successful ill always tell them who inspired me and helped me write my books ❤
aww🤍I’m so happy xx
I love the last tip. I like the idea of getting back to writing as an artform, not as something that needs to sell and appeal to everyone. I'm new to writing and I struggled a lot with sensoring myself or editing as I write, because of the pressure I put on myself, so the last tip and the concept behind it, really helps with that. Thank you ana!
Yeah, it wouldn’t sell, if you do it for money.
Knowing the message is SO important. You don't need to have something 100% concrete or 100% perfect when you start out, or even after you finish the first draft, but having something to act as a lighthouse through the chaos of creation is incredibly helpful. Like my current main project The King of Leaves (not for April since I'm working on camp-not-camp) was a bit of a mess before I figured out the theme- why people put pressure on themselves for other's sake and the consequences of doing so- but now that I know it I can let it guide me through plotting.
And about the quotes- I'm actually doing that this month, sorta lmao A mix of that, poetry, and various in-world story excerpts to stick in the beginning for a different project of mine. As well as three short stories I've yet to touch. I may have bitten off more than I can chew!
Awesome advice as always, Ana! I disagree with the editing portion, but we all have different ways of doing things and that's totally okay!
IM SO GLAD YOU SOMEONE FINALLY SAID THE LAST POINT! As a writer whos stories don't alwasy naturally follow the template of hooks, climaxs and straight cut rises to action. I'd always wonder whether to change my stories to be more marketable, when really MY STPRY IS JUST MY STORY!
BESTIE SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THR BACKKK!!👏👏
Ana, I think you should look at editing less as "making the story objectively better" and more of "what effect do i intend the story to have on my reader?"
There are helpful tools for achieving an intended emotional effect on the readers mind, and that is what we call writing craft.
If i intended my book to be a fast paced action thriller, and a 100 readers are falling asleep in chapter one, i have clearly failed at some or all of my intended effect. There are ways to alter that emotional effect by doing certain things. Doesn't mean it's necessarily a bad book, its just not latching unto the commonly used tools to create the "fast-paced thrill" effect that i wanted.
Same as if you intended your book to have a great love triangle, or for the reader to have sympathy for one side character, or a compelling villan etc. 😂
There are common tools available to achieve that effect on your readers. That is the editing process.
I think, fundamentally, if a writer makes it harder to get through reading their book, less people are going to finish that book.
If a chef makes it harder to enjoy his meal, less people are going to enjoy his meal.
No one owes an artist their time. If they're going to spend time on my art, i owe it to them to trim as much fat as possible.
Ana you really inspire me I finally finished my first draft of a project I’ve been working on I plan to get my mum (who is and editor to edit it.) and one day I hope to self publish! ❤
I fully understand your last tip. My editor never changes my story, she just makes it read better. Great advice, you inspire me.💛
aaaaaa couldn't have said the last point better. it really sucks the soul out of writing when the market is constantly brought up. profit stomps out passion and it is awful. tysm for speaking about it !! can't wait to be able to read your project, the process inspires me to write my own book :)
The last tip is speaking from my soul. I understand that some points need to be scrubbed, but if it’s pretty, if I love it, if it maybe even has a deeper meaning? I want to keep it. l‘art pour l‘art.
Hi ana! I'm a teen writing a book.. I would love some tips, about what to do when you are stuck. I want to finish my book before my academic school year ends. I really appreciate these videos, because I am not that type of person who has that much patience. I really value authors, because now that I'm actually writing a book, I realize how much patience someone needs to have. Thank you ana!
actually i love hearing your voice !! you gave me more hope for my book and i love listening what you have and what you want to say about your point of view and your projects. your videos really help me and give me strength thank you ! i love you so much !!!
Found you recently because I've found a libe for writing, i absolutely love your videos! ❤
aaaa im in chapter one of my book and im going thru all of these vids!! good luck w urs!!
I’m writing a novel rn, hoping to get it published this year❤ you inspire me so much
omg besties gonna publish!! good luck with everything ahh!!💫🤍
@@ananeu omgg good luck to you too! Can't wait to get Ghostcide 🥰
@@ananeuI want to publish too
Good luck n best wishes to you! 🍀
The tip about having a theme or reason for your book is so real. I had a book before that, although I had slaved away at worldbuilding and characters and all the things that are supposed to make a book, it just felt so empty or like a shell of a book. Having a reason for your book is literally like giving it a soul, it influences everything 😭😭
In the past few years I left the music industry and started my writing degree. The last tip you suggested makes me think of the bands I worked with, I was told that some weren’t marketable but if I enjoyed the band and thought they had potential, I would ignore the haters and help the band. Turns out my instincts were correct. You have made me realise it’s not so different when it come to writing, if you enjoy reading a section of your writing (that you think may have to be cut to make everyone else happy), find the potential in that section and draw it out using a different perspective or technique. I hope this makes sense 😂
I just want to say thank you so much for creating this video. I've been in the middle of 4 books with character ideas, scenes and just randomness over the past 4 years but I didn't know how to turn it into an actual book. Your tips have got me mind-blown! The best food for thought, especially the last tip/topic. Thank you again! :)
Dude! This video was so sooo helpful! Especially the last tip. I can sometimes feel like "killing my darlings" (or knowing I might need to) also kills my motivation or the joy I feel while writing (and that joy is one of the main reasons I do it.) So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping me make writing fun again!
7:31 I thought of this quote for a story that has elements of time travel, the quote went something like; "Skipping time is a mythical possibility, and a dangerous concept to tamper with."
The main character of course did skip time, but the consequences were not too pleasing.
WAKE UP THE QUEEN POSTEDDDDDDDD
15:21 I'm so glad you brought this up. I'm so tired of people trying to "manufacture" the art of writing. Writing is art, and art cannot be manufactured. It's an escape from the world of capitalism and what is or isn't marketable. It's human expression! For all these publishing companies to force people to write a certain way in order to sell the most copies is strangely... dystopian? They only see readers as customers, a bodiless entity that only serves the transaction of buying a product. They don't see the reader as a soul begging for a new perspective and a new adventure. They only see authors as manufacturers rather than artists. they see the book as a product instead of something to be understood. It is like these people have lost the point of what writing is supposed to do for not just the reader, but the author. When you try to capitalize art, it's not art anymore. Make your book the way you want! It's YOUR book!! It's an expression of YOU.
this is why i'll be self publishing. This book is going to be ME, dammit, and i'm not changing its contents to fit with the others on a shelf. I'd sooner sell them on the street corner than have someone else tell me what i can and cannot write.
HELL YEAH! If you do end up publishing what are you going to title it
@ I'm not sure yet! Beyond the Knight's Sky is the one i'm toying with at the moment!
@baddieaddidas that sounds fire 😭
Ana, your probably not gonna see this, but Im gonna put it out there. Your channel has inspired me to do and write so many things. And I dont know where Id be without YOU. I love you and your channel so much, and cannot wait to read your debut novella. Love you sm.
Destiny ♡
WAKE UP! Ana posted!
u got it bestie!!🤍🙌
7:40 Excuse me, WHAT?! YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD WRITER? I WANT TO READ YOUR BOOKS OMG MY JAW DROPPED
ALSO, great tips! I'm a newbie and I'll make sure to put this tips into practice!! I already tried the first one and it has helped me SO much!! Txsm!!!
Thank you so much ana. I've been watching your videos often to help me look over what mistakes I've made and what I need to improve. I'm very new at writing and I want to try it out for the best. I was stuck at an obstacle which made it hard for me to have time with writing, adding onto that I also have been trying to improve my mental health. Depression and emotional suppression have got to me in so many ways, but I still push on to complete my book for everyone to see :) I am very grateful for your videos, and I wish you great success with your book! God bless
I absolutely love and enjoyed listening to what you just shared. "Do not edit your work", i like that. It makes sense and maybe out of the norm, but I see your POV. I am not a writer but I do write a lot for my work and for communication lol. This has been so helpful and practical. TQ for making this vid. Cheers
My friend and I started writing a book for fun about two dogs. I came up with the name and I find it very unique. I told my dad about it and now i’m working on my first book that’s gonna be published!
Omggg, love your tips, they are truly always so helpful!!! Amazing as always 👏😌
This is so creative and wonderful. I'm working on my own book, and I've been following your tips and suggestions from your other videos. I just want to thank you so much. You make the best videos ever. Keep up the good work. 🙂❤👍
Thanks so much! The Pinterest tip really helped out my story so i could really visualize the characters and the kingdoms (for my story)!
Yay Ana posted! And thank you for all the writing tips Ana they are super helpful ❤
your videos have been inspiring me to start my first novel! i’m so excited to see this new video :))
aww yay! can’t wait to hear more about ur novel!!🤗🤍 u can do this 🙌
Being a visual writer too this is so helpful.
I been struggling with what to write or rather what I "should" be writing, but like you said, I should really just write what i want. Its so hard to take that advice sometimes though >.
I love Milanote!! I just started using it a month ago and it's so amazing even the free version!
I wrote my first book (novella) 10 yrs ago. I wrote it intuitively and the characters were in my head for a long time. I did have it edited for grammar/ typos but did not want anyone changing my lines etc. Right or wrong I feel the same way as this is my art and I threw it at the world. If people responded fine if not ok. So now I have been working (in my head) on something else and I have been watching tons of writers videos, doing master classes etc to hope to get techniques to improve, but at the end of the day when I finally write this it will, again, be my art. So while I would very much love to be financially successful via my writing- it is what it is. I switched to visual arts the past five years doing mixed media collages. And while I do investigate different materials/supplies etc at the end of the day what I create I create. I work on until I intuitively know that it is done and I me myself and I love it❤
Your videos literally inspire me to never give up on my projects.
u can do it bestie!!🐱🤍
You’re advises really are good! I wished I saw them earlier.
Your hair looks so pretty today!!
thank you so much for these tips!! i’m 17 and hoping to publish my first book of my series next year (if everything goes as planned)
I agree with everything, this video has been very calming for me, i feel so validated after watching this, some people say I overthink it too much or I put in too much effort, thank you Ana
im so happy to receive such a beautiful comment.🤍🙇🏼♀️I hope ur projects are going well bestie xx
@@ananeu I've actually been struggling, but after receiving this reply I had an energy boost, thank you Ana, you helped me a lot with my writing journey,I hope all of your projects go well, rock them bestie!
I’ve never been able to actually write and complete a book before because I always drop them and never pick them up again, but I think these tips will really be able to help me stay with one project!! Love your videos 💕
I had this problem until I did NaNo. I don't recommend NaNo because the site is toxic and horrible, but the concept of tracking your wordcount on the daily over a certain period of time with a wordcount goal in mind got me to finish the first draft of my first book back in 2017 in just a month and a half.
im so happy! thank u for being so sweet!😘😘
I've been struggling so much 😩. I have this idea that's been with me (more like haunted me) for years. I've sadly let doubts and fears keep me from making choices and actually start 😢. I'm hoping to push thru day be day. It's been frustrating. Thank you for your content!!! I'll apply your advice!!!
'I saw that child, I saw the crown, That is supposed to be mine'
Ruhroh (that sounds fire)
I love your writing! :)
Yo same, I used pages until I lost 50 pages, now I only use Word!
Ana ur hair is BEATIFUL OMGGGGG
It really is gorgeous!
It also helps to go on background music channels like RainRider Ambience,Coffee Shop Vibes etc. and to look at the different pictures to make them as settings for scenes.
It's the weekend again, so I'm watching Ana Neu 🖤
Omg I’ve wanted to start writing for a while as I love English and reading but idk where to start. I love milanote!!! I’ve just started but it’s rly easy and like organised. I love how I can personalise it and it makes sense for me❤
No like Ana I completely understand. My book is so long like it's going to be almost 1000 pages but when people ask why I TELL THEM STRAIGHT UP, it's hugely character driven in the previous era of their lives and up to when they meet and actually are around each other to a certain pivotal point that changes their entire relationship. MEANING THERE'S A LOT OF CONTENT AND IT IS NOT BORING, TRUST ME, THE GENRE IS DRAMA ROMANCE. This book has been my baby for 7 years, since I was 12. It's part of my soul, and to have to cut scenes out or change the story for the PUBLIC. No. I'm writing this story how it's meant to be, for me, and whoever reads it and likes it or doesn't that's their opinion. I don't care if it's long, if it's short it isn't my story. ❤
I'm making a book series cause otherwise it would be too long it's been my baby since I was 11
Can’t wait to watch
I actually print out pictures from pinterest pin them and even print some out and put it in my writing journal!
Jeez, I remember you having 5k subscribers, amazing video and congratulations on success❤
Ana, you inspire me so much! I’m a young teenage writer hoping to publish my book one day. Your videos help me so much, and I use your tips quite often. I just wanted to say thank you! 😊 ❤
aww bestie im so soooo excited for u! ur going to do great things 🤍🌸
@@ananeu Thank you so much! That means a lot to me 😅❤️
Agree with the editing point…keeps the energy 🙏🏻👍✨
I began to nod my head repeatedly hearing the part about not allowing the market to determine your book!! It's about your thoughts, how your book flows. The plot of it, there doesn't always have to be these big twists with like omg she got murdered?! Who did it?! To get better marketing
This came out at the perfect time, since I've been developing my novel for Camp NaNo. Thank you!
New subscriber here!! Ngl at first, I thought Milanote wouldnt be that great cuz yknow they sponsored the video and you basically made an ad for them BUT I checked it out and it's really cool?? I think Ill try putting my plot and character ideas there when I have some free time (studying for the uni exam currently 😭)
you're not insane your advice is totally valid and helpful thank you 💗
I love your video! These are really good points and very helpful to know them!
But please next time can you make chapters in your video? It really helps a lot of people to keep focus. ^w^
Edit: I tried out Milanote, and it seems so cool! I'm really excited to start using it!
I really liked your closing rant and agree 100 percent.
Hey I’m a new subscriber from the uk and you’ve inspired me to write my first book. It’s called the girl in the locked cabin. It’s basically a psychological thriller. I started it last night and I’ve nearly finished the 1st chapter. I love your videos by the way xx
So, for my book I'm working on, I'm trying to touch in a few things, my passions, my memories, dreams, but also things I studied from a young age, cults, religion, ideology
THAT SOUNDS SICK OMG 🎀
ooo ty im just starting to get the idea of my book (based off of a prank) and im writting a short story first
These tips are authentic and uplift the spirits to write ❤
Every video I’ve watched about tips or how to write your story has helped me soooo much and I’m using the brain vomit draft planning and it’s been so much easier to plan! Love you 🫶🏽 I’m writing a romantasy about a girl blessed with powers and a boy cursed with powers and it’s my fav trope, enemies to lovers 💕
That sounds amazing!
@@Ebony.B thanks 😊
@@alyssanorashid8479 np, I would actually read that
@@Ebony.B wow tysm
Thanks a bunch miss! I’m a 7th grader girl who’s planning to write a book but I get so lost while working on it! Woah! Thanks a bunch for your advices! ❤️❤️ :) ^^
These tips are really helpful!!
needed this bestie I'm planning and gonna try to discover write my project dorm person of colour romance college story although I haven't written a romance before. :)) Best wishes writers
I started a writing project for April and I really need this. Thank you ❤
i think we might have the same mind lmao
loved the tips and couldn’t agree more with them, love u 🤍🤍
I don't know how you thought about editing before but editing is ALWAYS about making your book better. And to make it better some things will have to change. Editing is a very important process that is part of your writing and should NOT be skipped over! I'm trying to imagine how it would be if all the novels out there would be first drafts or even rough drafts. I would probably loose my faith in reading Oo!
Hope you are having a great time in the Netherlands.
Sending you much love and good vibes
When I create fake scenarios in my head I'll imagine myself as a published author and like...people interviewing me on live TV 😭😭And the questions my brain come up with is 'why did you write this book?'
My made up answer: I like...sort of saw an image on Pintrest. And then an entire world and characters came to me...
Question: Why do your characters do what they do? Why do they look like they do?
My made up answer: Because...when I imagined their face it just...looked like that. When I wondered what their personality is it just came to me.
Like I hardly think about anything when I write my books. Ideas come to me without me doing anything. Whenever I get asked why I wrote the book I always hear people saying super deep themes and messages. I'm over here in the corner sipping on my drink, like...idk man. It just...happened. Like are there messages? I guess. But it didn't start like that. I wrote it because I liked the random idea that came to be with literally one picture.
Side rant: the amount of 'likes' in this comment is unholy. I would fix it but I'm currently in a lazy mood
😃
I agree with you. The idea that you shouldn’t include details that don’t serve your plot is bull. It takes away personality from the story. There’s more to a story than the plot, having that extra fluff and little moments can help soften up the story.. if that makes sense. If you don’t have any of this extra fluff, it’d pretty much just be, “this is what happened, and this is what happened next.” It’s quite straightforward and right to the point. Which is good in a certain context, but lacks realism or life in your story. Sorry if this doesn’t make much sense.. I’m terrible at getting my point across. Wording my thoughts is not my strong suit.
“Bestie I’ve some good advice”
Yes slay 💪🏼💪🏼
Also I’m pretty sure you can get project prison back because the same thing happened to me and I got my doc back
And no, you’re not insane you made perfect sense ❤
weee slay. besite i can’t wait for all our stories to be on the shelf some day🤍🥺
Thank you for these😭💗
ur welcome bestie! anything for y’all xx
i love how she loves her job
Thank you sooo much! This is really helpful for writing my book 😁
That’s so devastating that you lost 40k words 😭 I use google docs so I think I’ll have to be cautious lol
Thank you so much for the tips! I’ve recently started using Pinterest as inspiration for scenes and not just the aesthetic. Scene cards are a game changer for me!
its so funny to me when plotting out my book because it seems so short; like only 14 chapters. and then you realize how much you can build on it and it becomes like 25+. writing is so enjoyable
what app/website did you use to get the ai character portrait thing at 4:30 ? I've been looking for that exact thing to visualise my characters for the longest time!
wait i'm just wondering if you'd do either like a milanote tutorial or a tour?? i'd really appreciate it!
ooo that sounds so great!!🤍✨
As a well slightly practiced writer (only wrote a fan fiction so far starting my own series now idk when I’ll be finished) I can do tons of stuff for characters and plot, but can’t design a setting well, I can’t pick cause where do they live? Also for book quotes yep I am planning to do atleast one for every volume and character, and well then I just need to learn to do the art, also books message, oh no I have way more then just one. Also my story is character driven and why I’m wanting to write it? Uhhhhhhh, for fun and to give the message. And for the editing, I just have my mom do that, but yeah I still edit myself a lot, cause I want it to be perfect, I’m to much of a perfectionist, it’s not to be marketable it’s to make myself feel happy about it since I can’t have people read if I have a mistake or missing a tiny thing, and for marketing I haven’t even thought of that, I’ll get there in 10 years, and for if they have a dream write it, well I agree, I like describing more stuff- ooh good idea I need more dream scenes only had 1 so far in a non finished first book
Edit: also meant like more dream scenes in future books
I love this!!
thank u!🌷🤍
could you talk about how you lost a manuscript on google docs more if possible as i only use google docs and this is making me worried so I would love to know the details to see if i should change platforms
Through out my writing journey, you have helped me a lotttt...
I'm currently writing a book and I really hope it publishes this year...
I really wanna thank you for helping me writing it,
THANK YOU ANAAAAAA ❤
I have a character who I know will fail on his mission, and I kinda want the story to be dark/chaotic academia. I literally have nothing else and my brain just goes blank every time I think about it. :’)
Im currently using google docs on my school computer to make the plot points then break down what happens when then im writing it on paper after so i wont lose it
Hi Ana! I was hoping I could request a video from you! I would love to see a video made about "Authors story bible," I love the concept of that but need a bit more of direction! Also, if we could get more videos of plotting from scratch without softwares, (more paper like, google slides, google docs.)
I've so many stories in my head at a present time and it's really hard to work on only one of them...And now it's frustrating me
Thank you. Appreciate your advice.
This is hard for me, im a young writer and cant buy a computer sk ive been writing in a journal and i try with my phone 😰 but its hard.