setting yourself up for writing success: the tutorial 💻☕️

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  • čas přidán 11. 09. 2024

Komentáře • 75

  • @h4ppy3nd
    @h4ppy3nd Před měsícem +64

    "Not a lot of people are writing books!" Indeed! So many people say they would like to write a book, but who actually dares to do it? Who actually spends hundreds of hours of their lives crafting something? It is an incredible feat. I'm almost done with the first draft of my first novel (98K words and going!!) and it feels momentous, I wasn't sure I'd ever get there.

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem +5

      98K?! CONGRATS!! that is a huge feat and you should definitely celebrate yourself and all your hard work.

    • @h4ppy3nd
      @h4ppy3nd Před měsícem

      @beccatobar I'll celebrate when I reach 100K yeah!

  • @FlagPam
    @FlagPam Před měsícem +17

    I literally LOL'd at the idea of age 30 being an "older" writer. Age thirty is so, so, soooo YOUNG. To all the writers in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s...don't worry. You're not too old to get started and find success.

    • @katgreer6113
      @katgreer6113 Před 24 dny

      we know but...i cant make writing my full time job so by 33 i might be so stressed and working and i wont have "summers" AKA a whole 3-4 months FREE to write so much anymore so its best to finish at least 2 drafts by the time i finish college. They don't give breaks like that in the workforce. i'm on my second year of a bachelor's degree now😅i'm trying to hurry up and at least finish ONE draft by the time im 19 years old.

  • @Bougie_Nerd
    @Bougie_Nerd Před měsícem +11

    It often feels like everyone is writing a book, but maybe it's just because I surround myself with the kinds of people who want to write books.

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem +2

      of course! perception is indeed reality sometimes. my circle of internet writer friends has definitely grown, but we all lean on each other for support and advice. i have 0 friends IRL that are writing though lol

  • @momob4276
    @momob4276 Před měsícem +10

    The algorithm Gods suggested this video to me on my homepage, and you said so many important things so many writers need to hear including myself. Thanks!

  • @caratcake7704
    @caratcake7704 Před měsícem +1

    My why: I want to get my story "on paper" so I can share with friends/family/the public the emotions that I felt when writing my twist and turns because I'm writing the book that I have always wanted to read and it's precious to me. Money and publicity would be a plus

  • @alesswonderland
    @alesswonderland Před měsícem +10

    I have slowly been working through the research and lore of a novel for all of this year so far, but I have written a few short stories over the years. These bounce off of your notes.
    I want to add to listen to your intuition and your body. If the words stop flowing for the day, don't force more. If you keep hitting blocks every time you try to write, don't write for that day. Refill your well, learn more about craft, or watch writing vlogs. If something is wrong, don't go back and change it, make a note and fix it in editing. Find when, where, and how you write best.
    I find the words flow easier with a few key plot beats to hit on the way and discovery write. I brainstorm all my notes in a notebook and write in a word doc with headers to organize scenes. I have found that writing on my tablet with a keyboard case is easier to get words in throughout the day. I don't write every day but when I do get the itch to write, I try to use that motivation until I reach a satisfying end point. We're all different but working with yourself and your body is so nice to make the process more approachable.

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem +1

      yes! i think that's why giving yourself time and space to play around with different ways of getting the words down is so important. what works one day might not work the next day. Creatives typically tend to reject too much structure/rigidity so it seems only logical that we seek out new ways of accomplishing things. also physically moving your body is so important. writing is such a sedentary, solitary practice. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! (: and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

  • @ShikiPirs
    @ShikiPirs Před měsícem +5

    The first couple of seconds I was like: ADHD? Oh, ok then I stay for sure

  • @ellai.3119
    @ellai.3119 Před 22 dny +1

    This is very good for me. I am in my teenage years and feel some weird pressure to get my book done before I hit my twenties!! I've also lost motivation to write my current idea using it feels so cash-grab(my why used to become popular and make money🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️) I'm now reconnecting with my childhood love for reading and writing I'm so glad I found this video and you made it. Thank you

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před 19 dny

      there's no right or wrong time to do anything and there's no right or wrong time to achieve "success"! sometimes, we just need to chill and make things for the sake of making them -- i'm trying to remember this, too! i'm so glad you enjoyed the video. sending you lots of love and support as you reconnect with your passions!

  • @w0wlaura
    @w0wlaura Před měsícem +10

    Screenwriter here! Found these tips very motivating 😊 thanks!

  • @mirandatheauthor
    @mirandatheauthor Před měsícem +4

    my heart felt a little lighter after watching this, thank you for putting this out in the world becca (^':

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      Aw! thanks Miranda! i'm so glad it was helpful. i know i definitely need to hear some of these things when i started writing.

  • @aprilkayauthor
    @aprilkayauthor Před měsícem +1

    The worst part for me is the feeling too old part. I need to have a voice in my mind on constant loop reminding me that there's no such thing as being too old. I also really need to sit down and reevaluate my Why™, because it's so easy to get lost in social media and all of those fantasies and unrealistic expectations that most people are never going to achieve. Thanks for sharing! This is such a good video to remind people to just slow down, take a breath, and maybe enjoy the ride, considering we all started writing in the first place because it was fun to tell our own stories.

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      oof yeah the social media doom scroll/comparison game is so deadly. i feel like it kills our creativity before we even get a chance to use it. every time i feel bad about my age (whether it's about writing or about content creation), i just think "hey, at least i started now." AND, so much of good writing comes from having LIVED and having life experiences. so, technically our age is a good thing 😌😉

  • @Maryyyyc
    @Maryyyyc Před 14 dny

    I've been working on a story for 2 years now. I'm still in the beginning stages of the book. Recently, like early this year, I finally made my goal and wrote 100 pages. Since, I haven't written more than 105 pages and started over the story probably twice, thinking, "It'll be fine. I'll make that goal again." But instead, I couldn't write more than 20 pages, and I haven't written since. Just yesterday, I went back to my original draft, read a couple pages, and realized how good the story is for a first draft. Now, just because I don't like how the story is going, doesn't mean I have to keep it that way, I can make a 360 change in the middle of the story and continue with that. That's the beauty of having a first draft, and I hope to read 200 pages by the end of this year.

  • @HaliLand
    @HaliLand Před 14 dny

    I've watched so many writing videos but this one is fresh and important!!

  • @booomkitten
    @booomkitten Před měsícem +4

    this was so, so helpful! I relate to a lot of your points - I turned 30 this year after writing basically nothing for the past several years, and "starting over" feels really daunting. Even just trying to pick a word processor feels like a big hurdle! But your advice made it feel more achievable, and made me feel less alone. Thank you!

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      thank you so much for your kind response!! i'm glad it resonated with you

  • @Ayluy
    @Ayluy Před měsícem +3

    Well it seems like the algorithm decided I should start on that novel idea that's been haunting my brain 😂 thank you for the tips! I really like the overview of different factors to think about

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      yes! do it! it's tough but writing is such a rewarding experience!

  • @marleenstukkien5384
    @marleenstukkien5384 Před měsícem

    I haven't written for years either, but now I find I haven't lost time at all, not even a day. I grew as a person in those years, as we all do. I learned all kinds of lessons that also makes my writing better. I'm convinced I needed that personal growth...

  • @iamluyu
    @iamluyu Před 14 dny

    Just saw 3 minutes of this video and you seem such a lovely and caring person!!😩💕💕 You're giving sunny countryside english cottage and fresh cup of tea vibes, and I'm here for it omggg. So new subscriber here!

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před 14 dny

      Oh my goodness what a compliment!! thank you so much for joining our little community!

  • @sasha_bryno
    @sasha_bryno Před měsícem +1

    You've been heard from another continent, grlll!!!!! Love your vibe, its absolutely giving and love your thoughts. As a new writer with ADHD, it was incredibly important to hear those words from someone! Thank you so much

  • @night_jade
    @night_jade Před měsícem +1

    Thank you for this video. I am 31 and have a bach in English, with focus in writing, and use to love doing it; until one professor just hated my writing. It made me quit, I'm sad to say, but the desire has always been there. I am just getting back into it. Deciding that he was only one out of many that did like my writing and I want to finish my dream. You have a new sub!!!

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem +1

      it makes me so happy to hear that you're picking writing back up again!! it's such a tough but rewarding practice. It's hard when you get negative feedback from someone who is supposed to feel like a "professional" or knowledgeable in their field but in reality, it's all about preference. i'm so happy to have you as part of our little community! definitely let me know what kind of content you would like to see (:

  • @lr2ldn
    @lr2ldn Před měsícem

    This was so good! Thank you for this! This put a fire under me!

  • @andreatothemax
    @andreatothemax Před měsícem +1

    So much fantastic advice here! I relate to a lot of your process as a fellow ADHD writer 😅. And even though I have finished and sold a book, I still really needed that kick in the pants reminder to JUST WRITE THE DRAFT. Congratulations on finishing your draft! That’s MAJOR!

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      congratulations on selling your book! that's amazing! thank you for the kind words (:

  • @kittyslink
    @kittyslink Před měsícem +1

    The small goals and knowing where your heart is really is a motivating. Thank you!

  • @cottagecorebard
    @cottagecorebard Před měsícem

    Great video! Also, just to help everyone who is baffled by writers turning out full manuscripts in a month or less, or publishing multiple complete books a year, these authors usually have help. Yes, you do get writers who are superhuman, but one thing I've learned as a Professional Ghostwriter is that there are many published authors who are working with multiple professional and experienced ghostwriters to be able to get their complete and ready-to-publish manuscripts done within a year. As a ghostwriter, I'm paid to create a manuscript within a month and this means spending 7 days a week writing. Yeah, burnout and I are BFFs but due to my profession, I work alongside other professional writers and editors to create the manuscript within a month for the client, making it possible for them to turn out more than one book every few months. So don't compare yourself to other authors because you won't always know what tools and resources they're using to help them make their dreams come to life.

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem +1

      that is such a great call out! i feel like for creatives there's this stigma around having help? almost like it raises the question of if you have help, is the art even your own anymore? also, huge kuddos to you for being able to churn out manuscripts in a month! ghost writing is seriously no joke and i commend you!

    • @cottagecorebard
      @cottagecorebard Před měsícem

      @@beccatobar Thank you! And I'm only able to turn out books so quickly because of the tools and resources provided to me by my bosses and the support of colleagues. Also, since it's my day job I can focus only on writing which it makes it easier. But honestly, the one thing I've learned during my time as a ghostwriter is that it's okay to ask for help with your creative projects. Writing is often seen as a very lonely journey and this can make an already daunting task even more challenging, but it doesn't have to be-especially if you're neurodivergent like myself and many of my colleagues. So take your time, seek out help (even if it's just talking to a friend or reaching out to other writers in the community), and make use of tools and resources that would benefit you regardless of what others might say about it. They are not, and never will be, in your situation.

  • @mikwrites
    @mikwrites Před měsícem +1

    bestie this is such an amazing pep talk!!!!!!!!! so many amazing resources as well as reminders for new and old authors alike 💗

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      coming from the best teacher herself, i feel so honored🥹

  • @renatakr754
    @renatakr754 Před měsícem

    Thank you for an inspiring video! Especially celebrating milestones and just write and not looking for perfection tips took me out of my writing block!

  • @SuperExtrovert
    @SuperExtrovert Před 18 dny

    I needed to hear this today ☺️

  • @victorydrawsmanga4539
    @victorydrawsmanga4539 Před měsícem

    I am not a writer but I am an artist who is trying to create a comic series- So to a degree I have to be a writer lol even though I would argue I draw better than I can write (specifically I am creating a fanseries that is basically a love letter and continuing a game series that I love so much but it has ended the story- But I want to make a fanseries continuing the story, a sort of Boruto to Naruto or Legend of Korra to Avatar The Last Airbender, or Descendants and Ever After High, basically next / new gen stuff with the kids of existing characters from the game series I am making fan work for) and you giving the advice of setting realistic expectations hit me HARD- As someone who has been in the process of revamping this fanseries and is super frustrated with herself for how I felt like I did “lose time” dealing with life stuff and being unable to work on this series all while feeling like I am behind my comic creating peers, that at my young age (let’s just say I am going to be a legal adult soon, going into senior year of high school this year) I always felt like I never achieved anything , that I am just wasting my time and my creativity is for nothing , that I am just a failure because I am always pressured to have to “prove myself” to my family and put something good on my soon in the future college applications , it really sucks and often it causes me to have imposter syndrome and just be unable to work on my series and then I find no vids, no articles, no nothing that can help me figure out how to deal with this constant problem I had-
    Getting to the point , I mean it when I say that ir was so so so SO comforting hearing that really I am just taking my time to cook my work and a good reminder that my journey is not going to be the same as any other person- Even if I don’t finish this series when I am 30 like you, it’s okay- Sure I am (insert age here) and I haven’t even finished cooking my series but it is okay, and I have to start setting up realistic expectations and I have to stop being obsessed wire trying to “achieve things” already at my age. Thank you so much for this vid because it genuinely gave advice that I needed and I have found nowhere else- Sorry for this super long comment but this video just comforted me and gave me the energy and confidence to get back on track cooking my comic fanseries, you got yourself a new sub for this amazing vid! (I hope I made sense, sorry I tend to have really big trouble explaining myself sometimes-)🫶

  • @itsvicky97
    @itsvicky97 Před měsícem

    I'm so happy that I clicked on your video cause you said exactly what I needed to hear!!

  • @gorgonwritten
    @gorgonwritten Před 17 dny

    tysm for your advice!

  • @baileyschnurwriter
    @baileyschnurwriter Před měsícem

    Great advice--I agree with everything you said! I'm watching this video as I continue to work through the first draft of my current heart project, and your words helped keep me grounded and reminded me to relax into and trust my process.
    Not a lot of writing tutorials on CZcams, or at least the ones I've come across, talk about the abstract aspects of the process. It's a lot of tips for getting words on the page, which is good, but it's also important to zoom out a bit and consider who you are as a person and what you need in order to nourish your writer.

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      hi bailey! i'm so glad this was helpful for you (: i've also found that not a lot of videos cover the abstract/bigger picture facets of writing a book, and they're usually some of the most important bits. thanks so much for watching

  • @andreeastancu1505
    @andreeastancu1505 Před měsícem

    I really want to take all of your advice and start working on my first draft...except I don't know which one! I have *so many* ideas for *so many* stories and I don't know which one to pick first.
    The one idea that I am most excited about and that I think about on a daily basis takes place in a very complex fantasy world that requires *a lot* more research before being able to actually write in it even though I have multiple storylines prepared for this world, but I don't want to get stuck on the research part anymore. I want to just write.
    Other ideas I have are not as exciting or fleshed out. I started working on a visual mood board on one of my ideas a few weeks ago and I was getting confident(ish) about it but then I realized that I picked the one story where I have a clear(ish) view on what the world would look like and zero clue about any of the characters that live in it or the plot.
    I'm thinking maybe I should start with a contemporary, rather than a complicated fantasy setting, that requires less research but then I always worry that maybe these characters would fit better into the massive world I mentioned at the start and that the fantastical elements would enhance their story and that I will have wasted my time writing it only to end up changing most of it later...
    How do I choose?😭😭

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      ooh that's such a tough one. i feel like if the fantasy one is calling your name, you should pursue it. what you could do is once you have your characters and the general gist of the plot/structure/worldbuilding allow yourself to write like a 20k zero draft. I think this is where allowing yourself to play is really important. My zero draft gave me so many ideas of where i did and didn't want my story to go, and now that i'm on the actual first draft, i have a much better handle of my story. This should allow you to actually get to writing while still doing some "research" on what you want the story to look like! i hope that helps (:

  • @Kat_Author2021
    @Kat_Author2021 Před měsícem +1

    You have some good advice for new writers!

  • @peterkaltreider2644
    @peterkaltreider2644 Před měsícem +1

    This is really excellent. Well done. Thank you

  • @ginialeon3014
    @ginialeon3014 Před měsícem

    Great video. I've been in a writing slump lately so I really needed those insights. Thank you!!!

  • @AriBPK
    @AriBPK Před měsícem +1

    I loved this video, Becca! Such excellent advice ❤

  • @renatakr754
    @renatakr754 Před měsícem

    Ok, now I finished the whole video and need to add one more comment :D I appreciate how you are not pushing us to subscribe and support you but gently offering! That kind approach got me❤

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem +1

      @@renatakr754 oh im so glad!! I never want to make people feel like they’re obligated to support (it makes us both feel a little icky). Welcome to the club! 🤍🥹

  • @anthonycosentino463
    @anthonycosentino463 Před měsícem

    I am starting my 3rd draft of a cosmic horror comedy. I'm 54. First novel. May the gods smile upon me...

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      wishing you the best of luck! are you working on complete structural edits or line edits?

    • @anthonycosentino463
      @anthonycosentino463 Před měsícem

      @@beccatobar Both actually. Then I guess it's beta reader time. Been on this project for a year now. It's called HUG. Hoping to publish before year end.

  • @TatumWritesBooks
    @TatumWritesBooks Před měsícem

    This video was so helpful, I relate so hard 🥲Keep making more videos like this one please

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      thank you so much! is there anything in particular you'd like to see?

  • @AnaPaula-vk3bs
    @AnaPaula-vk3bs Před měsícem

    This video gave me so many good insights! ♡

  • @ellaillustrates9350
    @ellaillustrates9350 Před měsícem

    Thank you so much!!!

  • @oceanesdiary
    @oceanesdiary Před měsícem

    Thank you I really needed this 🥹 I started the outline of my book, even wrote the first chapter - but I still need to work more on the outline I think. I really enjoy doing it, but I put myself a random time of 4 months and I just realised that...why FOUR months? Why that specific timelines that I pulled out of nowhere 😂

  • @gabrieleperine2124
    @gabrieleperine2124 Před měsícem

    YOU’RE NOT BRANDON SANDERSON. I’m dead

  • @ArcherBell-storyteller
    @ArcherBell-storyteller Před měsícem

    I like u. Imma keep watching u 😌

  • @mclay7221
    @mclay7221 Před měsícem

    wait.... youre saying yall dont draft the whole thang in a blank notion page? every day i learn more about notion the more i realise im using it so wrong

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem

      Bestie, I fear that is insane behavior 😂😂 but hey if it works for you then you aren’t using it wrong!!

  • @ashleycrockett3908
    @ashleycrockett3908 Před měsícem

    Do you have any videos where you go over scrivener and its features?

    • @beccatobar
      @beccatobar  Před měsícem +1

      currently i do not! i do go over how i personally have my scrivener set up in this video: czcams.com/video/RJxooG4iD6A/video.html
      but everything i learned about scrivener, i learned from abbie emmons' video! czcams.com/video/AJyGox2ldHo/video.html

  • @Divyv520
    @Divyv520 Před 2 dny

    Hey becca , really nice video ! I was wondering if I could help you with more Quality Editing in your videos and also make a highly engaging Thumbnail and also help you with the overall youtube strategy and growth ! Pls let me know what do you think ?