10 Steps To Start Your Novel ✨PREPTOBER 2024

[@HeartBreathings]

Thanks so much for watching! Hope to see you for Sunday's livestream!

[@reihwan]

I keep listening to this every few days now, mostly for motivation and reminding myself that it's not the speed of writing or the amount of planning I do, the story needs to be outside of my own mind and readable to others too. I have this gigantic mammoth of a story that I've written over the years as creative downtime and then re-iterated it, tested out different settings and so forth, but I'm more or less finally set in stone with the worldbuilding. It's now the characters that need the "middle" arc of their character growth. And since they're more or less now "concepts" or caricatures of the character I want there to be, I have big time face blindness. I cannot for the love of me describe what anyone else but the main character "kind of" looks like. OTL Plus that English is like my third language out of five, though most used one, its sometimes a hassle.

[@authorchristinabutrum]

I feel so lost. I havent written in months, and have admitted that ive given up on writing more and chasing the full-time author dream. It broke my heart, and I dont fully believe Im done. Your recent videos have given me a spark of excitement to get back to writing! Something new, no pressure in November ❤

[@surlespasdondine]

Only very few authors can make a living writing. There are many good authors who make next to nothing... better as a hobby...

[@evanm076]

You got this🎉

[@blallydally]

I know this isn't really related to this video, but I always seriously enjoy listening to you talk. You've got a killer KZbin voice, very listen-to-able

[@HeartBreathings]

This is so sweet thank you

[@soledatbernie]

I have to be honest, putting down on paper everything I breainstorm seems kind of overwhelming right now. I'm that kind of person who keeps dozens of stories in her head, start to finish and whatever happens to characters while I'm writing is character's fault. But because I have preptober planner, I think that when I finish at work today, I will go get a coffee somewhere and I will give it a go. Also, my cube timer is coming today so I have to figure out the writing sprints! It's really exciting to write again and plan for it like this. I think it will really help me to not be overwhelmed every time I sit down to write.

[@NTE.Stream]

The mind map made something in my head click. I have so much of my story figured out but lots of gaps between things, so that sounds like it would be immensely helpful! I’m going to try it!

[@augustinaiturra8037]

What, we get an amazing 90min Spooktacular Coffee Chat ☕️ and a HeartBreathings Preptober video!?!🎉 Thank you💜💜💜

[@Mikkirose1]

Thank you! I have been a pantser forever, so I've decided to try your process. I love all the encouragement.

[@HeartBreathings]

Oh that's so fun! Excited to hear how that turns out for you!

[@msheavenonwheels]

Thanks for the advice. Had my Notes app open in the background while I watched. Now I have homework like I'm back in school but it's a good feeling.

[@marywockenfuss-thecraftypl6461]

This whole video is so helpful! If I weren't working on dinner for my family and guests right now, I'd be pulling up a document or other materials to start planning!

[@SusanGHaws]

I have been having a rough time lately. This helped so much. Thank you.

[@HeartBreathings]

Sending love to you!

[@SusanGHaws]

This was helpful and encouraging. All tips were helpful but the number of scenes and how to work to the next scene hit an ahha moment.

[@neatflair]

@HeartBreathings I am binge-watching your videos. I love how informative they are and how deeply you explain each topic. Now, off-topic... Your makeup today is stunning!🔥.

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you!!! I'm so happy you're loving the videos!!

[@TurtleJulia]

Thank you for this! I read that book (Write Your Novel From The Middle) last year and found it pretty helpful, so I'm glad you like it, too.

[@LeahWriter]

What a treat! I haven't even left my desk after coffee chat!

[@HeartBreathings]

More Sarra to love, haha!

[@Colin91809]

I just finished my word sprint challenge yesterday! I'm so excited to push through November and finish my rough draft ♥

[@McScraps4]

I've been trying to get out a story for 10 years, but I sat down and wrote out a log line according to your suggestion and I think that is what I was missing to pull it all together for me. Hopefully, the block is gone and I can fill in the blanks to get this story from halfway done to finished! Thank you!!

[@HeartBreathings]

That's so exciting!!!

[@KHWriting]

Thanks for another informative video! I am hoping I can make Sunday's events. You are so generous with your communities! Thanks so much, Sarra. ❤

[@t.a.creech4999]

WOOT! I'm actually in the middle of outlining my next trilogy! You always have such perfect timing. 😊

[@HeartBreathings]

Ooo, perfect!!! So fun to outline a trilogy too!

[@t.a.creech4999]

@@HeartBreathings Figured I'd get my next trilogy outlined before I started edits on the trilogy I'll be relaunching as an indie next year, so I can just jump right into writing the new trilogy. I'm about to redo YPF to account for my new plan I've dreamed up, since everything is moving faster than I originally planned. Thank you for teaching me so much!

[@hindenburg2006]

Sarra, I’ve been following you for a few years now, and you never cease to amaze me - your content just keeps getting better and better!!! Even though I’m not an author, I still find your work incredibly valuable, and I love the community you’ve cultivated🧡 I think I’m going to use the template you laid out in this video as my new goal-setting process, with each “story” being the upcoming year. I even like the idea of it being a Rough Draft (since we know things rarely go exactly according to plan!🤣) Maybe I’ll start calling November “national goal setting month”, or NaGoSeMo, idk… This video came at the perfect time. Thank you🙏🏾💜💜💜

[@dotcassilles1488]

I really need a month to review and reset my goals....thankyou for the idea of goals as stories. I'm going to use that. Blessings from South eastern Australia, Dot

[@megandunn8925]

I think it would be really cool if there were like sparkly stickers of each of the tiers (ruby, emerald, etc) that participants either win or can buy when they accomplish their goal

[@EvelineUK]

Thank you so much. I am spending this weekend trying to make sense of all the bits of paper with scribbles on them, and notes in my phone so I can make decisions and work on my outline. So excited for the Rough Draft Challenge!

[@rachelfangoria]

i'll definitely be watching that livestream. i really want to mind map my next story but don't know how to do it, so this will be perfect!

[@QueenViolet]

I'm later than normal because I decided to use this video as my reward after completing 85% of my gyst day tasks. I did and now I'm here.😊😅 Edit: sarra i just want to say congratulations 🎉. You are so close to your pie in the sky goal of 75k subscribers. I definitely believe you will meet and exceed this goal before 2025!! Wishing you a happy thanksgiving 🦃 (cuz I'm Canadian lol 😂).

[@bellabookworm]

oh my gosh, I LOVE your halloween tree!! 😍👻

[@DixieJoJarchow]

good info. Can't believe you already have your Christmas tree up.

[@HeartBreathings]

It's a black Halloween tree! My whole room is decorated for my October fan event called the Spooktacular.

[@suzisaintjames]

See the skeleton ornament hanging on the tree? It looks like the white balls have bats painted on them. 💕🌞🌵😷

[@jullianacosta4536]

Oh mine! Life got weird and I'd "lost" your channel... so glad to have find it again!! 🎆🎆🎆

[@HeartBreathings]

🙌 welcome back!

[@CelinaDK-sy1zq]

I want to say thank you so much this information is so helpful. Definitely, I will start working from the middle of the story.

[@itcanbedonedollars3693]

🎉🎉 Yes! I love that we are in a position now to talk more about poly characters & multi partner story arcs.

[@eboyer97]

Definitely something to mention in the book blurb or summary on the back, same as queer couples, just to make sure your audience knows what they are getting into ❤

[@itcanbedonedollars3693]

@@eboyer97 Absolutely I'll be branding both my Pen names & marketing my pairings as Poly & Queer.

[@lisabage232]

Fantastic video. I’ve been struggling with what I’m writing but this started to pull it together. And the preptober notebook is helping too. Thank you for being so accessible!

[@jessicahagan]

Hi Sarra, Thank you for this guidance and uplifting energy. I look forward to joining the community challenge!

[@PurpleHeartWriter]

Hi Sarra! I'm so glad that I'm day a head of you right now, because if i wasn't then I wouldnt be able to be here for the live on Sunday, but i dont work this Monday, so I will be here! Im so excited!! 💜💜

[@EvaWright]

Awesome! I love the Halloween tree! And purple everything 💜 💕💜

[@PolkadotSparrow]

I love how you share great examples. It's so helpful with the way that I learn. Your Plot Your Novel and Writing Great Scenes series are also pure gold to me because of the detailed examples you share with your how-to steps. Thank you so much Sarra!❤

[@HeartBreathings]

So happy to hear this! Thank you for the encouragement!

[@christinaayala5993]

Lots of good info here and helpful tips, ty!

[@LyssaC-YT]

I wasn’t sure if this would help me, but this has been a super interesting, enlightening and helpful video. Thank you.

[@YvonneA60]

Incredibly useful and inspiring advice. Thank you ❤

[@jolainesantistevan8288]

This was super helpful in all ways. I am going to try the mind map and the note cards

[@kimikobuford]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us newbies ❤❤❤

[@jojobuckreads]

This was soooo good! Thank you! 💙💙💙💙💙

[@melb1016]

I need this motivation! I’m struggling with what to even write. So timely ❤❤

[@gamexpress111]

can you do a video about finding a street team? I'm trying to promote my book, but is street team worth it?

[@itcanbedonedollars3693]

❤ Love these tips & the resources recommended. I'm going to pick up James Scott Bells book. I really love his other books. 😊

[@mariajromaley]

Thx ! I was a little blocked and it helps very much. 😘

[@chantellestreete2767]

Yaaaayayayayayayyyy new video!!!

[@chantellestreete2767]

This is the exact stage I’m at (stage 0 lol) so this is perfect!!

[@bethanyhensel13]

thanks for this. :) hey, what camera are you using nowadays? your quality is great!

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you! I'm recording this video from the Logitech Brio webcam and it's definitely the best webcam I've ever used!

[@loridee21]

Hi Sarra, I couldn't find the link for Sunday. I'm sure I overlooked it.

[@HeartBreathings]

Sunday's live is just in the "live" tab here on KZbin on my channel!

[@giuliaidiometri186]

Hi Sarra! I can't wait to brainstorm with you, and I'm so happy to read your new book soon. I bought your Eternal Sorrow series. Is it complete? Because I noticed that, at the end of book 3, you taked about a book 4. Can I read it, or is it a series in progress? I also bought the Fairhope series.

[@HeartBreathings]

Fairhope is complete. Eternal sorrows has one more book

[@elliestephenson4146]

Woke up to a treat! Thank you, Sarra. This is exactly what I needed, as I’m planning to use The Rough Draft Challenge to go through my story ideas and find the one I want to write. Instead of 112 sprints of roughly 450 words, I’m planning to do 112 brainstorming/outlining sprints. At least that’s the plan 😅

[@thisricardopalma]

Are u sure this video is from October?!! I see xmas decor everywhere! :) 2 months to go

[@HeartBreathings]

It's Halloween 😂. Black tree decorated with bats and a spooky skeleton. Haunted houses. Ghosts. I'm running my annual Spooktacular celebration for my fans so I always decorate the room!

[@JollyGreenComics]

Your Christmas tree is up already?!

[@kailahmom1]

Halloween tree.

[@poohbear0320]

What time Sunday again?

[@HeartBreathings]

1pm Eastern! It's already scheduled on the live tab if you want to hit the notifications!

[@poohbear0320]

@@HeartBreathings Thanks for responding so quickly. How do I plan out a devotional? That is what I will be working on.

[@deeplyhidden921]

👻🎃💜🐈‍⬛🖤