I wrote an epic fantasy novel in 24 days

In this writing vlog, I show my entire experience writing the first draft of a new epic fantasy novel during camp nanowrimo 🙂
The writing vlog includes writing from all 24 days of writing from this April camp nanowrimo, lessons I learned, and all the challenges I faced during this journey. It was a crazy month, but there was a lot to learn in it!!
What do you think of this writing vlog? Did you do camp nanowrimo? How did your experience of camp nanowrimo go? let me know in the comments below and I'll get back to you 🙂

[@mel_9346]

Wow!!! I'm so proud of you!!! It's kind of scary to know there's people that can write a novel in a month, but also inspiring. I already knew part of the story since I've been watching your videos but one thing I didn't know is that this journey started with N.K Jemisin's worldbuilding method and this piece of information is like god sent, because I'm planning to outline a new novel and I was struggling with the worldbuilding part, so I'll look more into this method! Thank you!

[@john_writing_]

Thanks Mel, I'm happy you found it inspiring 🙂
I outlined her method pretty clearly in my video about it! Hopefully, you find her method useful. I think it lays a great foundation for Worldbuilding. And from there you can go deeper if you need to!

[@t-helen-price]

Holy cow what an incredible journey! This is EXTREMELY inspirational and motivating. I never heard of NK Jemisin's world-building method. I'll have to check that out.
I also appreciate you sharing the struggles related to stress and the balance between creativity and rest, and something many can relate to. It's great to see how you tackled such instances head-on and used them as a stepping stone. Kudos on completing your novel! I know I'm 4 months late but still, this is impressive!

[@diblee]

Please never delete any of your videos. They are so amazing and so motivating.

[@user-ts8fj5kj2z]

It would take me two months, so I'm really impressed

[@lanternvalley]

Rest is good? 'Maybe' that lesson will stick for good? Why 'maybe' here? :P
If the new editing is fun and easy (also known as restful) for you, that's what matters most, meaning that's what materializes everything. haha
I love how early you wake up and write so much first thing. Do you wake with sunrise or before it or what? And when you say things like "I wrote X scenes by 10:30am" and call it a day, do you mean you don't write later in the day after that?
Consistency is one of the most-advocated things when it comes to writing, by effectively every full-time author. Writing even a paragraph a day, despite how much we don't want to on some days, gets those books done after so many days. You've got that going steadily, though seemingly a bit hard on yourself in the process. haha
You know how sometimes things (completely unrelated to writing) goes really easy, and sometimes not? That's obviously no different for writing either.
Framing things like 'I didn't do X well today/write lots today' as if that's a 'problem' instead of a natural ebb and flow of life could very well be the biggest factor anyone has when it comes to stress... ever.
What better way to stress oneself out than to think if things are tough, that there's something wrong with oneself, that there's something 'even more' needs fixing on top of the thing we're already trying to get done?
Consistency means every 'high and low' is persisted through, and naturally this comes with 'aaaahhh' moments, but I hope you ease off on yourself for thinking you have problems when it's not going well.
Going slow, hitting walls, crashing into things, is still going. And you are definitely going!

[@john_writing_]

I'm planning on making a video about my writing routine, because I've gotten many of these questions many times haha.
But one of my other vlogs of camp nano will tell you more about my normal schedule. This video is just to tell the story of the whole experience. It's not a typical video in that I've edited footage down even more than normal (going from hours to 19 minutes)
I kind of have high standards for myself, but I am generally pretty positive about my goals and what not. Once again, a less edited video will likely show that.
But without showing the down moments, it doesn't make for much of a story haha
Either way thanks for the support and curiosity :)

[@susanmiller5912]

Where can I find Jemison's guide? I'm trying to write magic (but more like magic realism) using the power of nature as magic -- not spells and wizards. Not sure where to turn.

[@John_the_Editor]

I linked it in my video where I tried her process.

[@Themrjoliveira]

I work 2 jobs so it’s hard to find time right now , but I’m gonna push myself to write on Fridays ( I’m always off on Friday ) and when I have my weekend off .
Great to watch your vlogs, I’m still thinking about how to outline and I think that I’ll use the Save the Cat book to do so . Gotta start somewhere right ? Thx again for your vids

[@john_writing_]

For me it's inspiring that someone like you with that many obligations is still looking to work on their craft in the time you do have!! And I'm happy you enjoy the videos :)
I was super skeptical of Save The Cat before I read it, but it really does simplify the process of outlining! Hope it helps you!

[@saraiversen7181]

Great video! It's inspiring you're being so honest about the difficulties! I hope you had a good break😊

[@john_writing_]

I'm happy you enjoyed it, I love doing these sorts of wrap up videos at the end of the experience, so it's good to know seeing all the difficulties resonated with you :)
p.s. it was a good break!

[@saraiversen7181]

Glad to hear!😁

[@spicypumpkins2640]

First let me say brava with the editing. It was well executed and tied in the month long journey brilliantly. I was engaged from start to finish. And again congrats on finishing your first draft.🎉🎉 And i must say I adore the name Naaj. Sounds so interesting. And your doggo is so cute. Love to see him more in videos hehe. What's the pupper's name? And yes remember to rest, very important. ❤. Ok as always thanks for the amazing video. See you in the next one.😊

[@john_writing_]

Thanks for all the kind sentiments 🙂 He's actually not our dog, but we pet sit for him once a week and sometimes for longer periods. His name is Poe, not related to Edgar Allen, I think😂

[@SwagXMcNasty]

Keep up the good work, John!

[@john_writing_]

Thanks for the support, Jackson! And thanks for watching :)

[@john_writing_]

I'm back everyone!! Did a little experimenting with the editing on this one. Let me know what you think :)

[@WritingsOfASpicyMind]

The editing goes hard--I love it

[@john_writing_]

@Writings of a spicy mind Awesome haha, there are some parts I'm quite proud of, especially in the intro. Always learning more 🙂

[@WritingsOfASpicyMind]

@@john_writing_ the intro blew me away. I don't think I've seen that level of editing on authortube before. If your channel doesn't blow up, I'm suing. Idk who yet, but I'm sueing.

[@john_writing_]

That's so validating to hear!!! This channel has made me realize how much fun visual storytelling can be. And I just want to bring the best quality storytelling I can to our little neck of the TH-cam space 🙂

[@EmilyMcCosh]

Super looking forward to the video and laughing a little because this is a very similar title to my most recent vlog! 😂 Took me 38 days though. :D

[@john_writing_]

Hope you enjoyed it!! What genre was the book you finished?

[@EmilyMcCosh]

@@john_writing_ I did! Mine was Litrpg adventure fantasy! First time trying to write a litrpg so that was interesting!

[@john_writing_]

I've been curious about the genre honestly, because I keep seeing them on amazon. Sounds interesting :)

[@DA_Doog]

You are very underrated but maybe a better Microphone could be better once you can afford it all the editing is really good the word choice is great overall, and a 7 or 8/10

[@user-kf2hr8zw9v]

Nice job, man!

[@john_writing_]

Thanks :)

[@user-kf2hr8zw9v]

@@john_writing_ I am the one who have to say thank you. As someone who also try to write stories, I find that your videos are super inspiring. So, thanks for sharing, sir!☺️

[@frank7411]

Pretty cool vídeo ❤

[@john_writing_]

Happy you enjoyed it, Fran :)

[@vevolpessoal6784]

Can you share the documents of the planing you used in that journey?

[@andrewfallman7542]

1:15 This flowchart looks interesting for brainstorming. Do you have a link?

[@john_writing_]

It's a site called miro, but you can only create one document at a time on their free plan.
I've been doing mind mapping on paper instead recently and with that, the only limit is your paper supply 😂

[@LittleMissSomething]

Very nice :)

[@john_writing_]

Thanks Anna!!

[@iceberg7995]

if it's the salt causing the problems in any snack, an increase in water intake might help

[@rezaganjizadeh4263]

Took me around a month to write a novel then said "nah its garbage." And left it

[@isaacriggs4656]

I didn't know resting "Who Farted?" face was a thing.