Behind The Scenes of a 21-Time Bestselling Author's Writing Routine

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  • čas přidán 23. 01. 2019
  • Want to know the writing routine of a New York Times bestselling author?
    What do prolific authors do differently?
    This video shows that even a writer like Jerry Jenkins (having written 195 books to date), follows a simple, structured schedule you can use to help create your own writing routine.
    You’ll see his entire process, from the moment he leaves his bedroom in the morning to the second he finishes writing and closes the door to his office.
    You’ll learn:
    - The 3 things Jerry does first
    - “Where the magic happens”
    - How Jerry faces the dreaded blank page
    - How many words he aims to write per day-and what’s more important than word count
    - One surprisingly simple tactic to separate yourself from 99 of 100 writers
    For more help, click the following link to download his FREE guide, How to Maximize your Writing Time and take control of your writing routine!
    leveragecreative.lpages.co/wr...

Komentáře • 488

  • @VickiFourie1
    @VickiFourie1 Před 4 lety +414

    ‘Speed is not the point; quality is.’ - Great advice!

    • @taylorharbin3948
      @taylorharbin3948 Před 4 lety +11

      Indeed! Everyone is different. Tolkien spent twelve years writing The Lord of the Rings, but some writers put out a book every year.

    • @shinewithanu4836
      @shinewithanu4836 Před 3 lety +3

      Nice

    • @glucoseucardinal3195
      @glucoseucardinal3195 Před 3 lety +2

      Then how did he write more than 190 books in just 40 years....really having a doubt

    • @Greendalewitch
      @Greendalewitch Před 2 lety +1

      @@taylorharbin3948 That makes me feel better. Been writing mine for 10 years and I often feel bad about it.

    • @michaelcarter2454
      @michaelcarter2454 Před 2 lety

      Sir I am writing my first novel and in just a few videos I love your clean approach to advice and guidance ... you are awesome and you keep it simple and clean

  • @Xahvae
    @Xahvae Před 2 lety +116

    I’ve put about 23 years of unnecessary pressure on myself. I haven’t completed a single project. On rare occasions I’d make it past 5 pages before I heavily scrutinized myself and quit. I’m starting to truly understand that my writing is a “work in progress” or “practice”. His videos have helped me learn to be more comfortable in/with my writing so that maybe this time maybe I’ll actually make it to the editing phase. Thank you 🙏🏾

    • @penknight8532
      @penknight8532 Před rokem +6

      Instead of writing like that for 23 years you should of just lived life and garnered experiences.
      Charles Bukowski said to write one short story a week because it is very difficult to have 52 flops in a row.
      He wrote 8 to 10 stories a week and drank like a fish.

    • @westerling8436
      @westerling8436 Před rokem

      This comment section is full of weaklings

    • @Xahvae
      @Xahvae Před rokem +1

      @@westerling8436 you’re here too

    • @Xahvae
      @Xahvae Před rokem +1

      @@penknight8532 yeah I started shortening my stories it worked like a charm.

    • @consuelomarquez5173
      @consuelomarquez5173 Před rokem +4

      If I may, watch the Brandon Sanderson's classes here on YT. They are focussed on Fantasy and SF, but he has some very useful tips and specially lots of motivation for begginers.
      Happy writing my friend :)!

  • @goatsurgeon
    @goatsurgeon Před 5 lety +313

    Maybe i'll have this kind of life 40 years from now or so if I keep trying hard to write horror during my 12 hour oilfield shifts.
    It sucks. 7 days a week, 12 hours a night, for months on-- no schedule. I don't know when I'm off till the boss says.
    You must have went through a lot of work to accomplish all this. A lifetime of work.
    We start somewhere.

    • @theShaunus
      @theShaunus Před 4 lety +35

      Stay strong 💪. This pain is giving you the stuff you need to write your masterpiece and building the character that you need to teach the world through your written narrative

    • @blusquipp355
      @blusquipp355 Před 4 lety +21

      Honestly, those with the most obstacles and challenges in their path to their goals are the people I want to support the most... not folks who get it easy early on in life and set out to do the same.. So dude, you keep working toward that dream, because damn, I'd love to hear your success story.. 7 days a week, 12 hours... and still working on your writing??? That's an author that deserves recognition and reward. Keep doing your thing, persistence and deep focus will get you there.

    • @idesofmars
      @idesofmars Před 4 lety +17

      im right there with you pal. up at 530am, not home till 4pm. wife and 2 kids to take care of. leaves very little time to write. but we'll get there. just keep at it.

    • @simoninglis7437
      @simoninglis7437 Před 4 lety +6

      I hear you. I suggest trusting in the effectiveness of the "cummulative". if you ponder your next step in your story, just thinking about it now and then during the day, and then just spend a 20 minute period writing it down after your shower, or before sleep, 20 minutes doesn't sound like much, but that will give you a page a day, which gives you over 300 in a year. Then when you do get time off or a break in the roster you can do little spurts that augment that. Best of luck, and go for it !

    • @el4242
      @el4242 Před 4 lety +6

      I feel your pain. 😭 Keep writing no matter what! 👍💪👏

  • @imadudin2489
    @imadudin2489 Před 3 lety +96

    "The more space l give between the time l finish writing and the time l do my editing, the better for the project."
    - Jerry B. Jenkins

  • @Ryan-the-Rocketeer
    @Ryan-the-Rocketeer Před 4 lety +202

    I love his typewriter keyboard hybrid, that is great and im totally about to find me one of those.

    • @Coach_Taz
      @Coach_Taz Před 3 lety +12

      Qwerkywriter..I have one

    • @renprice9313
      @renprice9313 Před 3 lety +5

      Same!!!

    • @cassh1894
      @cassh1894 Před 3 lety +8

      I love how he has a totally separate writing space, as well as a nice large monitor and cool keyboard. I've never seen a keyboard like that. Always interested in the tools successful writers use.

    • @deborahrenee
      @deborahrenee Před 3 lety +1

      They are nice and expensive.

    • @JavierGonzalez-lp3ke
      @JavierGonzalez-lp3ke Před 2 lety +2

      I actually paused the video when I saw it and immediately started searching for a keyboard hybrid similar...then went back and finished Jenkins' clip.

  • @Billy-Box
    @Billy-Box Před 3 lety +116

    I really liked the approach of starting the working day by editing yesterday's work, and then continuing to write forward in the script.

  • @doriswhite1348
    @doriswhite1348 Před 5 lety +219

    2,500 words a day? That's impressive. If I do 500 I think I'm doing well.

    • @serena7371
      @serena7371 Před 4 lety +17

      Doris White I did 300 a day. Now around 1000. Last week I wrote about 15 000 I am broken

    • @adarateranroldan
      @adarateranroldan Před 4 lety +5

      Serena - That’s awesome. Keep it up!

    • @serena7371
      @serena7371 Před 4 lety +6

      Adara Teran-Roldan well I’m rewriting those chapters. I’m such a perfectionist

    • @zulalibaltaci5980
      @zulalibaltaci5980 Před 3 lety +6

      I write 800 words a day, I am not a good writer tho ):

    • @rottenbookreview6643
      @rottenbookreview6643 Před 3 lety +5

      Same! 500 of acceptable quality is good for me.

  • @writting389
    @writting389 Před 5 lety +239

    I did not notice a difference between "Let's eat Grandpa." and "Let's eat, Grandpa." until I saw "Commas save lives."

  • @vernewheeler2052
    @vernewheeler2052 Před 4 lety +21

    87 and counting Jerry, but I can't just sit and wait to die. I watched your use of tracking to help your morning editing efforts and I'm jealous!

  • @RFazor
    @RFazor Před 4 lety +16

    What a voice! Voice of a teacher!

  • @tc0930
    @tc0930 Před 4 měsíci +3

    Really good to see how professional writers go about their process. I finished my first novel 3 years ago (unpublished) and I'm currently working on my second. Absolutely having a routine and holding myself to a minimum number of words per day has been the way to advance projects. If you commit to a certain number of words per day, and writing at least a certain number of days per week, the words and pages will inevitably start to pile up.
    Good advice here. I enjoyed the video.

  • @trikebeatstrexnodiff
    @trikebeatstrexnodiff Před 2 lety +6

    4:00
    "Commas safe lives" this is the quote our Turkish teacher always tells to us. She regularly gives the example of
    "Küçük ağacın arkasındaydı"
    if you dont put a comma after the word "küçük", the sentence would mean;
    "(he/she/it) was behind the little tree"
    and if you do put a comma after the word "küçük", the sentence now would have the meaning;
    "the little one was behind (the) tree"
    so it's nice to see you actually giving us tips even during these little sides when not mentioning the main stuff! thanks a lot!

  • @BabyandLittleGuy
    @BabyandLittleGuy Před 5 lety +51

    I loved the "Commas save lives." LOL!!

  • @funwithaiman
    @funwithaiman Před 3 lety +5

    Mr. Jenkins can improvise and still give one life-changing advice.

  • @philipnannie1466
    @philipnannie1466 Před 5 lety +94

    I'm a member of your Guild and I must say this is the best video I've ever seen on the writing process. This is the kind of video that inspires those of us who want to make an impact with our writing and Jerry Jenkins shows the way. Thank you for making this video. God bless.

  • @scarlet8078
    @scarlet8078 Před 5 lety +9

    This is fascinating. I can't imagine writing without an outline.

  • @thejellyestbean
    @thejellyestbean Před 4 lety +22

    I think I've watched this two dozen times in the past two weeks. Love the office and the routine!

  • @TheAngelOfDeath01
    @TheAngelOfDeath01 Před 4 lety +15

    You dear sir, are a steady source of immense inspiration. Thank you, kindly, Mr. Jenkins.

  • @ahmedrezk82
    @ahmedrezk82 Před 3 lety +11

    I watched this clip many times. Simply, it is inspiring. I am not a book author but write my research and the productivity was always a problem. Jerry is very productive and his tips on book writing was very useful for me.

  • @karisamoore728
    @karisamoore728 Před 5 lety +29

    Thank you, Jerry, for the encouragement. I was just praying and asking for a breakthrough in my writing and really struggling with deadlines when your message hit my inbox. Treat deadlines as if they are sacred, from this moment forward I am the 1 out of 100 writer.

  • @Ifrequentlyenjoytodraw
    @Ifrequentlyenjoytodraw Před rokem +1

    I aspire to be a novelist, a horror one in particular. This has given me a new view, thank you.

  • @gwynalison
    @gwynalison Před rokem +4

    I'm writing my new novel now "The Real Name Of Sebastian Great", and thanks for the advice! I'm writing my last novel for my teenage years as I will turn 20 next year

  • @claudinebernadettejimdar1681

    He and Tim were the BEST! I sit here and stare at the computer. It seems to disrupt the household for some reason.

  • @J.B.1982
    @J.B.1982 Před 7 měsíci

    " I make sure my deadlines are sacred".
    That hits on multiple levels.

  • @0019808
    @0019808 Před 5 lety +2

    Just discovered your videos, and I love them! Thank you for taking the time to post these invaluable insights.

  • @francineh.7825
    @francineh.7825 Před 5 lety +2

    Your videos keep me motivated. Thank you!!

  • @apope06
    @apope06 Před 4 lety +7

    Im LOVING the size of his computer screen!

  • @Draion1989
    @Draion1989 Před 5 lety

    This is so pure. Thank you.

  • @salomonboga5280
    @salomonboga5280 Před 3 lety +1

    This was very kind of you to share all of this with us. Thank you!

  • @michellecornish
    @michellecornish Před 5 lety +5

    Love this, Jerry! Especially your system of editing at first then outlining and writing. That is really helpful, thank you! I'm curious about your hardware set up. That keyboard looks fabulous!!

  • @jayhicks24
    @jayhicks24 Před 5 lety

    Thank you Jerry. Inspirational, as always.

  • @stefanhansen5882
    @stefanhansen5882 Před 3 lety

    This is absolutely wonderful. Thanks a lot for this!

  • @andiprescott1930
    @andiprescott1930 Před 5 lety +8

    I loved this! Thank you for sharing your daily writing routine. I absolutely LOVE that keyboard.. and your writing space.

  • @jamesgraham5411
    @jamesgraham5411 Před 3 lety

    Love this guy!

  • @idesofmars
    @idesofmars Před 4 lety +4

    i wish you did more of these videos. you give us a wonderful insight into a writer's routine

  • @danarajadas
    @danarajadas Před rokem

    Loved watching this!

  • @wolfman7284
    @wolfman7284 Před 4 lety +1

    This was a very instructive and to the point video. Everything made sense. Thanks for sharing it.

  • @AletheiaTruthTV
    @AletheiaTruthTV Před 5 lety +4

    Thank you for sharing your life with us. You are one of my writing heroes. Love the keyboard!

  • @artseycan
    @artseycan Před 5 lety

    Thank you, Jerry.

  • @seanlawler9933
    @seanlawler9933 Před 2 lety +6

    Hey! I just wanted to say thank you. I’m writing my first book and I had a bit of trouble getting back into it each day. The advise about going back and editing the last few pages really helped me jump right back into the story each day. It also helps with the nagging need to go back and edit all of my mistakes. So again thank you!

  • @emaricelli
    @emaricelli Před 5 lety +2

    Thank you for letting us peek inside your world! Very helpful and informative.

  • @idesofmars
    @idesofmars Před 4 lety +4

    wow, that 'left behind' series has been good to him

  • @jacquelinedanielle12
    @jacquelinedanielle12 Před 4 lety

    Thank you for sharing! You’ve been so helpful and are such an inspiration!! Thank you and congratulations!

  • @isaacruddell7940
    @isaacruddell7940 Před 3 lety

    I love this guy!!!

  • @writestuff4all
    @writestuff4all Před 4 lety +8

    For me, exactly the right inspiration at exactly the right time. Thank you, Jerry. I needed this.

  • @JonLee123
    @JonLee123 Před 5 lety +1

    Thank you so much Jerry for this wonderful video, it is insightful, helpful and a blessing to me.

  • @dioscuridigital
    @dioscuridigital Před 4 lety

    I'm so glad I ran across your videos. Wonderfull informative content. I thank you for it.

  • @donnalinn568
    @donnalinn568 Před 5 lety

    Thank you for this video. It's very helpful to watch the routine of a successful writer!

  • @exhaustedowl2470
    @exhaustedowl2470 Před 3 lety +2

    Thanks for this unique perspective, Jerry.

  • @alphonseelric7361
    @alphonseelric7361 Před 3 lety +1

    You are always an inspiration!
    Thank you for sharing your wisdom 🙏

  • @miriammarino641
    @miriammarino641 Před 5 lety

    Thank you so very much for sharing your experience and wisdom. I truly appreciate your guidance and advice.

  • @cosquellemind
    @cosquellemind Před 5 lety +2

    I enjoyed this as it put some perspective on the process. (time management).

  • @pato6612
    @pato6612 Před 2 lety

    Once again, thank you for sharing your experience and expertise. Much appreciated!

  • @VincentSteenstraToussaint

    Great stuff! Thanks for this

  • @ramolitaflores9661
    @ramolitaflores9661 Před 5 lety

    Thank you so much I have been following you for a little bit. I'm retiring from the military & have always wanted to write. I have to get started! Also I live your desk.

  • @melissabilleaud7410
    @melissabilleaud7410 Před 3 lety

    You are so helpful and inspiring! Thank you for these videos!!

  • @dariuszdachowski8941
    @dariuszdachowski8941 Před 2 lety +2

    Thank you, Jerry. This video inspired me to improve my daily writing routine. As always, invaluable advice. Love it!

  • @simoninglis7437
    @simoninglis7437 Před 4 lety +3

    This is one of the most powerfully helpful, inspiring, and valuable videos of this genre I have ever seen. You are now my role model. Thank you for your time and generosity in doing this on youtube.

  • @drummerschild6487
    @drummerschild6487 Před 3 lety

    This was beautiful thank you!

  • @HaydenJWeal
    @HaydenJWeal Před rokem

    Charming and insightful. It's inspiring to see someone with such a rigorous and dedicated schedule.

  • @shelster
    @shelster Před 5 lety

    5:03 that really cool retro typewriter keyboard is a must for writers, right??? Kidding! I love it!

  • @nancymaggio8043
    @nancymaggio8043 Před 5 lety

    Awesome. Enjoyed the video and the helpful tips.

  • @soniaarmendariz1526
    @soniaarmendariz1526 Před 5 lety +1

    Jerry i really needed this video, thank you for giving of yourself this way. You are a great inspiration! the more i read your advice the more i get on fire to write.. thank you! God Bless you!

  • @rajatjain4016
    @rajatjain4016 Před 4 lety

    Great insights. Good to know writer's routine..

  • @DominikMusiol
    @DominikMusiol Před rokem

    Thank you for this information. Much appreciated.

  • @thups9552
    @thups9552 Před 5 lety

    Great video Jerry! Keep it up!

  • @gaps2420
    @gaps2420 Před 5 lety +5

    Jerry, great tips and as an aspiring writer I'm really looking forward to more videos from you. I've been developing a story I really think has legs to stand on. I have no history in writing but it's a passion of mine to tell stories to people.

  • @LoloBaker
    @LoloBaker Před 2 lety +3

    First of all, love your channel! Second of all, this video is amazing. The “speed is not the point, quality is” is great advice! I tried the ‘getting stuff out of the way’ strategy this morning and afternoon me commenting says that it’s an amazing method, especially to keep me writing for one hour. Also, thank you so much for reminding us about our health too, Jerry. I love your setup, and this channel! Can’t wait for more, and I’m 100% gonna check out some of your books

  • @majinanshuman
    @majinanshuman Před 2 lety

    what a beautiful neat and clean setup! loved the ambiance,,,Thankyou for great tips sir!

  • @saxonsteve
    @saxonsteve Před 2 lety +1

    God Bless You, Jerry! I only watched a minute of your video and I really like your routine so far! Continued success!

  • @johnnyduncan6486
    @johnnyduncan6486 Před 3 lety +1

    To see your writing process and to give hope to us pantsers...this is such a blessing!!!! Such a clever process!!! Thank you so much for making these videos!!!!

  • @Nbrolfiwriting
    @Nbrolfiwriting Před rokem +1

    I hope to reach this level someday by Gods grace. Its all for his glory and never the money.

  • @keebknight
    @keebknight Před 5 lety

    Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

  • @OBAMUSIC-ONE
    @OBAMUSIC-ONE Před 5 lety +20

    Thank you, Jerry, inspiring video. I love your writing space. Thank you for what you said about getting our distractions out of the way. in the past few weeks, my bedroom has been my writing space, as I have to watch my little baby go to sleep before I start to do any writing, in the early hours or late at night.

    • @nightlady2001
      @nightlady2001 Před 4 lety +1

      Keep at it and you can do it. For you, and that little baby. 😎

  • @davidholmgren659
    @davidholmgren659 Před rokem

    Excellent video. Very interesting routine and I love the keyboard.

  • @backtoemocovers
    @backtoemocovers Před 5 lety

    Thanks for this video, It really help me writing my dissertation

  • @GillyDavis
    @GillyDavis Před 5 lety

    Great ideas!! Thank you!!

  • @SoulaimanMershed
    @SoulaimanMershed Před 5 lety

    So informative, it is nothing less than a great job!

  • @mcd3379
    @mcd3379 Před rokem +2

    Great insights and advice Jerry. You work hard at your writing and your discipline has clearly paid off - there is much us aspiring writers can learn from you!

  • @potatoquesorito
    @potatoquesorito Před 5 lety +6

    I really love these videos. Very inspiring for me. I want to start writing. I'm 27 and seeing that you can go at your own pace is really relaxing to know

  • @SamReevesWrites
    @SamReevesWrites Před 5 lety +4

    Mr. Jenkins, thank you for this video. It was wonderful to gain insight into your routine. I especially liked how you spoke about getting distractions out of the way before you write. I feel the same way but have often wondered whether this was a good thing or simply procrastination. It's nice to see a professional writer allowing himself this time with success. Also, I love your computer keyboard.

  • @joryiansmith
    @joryiansmith Před 4 lety +4

    Thank you, Mr. Jenkins, for sharing your morning process, especially the bit about adjusting my writing schedule to me. Although, the bit about re-reading the last 25 pages and ferociously editing it really hit home to me as a killer way to get deep into the story quickly and empowers me to add insights and inspirations to my story (aka words!) supercharging my ability to hit my word count goals for the day. I will incorporate this into my process. Thanks again for your video Jerry.

  • @robinsmithsc
    @robinsmithsc Před 3 lety

    Thank you, Jerry. I am learning many useful tips from your videos.

  • @sherrie85248
    @sherrie85248 Před 5 lety +1

    I enjoyed this very much. Thank you for the insight! I feel better about my writing now that I know you don't outline. I prepare my work very similar to your procedures and do my editing very much the same way. I start between 5:00 and 5:30 in the morning and go until lunch. I dedicate the hours to writing and always hit my deadlines per page. You have been an inspiration!

  • @timennis3456
    @timennis3456 Před 4 lety

    Very enjoyable, very informative, thank you for sharing this.

  • @johnw3922
    @johnw3922 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Very insightful. I'm 37 and have just started writing short stories and publishing them online. I'm often frustrated with the pace I go despite the fact I only write in my free time. Knowing that 800-1000 words in a writing session is actually fairly fast, makes me feel a lot better.

  • @robertcooper1952
    @robertcooper1952 Před 3 lety

    Thanks for the excellent video, Mr. Jenkins. As an aspiring author, I really appreciate your input.

  • @chrissis111
    @chrissis111 Před 2 lety

    Great video. Thanks for sharing. I love that keyboard. It reminds me of the old IBM Selectrics!

  • @valentina7193
    @valentina7193 Před 5 lety +2

    Please keep this sort of videos coming Jerry. I managed to rescue so many tips and tactics i can wait to try them out & see if they work for me. Perhaps you could do one behind the scenes about your researching process? Thank you & the best of luck for your current project.

  • @Oneforhappy
    @Oneforhappy Před 2 lety

    Great video Sir. Wait more content form you.

  • @franceswilson5593
    @franceswilson5593 Před 5 lety +3

    Thank you for sharing the honesty about writing and discipline. I appreciate it more than I can say. This is the first time in a few months, since I found a temporary job, that I am home before 8:30 PM. I can do it. I just need to prioritize and discipline myself to do it.

  • @TrueGritProductions
    @TrueGritProductions Před 2 lety

    Very insightful, thank you

  • @gballmaier
    @gballmaier Před 2 lety

    Thank you, sir, for sharing your time and valuable knowledge.

  • @cowgirljane6976
    @cowgirljane6976 Před 2 lety +1

    If you can do it, Jerry, so can we. Thanks for the inspiration and knowledge.

  • @UntilItIsFinished
    @UntilItIsFinished Před rokem

    Thank you for the invaluable advice. I wish you the very best!

  • @JayKay0245
    @JayKay0245 Před 5 lety

    Another excellent, inspiring video

  • @donnalinn568
    @donnalinn568 Před 5 lety

    Love your advice and hard earned wisdom!

  • @ghg1976
    @ghg1976 Před 2 lety

    I love your keyboard. Seriously cool.

  • @fabricofdreams.
    @fabricofdreams. Před 3 lety

    This is very interesting and helpful. Thank you so much!

  • @wac74
    @wac74 Před 4 lety

    Thank you Jerry, enjoyed this :)