I just love all of your stuff. Clear. Helpful. Concise. ....like you're an editor or something

@erincampbell8099

6 жыл бұрын

I think they were making a joke...

I know now what it is I love about your blogs. You get straight to the point without any big long preambles about your dog, what you did on the weekend, having your hair done, who came to visit or how important you may think you are. There's none of that. Your blogs are about passing on information that's valid to us, and not me me me me, or about promoting anybodies ego. Thank you, and keep up the good work, it is very much appreciated.

@anthonyleveille1

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@bashdash100

4 жыл бұрын

@ChomziLand: Telemundo Africa Justifiably so lol

@gerritvanwyk2162

3 жыл бұрын

@ChomziLand: Telemundo Africa Well, to be fair Charlie Brown made no reference to speaking with a piercing annoying voice, so that does keep things vague enough ;)

Thanks for all the helpful advice as a young author 99% of it is applicable to my work

@ClintLoweTube

6 жыл бұрын

A jar of pickles What is the 1%?

@ajarofpickles2826

6 жыл бұрын

Stuff like publishing which I have yet to need seeing as I post most of my work on Reddit

I've just realised how much I love the fact that there's no background music in your videos, no animated intro or outro - everything is focused on the ideas, not flashy loud KZread trends.

Thank you for your videos. They are very straightforward and don't go off on random topics throughout, I really appreciate that.

I like how you use examples. So many channels and videos out there that explain a lot but don't show a single example. Show don't tell - use it for your videos, folks!

I’ve been hammering KZread for years studying writing and story, and I just want to be a voice of encouragement and let you know that you, your content, and the way you deliver your content is top-tier and I’m so glad to have found your stuff.

I love foreshadowing when I read it, and happily it seems to come naturally to me when I write. Thanks for this and all the great, helpful videos in this series, Ellen!!!

Crichton is the king of foreshadowing at the end of a chapter. I'm reading Sphere rn and it is the definition of a "page turner"

Fantastic. I’ve been struggling with this in my WIP. Timely and relevant as always!!

Thanks. This is very helpful. Most reader usually stop reading if the chapter ending is a crap😁👌

Hey I really like your channel. You make a lot of sense unlike many wannabe KZreadrs. I love foreshadowing. Especially when I write a large or a very important chapter. Since I release my work episode by episode it keeps the readers interested XD.

@ransomlinder6018

6 жыл бұрын

Ahbyahd Mohammed Hey, pal! I’m a wannabe KZreadr, and I make sense! o(｀ω´ )o Lol

@ahbyahdmohammed7694

6 жыл бұрын

@@ransomlinder6018 I can't seem to find your channel XD

@ransomlinder6018

6 жыл бұрын

Ahbyahd Mohammed lol

My only complete novel is a fanfiction that was written and published online one chapter at a time. Because of this, and the fact that the book was a plot-twist-based thriller built around crazy revelations, desperate situations and escalation (story is literally titled "Worst Case Scenario"), chapter endings ended up being like 90% cliffhangers, and I got to see commenters react in anguish as a result. It especially helped that because there were a lot of characters and viewpoints, and that I generally rotated between them pretty evenly, it would by like 4 or 5 chapters before we got back to the resolution of that cliffhanger, at which point several more would have popped up.

Ellen, one of the best things about your lessons is you teach by example. This one was exceptionally well done for that reason.

Sometimes ending a chapter ending just works best after completing a scene. It gives the reader satisfaction to want to find out next when they resume the story. It provides a nice cool down rather than stressing over each one being a tedious cliffhanger, which is most of these examples.

as someone who wants to venture into writing for the first time i've found myself binging your videos and they're incredibly helpful!! keep up the amazing work, ellen! < 3

Thanks so much Ellen! I'm so glad there's some one like you on the internet to make these videos!

Awe! I remember reading because of Winn-Dixie! It’s one of those books that has just stuck with me for some reason.

Love all your video's, you're a goldmine of great info.

Nicely done Ellen. Great examples and one of your best!

Great video. I'm very thankful for your channel 😃

Great video! Especially since I'm outlining right now 😊

me as copy-editor on that first chapter ending : (crosses out 869 dead fish) "84 is funnier"

@ClintLoweTube

6 жыл бұрын

A Sonic Animator Eleventy seven?

These videos are great. Better then the writing classes I have done. Thanks Ellen. :)

Very helpful video! Loved it

Your videos make me so excited to start writing… at some theoretical point in the future.

Was just wondering about this today. You read my mind!

Glad I came across your channel, your videos are very helpful and to the point :-)

I hope you will do a video or at least a Q&A regarding Slice of Life novels.

Instant new subscriber! This vid represents Classic KZread University. Thank you very much for sharing, Professor!

Thank you so much.

You are pure genius

I usually like to end a chapter just before a character interaction or just as they are about to enter a new place so there is anticipation. Good video. I just found your channel.

Where would I be without you, Ellen

Amazing thank you 🙏

Another great video :D

Ellen, your videos offer great advice and is a lovely skeleton to build the body of our novels; could you add reviews at the end of your videos? A quick overview of what you talked about In the corner. It would really help in memorizing these lessons. Thank you!

The hook or inciting incident and this new video are a real help! Thanks! Q- Do these come naturally as you write the story, or do you have to place yourself in the reader's shoes and ask questions? I'm not fond of asking questions. People tell me that I tend to leave matters completely answered in each chapter heading or video title. I want to make my audience curious about the stories I am telling. I'm going to try this.

Did you purposely use different covers for Because of Winn-Dixie every time you talked about it?

@mountainrock7682

4 жыл бұрын

Just lie the book "Survivor," she displays different covers every other while.

Love your vids, they are really helping me. I am missing something though and I can't find any video of yours about that topic: fighting scenes. Could you please give me some tips about it?

Great video :D

Ellen, you said, "Leave something unresolved." In his book "Conflict & Suspense," James Scott Bell teaches that "Suspense is the withholding of resolution." My GOAL is to be published before my 60th birthday. Only 24 months to go, and I hope you can help me this year! (I already submitted my request on your website). BTW - Another excellent video.

Hello, how's everyone's progress goin'? I'm currently starting and thank you Miss Ellen for the insights

Hello Ellen, I am in the process of establishing the theme, characters, setting, and purpose of my novel. I have been watching your videos lately; they are absolutely fantastic. I really appreciate the time you take to prepare the content and explain them clearly with examples. Further, I have a questions regarding some chapters. For my first chapter, for instance, I'm trying to establish the normal world of my main character of the first book. I'm trying to show his fears and regrets as well as what he is missing in his life. Since, as far as I'm concerned, I'm seeing this chapter to be a mini-story within the whole story, do I need to have it structured? That is to say, does the chapter have to have a beginning, a middle, and an end? I looked as some classic examples such as HP first book. The second chapter (The Vanishing Glass) shows Harry's normal world/life. Does it follow a conventional story structure at all? I can't really put my finger on whether it has a structure or not! Thanks again for your help :)

Great video! So structured and helpful, with excellent examples. I was wondering if you think it's possible to leave too much unresolved at the end of each chapter? For example, if you use these techniques repeatedly in a novel, might it become predictable and lose impact?

Hey also can you make a video on some really good metaphors and idioms to use to treat the reader with some better storytelling? Ps: I'm really struggling with that part. If anyone knows any good sites to help with it would be a massive help :D

Your content is amazing. I'm very glad I found you out. I only wish you had a better microphone.

@EllenBrock

6 жыл бұрын

I've replaced the microphone three times (different brands, different types) and I can't seem to get better audio. I'm still working on it. I'm going to do more research in the coming months. Thanks for watching!

@xelacremant7396

6 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry to hear that your attempts have been unsuccessful. I am sorry if I brought up the issue in an in an indelicate or offensive way, it wasn't my intention. I'm truly thankful for the content you create and it's taught me a lot and helped me in my work. I wish you the best in the development of your channel!

Interesting.

You love Misery don’t you haha thanks for another great vid

Chapter endings that I have, in no particular order: "Am I going to die?" Salani asked, even though she knew the answer. "I won't let that happen," Ryan reassured. "I will start you on an intravenous solution," Mikkel said. "That should give you some more time for me to develop an antidote. I will do everything in my power to make sure you live through this." "You'd better," Palor said, a slight menacing edge to his voice. "If she dies, you will be held partially responsible." ____ "I have received word from...an anonymous source... that there are a few traitors among my ranks," Palor said. "Your task is to find out who these traitors are so they can be brought to justice." "Would you like me to grill the prisoners again?" Ryan asked, hiding his nervousness. "That would be wonderful," Palor replied with a smile. "I'll get to it as soon as I get cleaned up," Ryan said, swallowing. "Perhaps the traitor Winslow has a few ideas." "I like how you think," Palor said with a grin, clapping him on the back. "Let me know what you find out." "Of course," Ryan replied with a forced smile as he started down the hall again. "Your enemy is my enemy. I'll make sure they pay dearly for their treachery." ____ Martha reluctantly opened her eyes. Every part of her screamed for her to seize the knife and kill him right then and there. But inside, she knew she couldn't risk the life of her unborn child. So she silently watched, with tears in her eyes, as Palor began. ___ "Do you think I'll wake up again?" Valerie asked, a wave of exhaustion wash over her. "I don't know," Mikkel admitted. "But if you don't, I know there's a good place waiting for you." "That's good," she said, sighing contently. She turned to Ryan. "If I don't make it, comfort Teja. She'll need it. And when you rescue Martha and he friends, comfort her too." "I will," Ryan promised, a tear rolling down his cheek. "Thank you," Valerie said, smiling weakly. She yawned, then closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep. ______ "Night," Hayes replied before shutting the door. He sat back down at his desk, massaging his temples. He didn't know what to think of all of this. On the one hand, Ryan seemed like a pretty decent ally. On the other hand, he was still being blackmailed, regardless of how friendly his blackmailer was about it. Blackmail was blackmail, and Hayes hated being on the receiving end of that mailing list. But it didn't matter. He would get what he wanted in the end. And then he'd punish every one of his blackmailers. And he would enjoy every second of it. _____ "What would've happened if we continued to use the fuel?" Salani asked. "For one thing, we would've run out before we got there, which would make it harder for us to make a smooth landing," Ryan said. "For another thing, the fuel might ignite." "Good to know," Salani said, nodding. "Remind me never to board another spacecraft again." Ryan laughed. "You don't have to worry too much about that. If it were to ignite, you probably wouldn't even notice." _____ Kopura's followers bound the pilot's hands behind his back. The pilot, though adamant at first, submitted himself to their hands as they searched him and emptied his pockets. "What do you think?" Kopura asked quietly, turning towards Iosefa. "It's hard to tell," Iosefa said. "The evidence so far is equal for both sides of the argument. We'll have to see how things play out." "I definitely do not want to take any chances," Kopura said. "I need to be absolutely sure before a final decision is made." "How will you know for sure?" Iosefa asked. "I will consult the gods about it," Kopura replied. "Pay attention to his behavior. Write down any evidence you see for both sides. We will use that, in addition to anything the gods reveal, to determine his fate." ______ "Martha?" "Yeah?" "Do you think we'll ever be safe again?" "I don't know, Joshua. I really don't know."

Thank god i watched this specific episode because I have a character named Opal in my fantasy WIP, and now i don't wanna use OPal. I am especially attached to that character. Maybe I'll still use it or change it if i think up of a new cooler name hmm

Could you do one about weaving dialogue and descriptive together? I sometimes feel like I'm writing way too much of one at a time and then it starts to feel weird when I put in dialogue. Especially if I have a big wall of descriptive and then write a short bit of dialogue only to then go back to descriptive again. And maybe also make a video on how to write more flowery, because I tend to write a bit to the point.

@ransomlinder6018

6 жыл бұрын

Ricky A tip from Jenna Moreci’s channel was to write all the dialogue first. This way you don’t lose the flow of the conversation. Then add in the description later. This helps if you write down all the things they need to say first. Like her, I’m an outlier so maybe this is easier for us.

@TimRG

6 жыл бұрын

Exploring Stories, what great tip from the Cyborg Queen. As an outliner, I prove this tip. It does help.

@TimRG

6 жыл бұрын

Risky, if you are writing your first draft, don't worry about it. Just get your novel written. You can figure out more flow with description and dialogue in the later drafts. Beta readers will help with this. I've tried in the past and still do try to make my first draft as good as I can so I have less editing. Don't. Just write and worry about all that stuff later. It isn't easy, just turn your internal editor off and write.

@ransomlinder6018

6 жыл бұрын

T Greene This is really true. By the time you finish your first draft, you’re bound to learn something about, say, story structure. The over all book is paramount before copyediting.

I am reading the "Game of Thrones"-series and many chapters end with a shock which can become tiring. There are also some chapters where G. R. R. Martin just wants to convey one simple thing, but since it should be a shocker at the end of the chapter and he refuses to have short chapters, so he fills pages upon pages with descriptions that are useless and nothing happens until the last page, where the reveal comes, the viewer already saw coming. (What synonym can you use for book-"chapter"?) Also, it happens too often that the author repeats himself and ruins the moment with his exposition. Though, he also often puts too much faith into the reader caring and remembering the names of his massive cast of characters. The books are great and fun most of the time.

@TimRG

6 жыл бұрын

I'm going to have to disagree with you about nothing happening in Game of Thrones chapters. Yes, he builds up to a big reveal, but not every chapter. I do wish some of the chapters were shorter, but with such a huge cast, he has to spend time with them so they don't feel neglected and the reader feels like they earn where they end up. As for the large cast, I love it. The whole reason why he did this was that of the mind frame that says too big of a cast with similar names is a no-no. This resembles more like a real world. Though it does makes it hard to remember some of the characters. Oh well. Just my opinion.

@ononono7016

6 жыл бұрын

There is basically a quarter of a book full of good chapters for every rather boring one. In general, I find the author weakest scenes often take place beyond the wall, as if he has trouble building a world that is mainly full of cold. I agree that the author is great and has built a well-established world and cast. I really enjoy the series but it has occasional flaws. There are also some characters that the reader won't care about and therefore won't remember the name. So, the impact of some scenes diminishes, when the author assumes, it is enough to name a character to make the reader remember. The names themselves might be similar but that isn't really an issue for me. Plus, in the earlier books, he often built up a character just to kill him off to the point that you could guess the death quite easily. His writing improved drastically over the series. Now (book 7, German edition) he characterizes seamlessly, while in the first book the characters were extremely one note (Sansa, Aria, Ned, ...), except for Daenerys that got a character arc right at the beginning or Viserys that clearly was meant to die soon. Also, he stopped uselessly describing the surroundings excessively at the beginnings of chapters. The prologues and epilogues are often boring. Sam is already long gone from a place where he can overeat and he is still described as the same obese person. These chapters in particular nearly lost my interest in the books. I often considered just dropping the series. (Spoilers for the 5th or 6th book, German edition) I skipped a few pages when Jon and Qorin Halfhand were behind the wall. He described pages over pages the cold and I knew from the beginning that Jon would become a part of the wildlings and that he would show him breaking loyalty by killing his night-watch brother. And their walk to the wildlings in the chapters before was also boring since it was obvious that the other brothers were useless and short-lived.

@TimRG

6 жыл бұрын

We disagree, but that's cool. I will say if he cut back on his descriptions the books probably wouldn't take him so long to write.

So odd question, what makes a chapter? Not sure where to end my chapters or how long they should be

Did you ever bother to read James Finnermore Cooper? How did he end his chapters?

Girl I love your videos but we gotta get a decent mic setup lol

can you do how to write funny scenes?

Cliffhangers are the best.

*Would* *you* *like* *to* *know* *more?*

She's beautiful.

"Wow. Stay Home with Ellen and beat the Virus. Would that I Could!"

I noticed that a number of your quotes contained religious references. I don't try to bring up religious references in my writing, but by nature it happens anyway. In today's climate, do religious references make it more difficult to find an agent or publisher? In my most recent work (nearly completed) it begins with a couple of pages of describing the undersea landscape as having been created by a Master Artist.

I want a friend like you.

@ransomlinder6018

6 жыл бұрын

Tom Oliver Why not a friend like me ٩( ᐛ )و

i have an ending where my protag is still influenced by a vampires truth spell and she slept in class because her and her besties were up all night slaying alien vampires and she was sent to the principals office and she told her everything but supernatural stuff is secret so she thinks my protag is making it all up just to avoid study hall but the principal drags her kicking crying and screaming my protag is afraid her future is ruined forever but her bestie Isabella is in study hall too and she ask her so many questions because she saw her get hit with the spell and after school they go to cheer practice which theyve been missing because of their adventures then they dont get kicked off the squad and Isabella ask Ashley arent you glad all star cheer is private so our suspensions don’t effect it so it’s kind of a sad ending but also happy too because earth 🌏 didn’t become a vampire 🧛‍♀️ world and they stayed on the squad as flyers but they also got in trouble for sleeping 😴 in class

@ransomlinder6018

6 жыл бұрын

Beep Beep Imma Dragon Just a writing tip: punctuation helps a lot. :)

@beepbeepimmadragon8758

6 жыл бұрын

Exploring Stories I commented on my phone I write my stories on a desktop now I’m working on a few fight scenes and not making everyone talk the same

Don't ALWAYS end your chapter the same way! It gets annoying to be left halfway through a conversation.