10-week writing experiment, autumn 🍁 syllabi, grading myself, & lessons learned

My summer writing "semester" is OVER. Now it's time for Fall! And the first 1,000 of y'all to use my link will get a 1-month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/katecav...
☟↓ QUESTIONS FOR YOU BELOOOOOW! ↓☟
D I S C U S S I O N Q U E S T I O N S :
Did you come up with your own "writing semester"? What did your syllabi look like?
If you didn't, what "classes" would you LOVE to take?? What skills would you like to improve? How do you go about setting aside time for those?
Do you have any experience recording your own audiobooks or a podcast? Do you design your own book covers, either for NaNo, current WIPs, or books you actually sell? Any tips/tricks you could share with me??
What makes or breaks an audiobook for you? Any weird narration pet peeves?
L I N K S M E N T I O N E D :
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F I N D M E O N L I N E :
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[@KateCavanaugh]

THINGS I FORGOT TO MENTION IN THE VIDEO: 🍁 I gave myself a B- in Short Story Submissions! I did submit 3 shorts/drabbles over the course of the "semester" (so I'm at 3 for the whole year, lol), but would've ideally submitted 6 according to the updated syllabus. I do have an additional short story in the halfway stage from August that I'll fix up and post on my website in a month or so! 🍂 I decided not to include Reading or Short Story Submissions in my Autumn semester but AM aiming to keep up with the number of books read and number of times I submit to publications. So though I won't be blocking out time in the same way, I'm hoping to carry over the lessons learned. I think this'll be a good test! Fingers crossed bahaha. 🍃 Since I shared the stats partway through the video, my "once in a blue moon writing vlog" randomly jumped up in views BEFORE I even changed the thumbnail. It's a lot of external google searches, so all I can think is people wanting blue moon + writing together? Lolol. The other stats remained the same (so watch time didn't increase significantly with the new views). Just more proof that you gotta dig into the stats to try to make sense of them (and even then, sometimes we can't)! I also don't think the new thumbnail is much better but I did get to play around with the font in a different way, so I'm counting it as a mini success bahah. THANKS Y'ALL!

[@wallacejames221]

I know the grades are pointless and it doesn't matter but like. Accommodations exist. I had them. And I feel like a good professor /would/ change the assignments to be more suitable for a student in your situation. Being able to show measurable progress each week would absolutely be worth a C! You're still working even when it's hard! Again, I know it's all in good fun, but I wanted to say something.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Awww thank you so much! You're absolutely right and I do appreciate that! That's what I need to remind myself more often too. :) I'll keep it in mind as one of my lessons learned for this next semester!

[@KyothePhoenix]

Kate, maybe you should treat your autumn semester like a real semester for example, schedule days off and give yourself a specific amount of "absences" in case something comes up that interferes with your course work. Maybe even an optional make-up day for anything you've missed.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Definitely love the idea of a make-up day!!!

[@Drawn_By_Lix]

As someone who struggles so heavily with time management, I really love the idea of turning your todo list into a class schedule. also as someone who was homeschooled I always loved the schedule aspect of school, so this is definitely something I need to get into. since I have way too many hobbies and I have no idea how to manage all of it. Thank you Kate for introducing me to this idea

[@KateCavanaugh]

Yesssss, I think this could work so well for hobbies! You could even extend the metaphor and have your "major" and "minor" classes bahaha. Thank you and good luck to you too!!

[@madametrafficjam8347]

That was probably the smoothest connection betwewn video content and being sponsored by Skillshare ever to be seen on KZbin. Kudos! If I weren't already taking a creative writing class this fall, I'd definitely take inspiration from this type of writing schedule.

[@cassie_hart]

Steve West is my all time fav narrator for audiobooks! I'll listen to anything he reads lol

[@reginaduke7451]

Wow, your summer semester was awesome!!! And yes, the F in FTDNovel was totally your professor's fault. LOL I am excited to see your Fall Semester courses. How delightful to create your own syllabi. Wishing you all the good grades and productivity!!! I am writing again, and I have hired a wonderful house cleaner/organizer who is helping me finally get my house in order. Love you! Can't wait to see the next Vlog! Hearts and hugs.

[@fralou_sind_kreativ]

I'm so excited for "A Closet Full of Cauldrons" and "Project Death"!!!! If for beta reading you need a new set of eyes, let me know :) Sending you love and creative vibes

[@Francis-d2l]

You are really helping me to quiet my mind lady, i feel as though i may get some sleep tonight.😮

[@bodine219]

I am trying to do my own writing semester as well (September + October) It isn’t going all that well and I think that’s a combination of not enough planning and the fact that time blocking has NEVER worked for me. Starting this week I am treating it as assigned subjects for the day and as long as I make a good effort the assigned days I’m counting it a victory.

[@vebravo]

I just recently wrote all my 2023 Novel Ideas (so far) in one doc so I can have it all together and well organized and I discovered that I had a lot of ideas and not many went anywhere lol. So I set a challenge with myself that before the year ends I'll do a Brainstorming Session for each idea. I'm gonna try to come up with a "rough" outline, log line, synopsis, working title, mock cover, mood board, and main character(s) art (AI made because I have no talent in that department). And if I can't come up with all that, then the idea will be shelved (for now). If I DO get all that, then the idea will get to see the first six months of 2024 and then I will re-evaluate things again. Now that I have seen this video, then I think that'll be my "fall semester". I don't know how I'm gonna name it tho but that'll be my class.

[@Lara_Ameen]

I love the idea of setting up your own writing semester for accountability! This is super interesting! I might try a toned down version of this at some point for writing and reading. I do teach writing workshops, webinars, and courses and I’ve written my own syllabi before. It’s a lot of work! I’m teaching a webinar in November online, though! It’s for writers! I’m excited. I just finished my PhD, so I am done with official school (WILD!)-but I’m still revising my PhD dissertation novel so I can get it ready to query. Your fall classes sound amazing! Good luck with it all! 💜

[@ketsueki_randi]

I've attempting my own sort of "writing semester" except it's become more of a half-semester intensive to coincide when I'll be out of town. But it's mainly a "get my ish together" semester and trying to learn how to be a successful self-published author. Also, I have "attempted" making my own audiobook for my latest release (which was a short story) and the only advice I have to get a nice XLR mic. I've heard back and forth on whether it's necessary or not, but it's nice because it won't pick up outside noises (whether it be my dog barking at the mail carrier three houses up, or gameplay audio when I'm recording for my other channel, it won't pick up). They are an investment (especially since you also have to buy an audio interface too), but I think it's been worth the price for the quality it puts out.

[@agingerwrites]

Not me just patiently impatiently waiting for that Discworld/Terry Pratchett reading vlog. Every time I spot the pile of discworld books on your shelf I get hecking excited LOL. I'm not doing a full semester or anything, but I was inspired by yours to do a lowkey "class" schedule-ish with my craftbooks. I plan on dedicating time each week to reading them, to make my way through them xD Awesome video as always!

[@victoriatalkswriting8352]

I love this idea, I think I'll try something similar in the summer! I always feel so unstructured during the summers when I'm not in school. In regards to the grades, one of my professors a while ago had everyone grade themselves and it was really eye opening. It helped me realize that deep down, I knew how well I was doing. She had some evaluation forms with questions so we could really reflect on how we were doing. Even though I had a hard time in the class, I was able to acknowledge my effort and it encouraged me to do better. I would love to do a class where I read a bunch of books in a specific genre and then attempt to write my own. Any speculative sub-genre especially, because that's what I read the least. My favorite audiobook narrator is Bahni Turpin. (Also, if you want another solution to nail picking/biting I recommend acupressure rings! I've used them for a few months now and really like them.)

[@emilyhall7810]

I've really appreciated hearing about how your class experiment has been going and the tweaks that you've made. I have played around with the idea a bit. I found that trying to schedule the exact time ahead of time didn't really work for me, but having the classes matched to specific days and starting the timer when I did have the time helped keep me focused. I am in awe of your syllabi skills. That is something that I know would help me get a lot more out of the "class" set-up, but it's been hard to get past the intimidation. I also tried to fit too many "classes" in my schedule. Overall, it did help me get more done than I have without trying it, so I will be trying again with more measurable goals. Thanks again!

[@janalewis3030]

Did I miss something? That's a new pupper!!! :)This is a great idea - making your own class to keep you on track. I found that I can typically only hit deadlines if I am in an actual class. Kudos to you for keeping with it! I just started grad school for publishing so I hope to be able to get back to writing next summer but will also have knowledge to hopefully help people who want to indie publish! Yay!

[@KateCavanaugh]

It's my MIL's dog! She was out of town, so Sadie (the puppet) comes over. :) AHHHH GOOD LUCK ON GRAD SCHOOL!! I'd love to know how you're finding the experience (and what you think after your first semester, eeeee!!!). Where are you attending??

[@janalewis3030]

@@KateCavanaughI am at Pace University - one of the few online courses (I live in OH). So far so good but I think the marketing class is going to be rough! It's important, though! Thank you!

[@SkeletonQueen3268]

I am VERY excited about “My Roommate is a Vampire”. I’m meaning to pick that up as soon as it’s available near me

[@KateCavanaugh]

YESSS! So pumped to read it. Hopefully it's available near you soon! :)

[@Caroline_Creative]

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is so good in audio! It’s probably the only book where I actually recommend the audio specifically to people. Also the audio for legends and lattes was very good

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooh, okay, I'll have to check that out! I've been wanting to read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue but also....it's a chonky book bahaha, and I've heard the style/descriptions can be a little much/particular for some people. Totally agreed on Legends & Lattes! I read a physical book for it, but my partner listened on audio and I got to hear the last hour or so on a roadtrip. SO good! You could tell -- even when reading the physical copy -- that the author had clearly done narration/read lots of books before. It flowed so effortlessly.

[@A_Bookish_Obsession]

Wait I feel like I missed something. Where did the new puppy come from? 🤔 Also would you be willing to do a video about publishing? I know you dont wanna share your pen name and that's fine I respect that. I would still really like to see you talk about what you've learned from publishing cause I think it would be fascinating to hear your thoughts on the process

[@sjlees]

I love the Terry Pratchett Disc World books on audio books. I am also enjoying the Bridgerton Prequel audio books too. I used photo shop and pages to mock up covers of my books, and the same if i was doing movie posters or movie covers. I do all my thumbnails in photo shop too

[@badvegan]

If you've never read Kristen Painter's books, give the first one in her main series a try: The Vampire's Mail-Order Bride. I don't really read romantic comedy, paranormal or otherwise, but I had a lot of fun with it. Seems like it might be something you'd enjoy.

[@KateCavanaugh]

From the title alone, I think you're right. I'll have to check it out!!! Thank you for the rec. :)

[@joannaholden943]

Love this whole idea! I'm seriously considering doing something like this for my fall to help me keep track of what I'm doing. I'm homeschooling my littles, which is amazing but can sometimes leave my creative well dry. And feeling like I'm "going to school" again myself (while not having to deal with the massive workload or deadlines:) would definitely give me that "me time" while also encouraging me to get writing and reading done consitently. 😊 Looking forward to seeing how your autumn syllabis goes!

[@saralynn7308]

A really great audiobook is My Lady Jane. My sister told me to listen to it rather than get the physical book and she was so right!

[@KateCavanaugh]

OMG! I read the physical book ages ago and enjoyed it so I'd totally be down to return via audio, especially now that they have so many more in the series! Thanks for the suggestion!!

[@Francis-d2l]

Honestly most of the time i think that if i read too much it will cause me to plaigarise certain concepts from others and not come up with my own but, i also have seen that from both sides of the mirror... well you were talike about mystery in your previous video and so...maybe youre just forcing me off the high diving board here!😊😮😅❤

[@Alayna1412]

I have not listened to many audiobooks, but one narrator I will absolutely recommend is Simon Vance (listened to him read to me "Interview with a vampire", absolutely amazing in audiobook format!) I also thoroughly enjoyed listening to Suzannah Hampton in Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw (I definitely recommend this book)

[@LaceyOnHerWay]

September is my birth month and I’m working on my CampNano project and rewriting it from Microsoft to Scrivener!

[@NeverAskedtobeMade1390]

I haven’t put together a syllabus for autumn yet (and I totally spaced for summer so starting fresh with a new season!) But I did put together a writerly self care bingo for autumn that I'm hoping will help especially during the NaNo season!

[@Francis-d2l]

Overwriting, one of my many foibles, tis indeed a bonafide tendency of mine,...😅

[@rainyhammer9235]

In September I am focusing on finishing a screenplay. I am doing it between classes. Sometimes I get too tired to do any work like today but I am on good track. I am on 9k and I am well over the halfway point in the story. I know this screenplay is very underwritten. I just want to write a first draft of this and continue working on it from there. I am struggling with outlining the rest of the story.

[@Ericaaaaaaaaaa]

The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater is fantastic on audio!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Another one I've been meaning to read!!! I'll be off on my roadtrip soon, so I'll have to download it! Thank you for the recommendation. :)

[@t-helen-price]

Thumbnails are so stressful to me 🤣 I like making them but ughhh!! Ugh you make me want more dogs 🤣 I’ve got 2 but why not three or four on top of my two cats 🤣

[@elizalagonia1049]

I'm trying to decide if I can do NaNo this year, I want to and new baby will be 4.5 months at the beginning of Nov, but my brain may still be on strike. I like the idea of being able to section out my day to do certain projects or learn something new or hone an existing skill.

[@saralynn7308]

I would love it if you could share your favorite resources for learning how to do audiobooks as you go through that class! This is a skill I want to add to my freelancing.

[@KateCavanaugh]

I will definitely let you know what I find!! Becca C. Smith has some awesome videos up right now on how to do it!

[@JessicaLynnHurt]

I intended to try doing a writing semester as well but in classic procrastination fashion, I never got around to creating the courses/syllabi 😆 But id still like to give it a go so maybe next month! I’m curious how this would look as a long term thing where you graduated to the next grade each year, etc like in actually school

[@nildam.bonilla5849]

I'm still trying to figure out how to divide my time to have this blocks of time to work in, I'm sure I'll eventually figure it out😅

[@inimitablebooksllc]

For cover design: Mandi Lynn just released a course!

[@zoeyd801]

@KateCavanaugh you have a Spotify! Do you have a writing playlist you put on while writing?

[@KateCavanaugh]

Looove Spotify! I don't have a specific playlist, but I've made a couple for individual stories. I should get back into them!! Are you a big listener while writing?

[@its_just_iman612]

What inspired you to write project death

[@Heothbremel]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@t0dd000]

My overwriting is out of control.

[@yelenamijares7821]

Girl, I soooooo love your videos, but may I please ask - to enunciate. Sometimes you speak so softly, I have to put my earbuds in. None of us mind, but it may help us to write better. Do ignore me as needed, this is just my wish. I will enjoy your content regardless. Much love!