I’m literally thinking of doing one this year. This is perfect.

Good morning, Sara and Happy New Year! This was a very interesting and inspiring vlog, and I can't wait to watch the next few episodes of this series. Have a lovely day and happy writing. 😘❤

i'm curious about the next 4 videos because i thought that everything that's in this one was...it, like you just need to actually write the book next and that was it...

This is perfect! I'm diving into a new genre this year (potentially) and I feel like I've forgotten everything about writing a novel.

So Happy to find your video in my feed today. I am currently in the middle of attempting my third novel (the other two need to be revisited when as I get better) which this time around I am writing an extended outline by hand for my first draft, and pantsing most of it as i get ideas as I am writing. Eager to see the rest of this series as there is always a helpful tip no matter what stage of the process we are at, and it is very helpful to get those tips from a well presented video and a lovely personality as well. Thank you for your video and I will be jumping into the rabbit hole of your past video until you new one arrives. Thank you Sara and keep up the great content. New subscriber for ever.

The quick edit from Sara-in black from ep 1 to Sara-in-white promoting ep 2 made me think of dopplegangers in Twin Peaks... but that's only because I'm a big ol' TP nerd. Anyhow, the reason for my comment: I often hear pantsers say that plotters get stuck or bored... I'm more of a plotter, and I've never understood this complaint or a problem. Whether I do a short plot or a long, detailed one, it's just a guideline. A big chunk of it evolves as I write, and a not-small part is completely thrown away. I still enjoy the time plotting, and the time writing the narrative in which I either bring that plot to life or throw it away for something better. TLDR: plot isn't the problem, feeling restricted by the plot that you can toss it anytime is the problem.

All these things are, speaking from experience, helpful. Despite being a plotter, I'm always looking for ways to make room for the spontaneous, and oddly enough the way you do that is through specifics during the first stage ... what you leave in, what you leave out.

Here we go again

Breaking it up into small steps makes it much less daunting. Great episode, and happy New Year!!!! 🎊🎊🎊

This was a fun video, and it was nice to learn a bit more about your writing style :) I just finished my most recent project. I had the crazy idea to write my draft in 3 months, and I finished the day before it was due to my editor. I cut it too close, haha. I took a break for New Year's Eve and am already itching to start the next project. I will be trying to record a YT video to post shortly about my own process and how I managed to pants my 125k novel in 3 months!

Being a pantser myself it is so helpful to watch someone else that doesn't do the Plot/plan/outline then write process. I have to just sit down and start writing and then I can brainstorm AFTER I have my start point.

Slight underplanners unite!

I love how the ad mid-vid is for how to 'write' an AI-generated novel to sell on Amazon. The algo is strong. 😄

Being an author was my lifelong goal growing up. Then I actually wrote a book and edited it. Editing was one of the worst experiences of my life; undramatically said. By the end of the editing process I felt no sense of accomplishment or victory. I felt relief. I was relieved that I would never have to touch my book again; I would never have to think about it again. The idea of editing sucks all joy I once had for pursing being an author, and even writing at all. I quit my pursuit, and writing in general, shortly after that. And editing wasn't the only factor that contributed in my decision, but it is the biggest. Idea(s) to development to exploring to writing to etc etc etc. None of that is worth it to me anymore, it isn't fun anymore. Editing killed that for me.

My goal for January is to write for a minimum of 15 minutes everyday... Was literally just wondering how to start outlining/planning a new idea I have so this couldn't have come at a better time! Thank you 🙏

<3

morning from Hawaii good work on Brianstroming and happy new year 2025

Even though I've reached the end before, I always enjoy these videos to hear different perspectives. Also to ground me when I get caught up in intense outline or worldbuilding that don't really work for me. Excited for this series

Oooh!!!!! Just looking for the next video to watch/listen whilst I procrastinate studying!!!!!!!!!!

Great video. Glad to see this yearly video evolve into a mini-series. Always good to hear how someone on the other side of the spectrum goes about preparing to write. As for all Outliners get frustrated when their work doesn't match their outline. I've known many who write that way & their finished novel is just the outline fleshed out. I found to get around this is to pick key scenes that you want to be exactly as in the outline. When the scenes you want are written that way, it is easier to accept when other parts don't match. Keep it up.

The title of the video got me watching. I’ve already declared this new year to be my first book release’s time, so this was great timing. Thank you and Happy New Year Writing!

Just starting out writing my first draft of my new novel and this is *exactly* what I wanted to hear! I always feel torn about starting to actually write and when to stop planning.

I’m reading it right now I’m on chapter 3!

Love all the adventures you go on. Nature vlogs arebso calming and inspiring. 💛🌿🌻

If u like that I recommend the inheritance cycle!

so happy to see you excited about book 2! can't wait to watch your journey as you keep going!

I'm excited FOR you to start book 2 of DE :) congratulations on all your writing projects and how things have been going! ✨✨

Love this!

That looks very useful! Ipromise to try it based on the reputation and integrity of the one endorsing it!

Accurate

Good advice 👍

These tips are pure inspiration for any writer! ✍ Your letter is E.

Good evening, Sara! Merry Christmas Eve and Day to you, your family and friends. How is your writing coming along? Goodnight Sara and enjoy your day tomorrow. ❤❤❤

I have discovered Mia the life coach ChatGPT. Typing out my questions and be able to get a response, and as a life coach on someone who has done lots of therapy, I have to say she’s pretty darn good, it does really help reduce my daily burden. Just the click click click on a keyboard makes me so happy.

Hey Sara! Merry Christmas to you, your family and friends. God bless!

Are you pursuing traditional publishing with Project DE? I think you are. You’re querying right now, right? You might want to see if you can talk to other traditionally published authors about this, but it’s not recommended to work on future books in a series if you’re pursuing traditional publishing and aren’t agented or on submission yet. Your editor and agent will help with that because there’s no guarantee you’ll get a duology or a trilogy unless your future editor decides that with you once they pluck your book out of submission. I think it’s okay to have a rough idea of where you want DE to go in future books, but I’ve been told from other traditionally published authors that it’s not professional or worth it to have all books in a series meticulously planned out if you are still querying because there’s no guarantee an editor will offer on those future books in the series. You would phrase DE in your query by saying it’s a standalone novel with series potential. That’s all you can do while you work on another project that isn’t DE. It’s also something to discuss with your future agent on The Call. I’m not saying any of this to discourage you from writing! Just going by what I know from the publishing industry as a traditionally published author myself who is querying. If you are planning to self-publish DE, then feel free to work on DE books 2 & 3 to your heart’s content! Good luck with whatever you decide! 💜

😅 I feel attacked 😂

Me with journaling this morning

Congratulations Sara! Your commitment to your projects is so inspiring, and I can't wait to see where Book 2 of Project DE takes you!

I’m writing a sci fi novella called Inexact Science. It’s about what the future would be like if AI never was invented but instead, Science and Math were bent to our minds and bodies. It’s serialized on my blog, DogBlots. Glad you are finding your direction again. I would love to beta read your MSes.

So excited to hear about the process of book 2!

Woo! 🎉🎉

Third one could be 3DE lol. Congrats on feeling ready to return to DE!!

Time flies. As an empath, I get to see you have more and more and more fun, which means I have fun.

She's back!!! It's wonderful that you've decided to write what you're really excited about. You've learned and grown so much since you started project DE as a teen ... it will be fun to reflect on how different the process is with all of that experience under your belt. Let the words flow!! 🐲

I like DE2. I'm glad you realized you wanted to get back to it :)

Good afternoon, Sara! That's very exciting about starting book #2 of Project DE and I would like to wish you good luck on starting it. And congrats on finishing Project Veil. I'm very interested on hearing more about the second book of DE and how the story continues from the first. Have a lovely day and happy writing! ❤

Congratulations, Sara! 🥳

If you don't get an agent with project DE do you plan to self publish?

Your excitement for DE is infectious! I hope getting back to that story helps you feel grounded again. In September, I set a goal to write my next novel by the end of the year. I'm about 3/4 done. I've got a week off of work for the holidays, and I am going all in to try and finish