You don't have to write an "important" book | A Writer Pep Talk

You don't have to write an "important" book. What does important even mean? Well in publishing, it certainly has a meaning. I tend to beat myself up for not meeting that bar. This is a pep talk I give to myself a lot, that I hope will help other commercial writers/those who feel the same way.
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[@jillkeller6113]

This was one thing I was able to sidestep as an author. Entertainment books ARE important books. I learned this at 19 when I went through Ovarian Cancer and depression. What made me smile during those months? What pushed some of the gloom and fear away from me? What helped me get me through those long, endless nights of terror and fear of the future? Romance books. Hilarious chick lit. They were my everything. They put me in a world of silly, happy, loving fun and swept me away so fully, some times I forgot I was lying in bed after surgeries or sitting in an oncologist office. They let me smile when I thought all I had were tears. Because of that experience, no one - including my own self doubt - can ever tell me that my romance novels are silly or useless. I know there are people out there that desperately need them because once, I was one of them.

[@brabra2725]

can't be any truer.

[@gabrielabianchi1809]

"Important means something different to everyone." This is so true!

[@LindsayPuckett]

As someone who suffers from a chronic pain disability, escapism "fluff/fun" books are the only things that keep me mentally functional sometimes. Totally agree that the term "important" is subjective.

[@kappia6471]

Lindsay Puckett As someone who suffers from mental illness, my go-to escape is reading fluff, something wholly different from what’s constantly inside my head. I don’t think I’d be well today if not for these books-that’s how important they are to me. Also, in my country, I think fiction, film and tv are actually too focused on being “important” and taking things too seriously that I’ve come to believe we have a shortage of local fluff. I find myself scouring for “good” local fluff and not finding much. This is why I’m working on fluff in my native tongue+English (Taglish) and hoping more writers would join me.

[@carolyntaraoneil8789]

Thank you for sharing this -- that is such a valuable point. And everyone has times in our lives when we need some cheer or escapism.

[@KreativeHogwartsLegacyGUIDES]

I agree with you. as someone who also has pain from my sickness, its funny how people trivialize things. whenever im in pain for 3 hours or more, listening to chvrches in bed is literally the best thing in the world. I hope you stay strong with chronic pain, especially when the world doesnt seem to know the gravity of that, especially doctors who may think its some sort of excuse even though its crippling and even going to work is hard/impossible. my heart is with you. :) i also love fluff stuff in general when i need to escape.

[@bobbiefalin7074]

I get enough 'important' in my life. I want something fun. I want an escape from important.

[@marahsoore6452]

Well... I'm crying now. This has always been on my mind. So many of my old writing friends were English Majors who liked to expand on the 'deep' meaning of books and gush about poetic pros. And I was sitting there like 'I want to write an action book with a plus size character.... no deep meaning here'. For years it crushed me cause I thought I can't be published with something pulpy and fun. Even my 'hard hitting' stories feel pulpy... but you're right. Every book is important to someone. So thank you. I always need a reminder of this and it's great to see someone else love writing what they love.

[@cole27]

"'I want to write an action book with a plus size character.... no deep meaning here'." that sounds awesome

[@marahsoore6452]

​@@cole27 lol thanks!

[@renaisreading]

Omg please write that!

[@NK-ic9em]

oh please write that. Sounds awesome

[@sweetpeabee4983]

@@NK-ic9em I don't really get this dichotomy. Like, fun stuff can also be poetic and have interesting thematic ideas and insight into life. Poetic stuff can also have a sense of humor or just be fun to read *because* it's beautiful. These things aren't mutually exclusive. I get that some people can be snobbish about "meaningful literature", but that doesn't mean we should be dismissive of anything that's not purely a "fun book".

[@writewithmelissa3748]

"One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important." ~Lord Betram Russell

[@sarahpaige161]

As someone who reads across many genres, I'm willing to go out on a limb here and say that all books are "important." Whether they're tackling deep societal issues or about overcoming adversities, or, you know, about a man and his sex dungeon that is strangely hard to resist, all books are a glimpse inside a writer's mind--the darkest, deepest, or brightest thoughts shared with the world. As humans, we live our lives trapped inside our own consciousness never being able to journey into someone else's effectively limiting our perceptions and experiences. Books, while still not perfect, give us that glimpse inside someone else's world, a window to see the world through someone else's eyes whether it's the author or the character they've written, or both. All books, no matter the content are excellent teachers of empathy, and as is proven so often these days, the world could definitely use more empathy. This is, in my opinion, the most important thing any book has to offer.

[@Vickynger]

very well said!

[@carole5648]

classic "non-important" works of fiction that have stood the test of time, despite not being "important": Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice, The Iliad, Sherlock Holmes, Winnie-the-Pooh, Where the Red Fern Grows, Black Beauty, Treasure Island....i'm sure there are many others. I think standing the test of time is more a matter of chance than importance, so if that's your goal, don't feel like you have to write something 'important' to do that. Great message Alexa. What is important to someone, as you said, does not necessary mean a heavy controversial topic, but i think usually more about feeling understood, like the author sees and reflects something from the world that the reader sees too no matter how small.

[@brabra2725]

I would remove the Iliad from the list: when it was conceived, around 3500 years ago, knowledge was transmitted orally in the form of poems. The Iliad was only collected a thousand years later in written form because Peisistratos commissioned the Iliad and the Odyssey to be put in writing in order to avoid them getting forgotten. Don't get confused: the Iliad is not just fun, but also an encyclopedia of the world and mythos of the era of aoidos.

[@carole5648]

@@brabra2725 I don't want to be argumentative, but I was purposely not pointing out the bit of 'important' meaning or purpose or whatever that ALL books have to the reader, because my point would have been lost. Each of the books above have some sort of important message, small or large, but one that is possible to ignore for the enjoyment of the book. I also think it's sort of a separate argument for what was important/relevant when a classic was written that isn't really so much anymore. Was I aware that the Iliad was not written as an adventure, yes i was. Do i really care when I read it now about all the history stuff? Not really, no (i mostly skip that chapter that is just a list of who killed who). Some people might and if you're 'studying' it particularly sure, but you can also just read it for 'fun'. Though now i'm feeling a bit weird about calling the Iliad fun...

[@Nobddy]

The Iliad feels very out of place in this list

[@tracyspeakman9902]

Are you reading my mind? You are, aren't you? I just had this argument with myself yesterday. I have this idea for my first novel. I love it! The thought of writing it makes me crazy excited. Then, there's that voice, "Your first novel has to be important, ground-breaking, award winning and record shattering, or what's the point? After all, first impressions are everything, right?" Talk about pressure, not to mention a party-pooper. I'm considerably older than you. So, I also struggle with, "I don't have time for fluff. I'm already starting late." Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves? It's paralyzing. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this video! The timing is perfect, and the message is spot on. Plus, all the amazing people below commenting on just how valuable "entertainment" was for them at a rough time in life, is spurring me on. So, you might want to get out of my head now. I'm starting this novel today, and it's about to get messy in here.

[@lostgoth3980]

I personally prefer to read fun books over issue/important books unless it's written by a fantastic writer who doesn't preach.

[@carolyntaraoneil8789]

Love this, and totally agree! We need and want all kinds. I also appreciate that you called out Twilight -- or even 50 freaking Shades of Grey -- because those books carried the entire *industry* on their backs. The romance novel genre is SO important because without it, the publishing industry would probably die. 😂 Yet no one considers those industry-saving books or authors "important."

[@PianoGirl091]

English major here with a concentration in creative writing. Believe it or not, majoring in English made me NOT want to be a writer anymore. The reason for that is because I was told by all my professors that genre fiction is inferior to literary writing and that you're lowering yourself if you pursue it. Writing primarily for entertainment's sake is childish, and is only for people who don't have it in them to write important stories. I'm not kidding, they really said this. As you can imagine, this discouraged me, as genre fiction was literally all I wanted to write. A professor once scoffed at me when I said that. After class a fellow student (who I considered a very talented writer) came up to me and said, "Don't worry about it. She's got her ways, but I think she's wrong. There's nothing wrong with genre fiction, and the people who deny that it's more entertaining are lying to themselves." He was so right. Honestly, I am not proud of being an English major because of the experience that I had. I didn't even attend my own graduation ceremony because I felt that I had been hurt more than helped as an aspiring writer. Take it from me: if you're going to college and you want to be a fiction writer, major in something else that interests you. You don't need to study writing in school to be an author. Quite frankly, I've gotten better advice from videos like these than I ever did from my professors. Listen to her, folks. You do you!

[@SRForge-zk6cp]

Cyberpunk is genre fiction that was an eighties look at the living technological nightmare that we find ourselves in today. As much as I love literary books I just don't find it as believable as the genre fiction that can directly access the deep psychological horror of HP Lovecraft or Philip K Dick. Literary is telling you that life's hard and that you'll die unremembered; genre let's you frolic with an alien for a bit before it drops that hammer. ❤️ Thanks for not giving up.

[@Speakeeezzy]

This pep talk was exactly what I needed to hear. I've been held back by Type A perfectionism and I'm using Nanowrimo to overcome that right now. I shelved my long term project with lots of themes and complicated characters to work on something fun and lower stakes because I really just need to finish something. Frankly, I adore fast, fun supernatural fiction, so why was I twisting myself into pretzels trying to create something else? Also, your eyeshadow looks amazing in this vid!

[@laszlob1294]

Thank you for speaking to me here, that I do not have to aspire to write a Nobel prize winning novel or a Pulitzer prize worth story to entertain my readers. This is something I have been sensing but it feels so good to be confirmed by an established writer like you certainly are. If some people read my stories and they have fun or are touched or my story makes them think or feel in some way, I am doing a service to the community. Story telling at the campfires of our ancestors was not earth shattering. But it did certainly have a purpose and meaning.

[@MewLime]

I have a story (not very long, only about 8k), and I put it on Wattpad (I know lol). One thing I really like about the site is that it shows you when readers add your fic to a reading list. My favorite so far was when someone added it to a list called “best books I’ve read so far.” It’s just. SO humbling when someone likes your dumb story. 😭

[@ac8123]

Take a shot every time Alexa says ‘important’. 🙈 That being said this is the pep talk I needed. Sometimes, we can just write a fun book.

[@bunbacheso]

I think everything you've expressed in this video is valid and true! Have you ever considered having a POC author as a guest on your channel? I think this topic, as well as the one about engaging with the classics, and perhaps some others, would be interesting to hear about from a person of color's perspective, because being a POC affects the way the "important book" pressure is felt. The two of you discussing that would make a great video, imo. (Other marginalizations affect that pressure, too.) I completely agree that everything has important themes. That's what I love about fiction. My brother and I were recently discussing the deeper meanings of x-men comics. Fun pop culture is awesome and necessary!

[@RashmikaLikesBooks]

That's so true. As a poc, often there's a pressure to write about Race or Oppression when maybe you might just want to write a fun romance. It's a tough call.

[@vivianwakoff]

You know, once I watched an interview with Luc Besson (director of Nikita and Fifth Element). When he was asked about his work being called "fluff" he said he didn't need to be the brain surgeon who cures a person from their brain tumor. He was happy to be the little pill that will cure a run-of-the-mill headache. That comment has stuck with me ever since! I don't think "fluff" gets enough credit, to be honest! Being able to make someone forget their troubles for a little while is no small feat and it can mean a lot to people who need a break!

[@moonpetrie]

vivian wolkoff Brilliant-I will remember this!

[@katherinerivera3486]

I definitely feel the judgment from “genre snobs” when I say I’m writing young adult fantasy, and it can really make me feel embarrassed or like I’m not good enough. But I’ve recently become really comfortable with the fact that I’m just writing pure entertainment, for a specific audience. And anyone who has a problem with that can work through it themselves!

[@moonpetrie]

Katie Rivera Huzzah for YA fantasy! We’ll always write better YA fantasy than anything else, because we love it. There’s no point in torturing yourself by writing something you don’t enjoy in the hopes that someone else will find merit in it.

[@mountainjune]

I get hung up writers who have academic recognition like they've got the Masters degree in English Literature. Makes me feel like I need that to write a decent entertaining read. I love your pep talks, when I start having issues finding motivation to keep writing/editing my book I watch your videos and a few other videos from other writers. Thanks for the pep talk. :) ' Write the book you want to read' has been a motivational mantra for me.

[@novemberninth4392]

"Someone, somewhere, your book is going to be important to them." YES SAY IT LOUDER!

[@ShellyflowersReadsandWrites]

Yes yes yes! To put this in a poetry perspective, for decades, slam and spoken word were looked down on as not being “important” or “literary” forms of poetry. Now, it’s so clear that these forms of poetry have helped revive what some might argue is a dying genre. If we focus less on being “important” and more on making connections, our writing is going to shine no matter what.

[@phanboy8059]

Your words are hold so much truth Alexa. Writing a book filled with a lot of deep meaning is great and admirable but writing a simple, fluffy story geared towards entertainment is just as important. In my case the desire to write a story that can entertain other people the same way I am entertained by the stuff I read is what gives me the drive to become a writer. My stories aren't even all that deep and can be best described as balls to the wall action where the MC must overcome their own flaws either by themselves or with help from friends or allies and get the girl in the end. If even a single person likes them then I accomplished my goal and that is enough.

[@RachelBatemanBooks]

I haven’t even watched this yet and have to say A-FREAKING-MEN. Kirkus nailed me in their review of Someone Else’s Summer because I could’ve written a hugely important book about grief, but I didn’t. And I was like, “Mmmm okay, but that’s not what I WANTED to write.” Just because my main character was grieving doesn’t mean I wanted to write a heavy, important book ABOUT grief. I wanted to write a light, fun book where a character happened to be dealing with grief.

[@TomorrowWeLive]

Can't tell you how much I needed this. The problem I'm having is even with my 'unimportant' stuff I find myself trying to work in grand themes even if doesn't benefit the actual story.

[@Quietcloud]

It's also important to create informative videos for aspiring writers like the ones on this channel. So thank you Alexa Donne! After a year of watching you I finally defeated my imposter syndrome enough to start Nanowrimo this year and have discovered that writing is what I need to do.

[@sadianaheen7270]

Thank you for a beautiful video. I am adding this to my pep talk video list.. for more future views. :) "all we can do is meet ourselves where we are, and be a bit easier on ourselves."

[@philbe1111]

Damn good video and needed. And let me point out, your channel is “important” to many of us. It is to me. Your struggles and successes have helped on days when I’m drafting, revising - querying and feel my confidence wane. I’m looking forward to “Stars” when it comes in February and probably more so for your thriller.

[@scubert-rw9qz]

I love your up beat positive videos. It seems all people talk about is the rejections .Why your book isn’t working. Why your book isn’t special. It’s hard because it is special to me. I freaking sat and wrote a novel for a year or more and no one be wants it. Feels so demoralizing. It’s hard because I am in the querying process and it seems the agents look for reasons to not have to read your book and want to give you an auto reject. Or some can’t even bother to reply. Our novels are very personal and a ton of work it just feels agents don’t appreciate what it takes to write a book. 😕 We took a year or more to write the book I think we at least deserve a personal sentence or two to tells us no or why. Give us some kind of closure or understanding. Keep up the positive videos Alexa. ❤️👍🏻

[@JohnDoe-vy9oy]

Omg I really appreciate this video since since I feel inadequate for not writing about an important world issue. I think a far more effective way of feeling like your doing something important is community service instead. It’s a more fulfilling way of making change. Not that literature can’t cause change as well.

[@elisenightauthor]

Thank you!!! This is so good to remember. I’ve come to accept that I don’t even need to write an “amazing” book in my genre. My goal is to write an “entertaining” book, and that’s it. If I can amuse or thrill at least one reader then I’ve done my job well.

[@CaffeinatedCovers]

This video gave me permission to enjoy random books again instead of worrying about writing an amazing review every single time. There is value in enjoyment. Thanks for that.

[@snowyyzoe]

Yes, yes, and yes!! I hate how "important" books are the only ones that tend to get respect. All books are important and most people just want to read fun and silly books. I definitely do, hahaha

[@r.brooks5287]

Your best vid Alexa. I spent years trying to write something brilliant and clever; now I just want to make people happy. I didn't finish my first book till I made that change.

[@skyler3209]

I just wanted to say, I was finally able to get your book Brightly Burning from a nearby library to read and I've been loving it! I don't read sci-fi much, so that's saying something. Bianca has been making me mad, and that's good. The only other character in a book that has made me feel emotions like that is Celeste from Kieara Cass's The Elite. That kind of relationship where the boy is leaning towards two different girls really seems to hit me in the anger feels, so good job crafting that aspect! I'm looking forward to watching your video where you go from first to final draft after I finish Brightly Burning! And this pep talk was just what I needed to motivate me to write my stories more. Keep up the good work Alexa!

[@keslieorear5906]

I definitely get this feeling sometimes too, especially with everything going on in the world. It’s nice to here this pep talk 😁

[@thelibrarianofalexandria6200]

First, I just want to say I love your videos. I'm not a writer but a die hard reader. Still its fun to watch these videos and get "peaks" behind the life of an author and life in publishing. Second YES fluffy books are important as well they can - turn a persons day from awfull to great - can help someone out of a reading slump(important, issue books rarely helps in slumps) - they can help people discover a joy for reading. Reluctant readers rarely start with magnus opus books. (as a book seller I know this) -also dyslextic people have much easier time reading light fluffy books than important magnus opus ones.

[@RaynaPerryArts]

I need this reminder all the time. I love love love to write and read happy, fluffy things, but I also want to write those “important” books, or just books that talk about things that are important to me, you know? It’s a constant struggle to not want to write that - hopefully - next bestseller important read because there is this strange invisible weight placed upon my shoulders after being part of the book community for as long as I was. Thank you for the reminder, though, that success comes in all forms and ways to everyone and they have their own definition of it.

[@joyburd2]

It took me so long to figure this out as a writer, that kicking myself for not writing the most earth shattering, unique piece wasn't as productive as just writing what I genuinely enjoyed and would want to read. Thank you for the reminder, especially this month!

[@periwinkletree]

Amen sister! Someone recently said "The point is to pass the baton onto the next." There can be comfort in knowing someone else will write after me. Perhaps I write for one person, or only myself. If my writing saves myself, it will have been worth it.

[@tessa3474]

Idk how you always seem to know when a pep talk is needed but I absolutely love this. ❤️😭

[@sassyblondewriter8239]

It doesn't have to be serious to have an impact!!! Honestly, the world is so crazy right now, entertaining books, movies, and tv shows are about all I can mentally and emotionally handle!

[@mirandagtriay]

This was such a great pep talk! I've had a lot of shitty days in my life (lmao who hasn't) and cute, fluffy books have always been my go-to when I need a pick-me-up. Thank you for reminding me that it's totally and completely okay to just write to write and that if even one person loves it, that's a success!

[@ingerlouise]

the one thing that i have come to realise that i absolutely hate is writing ‘time passing’. i don’t want to have to write about how it’s suddenly the next week, i just want it to be next week. (idk if that makes any sense whatsoever... but that’s the thing that irks me the most about writing)

[@michellecornum5856]

Thank you for this. Working on NaNo. I know my stories aren't important, and I really don't know how to write an "Important" novel. And it really does get to me sometimes. I needed to hear this. Thank you, again.

[@DianaUrban]

Great points, and thank you for this reminder. My main goal is to keep people reading until 3am because they simply HAVE to find out how the story ends. Because that's the type of book I most love to read!

[@barbarawest1205]

Well, then there's the flip side. I want the validation of success that would follow writing a book that's proclaimed "important,", but I don't want to deal with the consequences of success.And I know that's been a factor in my failure to finish this novel I've been working on so long. I love that you referred to your books as "soapy" because I think mine are, too! This was a great pep talk + reality check.

[@madmadame1508]

I appreciate the vulnerability of this video. Impostor Syndrome, much like the struggle, is very real. And while I don't wish it on people, it is comforting to know that it hits people even at the top. (Yes that means I consider you to be the top of the writing pyramid

[@sarakatieee]

The pep talk I need. Thank you! And then the struggles of people who like to glibly say, "Oh, well, that's not REAL literature" when I talk about books I love (and haven't yet mentioned I'm working on projects in a similar vein because, again, it's what I love). SIGH.

[@mckennakitchens2473]

why did this make me cry?? lol i have a story that i've been working on for years that i consider to be my "important" book, but right now it feels like too much to handle, especially at only 18 years old. this video just told me that it's okay for me to wait for it a little longer. thank you so much.

[@wolfofcoins]

Damn straight, Alexa! Like me yesterday: I came back from a quite exhausting business trip and in the evening I was like: "oh, yes. Now I go to bed with some knitting and Jane Eyre in space audiobook". Thank you for that, it was great! :)

[@HeatherBryant22]

I am writing my “important “ book now but I love to read the fluff and use it for my escape when chronic pain and depression take over. I can say that for me writing this important book is hard but it is needed desperately.

[@DalCecilRuno]

It's so strange for me to hear you, THE Alexa Donne saying you feel useless and worthless. It's weird 'cause that's how I feel all the freaking time about my story's with in the market precisely because it's not a fluffy happy read. I hear beta readers tell me they haven't seen a sci-fi like mine before, which makes me Hella nervous 'cause...the market. One of my 2 protagonists is disabled and I don't sugarcoat all the abuse that this character goes through. So, it could be considered "important" but, I'm always doubling and second-guessing myself for writing all this instead of a happy trilogy. So, hearing someone on the other side of this say the same things that make me doubt my thing is just a confirmation that in the end we are our worst enemy. Thank you for this video. We need it.

[@RashmikaLikesBooks]

Hopefully your uniqueness will be the thing that helps you stand out, not the thing that hinders you, Dal. The world needs your stories. I really hope the people you query to will see that. 💜

[@DalCecilRuno]

@@RashmikaLikesBooks thank you. I remind myself that this is a business. Maybe my stories don't sell to the masses. Yes, it's a sci-fi, but it's not pew pew pew space battle sci-fi, or space romance, or space colonisation / exploration. It's a story about 2 kids in the future,2 kids who grow up and move away from their abusive families and find families of their own, not necessarily in marriage. So, it's a weird story. I know this too well, and I know the market wants more Hunger Games 'cause, the prequels/spin-offs are coming soon. You see, it's all nice to know that I am effortlessly unique, it's nice, but I know this is a business. So fear never ever goes away. And this also makes me immensely thankful for the people who care about what I have to say. It really means a lot to me. Thank you.💜

[@kiervol]

Oh I needed to hear this today. Was looking through some contests and reading previous winners and they were so poignant and amazing and I looked back at my manuscript and it was about a wedding dress and I panicked slightly. I'll steer away I think.

[@theintrovertedaspie9095]

You know I thought of something else of why some aspiring authors struggle with writing and maybe perfectionism in writing. Like and/or/reply if you relate to this. It seems like books that go on to become movie adaptations, media franchises, and maybe even theme park attractions really increases the book/books popularity and sales. So now probably everyone is all familiar with characters and cconcepts from them. So now any aspiring author when they happen to write anything that is remotely similar to that media franchise gets this feeling of guilt and envy. Especially when they actually encounter any piece of media from that franchise. Whether it be a book, toy, costume, website, concept art ect. Even if they make their stories very different just the basic premise alone would probably be enough to have people consider it to be a rip off. This may also cause these feelings of guilt or anxiety to be even stronger.

[@evinkrowe1334]

i needed this, the book i was writing for nano has dark themes but i was trying to be a writer who is above me and i'm not there, i'm me. and as soon as i made it a me book, it all came together. it was exactly this, knowing that it doesn't have to be important. now whenever i worry about it i can come here and listen and go back to writing me books again

[@hannahjames3180]

Everyone has an inner voice or person besides the one they are. Channel them into words on paper. Writer's block often comes about by people feeling restricted in themselves. The whole point is you don't have to be *yourself* - be someone else! For instance: Remember the time you got angry over somebody stealing your parking space and you raged so much you frightened yourself half to death? Be that person. Remember the time somebody did you a good turn and it changed your life significantly? Be that person. I have just finished my first book (non-fiction) it is basically a collection of historical events intertwined with news, crime, and politics. I needed to find a way to write it without it resembling an encyclopedia. This couldn't be done without adapting my view as an author to become a writer, reporter, and analyst. I have started writing fiction and I'll be honest, it is much easier. You don't have to fact check, worry about libel or any other downsides. Go nuts and be creative. There are no limits.

[@lindapenttinen3382]

I feel that as long as someone writes a story she/he has a deep passion for, then there are hight changes someone else likes it too. If the writer adds topic she/he feels are important and executes them well, then the story has a power to heal someone.

[@ltrebach]

I love how the universe occasionally has really good timing, because I this pep talk really hit home for me ❤️💚💜💙

[@SweetWolfie]

Writing a book is wicked hard and takes a huge amount of mental and intellectual perseverance. It's like running a marathon. Whether you are writing commercial or literary fiction, the rigor required is the same. 26 miles is 26 miles whether it is in Hawaii or Boston.

[@ameliac7814]

Really needed to hear this today! I recently started my first novel that I'd actually want published someday and I'm drowning in all the self doubt.

[@LisaZoe86]

Look at Horaz "Ars Poetica". Roughly 2000 years ago he already wrote that poets either want to entertain or to teach or to do both. Whatever you do - it is fine. :-)

[@cole27]

Alexa Donne: motivating you to get that book done :DD

[@serceskywalker]

I totally agree with you Alexa! After midterm exams, I'm thinking read the Twilight again and just letting go away the "important" things in my life for a while :) I want to thank Stephanie Meyer for wiriting this book and all other writers in the same genre of course. And the last thing, you actually don't need to write a very serious book to give a message or teach something. I think fiction books tell us so many things.. thank you for this video, sometimes we need to hear this stuff :)

[@OktoberJournal]

I quite needed this. As someone who writes fan fiction since they were 13; I have always felt like I was never 'allowed' to call myself a writer. Since I have had many rude and negative comments on the fact that I write fan fiction. (And those people are still reading my work, sooo...) But nowadays I mainly think "as long as one person, besides myself, wants to read my fan fiction; I will keep writing them!

[@Anthezar]

This is a wonderful pep talk and absolutely true. Personally, I'm the same. I love writing drama and reading it, but I don't enjoy serious topics in real life. Reading and writing are my safe zones. I've always felt that books are supposed to carry us on journey away from real life. That alone, to me, is the most 'important' element to a good book.

[@aestover91]

needed to hear this; sometimes i take myself way too seriously and need to gtfo myself ahaha. It's good to hear this from somebody else to remind me that the only person my writing will 100% satisfy is myself (and my mom, probably, lmao)

[@jjbowman4653]

#1 reason the hobbit was the best audiobook to listen to while sewing a dog dog bed pillow case. It was fun to listen to ❤️❤️❤️

[@MrDrumGodsey]

I forget where I heard this but I live by it: The story is the Boss! If you wrote a story and you’re just not sure if it’s the right story, the simple fact that you wrote a story means “something” was telling you to write it. That means it is the right story for you! At the end of the day just be yourself and write what you would want to read. The rest will take care of itself! Great topic!

[@gummybears4lunch]

I needed this! Pep talk suggestion: When drafts are not working out. I'm barely into my first draft and wondering why my idea went pear shaped so quickly.

[@sarahcallinan]

Thank you for this video!! This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I’m attempting my first NaNo and I’m really struggling with my inner critic. Thanks again!

[@jennawhite1277]

Thank you so much for this! I’ve been working on my nano book, and while it’s a fun idea, a few times I’ve thought it was just too goofy for anyone to find the story worthwhile. But it’s got my creative juices flowing, and I’m having fun with it, so I’m going to stick with it.

[@Kevlandia]

I 100 percent agree with everything you said in this video. I love that you made this video so more people know this!

[@hollyA.04]

Alexander don't feel worthless. You are so talented and a awesome person. You inspire me SOOO much! Never forget that God loves you.

[@johnu1100]

Good grief. There's a whole section at the library on the "Beltway tell-alls" that haven't been checked out. Nobody wants to read that crap but to ask the tell-all writers, it's soooooooo important to the republic. I'd rather read the back of a baseball card.

[@cleopheeprat8595]

I’m crying.. why am I crying ? This is so sweet and important Thank you ♥️

[@NixLaLoupe]

I know it's redundant but I would love a pep talk about the work not being perfect. First drafts are usually very rough. Edits can make messes. It's always okay because you can clean it up and make it better when the time is right. I think some of my early drafts get me down the most. I know they're rough but it's like I forget that refining and polishing it won't be the equivalent of doing the same thing to a dog turd. It gets better and it can get to the point where you're really proud of it. I can't be the only one that struggles with this from time to time.

[@loveandcupcakes100]

Oh Alexa, never convince yourself you’re not an important writer. Look at your channel alone and how important you are to tons and tons of people. If your channel can do that, imagine the wonderful things your books brings to readers. 😁

[@mcaskey358]

I have dyslexia. I wasn't diagnosed until 6th grade. Because I couldn't read, and I went to a terrible school, I had a lot of years of horrible abuse and bullying from both kids and especially teachers. I was labeled lazy, a bad kid, and was constantly being punished for struggling. Even after I was diagnosed, turned over to an actual Teacher who knew how to teach, and finally taught to read, I hated school and I hated reading. I refused to even try. What turned me around was my mom's trashy romance novels, specifically the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. That was my "Important" book. So you may not realize how much a sappy, soapy, trashy, fluffy romance, etc is touching someone.

[@BeautifullyBookishBethany]

Ooh it is interesting to watch this after the recent YA Twitter drama! You are absolutely right, there is value to lots of different sorts of books that serve different purposes.

[@Kaejennings]

I would love to be someone's escape read. I grew up escaping into books and I still love those books because they mean so much to me.

[@victoriarivera3455]

THANK YOU

[@Voxelhound]

I needed to hear this

[@OmegaTheSillyWolf]

From the moment I decided I wanted to be an author I said I don't care about becoming famous, getting a movie deal or whatever because if I have the chance to write a book that inspires someone else to write like I was inspired by a book series, it's worth it. That's what I want to do. To put literature out there for someone to love.

[@springrising1075]

hi alexa, really great video!! was wondering when and if the 'novel tea show' will be relaunching? have been rewatching all your guys's videos on there and each of your channels recently, and realised there hasn't been a new podcast for a lil bit. hope you are all okay and taking good care of yourself! sending you positive energy throughout november. all the love!

[@DreamsOfFire]

I need to get my whole writing group to watch your videos! You're always so encouraging! Thank you!

[@xtonibx5770]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm 14 and I've been writing since I was ten. I spend a lot of my time analyzing classic works of literature and film. After analyzing To Kill A Mockingbird and classic movies like The Graduate and Dazed and Confused and their contribution to fiction and cinema, I felt extremely empty. I spend so much of my time trying to write something with deep meaning and depth. I'm only 14 and I'm definitely no Harper Lee or S.E. Hinton and that broke my stupid heart for some reason. I feel like I was so much more creative when I was younger because I overthink things now. Every time I get an idea, I imagine my English teacher having a deep class discussion about it and I wonder if it's good enough for that. I know it isn't. It may never be. I *almost* gave up today. *Almost.* Thank you.

[@kerrychapman5783]

Thanks, Alexa! :-)

[@cferracini]

THANK YOU!!! I just wanted to say THANK YOU! We need to hear those things more often

[@thewritebrooke4221]

This is so important and I love this! I often feel this same way!...And I haven't published anything yet!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

I actually needed this pep talk today so thank you for sharing this with us. Important means something different to everyone - hitting the nail on the head there!

[@nonyabusiness9628]

Needed that. I feel calmer now.

[@kristge7273]

I've watched dozens of your videos and have learned so much about publishing and fiction writing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom! That's my preface to express some respect first, so when I say you're super cute you won't misunderstand and think that's all see. You share so many important ideas here, and that’s exactly why I keep watching your channel. But also, yeah...super fucking cute. 🤩

[@ReadableMarie]

Thank you.

[@therenegadebard3971]

This was sent to me in the first few years of my indie career. I think this illustrates the true value of "fluff". "K" was a minor so her name is withheld. Dear Mister Anderson I am a busy, and frequently stressed Foster mum, who looks after children with special needs. I work with a specialist Fostering Agency in the UK, who deal with children who are 'difficult' to place in ordinary family homes. I have 5 grown up children of my own, 2 sons, and 3 daughters. All were read to at bedtime from birth, as the sound of a parent's voice helped to settle and soothe. They could all read independently by the age of 4, and their love for books has never diminished. When I became a foster Mum, I continued the trend of reading to the kids at bedtime. I stuck firmly to authors I knew and trusted - old fashioned authors who were 'safe', as I had come across books for pre-teens which had very unsuitable content for children who were coming to terms with hormones. The media, and books, can and do influence children, and childhood isn't something to be rushed through, where 11 year olds compete for 'boyfriends' and 'girlfriends'. This is especially important for vulnerable children who are in care, and NEED to feel valued and loved, and often become magnets for grooming by unsavoury people. My child, K, came to me in September 2005, age 9, small - very small for her age, as a 'short term' placement while the various agencies tried to find a suitable 'therapeutic' centre to place K in. She had been in care since the age of 8 months, and was born with special needs enhanced by genetic problems. She was autistic spectrum, with Microcephaly, and several other conditions. She had, as many long term foster children do, a condition called 'Attachment Disorder', where they couldn't 'attach' emotionally to their birth parent due to different factors - mainly involving neglect. With K, it was enhanced by being 'let down' by so many carers, and her special needs, which meant she couldn't understand - and she resorted to spectacular toddler tantrums when she couldn't make sense of the world. K was moved from foster carer to foster carer, averaging a 9 month stay with each, though the older she got, the faster these places broke down. She was prone to rages - extremely violent rages - which were difficult for people to cope with, especially if they had other children in their homes. K was a danger to herself, and to others. I was asked to keep her until the agencies found a 'unit' that could cope with K. From that first night, when she went to bed, I read to her. I don't think she'd ever had an adult read to her at bedtime. She enjoyed being read to, but had a very short attention span, and the old favourite stories I had used for over 3 decades didn't engage her attention for more than 8 minutes, until I found a series of books that had an antihero boy, who caused mayhem - a bit like K herself. These she would listen to for 30 minutes - the length of the books, basically, which had its plus and minus points. The stories engaged her attention, but she would emulate the behaviours of the antihero. Months passed, and then years passed, and it seemed Social Workers had given up on their search for a unit for K, or perhaps I didn't kick up too much of a fuss and ask for her to be moved. So, I stuck with K, and she stuck with me, and eventually we found a Special Needs school that wouldn't exclude her within a few weeks for unmanageable behaviour - and life carried on with Horrid Henry, the antihero in the books, and Carnaptious K - my foster daughter. She became less violent after the 4th year, but still spent a lot of time in seclusion at her Special Needs School. We tried to wean her of HH books, but nothing else would work at bedtimes - K would pull the blankets over her head, and disengage - and after several attempts, I would give in, and continue with them. If K went to sleep content, I could lose myself in books to relax. K is quite an intense child to live with. One of my birth children told me about ‘'The Godling Chronicles'. We always recommend books to each other if we find a particularly good one. I downloaded it onto my kindle, and didn't sleep until I finished it. The following week, I took K to a holiday camp during summer holidays, and at bedtime, disaster - I forgot to take the HH books with me. It was with desperation that I started reading 'The Godling Chronicles' to K. I knew it was a 'safe' book, where I wouldn't need to 'read ahead' of my talking, as there were no profanities, and no sex - very important in for a child who emulates her 'story friends'. The first couple of nights weren't a great success, but reading to her is part of her routine, which is very important to a child who also has autistic spectrum problems. The 4th night was amazing. A heroine came into the story, by the name of Kaylia, and my little girl, by now 15 years old, instantly responded to Kaylia's name, mishearing it, and thinking it was HER name. K would listen to HH stories, never commenting, and would lie staring at the walls until she'd drift off to sleep without speaking to me when I closed the book for the night. She interrupted me to say 'that's my name'. I didn't correct her, as admittedly I was a bit surprised, and she told me to re-read the passage. I did, but changed Kaylia's name to K's name, and she turned around, and WATCHED me reading to her - another first. She interrupted several times to get explanations, when she couldn't connect points in the story within her head, but then she'd demand I start reading again. That night I had difficulties giving the character's distinct 'voices', as over an hour passed, and my voice was suffering. K was hooked, and asked me to read some more the next morning - but that was too out of routine, and she was told to wait until bedtime - which she was so desperate to reach that she changed into her pajamas at 7pm, and hung around watching the clock for 8.30pm. I was happy - we'd moved on from HH, which I did offer to read to her when we finished the first book, but she wanted me to read it again, from the beginning. Fortunately the 2nd book came out not too long after, and after pulling another all nighter to read it started reading it as K's bedtime story. Normally she doesn't take to change too well, but this time, she was desperate to know Kaylia's outcome, so there were no problems - until the book was finished, and re-read, and now I'm almost 80% through book one again. These books have made such a huge change to K that I told her social workers. K's school has remarked how she appears to be 'maturing', without so many outburst this term, and she floats around school HELPING lesser able bodied children - she appears to be taking on a 'protector/nurturer' role now, instead of being the aggressor. She understands that Gewey and Kaylia get into fights, but only to 'look after each other, and other people'. She also is getting an idea that when people don't agree, they can 'work it out by talking' instead of trying to pull someone's head off. Our fostering network gives each foster family a welcome pack, which now includes a kindle, preloaded with some stories to read TO the children, WITH the children, and for those kids that are more able, to read by themselves. I know The Godling Chronicles are not suitable for very young children, but for children who have that ability to listen, and possibly envision stories with excitement (in the best possible way), The Godling Chronicles very well might be a blessing. Too many books now, including those for ages 9 and up, encourage children to explore things which their bodies, and minds, are not mature enough to cope with. Certainly the special needs children we work with, all who are extremely vulnerable, need stories that promote POSITIVE images, without trying to sexualize them at too young an age. Your books are now included on our group's newly qualified foster parents kindles, along with the usual fairy stories, magic stories, pet stories, through to current trending stories for young teens. We have a big annual meeting coming up in early next year, where foster carers from several different agencies meet up for conferencing. I will make sure The Godling Chronicles are given their due for helping my little girl - who, although 15 chronologically, is 9 psychologically, in the hope that other fostering agencies include this as recommended reading for their children........and their carers.

[@nicolegroshek7223]

I so needed this. thank you, Alexa!

[@petitetaiga2714]

I needed so much to hear this. Thank you

[@inkterp5322]

Thank you :) As a young aspiring author I really needed this.

[@zulqaifplus6123]

I was at 12k words of second draft when I thought that it was not working out and I should try to write like a literary novel. After watching this video, I know what to do. FINISH THE DANG DRAFT.

[@apontutul]

Thanks. I needed this

[@jkadmin9460]

Great pep talk! Keep them coming!