Editing My Novel ✨💻 WRITER RESET

[@HeartBreathings]

It's going to be a great weekend!!! Double Down Day, HB90, and my son is out of school for summer. Let me know in the comments what you're currently working on!!

[@therealannataylor]

I have four kiddos and what I’ve been doing is waking up and getting right to work! The kids are still sleepy, my husband tackles the morning routine, and I do what I need to. Writing comes first. (i am also a content writer, so my writing is very high priority.) when I’m done with work, I take over and have a much clearer mind and am more present. It’s been working really well!

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

I do the same thing 5-7am! I love that your husband helps out.

[@ashleyemma4954]

I did that the other day and loved it!

[@rebeccahwilson3673]

As much as I hate mornings, I need to switch to this tactic 😂 I have 3 kids, and it's impossible to think when they're energized and want to play, so I've been staying up late and it isn't flowing well by that time of day

[@thecherrybluehouse]

My anticipation for this book is so high! It's even part of my rewards for a project I'm working on. I can't wait!

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ghostyplans]

🎉 finish the Vanessa Shaw edits this month!!! 🎉 Go Sarra!!!! 🎉 You can do ittttt!!! 🎉

[@janeconnor457]

Amen ! When a piece of the story fits it is so Amazing. It just happened to me today. A huge part locked & a fountain of words came forth. What a rush & relief! Thank you for all the encouragement you give all of us who struggle.

[@HeartBreathings]

Yesss, it's the best! So happy you had that!

[@alishacostanzo2689]

I just had this unlocking feeling happen to me yesterday, when I found a way to link the different story threads together, and it gave me hope for finally finishing my WIP. I'm so glad you've had that moment, too!! 💚💚

[@SallySueSaywhatagain]

Ooh, i love that feeling when the story unlocks!! That epiphany feeling is such magic.

[@HeartBreathings]

It really is!!

[@omeganine2647]

Me too! It is priceless

[@roxannawhatever]

You always show up and tell me not what I wanted to hear but what I needed to hear. Thank you for all you do! ❤

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you for being here!

[@hawkivory]

I love calling it "deep work".

[@hayleystreet]

Have you tried the app “Forest: Focus for Productivity”? You plant a seed and set a time, and while you work, a cute tree grows. But if you leave the app early, your tree withers and dies…

[@HeartBreathings]

I have tried it, but I always ended it early anyway and things died, and I was like, well, there goes that lol. Maybe I should try it again,

[@DeborahPettit]

Something you said resonated with me tonight: I feel like my rough draft lacks so much emotion, but you said yours did, too. Then, when you edit, you ask yourself questions about character arc, etc and add the emotions needed. It takes the pressure off to think of it that way. That was very encouraging. Thank you.

[@76kilosofshade81]

Watching your second draft editing process gives me some great ideas on how to approach my own second draft editing process (later this summer, once the first draft is done) 😆 I love organization and I love the idea that being more organized will lead to more success.

[@megwriter3power-gg6ml]

I’m re-writing my stand alone detective series 4th novel from Nanowrimo and started with reading the first 104 pages. Then I’m going to write out the cards outline for the rest of the novel. Thanks for that idea, Sarra🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@cynthialovesbooks]

I love your level of organization and detail for both your writing and editing processes. I would love to try your process and at the same time I know my pantsing brain would revolt. 😂 I do get a lot of joy from your videos, so thank you.

[@HeartBreathings]

Haha, I get this! It's sometimes just fun to see what others are doing and then go about what works for us!

[@msmwriter]

I'm so happy you're finding your joy again! I'm hoping to stop by for Double Down Day this month. Going to make the effort. Working on some craft book study, and still in the very early stages of planning my novel. Summer vacation! I miss those days with my boys. I hope Andrew has a good one. 💜

[@StellaThyme]

I love the idea of cataloguing and reflecting on our wins, however small. 💙 Myself, I know I don’t do this enough and this is a great reminder to do so. And hopefully, it creates positive momentum 😊

[@HeartBreathings]

I've started doing this in a notebook that someone suggested I call my "smile file" and it's been so nice to go back to that when I am feeling down!

[@KaceyEzellWriterLife]

Awesome video! Congrats on having your breakthrough moment! So excited for you to experience the joy as you finish this book, and I'm so excited to read it! I'm taking a tactical pause on my Sword and Sorcery novel to clean up some smaller projects (stories and edits of scenes) that I owe some people. Summer is going to be CRAZY and I'm feeling the need to "declutter" my writing schedule.

[@HeartBreathings]

I understand this! I'll be making some changes myself!

[@maryjocampbell6019]

Sarra, this was so good! I’m so encouraged listening to your editing process. I’ve been struggling with my detailed outline trying to figure out all the twists and arcs so this gives me hope! (That can all be handled in the editing phase.) Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your process ❤

[@mariajromaley]

Hi Sarra ! I hit the magic point two days ago and this was so satysfying ! And today, you talk just about that. Wow ! I begin to believe in signs XD. I write for twelve years but I never feel this "magic point" so "magic" and all of this because of you. You give me the strengh to let the marketing thinking go, to broke all the rules and just have fun again. I learn that outlining is really not my thing, I fail for one entire year, but it was worth it ! Now, I know my own method and reach the magic point in two month ! I have finish my rough draft, I feel happy and free with my writing... Thx so so much. I couldn(t success without you. Kisses from France !

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

I love that you're opening up the mind of a writer, there's a lot of thoughts when it comes to writing/editing and not everyone understands

[@cassie_hart]

I have that exact timer cube! It's so handy for sprinting

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

So fun! Im debating on getting one too even though I already have a visual timer

[@janalewis3030]

That looks like an adorable coffee shop!

[@HeartBreathings]

It's really cute and there's a nice upstairs area that's really quiet I want to check out!!

[@Jesse.Walkinshaw]

I loved this video ! I did a deep dive into different timers and I found a bunch of free ones that are straight on your computer which I find way easier as I don't have to look at my phone or anything else. Keeping things easy and it's just hanging out in the background and stops notifications on your computer. so I just set my phone to do not disturb mode with only my emergency contacts able to come through and im all set :) so that may be a bit helpful for others.

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

Yes! The DND tip is super helpful!

[@PolkadotSparrow]

I get so excited to see your progress! It keeps me motivated with my story, and I'm forever grateful! Totally off topic- but your skin is gorgeous. Mind sharing your makeup brand?

[@HeartBreathings]

You are very sweet. I recently got my first ever facial, and I think it's been really helpful for my skin's texture! I use Estee Lauder foundatio.

[@PolkadotSparrow]

@@HeartBreathings Good to know- I'll have to give it a try! Thank you so much for responding~

[@DeborahCarrAuthor]

I love those moments when it suddenly falls into place!

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We hope you're doing well. God bless you.

[@stephanne3522]

I tend to do the same as you regarding social media. But now, what I do, is I have the forest app (love it). When you set the timer, it basically blocks all your apps unless you've added different modes so you can use certain ones. I have different modes set up (writing = no apps allowed to be used besides spotify, admin = IG and related apps I need to plan social posts, etc.) so that I don't get distracted by my phone at all. I turn the timer to 2 hrs and then run sprints on my computer so my phone isn't distracting me and I've been having some really productive days with this!

[@sophiareads200]

I always get so excited when you post new videos, it has been so much fun to watch your journey! I am working on a book of poetry and am feeling really excited and centered to be focusing on it this summer. Thank you for all your wisdom and for helping me remember to manifest my dreams!

[@nohea_robertson]

I've been struggling to get draft one done but I am determined to finish it by the end of summer. We're in the middle of moving and I'm trying like crazy to not let anxiety take over. That look on your face when the story unlocked is priceless! I thank you for putting out videos like these and the encouragement you give. ❤

[@76kilosofshade81]

I completely understand the place that you're at. I'm also moving and taking holidays and starting school and wanting/promising myself to finish draft one! We can do this!

[@nohea_robertson]

@@76kilosofshade81 Yes we can! 👊🏼

[@76kilosofshade81]

@@nohea_robertson 👊

[@somberhoney]

hooray for breakthroughs! I'm so excited to keep following you on your journey with this book!

[@HeartBreathings]

It feels good!! Thanks for watching!

[@h.s.s.3881]

Very interesting to see your process. If I had a coffee shop like that near me, I would really be able to get some work done!

[@HeartBreathings]

It's such a great atmosphere!

[@SIMulatedSara]

So excited that this is going well for you. I can't wait to see how you weave the timelines, and read it for myself! I'm in the plotting phase for a Clue-inspired mystery. I'm finding comfort and inspiration in the fact that you're also working on a mystery! Sending you love and light, and see you tomorrow morning for the double down day!

[@HeartBreathings]

See you there!

[@nildam.bonilla5849]

Yes! We need to give ourselves grace and permission to take things slowly and to stop playing the comparison game❤

[@HeartBreathings]

Yes!!

[@NicoleGardnerBooks]

You're doing awesome! I'm so looking forward to reading this one!

[@SusanRing-bi2um]

I've been editing my current book for a freaking year! It's crazy.

[@hannahheart1254]

I just got done with my very first story and now I’m currently working on my standalone story that’s with my two main characters parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles going through their own journeys and how they met each other. And I’m also studying about driving so I could drive

[@omeganine2647]

Whoooo! Hooo! 🎉 Congrats! I know how you feel 😊

[@cassandraschmidt5759]

Struggle focusing 🤦🏻‍♀️ and clarity!

[@elizabethdelafield7533]

:) School is almost over for me. I'm working on a dark academia novella, which I hope to make my first published work. Fingers crossed!

[@HeartBreathings]

Ooh, I love Dark Academia, so definitely let me know when it's out so I can grab it!!

[@elizabethdelafield7533]

@@HeartBreathings Absolutely!

[@SusanCartersBooks]

I saw that moment when you smiled and thought, she's got something. Something good. Something big. I wonder what's going on in her head. And then you told us.

[@HeartBreathings]

Ahh! That's so awesome that you could see it. I was having the best time.

[@c.e.higgins2609]

Holes is a fantastic YA book that has a split timeline. It might be a good research book. Good luck!

[@themusespeakstome4467]

I tend to get pulled into distracting social media when I post what I am writing or reading in the moment. I may have to take the pics of reading/writing activity and then post them to social media at midnight after I have hit reading and writing goals. Here on KZbin, I am trying to stick to writing, reading, and linguistics related video in "Watch Later" so as to help myself to stay focused. Unfortunately, I often get pulled into other interests as well and end up losing focus. It is a fight. 🙂

[@OnlineTherapistGroup]

this book sounds so dang good!!

[@ashleyemma4954]

I have this problem where I go to youtube to get background music and end up watching KZbin shorts for 20 minutes. Ugh! I need to work on that!

[@nadiajohnson5733]

I use a Google timer to keep me off of my phone when I am sprinting alone. It helps me, so I thought it would be good to share.

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you for sharing!

[@chenoapatton5895]

So happy for your continued success with your writing reset and finding joy!! You definitely inspired my own reset and I've almost finished my draft to give to betas!! Been a long 15(?) years working on this thing lol!!! I do have a question and that is...where did you get the pen bag? Love it!

[@Ohemaamary]

I am currently in the process of having my beta readers read my book and I see so many comments of things I have to edit from at least one of the readers. The editing process is a lot.

[@HeartBreathings]

It is, but you're so close now!!!

[@Ohemaamary]

@@HeartBreathings that is true I can’t wait to see the final product.

[@Belushi87]

as the kids get older, their gonna be more independent so their won’t be around as much so the time you would have had with them when they were younger can turn into working on finishing that one thing you’ve been putting aside.

[@HeartBreathings]

Yes, that's such a good point!

[@SM-yd8hq]

That sounds like my ADHD brain. Something will always look appealing if I have to make a decision.

[@ashleyemma4954]

Also im excited to read this book! Is it paranormal or suspense?

[@HeartBreathings]

It's a YA supernatural mystery. I hesitate to call it a thriller exactly but definitely suspense

[@ericaanderson6889]

Have you considered using Plottr to help with your plotting?

[@HeartBreathings]

I have used plottr! They have my scene cards as a template you can use in there as well. I have found it difficult to switch my brain from paper to digital since I have done that so long but Plottr will be helpful to keep playing around with to see if I can switch things up. I think it will be more useful to me when I'm starting a new series.

[@ericaanderson6889]

@@HeartBreathings Thanks! That is good to know. I will definitely be using these! I am loving the flexibility that plottr provides. However, like you I still have a board on my wall that I use as well. I still keep both my wall and plottr updated as using my wall sometimes helps me get more words since I dont have to have anything open other than whatever document I am writing in. Plottr makes it easy to make any quick changes that I might need too. I will be continuing to use both more in conjunction with each other. Thanks for the quick response!