i use a sketch book to write my novel stuff, puts my mind in the artistic mind state as i use to be artistic going up, then i dictate it into word for quicker transfer, 2 mins to get a page writtened work into word
I love that some people still write by hand! I used to journal all the time. Once I got used to typing, writing by hand can no longer keep up with my racing mind. Some people say writing forces your mind to slow down. Maybe that works for some. It does not work for me. I'll just forget what I wanted to say.
Yes it for sure forces you to slow down but for me that seems to help me. I actually remember the things I put down better and I think about the words I want to use more. Of course there is always going to be a place for typing but for my first drafts at least I am really enjoying writing them by hand.
Interesting! I write a large portion of my words by hand in spiral bounds too, then type it up at the end of the day. One thing I do that you might like to try is drawing a line separating the widest margin from the rest of the page and using it for notes, brainstorming, rewording, notes to future self about what I want to change or double-check, etc. I’m sure you already do this to a degree, but I’ve found that drawing the line really helps me treat the margin as a multi-purpose separate space.
Yes! I do make some notes occasionally in the margin but I've not thought of drawing a line to specifically leave space. Thats a great idea and I will probably give it a try! Thanks!
You have a great system. Not only is it distraction-free, but you're also not tempted to continually go back and edit. That's always a problem for me. Since I write in Word, it's easy to review what I've written the day before and edit it. It would be better if I kept writing and edited it later. Thanks for sharing your process.
Of course! That's the biggest reason why I've gone to handwriting my first draft. Avoiding the distractions of digital devices and the desire to edit what I write. It also forces me to slow down and really think about the words I am using. Thanks for watching!
This is really helpful. I was thinking you were going to have a chapter summary before or after the text in the chapter. I was also thinking the time/location for the scene in the chapter could be helpful.
Yeah both of those could definitely be useful! I am still evolving the process and I’ll probably start adding in more meta data that way. For instance, I generally outline my chapters using Abbie Emmons scene cards and so I’ve been thinking about adding that to the beginning of each chapter for reference. I do think you can never have too much data so whatever you want to include at the beginning of a chapter or section I think is a great idea!
Since you asked for suggestions, have you considered one of those apps where you scan handwritten pages and it converts it to type/a doc? It would save time counting out the words yourself as well as create a backup in case the notebook ever gets lost or ruined. You could even get an actual scanner if you got that $$ sitting around. But apps have advanced so much that a physical scanner isn’t really necessary.
Great suggestion! I have been looking into some apps like this. Some of them are better than others but its definately something Im looking into. Also I do agree that I'll need to scan them into something eventually to have the backup. Thanks for watching!
I really need to find a place to write distraction free. I have actually been wanting to do this after hearing Neil Gaiman say that it actually the best way to write you first draft.
Writing in a notebook is the best way I have found to eliminate distractions. Put all of your devices away, shut everyrhing off and grab your notebook. A notebook can't distract you with notifications, phones calls, text messages, nothing. It's great! Thanks for watching!
Hey thanks for watching! Well the truthful answer is technically you don’t, but I think it’s a good idea to research some of your favorite books word counts so you have something to compare to and just to have a goal for the size of book you are wanting to write. Then if you track your daily words alongside that you just can measure your progress. Ultimately the word count goals are arbitrary but it can help you have a gage for the progress you are making with your writing. But if that isn’t important to you then just write away! Thanks for watching and happy writing!
@@mateosalto5533Adding onto what @WritingQuest said.. each book genre has a general average word count. These reflect what readers usually expect when they pick up a book. For example, sci-fi and fantasy is, on average, between 90k-120k words. Young adult is normally between 40k-80k. Obviously, there are exceptions, but these are typical. Sci-fi/fantasy readers love diving into lengthy stories with lots of details and info about the world they’re exploring. So if your fantasy novel sits around 50k, it might be harder to entice readers used to spending a lot of time in a world to give a shorter book a chance.
My idiot inspiration does not come serially. It’s all over the place, out of order, messy, overwhelming me with chaos: whole scenes complete, detailed, with dialogue. But I have no idea where they fit in the story. I put the paper in buckets by the door in case of fire. I finally have a theme, strong characters, plot is starting to come together. Sorta. Still a mess. But when I feel sad, I reach into a bucket, read, and I’m laughing and crying at the same time. It is wonderful, but I write because I want to know how it ends. That is my motivation. The rest is nothing. There will come a time I will want to share it with the world. It’s on paper, but a mess it is. Anybody else this pathetic?
i use a sketch book to write my novel stuff, puts my mind in the artistic mind state as i use to be artistic going up, then i dictate it into word for quicker transfer, 2 mins to get a page writtened work into word
Thank you for this tip
I love that some people still write by hand! I used to journal all the time. Once I got used to typing, writing by hand can no longer keep up with my racing mind. Some people say writing forces your mind to slow down. Maybe that works for some. It does not work for me. I'll just forget what I wanted to say.
Yes it for sure forces you to slow down but for me that seems to help me. I actually remember the things I put down better and I think about the words I want to use more. Of course there is always going to be a place for typing but for my first drafts at least I am really enjoying writing them by hand.
I think it's great!@@WritingQuest
Exactly! That’s my problem! I type 100 words a minute and my mind is used to that now!
@@donniedemarco Yep!
Interesting! I write a large portion of my words by hand in spiral bounds too, then type it up at the end of the day.
One thing I do that you might like to try is drawing a line separating the widest margin from the rest of the page and using it for notes, brainstorming, rewording, notes to future self about what I want to change or double-check, etc. I’m sure you already do this to a degree, but I’ve found that drawing the line really helps me treat the margin as a multi-purpose separate space.
Yes! I do make some notes occasionally in the margin but I've not thought of drawing a line to specifically leave space. Thats a great idea and I will probably give it a try! Thanks!
You have a great system. Not only is it distraction-free, but you're also not tempted to continually go back and edit. That's always a problem for me. Since I write in Word, it's easy to review what I've written the day before and edit it. It would be better if I kept writing and edited it later. Thanks for sharing your process.
Of course! That's the biggest reason why I've gone to handwriting my first draft. Avoiding the distractions of digital devices and the desire to edit what I write. It also forces me to slow down and really think about the words I am using. Thanks for watching!
This is really helpful. I was thinking you were going to have a chapter summary before or after the text in the chapter. I was also thinking the time/location for the scene in the chapter could be helpful.
Yeah both of those could definitely be useful! I am still evolving the process and I’ll probably start adding in more meta data that way. For instance, I generally outline my chapters using Abbie Emmons scene cards and so I’ve been thinking about adding that to the beginning of each chapter for reference. I do think you can never have too much data so whatever you want to include at the beginning of a chapter or section I think is a great idea!
Since you asked for suggestions, have you considered one of those apps where you scan handwritten pages and it converts it to type/a doc? It would save time counting out the words yourself as well as create a backup in case the notebook ever gets lost or ruined. You could even get an actual scanner if you got that $$ sitting around. But apps have advanced so much that a physical scanner isn’t really necessary.
Great suggestion! I have been looking into some apps like this. Some of them are better than others but its definately something Im looking into. Also I do agree that I'll need to scan them into something eventually to have the backup. Thanks for watching!
@@WritingQuest I like “Handwriting to Text Recognizer” on the App Store. It might suit your needs.
I really need to find a place to write distraction free. I have actually been wanting to do this after hearing Neil Gaiman say that it actually the best way to write you first draft.
Do you have a local library? Sometimes they'll have rooms you can use, and it should be pretty distraction free
Writing in a notebook is the best way I have found to eliminate distractions. Put all of your devices away, shut everyrhing off and grab your notebook. A notebook can't distract you with notifications, phones calls, text messages, nothing. It's great! Thanks for watching!
Is a project of mine to write an entire book in a 180 page A6 journal. Hope next year after finishing my current project.
Thats awesome! Keep me posted on your progress!
I wrote a 180,000 word novel in A5 notebooks. I think I used twelve of them.
cool video Bro
I’ve always wanted to write by hand I like how you think😃
Hi! It's an amazing video but i have a question (I´m new in this) Why do you have to count or know how many words you have to write??
Hey thanks for watching! Well the truthful answer is technically you don’t, but I think it’s a good idea to research some of your favorite books word counts so you have something to compare to and just to have a goal for the size of book you are wanting to write. Then if you track your daily words alongside that you just can measure your progress. Ultimately the word count goals are arbitrary but it can help you have a gage for the progress you are making with your writing. But if that isn’t important to you then just write away! Thanks for watching and happy writing!
@@WritingQuest Thanks for sharing your content! It's a very interesting way to approach the writing process
Greetings from Argentina!!!!
@@mateosalto5533Adding onto what @WritingQuest said.. each book genre has a general average word count. These reflect what readers usually expect when they pick up a book. For example, sci-fi and fantasy is, on average, between 90k-120k words. Young adult is normally between 40k-80k. Obviously, there are exceptions, but these are typical. Sci-fi/fantasy readers love diving into lengthy stories with lots of details and info about the world they’re exploring. So if your fantasy novel sits around 50k, it might be harder to entice readers used to spending a lot of time in a world to give a shorter book a chance.
@@queensavcy Oh! Thank you! I did't think bout athat
forget word count. First draft: get the thing down on paper.
My idiot inspiration does not come serially. It’s all over the place, out of order, messy, overwhelming me with chaos: whole scenes complete, detailed, with dialogue. But I have no idea where they fit in the story. I put the paper in buckets by the door in case of fire. I finally have a theme, strong characters, plot is starting to come together. Sorta. Still a mess. But when I feel sad, I reach into a bucket, read, and I’m laughing and crying at the same time. It is wonderful, but I write because I want to know how it ends. That is my motivation. The rest is nothing.
There will come a time I will want to share it with the world. It’s on paper, but a mess it is. Anybody else this pathetic?