Brainstorming, Outlining, & Planning // How To Write A Book In 2025 Ep. 1

[@dave_johnson]

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

[@MADforSWU]

i'm glad i'm a plotter because 26k words in and the outline is really helping to get the fingers moving. have been surprised with a couple pantsy ideas that flowed naturally while writing though. nice channel Sara, hope to finish my first novel in 2025!

[@TheSnakeInk]

Yay, a fellow Word user! Sometimes, it feels to me like most writers are using Scrivener, since that's what I often see online. Word has been with me ever since I wrote essays for school, so it's always been natural to me. I've tried a few other programs since only to come back to Word. It has enough features to make it fun, but is still simple enough to not overwhelm me. Anyways, this is really useful advice. Can't wait to see the next parts!

[@PassingSeagull]

These videos have been a yearly inspiration - super stoked for a 5 part series to follow!! Setting as a character is such a neat tip.

[@jacksonconnell]

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

[@PaulRWorthington]

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

[@TheSnakeInk]

Fellow TP fan here! I didn't think of this when I first watched it, but now I can't stop thinking of TP now haha As for your comment, I used to think I was a plotter until I realized it didn't work for me. Now, I sit somewhere between the pantser-plotter spectrum, so I can try to give my two cents on this. I think it really depends on the person and what works for their brain and creativity. The pantsers saying these things are probably projecting onto others what doesn't work for them (ie Stephen King saying he gets bored if he knows what happens in his stories). As for plotters, I've heard some say that writing without any planning at all just doesn't work, which it's demonstrably untrue. But, again, this is likely because they are only speaking from their own experience. But I do agree with you that a plot should be flexible or even discarded if it's not needed. I believe this is the best way to approach this and outlines. Though, that could be the plotter part in me speaking haha

[@jasoncassibry]

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

[@thomasvikingpoetcolvin4990]

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

[@alesswonderland]

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

[@TheKoffeeVerse]

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

[@Ghostrob2023]

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

[@daisysaunders4883]

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

[@SteveJubs]

It adds up-speaking from experience here!

[@TimRG]

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

[@OvSpP]

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

[@lidsey88]

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

[@isabellajuanitalyn]

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

[@livingstorytelling]

Great collection! Thank you very much! Happy 2025! 😊

[@SaraLubratt]

Happy new year!! Happy writing!

[@celestialshannon]

I finished my first draft on 12/30 and am now starting on a new book before I work on my second draft. It’s like relearning how to ride a bike going back to step 1 to plot and outline a new book.

[@hi_its_stephen]

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

[@AdamFishkin]

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

[@mushrikaquadir2904]

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

[@SaraLubratt]

😂😂😂 that’s the best time to watch a new video!

[@RuebenNomura]

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

[@SaraLubratt]

Happy new year!

[@brinaphillips5645]

Can you talk through how you use Pinterest boards as inspiration/to further your story/get ideas? I know that sounds like it's common sense but I really want to see how you use them to create and brainstorm your ideas!

[@SaraLubratt]

That would make a fun video! I’ll add it to my list :)

[@76kilosofshade81]

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

[@SaraLubratt]

Oh I hate that. I unfortunately don’t get to pick what ads are shown :/

[@76kilosofshade81]

@@SaraLubratt oh I know! The same thing happens when I watch anti-MLM vids and get ads shilling MLMs.

[@yogseventy-nine3460]

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

[@circustoonsjokevideos]

I’m joking here, but it’s for fun! The best advice for writing a novel in 2025 is: 1. OVERTHINK EVERYTHING! Make sure you’re spending hours on one character name. This will help you make sure the character feels like YOU came up with it, and guarantee people to feel something’s unrealistic about him or her. 2. HAVE A MASSIVE EGO! Always make sure that you’re boasting about things you’re still a beginner at, and boast like you’re the freaking master. And everyone else is below you. This will solidify your chances of other authors loathing you, and decrease your chances of anyone buying your books. 3. NEVER RE-WRITE SHIT! Believe every word you write is EXACTLY what you meant, even though it doesn’t make sense. This will help you give that “turd on a plate feel” to your stories, and make your readers wonder what the hell you were boasting about. And finally, 4. NEVER NETWORK WITH AUTHORS! This will help you stay in your echo bubble of stale thoughts, and make it to where you never challenge yourself with your writing. I mean, why conquer different challenges and take notes from other authors when you have that same idea you’ve done fifty renditions of? lol! Thank you for reading! If you’re looking to write like an egocentric Doby with no master, this is the way to do it! So, sit back in your room and keep to yourself! You don’t need those silly writing tips! lol!

[@SteveJubs]

Slight underplanners unite!

[@PeterMacansky]

[@SaraLubratt]

:)

[@_woj_sq27]

Here we go again

[@SaraLubratt]

😂