IM SCREAMING I JUST SENT MY MS TO MY BETA!! My first ever novel ahhhhh. Also love your hair, your mug, and your bookcases! You’re like a book writing princess.
When it comes to balancing subplots with the main plot, a great piece of advice I heard is to, of course, let the protagonist carry the main theme and every other character subplot be a different exploration/answer to that theme. Example: Main theme: trust Protagonist, character A: Naive, trusts everyone blindly because he believes in the goodness of people regardless of who they are. Character B: distances himself from people because he's been abandoned by his loved ones before and doesn't trust anyone anymore. Character C: believes you have to prove your loyalty in order to be trusted by him/her. Character D: Believes trust is repairable with time and effort. Think you get the point. Another great piece of info from Anatomy of Story by John Truby (also a great one for psychology geeks, exploring the concept of personal values) is this: "Structure (plot) doesn't just carry content, it IS content. Theme should be primarily expressed through structure (through the way you order scenes/info). The final battle between your protagonist and antagonist determines not just who wins, but which values/morals are superior (aka theme)." Love your videos Abbie! They challenge me to think and always get me straight into writing mode. :D
Totally agree. I think theme and truth are a bit different in meaning. And I love when there is nuance to a "theme" or "truth" because very few things are black and white. So I prefer when the idea of a theme being more general with sub-themes being explored through the different characters. Thanks for the book recommendation! :)
Honestly, I'm not doing well. I managed to stay strong up until about the end of August but i inevitably burnt out and am suffering one of the most difficult stretches of anxiety and depression that I've ever been through BUT i found my way back to writing just before slipping into this bout and focusing on a new plot idea has been one of the only things giving me an escape and keeping me from totally slipping away. Ive always struggled with plotting and your videos have been helping and inspiring me so much so thank you seriously
I just realized, as you were talking about pacing, I unconsciously wrote certain intense parts of my action scenes in details to make it intentionally slo-mo. I feel validated! Hopefully it actually works instead of just sucks.
Hi Abbie! I'm still developing the characters of my story and I decided to paint a watercolor portrait of my MC and two major side characters to get a better sense of who they are. Thanks for posting the writing challenge!
My mental health has suffered recently, given the lack of activity. My mind has a horrible habit of wandering into darkness no matter what I do to promote wellness in my life. Thoughts that I'm a horrible writer and just worthless space. Uncertainty of what to do day to day... I am fighting it, however, by watching fun TV and writing a new story. Little by little, the story is forming. Thank you for being here and talking to us, Abbie.
Taking the sketch of an outline and - thank you again for recommending Lisa Cron's "Story Genius," - meticulously outlining it and fleshing it out with scene cards. With nowhere to go, it's a case of no time like the present. This is already shaping up to be a better book than my first novel, and MUCH easier to write! I always had a clear idea of what I wanted to say (where I wanted the reader to end up). Prior to your excellent content and "Story Genius' I had no path for getting there. Ending up where you want to be and taking the reader along with you to a satisfying conclusion is SO MUCH EASIER with a roadmap! Your devoted fan, Linda
I’ve recently been discovering my passion for screenwriting, and I’m really enjoying exploring that, as it’s really fulfilling work for me. I’m currently working on three “episodes” or short stories featuring my characters, and I’m having a blast exploring the characters and world.
Hi all. New here but I'm really enjoying Abbie's content. It's well researched/thought-out and always very positive. Like many others, I've had a hard time writing for the last few weeks. It seems to help if I spend some time polishing the mostly finished chapters (with mood music) before attacking the new ones. I've also been trying to call a few of my friends every week - sometimes just talking is nice.
Hi Abbie! I just subscribed a week or two or three ago (what is time) and I wanted to thank you! The way you explain concepts, how you breakdown writing a story, is really helpful. I'm in the outlining process of my first novel and thanks to you my character breakdowns are all done and I know even my side characters better than expected and had a lot of fun doing it. I'm going through another pass of my outline to fill in the holes, and I've been watching your videos everyday because they really get me in the creative writing mood and inspire me to push myself to complete something I've always wanted to do. Thank you!
I’ve been in the thick of this longer than most people, I’m an English teacher in China, the first month went well, and I made great progress in writing, but it’s now three going on four months and the drain is getting intense. Particularly the stress of worrying about money and my future here. I haven’t wrote in weeks, too mentally dragged.
I'm rewriting my 2019 NaNo novel. Making myself write because when am I ever going to have this much free time. Staying positive but definitely have those moments .... Thanks for all this positivity and great advice.
Doing okay, working in a health care facility so I am grateful to be working. Working on a final draft for my portal science fantasy novel. Always great to get your videos they provide a great distraction. Thanks for what you do!
Please don't stop making these videos. I can't live without these videos, I will always be your fan💙. I hope everyone will get better through these hard times.
Thanks for another great piece of content, Abbie :) Your posts bring me joy haha. I've been ok for the most part. At first, I was optimistic and everything didn't really bother me. Then things starting getting messier and messier, personally, professionally, globally... Personally, my hubs was laid off so that's a stresser. Professionally, my job cut our hours and pay. Globally, well... we all know what's going on there. So, haven't been writing much, just mostly been consuming content and art instead of producing it. Which is something that has to happen sometimes. But enough griping -- hope you and Kate are doing well! Still catching up on the podcast (the episodes are long, fam! But I love it) and getting by. Taking it day by day. Thank you for providing such a great community! Definitely brings a sense of camaraderie.
Physically I'm fine, but mentally, I'm having a lot of trouble with mental problems. I can't concentrate and I feel that my story is suffering with that.
You're so right about getting creative during this is. Writing does feel frivolous in comparison to what's happening in the world. I've been consuming more books and movies as well just to be able to create.
Still healthy. Finished the outlines to more of my sci-fi and horror anthology series. Almost done both series. Started with plots, moving onto protagonist bios soon.
Hey guys! I'm wondering if an actively passive character would work? This character has a fear of failure and doesn't like to make stressful decisions, and often tries to avoid them, whether through procrastination or running away. The theme is centered around this, how we can't run away from our problems and that to get anything you want, you must risk failing. Thank you.
IMHO, passive characters tend to be more plot-driven. They can feel like they have less agency because they are mostly reacting to the events around them. You might be able to improve that a bit by letting them work towards a goal, but have their ability to achieve that goal depend on the actions of other characters. Just a thought.
People don't like passive characters because they feel those characters should exercise some control over their life in some way, by taking responsibility for it. That sentiment is the _point_ of your character's story, so I would think that it would work. You should be warned though that if people think your character is not going to learn anything they'll probably give up before the end. This strikes me as something that would work best for a side character and not the protagonist. You're welcome for the screenplay links, btw
I can see this working. You have a chance to explore the consequences of bad decisions. I would just recommend to avoid repetitive decisions. So like instead always having the MC just simply run away, I'd enjoy reading about how they think they're running away when they're actually making a choice but don't realize it, and how that comes back to affect the MC
I'm actually writing a book now with a similar character type. What I'm doing is having my character procrastinate by choosing to do something else that actually has a HUGE impact in the story later on. My advice would be to try to tie every choice your MC makes into the plot, so that it means something (:
Physically I'm doing well, mentally (writing is my escape at the moment) it could be better, and I wrote my first 'novel'. I wrote 'novel' since it isn't 50 thousand words but I'm hoping to get there and I already started the sequel I want. I've also written 3 short stories and have those printed out, also printed out my first story. So it is going well I believe
The storms have driven my family north from Key West to Lake County. I have to rebuild two homes down there. I found a nice house and now have an office that is high and dry. My mother died last year not because of Covid, but because of constant exposure to talcum powder. Thank you for you videos. You inspired me to transition my stories from screenplay to novel. I have fourteen chapters, a prologue and an epilogue due to your wonderful advice. Editing is an explicative however. Did I just spell that right?
I'm doing very well! I've been binging all of your videos to help with my new book, I'm super super excited about!! Much love and keep going strong everyone! :)
I really enjoyed your advice on creativity, I'm struggling with that right now. Your videos are always so helpful, I can't help binge-watching. Stay safe❤
Could you do a video over how to join and find critique groups. What we should look for and avoid. And how to be a contributing member of the chat. Also are they free, if not what’s the cost? What other sites should authors know about to enhance their skills?
Hi Abbie! I’m doing okay and I’m excited to work on writing a fantasy adventure novel that involves finding missing gemstones 😁It’s because of your amazing videos that I’m finding the motivation to write again so thank you. 💞
I’m doing okay. Yesterday was kinda rough cause my anxiety’s been kinda bad rn, but other then that, I’m good. I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy.
I know it's a few years later but I'm frustrated. I wrote my entire first draft through the MMC1's POV. and I'm like "I want both POV, I don't think we get enough of MMC2's story, and it will enhance it." Well, while writing a chapter I realize MMC1 is falling for another guy from his childhood. I'm like, "I can see them together. Such a cute couple." So, now I'm writing that story and while I know it'll be great when it's done, I'm struggle to really get it on the page how their relationship develops. I've had the meet cute, and now I have to go to MMC2's POV and decide how to write for him. So much fun.
I'm not writing anything new, but I'm revising some old manuscripts. I'm also put in my garden and making videos about it and putting them on my channel.
I'm doing it like shit. They sent me home from my job without pay for the duration of the quarantine and since the area of my city has the highest number of infections in the region, I need a safe conduit even to buy in a grocery store, so I can't even work distributing things. And I'm working on my second comic script. It is an urban fantasy of a young woman who learns necromancy and delves into the occult world of the city.
Hi Abbie! Ir's been hard to find motivation to write when I'm struggling with my first year teaching. I'm writing a superhero origin story and have started reading Save the Cat Writes a Novel in the hope it will help with plotting.
I am doing well actually but I’ve stayed inside and written a ton of stuff on my novel. I have a question though. In a romance novel, the love story plot (internal plot) is the most important. How do I weave the external plot (the reason they are around each other) seamlessly into the internal/romance plot? Do I do the 3 act story structure for both plots? Please please please help.
Me and my family are doing pretty well. I’m trying to finish my school as well as keep up with reading and writing my outline, and I’m super excited to get into the drafting part! Question: how do you know when the fun and games portion of your book is too long or too short?
I'm writing my first book - but definitely can't share at this time. It's a fun feeling when you have a story actually worth telling; however, I do admit that I shoot down any and all of my B-grade story ideas. Maybe there's something to salvage from later on. Do you Writers have story graveyards?
Btw I actually sent you a message on your writers webpage about this too. ( it says it is from Jadyn, but still the same thing. you should check it out) I am writing a dystopian book in first person POV. I have sub characters, but there is a point in the book where the MC has to leave the city, so she isn’t with the sub characters. I have watched your videos on sub plots and characters, but I’m still not sure how to developer my characters and not just have them there as hold fillers. I don’t know how to make good sub plots if my main character isn’t near the sub characters.
Abbie in April 2020: "It is a difficult time, there are so many terrible things happening in the world right now." Me, a European watching this in June 2022: "Oh, we were such sweet summer children..."
I miss my friends so much. When I came back from college, I had all these plans to see them and catch up them. Now I can’t. Video chatting has been helpful, but it’s not the same as seeing them in person. As writing goes, my goal for Camp NaNoWriMo hasn’t been focused as much word count. I’m more focused on setting the scene and expanding internal thoughts. I’ve realized that I tend to only focus on the plot, but not on where my characters are and how they’re feeling. I’m so worried about boring readers that I barely touch on the descriptions and feelings. Even if I don’t succeed my word count for Camp NaNoWriMo, I think it’s been great learning things about myself and my writing habits!
Sounds like you should think about a transition to screenwriting. All you'd need is to learn formatting, maybe get your hands on the right software. Ostensibly the Hollywood desire is that lines of description are sparse, and references to feelings are to be omitted entirely. This is because directors and actors are fragile little ego-babies, who don't like being told what to do by *loathesome* writers. - or something, idk, I've always found this "mandate" weird. But if it helps you that it (supposedly) exists, maybe you're in a position to take advantage. I should say that if you're sticking with prose, and/or your stories are too long for screenplays you're going to want to describe *something* or you _will_ bore your reader. From what I hear anecdotally most people will tolerate a lack of physical description of action moreso than what's going on in a character's headspace. Either way you really should get over the idea that readers can't handle your characters' feelings. Sounds like low confidence in your story might be underlying this issue. After all, if you don't think what's going on with your characters will be interesting to readers, it stands to reason you don't think what's going on *_is_* interesting.
When you say repeat it, do you mean repeat it in order: 1, 2, 3 or repeat it like repeat 2 multiple times to fit across all of the books other than the 1st and last?
What if the side character doesn’t really arc but the protagonist realizes that their opinion of this person changes and this supports the protagonist’s arc change? Do side characters need to have an arc?
Abby, when you say you've started writing a new book do you mean that you're in the process of outlining or are you flying by the seat of your pants on this one?
Gutted. I really enjoy dialogue in stories but your video about dialogue is copyrighted in my country 😟 Is there any other video you've mentioned your points in?
I don't feel that writing is frivolous, but I certainly have had moments where I've felt my characters' problems are frivolous compared to what's happening in the real world!
Well, life has been crazy!!! I launched my debut novel this week and it didn't do well. My Arc team has been great and is very supportive. due to having so many authors giving away their books in my genre away for free no one is buying. i didn't know how to advertise because of that. I am also not working my other job (seasonal) and so paying for advertising isn't going to happen now. good things: my readers want book two in the series and a couple readers want to be Beta readers. i am going to start editing it soon. and i am starting to write book three. (i have outlined it already). i am very excited about that story. so besides publishing my writing has been going pretty well. I am in your group, #Startyourstorychellenge and it has been great!!!
@@futurestoryteller Well, I've been angry for a long time at society for never accepting me, and I realized no one would ever actually care about my writing. So I lost it and wrote some nasty posts, like "Go coronavirus go! Kill as many normies as you can!" Then people were throwing insults at me and I said horrible things back at them. Then I talked to a few people who were offering some advice for dealing with my problems. Later, I wrote an apology post, and got a lot of support for it from the people I was fighting with. But alas, I still got blocked. And that fucken sucks :(
Does she even read these comments? She only answers the questions of people who pay her. For someone who seems very positive and chipper, and outwardly expresses a lot of concern, and puts a lot of weight on community and empathy this seems very cynical.
IM SCREAMING I JUST SENT MY MS TO MY BETA!! My first ever novel ahhhhh. Also love your hair, your mug, and your bookcases! You’re like a book writing princess.
Wow - that's great! Finishing one is a HUGE accomplishment. Gratz!
Good luck!!!
congratulations!!!
Sarah G
Good luck :)
Congratulations!
When it comes to balancing subplots with the main plot, a great piece of advice I heard is to, of course, let the protagonist carry the main theme and every other character subplot be a different exploration/answer to that theme. Example:
Main theme: trust
Protagonist, character A: Naive, trusts everyone blindly because he believes in the goodness of people regardless of who they are.
Character B: distances himself from people because he's been abandoned by his loved ones before and doesn't trust anyone anymore.
Character C: believes you have to prove your loyalty in order to be trusted by him/her.
Character D: Believes trust is repairable with time and effort.
Think you get the point. Another great piece of info from Anatomy of Story by John Truby (also a great one for psychology geeks, exploring the concept of personal values) is this: "Structure (plot) doesn't just carry content, it IS content. Theme should be primarily expressed through structure (through the way you order scenes/info). The final battle between your protagonist and antagonist determines not just who wins, but which values/morals are superior (aka theme)."
Love your videos Abbie! They challenge me to think and always get me straight into writing mode. :D
Totally agree. I think theme and truth are a bit different in meaning. And I love when there is nuance to a "theme" or "truth" because very few things are black and white. So I prefer when the idea of a theme being more general with sub-themes being explored through the different characters.
Thanks for the book recommendation! :)
Thanks for sharing.
Honestly, I'm not doing well. I managed to stay strong up until about the end of August but i inevitably burnt out and am suffering one of the most difficult stretches of anxiety and depression that I've ever been through BUT i found my way back to writing just before slipping into this bout and focusing on a new plot idea has been one of the only things giving me an escape and keeping me from totally slipping away.
Ive always struggled with plotting and your videos have been helping and inspiring me so much so thank you seriously
I just realized, as you were talking about pacing, I unconsciously wrote certain intense parts of my action scenes in details to make it intentionally slo-mo. I feel validated! Hopefully it actually works instead of just sucks.
Hi Abbie! I'm still developing the characters of my story and I decided to paint a watercolor portrait of my MC and two major side characters to get a better sense of who they are. Thanks for posting the writing challenge!
I'm in that stage of my writing now
Love the content! But your hair looks so cute today!
Did anyone else think of Watchmen when she said "How can anyone not love a book that's yellow with a smiley face on the cover?"
My mental health has suffered recently, given the lack of activity. My mind has a horrible habit of wandering into darkness no matter what I do to promote wellness in my life. Thoughts that I'm a horrible writer and just worthless space. Uncertainty of what to do day to day... I am fighting it, however, by watching fun TV and writing a new story. Little by little, the story is forming. Thank you for being here and talking to us, Abbie.
SHE IS THE MOST TALENTED AUTHOR! Thank god she has success (from hard work and effort... and people call it luck) THANKS!!
Taking the sketch of an outline and - thank you again for recommending Lisa Cron's "Story Genius," - meticulously outlining it and fleshing it out with scene cards. With nowhere to go, it's a case of no time like the present. This is already shaping up to be a better book than my first novel, and MUCH easier to write! I always had a clear idea of what I wanted to say (where I wanted the reader to end up). Prior to your excellent content and "Story Genius' I had no path for getting there. Ending up where you want to be and taking the reader along with you to a satisfying conclusion is SO MUCH EASIER with a roadmap! Your devoted fan, Linda
Your makeup is literally on point 😍
I’ve recently been discovering my passion for screenwriting, and I’m really enjoying exploring that, as it’s really fulfilling work for me. I’m currently working on three “episodes” or short stories featuring my characters, and I’m having a blast exploring the characters and world.
Personally not a writer, but always curious to take a listen in on other creatives' mind movements! Great video Abbie, keep it up!
Hi all. New here but I'm really enjoying Abbie's content. It's well researched/thought-out and always very positive. Like many others, I've had a hard time writing for the last few weeks. It seems to help if I spend some time polishing the mostly finished chapters (with mood music) before attacking the new ones. I've also been trying to call a few of my friends every week - sometimes just talking is nice.
Hi Abbie! I just subscribed a week or two or three ago (what is time) and I wanted to thank you! The way you explain concepts, how you breakdown writing a story, is really helpful. I'm in the outlining process of my first novel and thanks to you my character breakdowns are all done and I know even my side characters better than expected and had a lot of fun doing it. I'm going through another pass of my outline to fill in the holes, and I've been watching your videos everyday because they really get me in the creative writing mood and inspire me to push myself to complete something I've always wanted to do. Thank you!
I’ve been in the thick of this longer than most people, I’m an English teacher in China, the first month went well, and I made great progress in writing, but it’s now three going on four months and the drain is getting intense. Particularly the stress of worrying about money and my future here. I haven’t wrote in weeks, too mentally dragged.
I'm rewriting my 2019 NaNo novel. Making myself write because when am I ever going to have this much free time. Staying positive but definitely have those moments .... Thanks for all this positivity and great advice.
I have a terrible case of ‘so bored that I can’t even start wring’
Try a little world building outside your story! Make some other small story in your world to try and get you invested in your world.
Doing okay, working in a health care facility so I am grateful to be working. Working on a final draft for my portal science fantasy novel. Always great to get your videos they provide a great distraction. Thanks for what you do!
Please don't stop making these videos. I can't live without these videos, I will always be your fan💙. I hope everyone will get better through these hard times.
Thanks for another great piece of content, Abbie :) Your posts bring me joy haha.
I've been ok for the most part. At first, I was optimistic and everything didn't really bother me. Then things starting getting messier and messier, personally, professionally, globally... Personally, my hubs was laid off so that's a stresser. Professionally, my job cut our hours and pay. Globally, well... we all know what's going on there. So, haven't been writing much, just mostly been consuming content and art instead of producing it. Which is something that has to happen sometimes. But enough griping -- hope you and Kate are doing well! Still catching up on the podcast (the episodes are long, fam! But I love it) and getting by. Taking it day by day. Thank you for providing such a great community! Definitely brings a sense of camaraderie.
just ordered one of your books and im so excited about it!
Physically I'm fine, but mentally, I'm having a lot of trouble with mental problems. I can't concentrate and I feel that my story is suffering with that.
Gisele Dute I feel you :( I hope things start looking up soon!
@@vivannagonzalez5976 thanks
You're so right about getting creative during this is. Writing does feel frivolous in comparison to what's happening in the world. I've been consuming more books and movies as well just to be able to create.
Still healthy. Finished the outlines to more of my sci-fi and horror anthology series. Almost done both series. Started with plots, moving onto protagonist bios soon.
Hey guys! I'm wondering if an actively passive character would work? This character has a fear of failure and doesn't like to make stressful decisions, and often tries to avoid them, whether through procrastination or running away. The theme is centered around this, how we can't run away from our problems and that to get anything you want, you must risk failing.
Thank you.
Master of Goobery Sounds good to me!
IMHO, passive characters tend to be more plot-driven. They can feel like they have less agency because they are mostly reacting to the events around them. You might be able to improve that a bit by letting them work towards a goal, but have their ability to achieve that goal depend on the actions of other characters. Just a thought.
People don't like passive characters because they feel those characters should exercise some control over their life in some way, by taking responsibility for it. That sentiment is the _point_ of your character's story, so I would think that it would work. You should be warned though that if people think your character is not going to learn anything they'll probably give up before the end. This strikes me as something that would work best for a side character and not the protagonist.
You're welcome for the screenplay links, btw
I can see this working. You have a chance to explore the consequences of bad decisions. I would just recommend to avoid repetitive decisions. So like instead always having the MC just simply run away, I'd enjoy reading about how they think they're running away when they're actually making a choice but don't realize it, and how that comes back to affect the MC
I'm actually writing a book now with a similar character type. What I'm doing is having my character procrastinate by choosing to do something else that actually has a HUGE impact in the story later on.
My advice would be to try to tie every choice your MC makes into the plot, so that it means something (:
Physically I'm doing well, mentally (writing is my escape at the moment) it could be better, and I wrote my first 'novel'. I wrote 'novel' since it isn't 50 thousand words but I'm hoping to get there and I already started the sequel I want. I've also written 3 short stories and have those printed out, also printed out my first story. So it is going well I believe
The storms have driven my family north from Key West to Lake County. I have to rebuild two homes down there. I found a nice house and now have an office that is high and dry. My mother died last year not because of Covid, but because of constant exposure to talcum powder. Thank you for you videos. You inspired me to transition my stories from screenplay to novel. I have fourteen chapters, a prologue and an epilogue due to your wonderful advice. Editing is an explicative however. Did I just spell that right?
I'm doing very well! I've been binging all of your videos to help with my new book, I'm super super excited about!! Much love and keep going strong everyone! :)
I really enjoyed your advice on creativity, I'm struggling with that right now. Your videos are always so helpful, I can't help binge-watching. Stay safe❤
Started challenge but not really doing it. However I started Story Genius per your recommendation. What a great book! Thank you! Research is good!
Awesome as usual Abbie
Could you do a video over how to join and find critique groups. What we should look for and avoid. And how to be a contributing member of the chat. Also are they free, if not what’s the cost? What other sites should authors know about to enhance their skills?
I’m loving this asl Abbie series but I was really looking forward to you getting to the pinpoint story beat
Hi Abbie! I’m doing okay and I’m excited to work on writing a fantasy adventure novel that involves finding missing gemstones 😁It’s because of your amazing videos that I’m finding the motivation to write again so thank you. 💞
I’m doing okay. Yesterday was kinda rough cause my anxiety’s been kinda bad rn, but other then that, I’m good. I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy.
Also, your hair is perfect. 💖💖
I know it's a few years later but I'm frustrated. I wrote my entire first draft through the MMC1's POV. and I'm like "I want both POV, I don't think we get enough of MMC2's story, and it will enhance it." Well, while writing a chapter I realize MMC1 is falling for another guy from his childhood. I'm like, "I can see them together. Such a cute couple." So, now I'm writing that story and while I know it'll be great when it's done, I'm struggle to really get it on the page how their relationship develops. I've had the meet cute, and now I have to go to MMC2's POV and decide how to write for him. So much fun.
I love that mug you're drinking out of! Where did you get it? I need one!
Thank you for this episode! I’m struggling with an ensemble feature script with a rites of passage plot and your timing on this couldn’t be better!
Doing well thank you abbie.
I have class at 11 but wish I could be here! Have fun and I'll watch later :)
thank you im working on a cartoon and this ha shlped thxs
has rrly helped*
you're the reason Wednesdays are special! love your videos
time flies so fast, the podcast is already more than 2 years 💕
Love your nails Abbie! 😄
I'm not writing anything new, but I'm revising some old manuscripts. I'm also put in my garden and making videos about it and putting them on my channel.
Abby!!! I need insparation
I'm doing it like shit. They sent me home from my job without pay for the duration of the quarantine and since the area of my city has the highest number of infections in the region, I need a safe conduit even to buy in a grocery store, so I can't even work distributing things.
And I'm working on my second comic script. It is an urban fantasy of a young woman who learns necromancy and delves into the occult world of the city.
Hi Abbie! Ir's been hard to find motivation to write when I'm struggling with my first year teaching. I'm writing a superhero origin story and have started reading Save the Cat Writes a Novel in the hope it will help with plotting.
I am doing well actually but I’ve stayed inside and written a ton of stuff on my novel. I have a question though. In a romance novel, the love story plot (internal plot) is the most important. How do I weave the external plot (the reason they are around each other) seamlessly into the internal/romance plot? Do I do the 3 act story structure for both plots? Please please please help.
Me and my family are doing pretty well. I’m trying to finish my school as well as keep up with reading and writing my outline, and I’m super excited to get into the drafting part! Question: how do you know when the fun and games portion of your book is too long or too short?
video starts at 5:00
i love your face 😍😍 thank you so much for all the writing advice you are a gem!
and your mug ☺️
I'm writing my first book - but definitely can't share at this time.
It's a fun feeling when you have a story actually worth telling; however, I do admit that I shoot down any and all of my B-grade story ideas.
Maybe there's something to salvage from later on. Do you Writers have story graveyards?
Btw I actually sent you a message on your writers webpage about this too. ( it says it is from Jadyn, but still the same thing. you should check it out) I am writing a dystopian book in first person POV. I have sub characters, but there is a point in the book where the MC has to leave the city, so she isn’t with the sub characters. I have watched your videos on sub plots and characters, but I’m still not sure how to developer my characters and not just have them there as hold fillers. I don’t know how to make good sub plots if my main character isn’t near the sub characters.
I am actually doing fine! Used to being at home. Not used to homeschooling and a husband working from home. hehe
Yes! I thought I knew how but best to learn from professional.
Abbie in April 2020: "It is a difficult time, there are so many terrible things happening in the world right now."
Me, a European watching this in June 2022: "Oh, we were such sweet summer children..."
Mentally I’m actually not sure, my anxiety has been going up lately, but Im finally outlining my story!
ah, me too. my anxiety cant make me think creatively.
I miss my friends so much. When I came back from college, I had all these plans to see them and catch up them. Now I can’t. Video chatting has been helpful, but it’s not the same as seeing them in person.
As writing goes, my goal for Camp NaNoWriMo hasn’t been focused as much word count. I’m more focused on setting the scene and expanding internal thoughts. I’ve realized that I tend to only focus on the plot, but not on where my characters are and how they’re feeling. I’m so worried about boring readers that I barely touch on the descriptions and feelings. Even if I don’t succeed my word count for Camp NaNoWriMo, I think it’s been great learning things about myself and my writing habits!
Sounds like you should think about a transition to screenwriting. All you'd need is to learn formatting, maybe get your hands on the right software. Ostensibly the Hollywood desire is that lines of description are sparse, and references to feelings are to be omitted entirely. This is because directors and actors are fragile little ego-babies, who don't like being told what to do by *loathesome* writers. - or something, idk, I've always found this "mandate" weird. But if it helps you that it (supposedly) exists, maybe you're in a position to take advantage.
I should say that if you're sticking with prose, and/or your stories are too long for screenplays you're going to want to describe *something* or you _will_ bore your reader. From what I hear anecdotally most people will tolerate a lack of physical description of action moreso than what's going on in a character's headspace. Either way you really should get over the idea that readers can't handle your characters' feelings. Sounds like low confidence in your story might be underlying this issue. After all, if you don't think what's going on with your characters will be interesting to readers, it stands to reason you don't think what's going on *_is_* interesting.
Can you make a video on dialogue tags and how to use them correctly?
When you say repeat it, do you mean repeat it in order: 1, 2, 3 or repeat it like repeat 2 multiple times to fit across all of the books other than the 1st and last?
Oops, meant the series version of the three act story structure. Forgot to mention what I was talking about in my original comment.
I'm struck in home (of course), and working in a bokk about the lives of the eleventh century Spain, its about Christians, Muslims and Jews
Sounds like an *_ungodly_* amount of research.
How is ur day
Hi Abbie! Would you consider making a video on fake dating?
As a writer/author what is your daily routine?
What if the side character doesn’t really arc but the protagonist realizes that their opinion of this person changes and this supports the protagonist’s arc change? Do side characters need to have an arc?
Abby, when you say you've started writing a new book do you mean that you're in the process of outlining or are you flying by the seat of your pants on this one?
Gutted. I really enjoy dialogue in stories but your video about dialogue is copyrighted in my country 😟 Is there any other video you've mentioned your points in?
*
I'm doing so well, I'm trying to think of something to screw things up.
There are some really good villains in the news, if you want to research some evil archetypes.
I don't feel that writing is frivolous, but I certainly have had moments where I've felt my characters' problems are frivolous compared to what's happening in the real world!
Well, life has been crazy!!! I launched my debut novel this week and it didn't do well. My Arc team has been great and is very supportive. due to having so many authors giving away their books in my genre away for free no one is buying. i didn't know how to advertise because of that. I am also not working my other job (seasonal) and so paying for advertising isn't going to happen now.
good things: my readers want book two in the series and a couple readers want to be Beta readers. i am going to start editing it soon. and i am starting to write book three. (i have outlined it already). i am very excited about that story. so besides publishing my writing has been going pretty well.
I am in your group, #Startyourstorychellenge and it has been great!!!
How: Balancing sub plots with main story?
Mass effect "NO!"
Public servant so I am fine but challenged
Hey Abbie, can you let me back into the FB group for #start your story? I apologized and would like to have a second chance.
What did you do? Cancel your Patreon or something?
@@futurestoryteller Well, I've been angry for a long time at society for never accepting me, and I realized no one would ever actually care about my writing. So I lost it and wrote some nasty posts, like "Go coronavirus go! Kill as many normies as you can!" Then people were throwing insults at me and I said horrible things back at them. Then I talked to a few people who were offering some advice for dealing with my problems. Later, I wrote an apology post, and got a lot of support for it from the people I was fighting with. But alas, I still got blocked. And that fucken sucks :(
CAN ABBIE BE MY ENGLISH TEACH T-T
Is she a Christian?
Does she even read these comments? She only answers the questions of people who pay her. For someone who seems very positive and chipper, and outwardly expresses a lot of concern, and puts a lot of weight on community and empathy this seems very cynical.
bad
👎🏻