The Writers Block
I spent a lot of time learning how to write, but I forgot one important thing: I had to actually write. For a long time, I let my desire to learn to write get in the way of putting words on paper and would regularly use it as an excuse to avoid writing. As you can imagine this did not help me with my productivity. I'm grateful for the knowledge I've gained and understand that it's part of the journey. However, I went too far and used learning to write as a form of procrastination, which ultimately made me feel almost paralyzed when I sat down to write.
It's important to learn about writing: grammar, story structure, creating scenes, and how to write a character's motivation. All of these are essential if you want to write a novel, as I do. The issue is using learning as an excuse not to write. I now prioritize writing first and then focus on learning.
After all, it’s hard to learn something without doing it in the first place.
Tips for writing while you learn to write:
You learn to write during the edit. The more you edit your prose, the better your initial prose becomes.
Find a feedback loop. Join a writer’s group, submit your work for critiques, whatever it is, and make sure you are receiving a regular feedback loop. Don’t write in isolation.
Outline first. This one may be controversial, but I find writing the story during the outline allows me to write my prose faster and more concisely.
Schedule a time to write separately from a time to learn to write.
Learn to enjoy writing, without any pressure. Just get the words down.
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Writing Quest
Storybook: Master Novelist - The Best Notion Template for Writers
On the bookshelf…
I have finished ‘Oathbringer’ book three of The Stormlight Archive! It was a bear, but man, it was good! I will be posting my review in the coming days.
As I said in my previous video on my channel, I am going to be taking a bit of a Stormlight break to cleanse the pallet. Next up is a classic military story, The Hunt for Red October, as I work to explore writing good military prose for my own story. I’ll be following it up with Robin Hobb’s Assassins Apprentice and then another classic Treasure Island. I will also be posting reviews for each of those videos as well.
Stay tuned!
Oathbringer - Brandon Sanderson
Progress - 100%
February TBR and VLog!
A Writer’s Journey - Project Progress
Hello! I’ve completed the revised chapter outline of The Last House of the High People and have now jumped fully into the prose. I always write better when I have an outline to follow. It allows me to write unencumbered by creating because I’ve already done that during the outline. I hope to have the prose of the revised draft done by end of February or the beginning of March. I must also note that the novella part of this may no longer be true…it might just become a full prequel Novel.
Huzzah!
The Last House of the High People - Novella
Status: Revision
Progress: 45%
The Legends of Escaradoth Vol. 1 - Short Story Collection
Status: First Draft
Progress: 50%
Of Wolves and Wizards - Book 1
Status: First Draft
Progress: 5%
Other Links and Resources
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Until our next meeting…
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of The Writer’s Quest! Make sure to connect with us on all the social platforms, and we hope you continue your Writing Quest! Huzzah!