12 Writing Tips Every Writer Must Know - Writing Hacks!

[@thelifeofawriter]

Want more writing tips? Grab a copy of How To Write Your First Book! howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/how-to-write-your-first-book

[@mspoetminor]

I found you on KZbin and I brought your book last week. It has so many gems in it! I like how you keep it simple for the newbie writer (me). I've bookmarked websites you mentioned that I'll have to go back and review. I really like how you explained the importance of keywords for Amazon searches and the importance of your title. I"m on to your second book now, "How To Market Your First Book." I know it will be just as valuable as the first one. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@thelifeofawriter]

Awesome Poet, I'm glad it helped. And thanks for your continued support.

[@shaleamontanez4591]

currently writing a novel this summer. I have a schedule - 750+ words every day for 60 days! so far I have a little over 10,000 words 1/4 of the way through. I recommend writing and getting the story out now, and getting the good writing out later

[@thelifeofawriter]

Agreed!

[@southlondon86]

Shay Are We Okay? How's your novel coming along?

[@sparkalinton1543]

750 words is hard...

[@chaosarchived]

Thats cool, i'm always busy so i can't write that many words a day and hey, thats big marvel on your pfp :)

[@hopesanddreams2998]

Nioce! Sounds super fun!

[@ghastlyking3680]

Tip #5 is actually really helpful as a reminder to write as much content as possible and then leave the editing for later. I used to do the same thing and then wonder why i wasn't make much progress. Thank you for this vid and I hope it inspires a lot of people to make their writing habits more efficient.

[@bookishwriter9460]

Ghastly King I always edit what I've written the previous day, before continueing to write. But a leave big editing points for the mayor editing process after finishing the book.

[@tamaradimarco878]

I use baby names sites all the time

[@janasmith2806]

Tamara Di Marco haha same I'm a bit obsessed

[@madnessbydesignVria]

First time I've ever heard writing advice about backing up your work. As someone who found out the hard way, I can say she's 100% right about that. Lots of practical tips about how to use the Internet effectively as well. Nicely done!

[@emanuelly.santos]

The first one deserves its place. My laptop had a breakdown and I lost two almost complete stories and about 1GB of archives. Didn't backup a thing. More than 400 e-books. I'm so feels right now. Had to reset to make it work again. Let me cry in a corner now, thanks.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Oh my goodness, how devastating.

[@emanuelly.santos]

I was 😢 Lesson learned, the day I got it back I downloaded Dropbox Desktop Version and One Drive Desktop Version. Just to make sure, haha. Because I wrote one of the stories closely to the day the laptop broke down, I remember quite something about it, so I'm planning on rewriting it, but I'm on a schedule to finish three essays for school and writing time seems so... so... far... away... By the way, if I may ask, is there any advice you have for us, who have to juggle school, study time at home and writing time? I'm having some struggles here with it 😅 On the other side, how do I convince my relatives that writing time should be respected and is not a "waste of time when I should be studying for school", to quote my marvelous, but stubborn mother? p.s.: Thanks for your videos!

[@mannyg9059]

I saved my memoir in so many places, flash drive, external hard drive, internal hard drive and also printed a hard copy. I have edited the crap out my manuscript from time to time and don't always save my updates in the same place. Your hacks helped me. Thank you.

[@ShanaJahsintaWalters]

Every author really needs to believe in themselves. Thanks for that tip.

[@ClarkChamberlain]

So glad to see other's covering this topic. When writer's can really understand this concept it helps move them on to becoming authors.

[@thelifeofawriter]

So true!

[@shahcool007]

apart from the beta reader thing, I do or understand all the steps already. I am on the right path :D great video :)

[@thelifeofawriter]

Here's the link to download the FREE eBook How To Find Beta Readers! eepurl.com/cHuqGT

[@shahcool007]

thanks :)

[@ShanaJahsintaWalters]

Thanks.

[@ShanaJahsintaWalters]

It seems like un-publishing and republishing my books last week has worked out for me. And changing the covers too.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Yay!

[@WatchMeDream13]

Hi! My name is Deborah Akinsulire and I've been a published author since I was 13 years old. I've had the opportunity of being alongside the award winning author Cathy Cassidy in multiple occasions and I am currently working on my third book which is my first in a few years as I have been focusing on school work during that time. I finds this incredibly helpful to my writing and I also found that I currently do some of the tips outlined in this video such as finding a photo of the character that I am thinking about and writing notes when I think of new ideas. I'm glad that I found this video and I'm excited to see more from you. Thank you for supporting us.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Aww thank you for the kind words. I hope you subscribe.

[@writingwithkatelyn]

These are some great pieces of advice! I found this channel through IWriterly's shout out post, and I'm glad I checked you out!! 😁😁

[@thelifeofawriter]

Didn't even know about. I'll see if I can find it. Thanks!

[@eternalreader6693]

thanks for the helpful tips. I have a problem: I have so many ideas that pop in my mind every minute that I can't stay on a story, I always think the new idea is better but then another one comes to my kind again and I change once again. I really like all my ideas and I don't like having to give up on any of them but obviously I can't continue all my projects in the same time. what should I do?

[@thelifeofawriter]

Focus on the book idea you're the most passionate about!

[@alexielinn]

Good point!

[@Swolsuke]

Maybe you should try writing out all your ideas on one page, then choose which one you like the most and focus on it.

[@davidzx2292]

Eternal Reader I'm having the same problem. I think that I have found an idea I may finally stick with, but, you know, probably tomorrow I'll have one "better" and, oops, I'm caught in a loop again

[@synnesilentweb]

Don’t worry! I was in the same boat for years. I had a new story idea with every song I listened to. 🤯 Aahh. I kept telling myself, one day I’ll find “the one”! And I have (HURRAY!!). I still get new ideas but I try to involve them in the one story. So no good ideas get lost: they simply make the main one so much better!

[@shubhajaggi5487]

Wow...crisp, really helpful and well-presented. Thank you. Subscribed!

[@thelifeofawriter]

Thank you so much!

[@osirislezama8201]

Thank you so much for uploading... really helpful 👍🏿

[@KDReed-fk7ip]

Using Google images is an awesome tip. I use Pinterest frequently for reference. People, clothes, places, furniture, even for a specific color (I needed the perfect shade of pink once, and Pinterest saved me!) I've found that Pinterest's reliance on images helps me a little more than Google. I've got boards for books and specific characters. Couldn't get along without it probably. It also doubles as a marketing tool. Love it!

[@thelifeofawriter]

+K.D. Reed Yes, I looooove Pinterest too! Thanks for sharing!

[@reginabanda987]

I use google images too!

[@thelifeofawriter]

It's pretty awesome, right?

[@MooniPlays]

If you find you have trouble focusing, you may benefit from ambient noise websites. These can help you keep focused, help you write in a certain setting, etc. Some sites that may be useful: rainymood.com/ Plays rain sounds. rainycafe.com/ Like rainymood but you're also in a cafe. www.showerti.me/ Well it's a shower without the water. soundrown.com/ Further immersion as you can choose multiple sounds to create your setting. www.forestmood.com/ Well you're in a forest.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@Eggscargot]

I'd also suggest www.noisli.com

[@hemalathag8268]

Thank u so much for taking up this topic mam. This is really helpful. I've just started my another story and this will truly help me make my work better!

[@brendabauer8499]

Howdy Ms. Stefanie! I'm new to your site, and am loving your videos! They are short, to the point, informative and keep my interest. Thanks very much for sharing!! I'm retired, but for much of my careers (careers because my career field incorporated 5 careers into 1!!) people kept commenting I should write. I figure I'll now act on all those suggestions. :-) Thanks again for your videos!!!

[@thelifeofawriter]

Awesome Brenda! Well this is definitely a fulfilling career choice. Make sure you grab my Writer's Checklist, it will walk you through the steps for writing a book from start to finish bit.ly/writers-checklist

[@wazza544]

Nice, solid, genuinely useful, lovely advice. Many thanks.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Very welcome!

[@ysabellelaxamana]

Thank you so much for the tips!

[@bumpintheG]

☝🏾🤯 your blowing my mind Sis, thanks for all the help, God Bless you!!!

[@silverwick818]

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for this!!! I needed this so much, now maybe I'll actually finish writing a novel/novelette.

[@gauravaaditya]

This was a really great video with concise tips. Thank you so much ❤️

[@alikar4715]

Thank you, this is wonderful advice.

[@Huyedelomalo]

Thank you for the hacks, some are quite simple yet I hadn't thought of them (like reading through Amazon)

[@robertferraro236]

Great tips. I found the one about write first edit later to be the most valuable. Silly me edits each sentence as I write. Not any more!

[@GodVlogger]

Good tips. Thanks. I write by dictating the book into my iPhone using Siri to translate it. It's pretty good. But definitely it's tempting to continually stop and correct any place where Siri heard/wrote the word incorrectly. If I can ignore that and just keep going (and then come back and do the editing later) it's certainly much faster getting the first draft done.

[@thelifeofawriter]

+GodVlogger Wow that's awesome, what an interesting way to transcribe your book.

[@silverwick818]

I have a question, do you think it's okay to be writing two stories at once, or should you just focus on one?

[@thelifeofawriter]

I think it's easier to focus on one manuscript at a time. The one you're most passionate about.

[@ravannadee7836]

Thank you, for these tips. It was very helpful.

[@salmankhanspark]

Really awesome video, You encouraged me a lot... I loved your style of explanation...

[@thelifeofawriter]

Thanks!

[@sicilyny5375]

No doubt about my writing...just my technical non ability. Grammar help and I'm known to go "comma crazy"...but I freeze up when trying to format, get things to be perfectly set on my laptop

[@dr.hawkinsmax6623]

Man girl, I feel like I just discovered the secret to a better life with this video, thank you so much!

[@thelifeofawriter]

🤣Hilarious!

[@chelseawritesbooks8763]

This is amazing advice! I found it very helpful. Thank you!

[@DMZ67Y2Y2]

Good info. Short presentation. Suggestion: Decrease the echo in your recording area. A few thick towels hung off camera will absorb the noise.

[@gdtownshende]

Re: something becoming a habit/routine, some research has been done which has shown that it actually takes a lot longer than 21 days to accomplish this. The research shows that it takes a minimum of 66 days to establish a new habit, but it can also take a lot longer, as much as 200 days or more, in fact. One thing I did to get myself back into the habit after I had gone a couple of years without writing was this: I told myself that if I wrote just 100 words per day, then I would consider myself as having accomplished my goal of writing for that day. My goal (at that time), however, was to write a minimum of 750 words per day. So, I was aiming for 750/day, but I made the decision that if I wrote just 100/day, I would be happy. It wasn't long before I was writing 750+/day and more every day, six days per week, and then the next thing I knew I had hit that 66 day mark. Now, that doesn't mean that I magically had a new habit established after 66 days, though. For myself, I think it takes a little longer than 66 days before something becomes firmly embedded as a habit. For me, I think it's in the range of 90-120 days. It'll be different for different people. Another idea for describing a character is to buy a book like 501 MOVIE STARS, published by Barron's. Using Google is a good idea, too, of course. But the point of using a reference like 501 MOVIE STARS isn't to make a character look like a specific movie star. It's more, as you said, to find someone who looks like the character you have in mind, then using that image to be able to describe that person. Besides, 501 MOVIE STARS has lots of older movie stars, including folk you might not know, but who look like the character you have in mind. Great tips overall, though! :D

[@ianbauer4703]

Thank you for your tips, very helpful!

[@SuzetteRiddick]

Great video! Thanks for sharing these tips!

[@thelifeofawriter]

You're welcome.

[@dibyajyoti2949]

Thnx for your beautiful tips, coach 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@alfonsomango_suyu]

Many of these tips I already use. The hardest for me is to get an schedule. I have many ideas for different stories and it's difficult to chose just one to follow and keep in that track. I would like to publish someday.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Here's a video on how to create a writing schedule kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHrNZ6Zrl5emmtU

[@Stalaxian]

Supporting myself is the hardest

[@thelifeofawriter]

I know right.

[@drawinganimekid5686]

I love your video! Its helping me so much!

[@bighardbooks770]

Very great tips, thank you!

[@ML-ek5ur]

Thank you for your helpful tips

[@Cityheart221]

Great and useful tips. Thanks.

[@Lumpofcoal69]

These are wonderful! Thank you

[@thelifeofawriter]

Thanks Charles!

[@JaneEva]

Wonderful. Thank you!

[@earshoes3282]

really helpful thank you

[@donnashirley6628]

Thank you. This was very good

[@mariai.3918]

That was very helpful.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Thank you!

[@miguela.wilder6533]

Great job. All good stuff

[@thelifeofawriter]

*waves* Hey! +Miguel A. Wilder Thank you!

[@KendraLock]

You're so awesome!

[@RachelleGrahamwriter]

Useful comments. Appreciate them.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Glad they were helpful!

[@ImprovementisGrowth]

Great tips, especially using Google to describe your characters. Thinking outside the box.

[@thelifeofawriter]

+Pamela C. Thank you!

[@TonyTonyTani]

Use Pinterest! A very great way to get inspiration and ideas for people, places, and story!

[@thelifeofawriter]

Great tip as well Tania C

[@FreeJulianAssange23]

Hi, my name is Amanda. I was wondering if there are writers that look to team up with people who have stories. I have started, stopped and restarted so many times I lost count. I have Trauma and dissociate while writing. I have my rough draft finished, but still need to edit. I think I’ve put too much into to walk away.

[@remivaruc2236]

Informative, thank you

[@crimsoncock7883]

Thank you sooo much!!!

[@dukane14]

Good stuff! Thank you!

[@thelifeofawriter]

Thank you!

[@frankenfurterr3432]

THANK YOU!!! ❤❤❤

[@TheCraftsWOMBman]

Great advice 💯✏💎

[@dinaf.k5372]

I'm a writer. I am currently writing about figure skating...though I never skated before. The internet helps me with wonders. Some girls in my school do skate and I get to ask them questions and then pile up the answers from them and write it in my novel. It gets a little easy now a days with the internet☺

[@thelifeofawriter]

Yes the Internet is amazing! LOL.

[@dinaf.k5372]

***** Was that a question?

[@thelifeofawriter]

***** Are you writing in 1st person?

[@thelifeofawriter]

So when you're writing in first person, the point of view you should be writing from is the main character. In which case, she would refer to herself as "I" unless another character is addressing her. If you are writing in 3rd person then you would refer to the character by her name.

[@charley_warlzz]

Yolanda Elias you can use i and me as long as your consistent with it

[@chaosbeauty7293]

Someone want to be writer buddies?? Of course we all need one.

[@salmankhanspark]

Hi

[@hehehi9858]

Hi

[@willnettles2051]

Cool, thank you. Encouraging

[@Tonyia_Healthcare]

I have so many Ideas, but Im using my blog to write different ideas and little paragraph to my viewers. But to really, sit down an actually write, is hard. How I will go about having you as my coach?

[@thelifeofawriter]

Check out the link howtowriteabookthatsells.com/writing-coach

[@pmvids739]

Hi❤️ I wan8to ask something.. Where did you get the clapboard from?

[@thelifeofawriter]

Universal Studios many years ago.

[@kellyecbeauty9810]

Thank u this was helpful

[@lauroandrea3241]

Thanks for the beta reader links. I really didn't want to bug friends because they are just not deep readers.

[@TheCraftsWOMBman]

Excellent advice

[@LorrieSmithSTOPANIMALCRUELTY]

Excellent advice! Love the imagery through Google idea! Also, always having a notepad at the ready! As a voracious reader, and grammar cop, (Sorry, but you said "good" at one point when you should have said "well.") I chalked it up to your talking speed. Now that I've endeared myself to you, LOL, another tip is to take your finished manuscript and CIRCLE all the "THATS" (or THAT'S.) You'll find you don't need over half. It's fluff. (Learned this writing police reports.... LOTS of police reports! TOO MANY POLICE REPORTS! Unmotivated to start your twenty-one days? Start with ten minutes. You'll get into the swing! I'd LOVE to be a Beta Reader! Where do I sign up?! THANK YOU FOR POSTING!

[@thelifeofawriter]

Yep, I talk ridiculously fast and then in editing I'm like oh gosh. But thanks for the additional tips ;-)

[@garypyle7246]

I'm writing a fiction book about a boy trying to find his mom these tips helped alot thanks

[@call_me_rhee6866]

Gary Pyle Im interested! is it on a platform where anyone view it? if so i would like to read it.

[@garypyle7246]

I'm not exactly done I've only wrote 12 pages it is almost done and when it it i probably post it to Google plus

[@garypyle7246]

Yaoi-on-ice-trash yeah but it's really far out I'm not done even writing it let alone editing

[@whitebear224]

Awesome!

[@ladyredconstance]

wonderful video! great ideas..

[@thelifeofawriter]

+Inspirational lady Thanks! Much appreciated.

[@reneesatchel42]

Oh boy, did I learn the hard way about not saving my/your work under various sources as she suggested. Leaving work in 2015, I lost my flash drive where my ONLY version was loaded on, and my manuscript was 95% complete. So imagine?

[@thelifeofawriter]

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry to hear that. Starting over is so hard.

[@andreawashington1199]

Hi How are you? I came across your video. I have a book I've been writing for 5years or longer. Now I'm ready to pull it together manual script and published. I have come across so many companies. But, offer no true guides. Are you still available for consulting. Thank you for your time in sharing your videos..

[@thelifeofawriter]

Yes I am. You can schedule a free strategy session at scheduleonce.com/writeonepub

[@Lillyspurs]

New sub here! Great tips, Thank you! :)

[@thelifeofawriter]

Awesome, glad you're here.

[@nakeshabrown]

Hi I didn't see the information on beta readers. Am I overlooking it?

[@thelifeofawriter]

Send me an email and I can send it to you. My email is on my site howtowriteabookthatsells.com

[@sparkalinton1543]

I’m young, I’ve been writing from my imagination for 3 years and often go of track, but after about 6 practice books I’ve gotten a story line and started a story. And get this, it’s good. BUT I have social anxiety and extremely low self esteem, all that plus the fact I’m just a kid I don’t know what to do.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Sounds like you're already off to the great start! Focus on the achievement you've made. That's something you should be extremely proud of and help to build your self esteem. 😉

[@ThewritingkingRichard]

Great tips. Especially don't write and edit at the same time.

[@luisdiaspires7618]

When Im writing I see my book as a movie, so first thing I cast actors as the characters

[@thelifeofawriter]

I do that too sometimes. lol

[@stephvandykeozzy]

I do the same thing.

[@twistedcherrypop]

subbing, great info!

[@ohsnapitslauren1007]

thank you for the writing tips! After I write I go back and edit and then when I want to write again, I get writers block. :( But anyway thank you again! =-)

[@thelifeofawriter]

Yes, that's very common. Just keep writing instead!

[@sheryllord440]

I do have a hard time with a writing schedule. I tried to download your Beta Reader book and my clicks didn't open anything.

[@thelifeofawriter]

+Sheryl Lord Try this link instead writeonepublications.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=d96686ae9f5fc8056227f65d4&id=741d3d3d90

[@Eee-le6rk]

You know a lot, wow !

[@alhamdulillahforeverything7224]

I have a question.. i have written a chapter but it is sounding like casual ..I mean the words or fluency..how can i make it good to my readers..when they read they can feel it...

[@nixutree1578]

Hello, I hope you answer me on this because I have few questions that are slightly bothering me. #1. I've added in a few new character into my novel but I am not entirely sure what to do with them. The first character is a man called Ronan. All I know for this character is that he is like an older sibling/mentor figure towards another character in the novel but that is it really. And the second character is a woman named Amber and the only reason I added her in is because she's the relationship to another character. Would you cut out these characters during the editing process and work on without them or think about what their purpose is? #2. I am very unhappy with a whole chapter I wrote but scared to delete it. Any ideas I can do with it?

[@thelifeofawriter]

If you feel as though these two characters aren't progressing the story in any way, then yes cut them! Cutting characters and chapters can be hard. But... if a character/chapter/paragraph/word moves me enough to where I want to get rid of it, then the reader would definitely want it gone. Hope this helps!

[@nixutree1578]

thelifeofawriter thank you! The problem with my chapter is I wrote it like 4 months ago and I've continued on like 9 chapters so... if I cut the chapter would I have to rewrite the whole 9 chapters or just make it "better"?

[@jazeliza97]

💜 thank you 💜

[@msarrington27]

I can't access the beta reader link

[@thelifeofawriter]

Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I've deleted the link. It's no longer a free eBook.

[@tetraclaw8808]

great tips

[@diamondla007]

Hi I am writing a story and it is in first person. But I am having trouble figuring out how to start the story. it's a romantic/horror story. I've thought out how the story will develop just not the beginning

[@tamaradimarco878]

Musicgirlsam Let it start in the middle of an action, something with suspence.

[@AndrewMcClenning]

The only time I write and edit at the same time, if my mind's stuck on a certain passage. Little tweaks, and shit like that.

[@thelifeofawriter]

Yep, I can relate.

[@r.a.m242]

What if I have a story but want someone to write it? what path to I take.

[@thelifeofawriter]

You would need a ghostwriter.

[@Tisshy07]

Hey I am an aspiring author from India. I am working on a youth oriented fiction novel. How can I get beta readers here in my country. Thanks for the tips

[@thelifeofawriter]

I have an in depth eBook on how to find beta readers. It's not in my store right now, but if you send me an email, I can invoice you. It's $7. You can find my email on howtowriteabookthatsells.com

[@CT-zk3yo]

very nice

[@jasonzimmerman2384]

Awesome information. Thanks. Sub earned. Lol

[@thelifeofawriter]

+Jason Zimmerman LOL. Thanks and welcome!

[@SoulStainedInk]

writing hack - carry a notebook EVERYWHERE! (this works especially well if you also carry a purse or bag). I usually carry a notebook and a bag of colored gel pens (I never write in black or blue if I can help it)

[@thelifeofawriter]

+Elizabeth Tyree Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@SoulStainedInk]

No problem! Between that and the mini-recorder/recording app on my phone, I keep up with most of my random ideas.

[@mahamo92]

I guess your channel is very useful😌💙👌 I'm going to press "subscribe" bottom bbe 😍✋

[@lowenherz9718]

makes sense

[@BrandonNinja]

How much do you charge to be a writing coach?

[@thelifeofawriter]

You can schedule a free strategy session to determine pricing howtowriteabookthatsells.com/writing-coach/

[@dragonchr15]

Tip 5a - write longhand so you are not editing every five minutes. The word processing software has spoiled the modern writer.