Best thing about hand writing the first draft is that when you type it up, you naturally turn it into a second draft. Well, I do.

@rileytrep6514

4 жыл бұрын

Leah Harris exactly!

@arcane9205

4 жыл бұрын

So do I. Editing my first book and I prefer longhand. Took me 4 years to write it and 45 days to type it up which tilted me kinda lol. Edited as I went tho

@2012funfamilytimes

3 жыл бұрын

I do the same thing!! Lol hand cramps and throwing pens against the wall in frustration and all.

@melliemac5617

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! This is my process exactly.

Hand-writing also means you can play with inks that have crazy sheen effects and such, if you want to go down the fountain pen rabbit-hole. Maybe it's silly, but the color-shifting inks make my messy, scribbly rough drafts look like magic, and that makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing the first steps into your new novel draft! It's fascinating to see the getting-down-to-business, first-blank-page-tackling process in action. All the best luck with the new book.

@AjasAura

2 жыл бұрын

Hey! My fountain pen obsession is what landed me on this video 😂

"Progress, not perfection" is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing this part of your writing process with us. I brainstorm, plan and worldbuild with pen and paper too. As part of my preparation process, I write morning pages as part of Preptober - an A5 page every morning before work to find out about the characters and some details of their world. I include part of these morning pages in my drafts.

@sheelachattopadhyay

3 жыл бұрын

I've been having to go back and do the same for my non-fiction book too. It's been a major help. :)

I'm also trying handwriting. I like editing, outlining, and worldbuilding by hand. I am simulating a word-processor using dry-erase markers of meaningful colors. I am trying to conserve lined paper.

@jcandye1

4 жыл бұрын

Yes! I do the same thing. I have sheet protectors that I put a sheet of notebook paper in, and a few others with plot embryos and scene cards. Then when I'm finished, I save it with a photo and erase. I love doing it this way! I do get frustrated with the easy smearing, so I tried sharpies, and oh boy, that was bad. I had to clean it off with alcohol and I went through so many paper towels to get it clean :( I would really like to invest in one of those reusable notebooks.

@meganfuentes3487

3 жыл бұрын

@@jcandye1 Rocketbook makes a really good reusable notebook!

I read Sabriel quite a few years ago and it literally set me back on the road to writing....I photocopied the cover and pasted it into my journal with the words "I want to write stories like this". 😂✨. Big fan of analogue....although I don't draft by hand anymore because my brain moves too fast for my hand and I end up with a wicked cramp 🙄...but all of my brainstorming and plot finagling is done with pen on paper. Serious magic in that. ;)

This video finally gave me the kick to start my own novel, and I've finally finished the first chapter! It took many days, and it's only 2500 words, but it's still something, and I'm really happy to have started. A massive thank you :) I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough(er) time. Hope you're healthy and safe now.

@Azihayya

4 жыл бұрын

I hope you continue to write! I'm working at becoming a writer, and I realized that I have to stop looking at my work in terms of chapters--I just need to do whatever creative writing I can, because writing stories isn't easy! You do you, but if you can't move from chapter one to two, think about what else you can do before you give up!

@andreacerasoni

4 жыл бұрын

@@Azihayya writing involves a lot of trial and error. If you find an approach that works for you, stick with it and get the words on the page! Good luck

When I was 9 I wrote my first "novel" (187 pages) on paper with a fountain pen, I really felt like a fancy professional author 😂

My current favorite writing/working ambient noise is "Train Sounds" playlist on Spotify - I'm sure there's a similar playlist on KZread or somewhere. It's really calming and focusing, and it makes me feel like I'm hurtling through a sleeping countryside on a night train while I'm doing work. It keeps me on track and feeling inspired, and I highly recommend!

So happy to see this because I am currently doing the exact same thing!! First scene of my first novel :))

I love your videos, your hair is amazing, and I hope you are feeling better.

I absolutely love the way you are working. The fact you use one page to figure out the scenes that you need in the chapter before you sit down to write it. Also, the embryo part, and keeping a second notebook with all the world building and information in it. I find that handwriting actually helps me out a lot. It allows me to stop being so distracted with various apps on my computer or worrying about fonts. The critical voice is fear. I give mine a name when it starts nagging me, and tell it to shut up. It doesn't always work, but most of the time it helps.

i find the site TableTopAudio has some really good white noise mixes; i'm currently using 'artist's garret' for my novel:)

I love your attitude of self compassion in this vlog. Just gently easing yourself into this new story. It's encouraging to me.

Rachel soooo helped me get thru 2020 I tried to like and comment every video but apparently I didn’t come up with a comment for this one so here it is a bit late, I’m happy that you and I and Rachel are still here to see it

You’re writing vlogs are always so peaceful and calming for me, thank you for making them!

Congratulations on your first words! I'm so excited for you. I handwrite my first drafts too. There's something satisfying about looking at pages and pages of your handwritten work. Typing is a pain, but words on paper is worth it.

Congrats on writing your first scene! I don't know why it's so fun and inspiring to see you writing - but it is! Replaying while I work!

I'm so proud of you!! And there really is something special about writing by hand - Can't wait to see more writing vlogs - they are my fave!!

Yay! Love this so much! Your videos are very inspiring, and I'm so excited for you to begin the drafting process of your new novel. 😊

For me I type so much faster but having to sit at my desk isn't motivating to me. I am more creative while in my bed so since I don't have a laptop right now I handwrite conversations between my characters and it's really helpful! I even handwrite conversations between them and myself 😅 (which actually does wonders for me.) Not only does it give me progress in the story it also makes me feel like I'm just letting them tell their own stories through dialogue. It also helps me figure things out a lot smoother than forcing myself at a blank screen.

Hoping to start my first draft soon. I type so much faster than I hand write, but I love handwriting so much more. Good luck on the new novel! And I love the music you had in the background of your video! Very pretty!

Yes! Working on seeing what works best in analogue and what on computer. Congratulations on Words On Paper and the beginning of your first draft. :)

When Clausewitz wrote On War, he drew a line down the middle of each page and wrote on one side only, giving him space for revision notes later.

This is really helpful! I love videos like these. And I just wanted to say I love your desk haha.

This was very peaceful to watch!

Wow,I’m doing a hand written book and u give me so much inspiration!

Well... I'm a fountain pen addict... if you are a writer handwritting, you need a fountain pen! :)

@TheDanielbarboza

4 жыл бұрын

Look for Goulet Pens on KZread.

@sheelachattopadhyay

4 жыл бұрын

I had to get into fountain pens to alleviate pain when writing and it does really work. There's plenty of companies to go for, even though Goulet Pens has a lot of resources there. If it helps, having a favorite pen or two can help.

@melliemac5617

3 жыл бұрын

My writing life changed when I got into fountain pens. I’m obsessed!

You inspired me to go analog too. I have no idea if I can but I'm going to try 😉👍

Wow all this prep is so cool, all I do is open my laptop and start writing while listening to taylor swift lol

Okay have to pause for the Garth Nix Sabriel series shoutout. I feel like that series doesn't get the attention it deserves. It is SOOO GOOOD. He's in my top 3 favorite authors ever. Incredible story, incredible characterization, incredible magic system.

Best of luck to you! 🍀

Love this vlog! And your Athena

Yay, it's so exciting to see you write the first words!

@RachaelStephen

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! Yeah we’ll see how I get on with handwriting 😂 what are you doing instead of linear drafting?

@vanessaglau1797

4 жыл бұрын

@@RachaelStephen I jump around fairly often - not too much, but I write or sketch scenes as they come to me. When I'm stuck, I might jump ahead towards the next bit that I know needs to happen or I might just write the dialogue before filling in everything else.

Omg i was a huge fan of garth nix during high school! Sabriel lirael and abhorsen??? I remember it introduced me to the concept of necromancy hahaha. And his monday, tuesday etc. series was a lot of fun. I havent heard many people talk about his books so thanks for the throwback. Also my heart goes out to you during your grief

Hey! If you like mixing ambient sounds and melodies, try using Relax Melodies. The app has a free version with additional premium sounds. I use to use it a couple of years ago and really liked it. You can mix and match, save your custom playlists and pick what mood you want.

It's cool how you're writing your novel by hand! I used to do that when I first started writing and when I had essays to write for school. But overtime, I got away from that...I'm thinking I might get back into that when I get back to writing. I never heard of that writing method you were using...but it sounds like a great way to keep your story organized! Thanks for sharing that. Can you please tell me where you got the journal you were using? Thanks in advance and take care!

I started a new project too! Well not completely new. It’s an idea that I’ve had on the back-burner for a while now. Like a year ago I made a few plot embryos for it and just decided to save it for another time while I was working on my main project. But I sort of got bored with what I was primarily working on, which was a novel sort of in the sci-fi vein. I’ve been pushing forward on it for three or four years…and yeah, i just basically fluttered over to this back-burner project about a week ago because it made me feel more excited. I’m slightly worried that I’m just doing this because I don’t want to put in the work anymore. The beginning stage of writing a story is always kind of like the first stages of a romance. It’s really exciting and really fun, but when it gets difficult, and discouraging in any sense, I tend to jump ship... but during these shitty times, when I feel like I don’t have a lot to look forward to, it’s nice to feel excited about something. That’s my excuse at the moment, LOL. I feel like maybe doing this instead of chipping away at the old project, is sort of like self care.. It’s a sci-fi stage play which is a different type of format than I’m used to. I’m not typically that great at doing dialogue, so it’s a challenge. I have been writing a lot using voice-to-text in my phone. I do that fairly often anyway, but I find that it helps, especially with writing dialogue; reading it back feels a bit more natural. I really love this new project so far. Although I’m starting to struggle a little bit already. I read some to my girlfriend the other night, and as I was reading it I was stumbling over my speech and getting nervous, and now I’m afraid it sounds stupid. Do you ever find that you get discouraged after sharing any amount of your story with someone before it’s completed? I find I get so discouraged that I almost want to give up completely. And it’s a really big mental hurdle that pretty much insures I never finished anything. 😕 I know it’s stupid, but I can’t seem to figure out a way around feeling that way. Your videos help. I feel like we have a similar outlook on writing, and even spirituality. Which helps a lot. Especially because the places that I am deficient in are all areas you seem to be pretty strong in, like organization and problem-solving. I really appreciate that about your videos. Plus, I feel like you’re one of the few people who give writing advice online that still talk about it like it’s art. I do appreciate the business outlook , but I’m a bit burned out by it., And I like that you’re kind of a happy medium. You talk about it like it’s work, but you don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re doing it because of self-care and, art, and personal spirituality. Anyway thanks for another great video, Rachael.

Damn, passion gives us art and it also gives us pain. Some ailing's block would be great!

Damn I would give up after 4 sentences lol, writing is not for me hand cramps are too much 😂. It’s cool that you write your stories up!

lots of nice chillhop videos on youtube combine background noises with music, maybe there'll be one for you in there? Thank you for sharing your vulnerabilities and struggles with us. I bought your Plot Embryo last week and have already been able to properly start outlining my novel, which is the first time ever, so thank you!

@RachaelStephen

4 жыл бұрын

I have tried some of them! But I do find most of the noise + music ones tend to be jazz which isn’t really my vibe 😂 I did find a mix I liked in the end though

When I saw that candle in the thumbnail I really thought it was a big ol' jar of coffee haha. I really need help!

😍

An idea you might try, if you haven't already. Write ideas, scribble, doodle, in a pad but also dictate the story into a voice recorder at the same time. Then use the Macbook's transcription software to turn the recording into text. That would give you the tactile feeling of writing and the speed of dictation. I would like to try this, but I feel the need to "walk and talk" :-)

Anyone know the song @ 10:36 ? :)

I had a girlfriend who had already joined the military and shipped out not long after we met. She had to hand write letters to me and I still have them, 25 years later. I hand wrote a couple letters to her but then I decided to type and print them because daily mail was better for her than less frequent handwritten mail. Spoiler, no it didn’t work out. But I’m a better person because I knew her and I’m sure she’s a great person all on her own.

Which song did you use in this video?

Is North of The End still active?

@RachaelStephen

4 жыл бұрын

It isn’t. If you want to catch up on that I’d check out my “writing day with kirsty” vlog, and the April clubhouse replay - I talk about it there.

Hold on I need a video or a comment or something explaining your relationship with pokemon. That was a seriously important easter egg you dropped.

@RachaelStephen

4 жыл бұрын

What Easter egg do you mean? I have no idea 😂

@extraHERO

4 жыл бұрын

7:11

@RachaelStephen

4 жыл бұрын

extraHERO tbh Dedenne being on there isn’t super deep 😂 I like to pull together trinkets which mean something and I couldn’t think what else to add. So I added Dedenne for... energy? since it’s an electric type 😂

@extraHERO

4 жыл бұрын

So would you call yourself a pokemon fan? If so why is the games and/or the show, or Pokemon go. Are you a collector? You did the Team Rocket plot embryo so you at least have a passing knowledge of the show for sure.

Amazon is dropping off two large and wonderful journals tomorrow and I am intending to use them and various pens and inks in a certain writing project that has been on my mind for a very long time. Seeing smart and capable people like you say writing long-hand can be a good way to go gives me hope!🙂🗯 November 9, 2022