GOOD WRITERS GIVE UP (On Books)

[@ShaelinWrites]

I can't emphasize how important this video is! As someone who wrote seven novels before I was 19 (and therefore really hadn't discovered who I was as a writer yet) I struggled a lot with shelving projects I once thought I wanted to publish, but later fell out of love with, because I thought it made me a bad writer to give up on something I was so invested in (especially because by book seven I'd done it so many times), even though those books just weren't for me. It's so normal to take time to a) learn how to write a good book and b) learn what kind of story you want to write, and there's no used being tied down to a book that's not for you and you might as well put your time into a project you really love.

[@mikeyork9886]

ShaelinWrites / Hemingway lost all his early work. But you can still see it threw “ Sun also rises” . Mrs stein didn’t care for to much I guess ( didn’t stop her from reading it ! You know) My point being is you should follow your passion, but don’t expect commercial success.

[@KarenDietrichWriter]

ShaelinWrites Still amazes me that you wrote complete novels so young! You must have a great work ethic. What was I doing with my teen years? 😂

[@Mr.H-YT42]

This was helpful. I think there are times when a writer is tempted to shelve a project because are struggling with perfectionism and the best advice is to push through and not to give up or risk become a serial book starter and never a book finisher. Which is great advice until you actually have sound reasons to set something aside and move on. Figuring out which philosophy applies best to yourself is super tough. This video offers grip on a slippery problem. Thanks.

[@BADDEC101]

I started my fantasy adventure back in 2001, and I worked on it for 7 years before shelving it. I just was not ready as I needed to live life first. I worked on other stories, through the years that were in lots of different genre's. In 2016, I came back to that story, sat down, and in two weeks i had 50,000 words that became Part 1 and Part 3. I then went and revised the old "final draft" that I had shelved back in 2008, and that became part 2. I sent it off to an editor, and her response was unlike any other I had received in the past. If I may give a little quote from one of her letters, "I enjoyed reading your book!! ...[spoilers omitted]... I read a lot of manuscripts, not only for my job but also as a contest judge, and this is unique. I have literally never seen anything like it. Good job!" I knew then that I was ready. However, the publishing world doesn't see an audience for it and, in truth, I can see why they think that way. So, I self-published the work under the title of A Book of Creation. All that being said, Great video!!

[@kdnxnhdhdbfn2769]

Greg Gardner is “a book of creation” the title?

[@BADDEC101]

@@kdnxnhdhdbfn2769 Yes. A Book of Creation by Gregory Gardner

[@kaiuniversity9889]

I'm going to buy it and read it!

[@BADDEC101]

@@kaiuniversity9889 Thank You!!!

[@nootnewt3]

Have you tried sending it off to publishers that don’t require an agent?

[@periwinkletree]

I really needed to hear this. Thank you! I'm 52 and have been writing in earnest for three years, with 3 different disorganized story drafts. While I don't know if any of these stories will ever see the light of day, I can recognize now that they have served their purpose, and that perhaps the reason they aren't working is because I've learned enough to know they aren't usable (at least how they are). I still love them, but I may not have the skills yet to handle the depth of material. So I'm going to set them aside for now, and work on some other new ideas, something simpler so I can at least make forward progress.

[@ladyursala]

This is what happened to me. I spent ages 17-22 writing, revising, editing, cutting, rewriting, gave it to a handful of betas, paid over a thousand dollars for a professional edit from a freelancer, queried fifty agents, and got ZERO requests for partials or fulls, despite raving reviews from betas and editors. So I moved on from the book of my adolescence to the ‘back burner” book I’d been working on for two years. Finished the first draft on August 20th. Publishing world is about to be shook.

[@Marie_Garwood]

Very solid advice! This is more of that “tough love” that you are so gifted in giving. This is definitely something we authors need to hear-even if we don’t want to!

[@RuthAnnNordin]

Yep, this is something I think a lot of authors end up doing. I not only shelved books, but I've shelved entire series. You're right about each new book being an opportunity to level up as a writer. :)

[@RMBittner]

Stephen King has said that he actually began “Under the Dome” in the 1970s. But he realized the story was bigger than he could handle at that point in his career. It was 20 years before he finally felt able to tell it well.

[@BiblioAtlas]

Thank you for saying each book is a different process! 💕 The journeys through each manuscript are so different from each other. Everything from the inspiration to the 1st draft and the problems in each one. I have no problem shelving or trunking books. I love letting them rest then revisiting them with fresh eyes. Fantastic video! 🤓 Oh yes!! That's insanely true about shelving it because you're not ready as a writer. * bliss, bliss * It's so awesome to hear someone else talk about this. My current WIP in the drafting phase has been shelved 3x because I'm not ready as a writer and/or I couldn't see how to craft it. It took this third time to see how to, now it's a matter of research then trial & error to see what fits.

[@writingwithkatelyn]

This is very true. I had spent over a year planning a book, and started to write. I had 100 words, and it never got bigger. It was about Greek Mythology, but it just got old to me. I shelved it, and now I write Science Fantasy mainly. That book is now 32,000 words, and completely planned out. I haven't even been working on it for a year, so it's a major upgrade😊

[@NHYAAR]

Thanks for your video! I've once written a very long historical novel for a year...I thought it was the one at the time- I did a lot of research and rewrote the entire thing...but it just didn't work out. It's then that I decided to move on to other genres.

[@mikaeladeer2763]

I was stuck on trying to finish the mess of my first novel for a while but then I realized that firstly, I didn't know enough about story structure (some chapters were too boring and there definitely wasn't enough conflict) and also, it took me a few years to write the first draft (it was before I learned how to fast draft) and I didn't even connect to the main character anymore because I was interested in other things, I had other things to worry about etc. I'm glad I gave up on it and started working on a new project. But I am actually thinking about taking the main idea and the characters and re-writing it completely. The MC would be older, the genre if the book would be different etc. I'm currently writing something else but I do have some notes and want to get to it at some point. But still, it was important for me to let it go, so I could actually improve as a writer and find a way for the characters and the world to exist. So, just in case you are in the situation when you need to decide, don't be afraid to let it go, it might not be forever (either way both is fine).

[@JaneDoe-nh2qb]

If I get emotionally attached to a character it breaks my heart just thinking about letting them go😔

[@smexyangelmike3117]

Put them in another book

[@CODBlackOps6WALKTHROUGH]

come back to them later. i have one character like that and i put that project on the backburner. dont want to work on it yet, since its going to be a tough novel to tackle. but i always jot down ideas.

[@JaneDoe-nh2qb]

Hawkins I didn’t. It should be in your emoji keyboard in the sad face sections.

[@atrophiedup2myeyes]

I'm actually working on a story I've shelved ten years or so ago. I finally figured out how to make the supporting characters not seem like cardboard cutouts!!! So you are totally right, Alexa!!!

[@DraeBox]

Congrats on the progress!

[@atrophiedup2myeyes]

@@DraeBox Aww thank you!

[@katherinerivera3486]

I wish I would've heard this a year ago lol! I wrote my first book thankfully only over 2 years, and felt so guilty when I gave it up. But even though I want to be a career-author I was so scared to write a second book, which I eventually did and now I'm onto my third one. I'm actually so thankful that I let go of my first book (my passion project), because it's proved that I'm capable of writing multiple books and getting excited about them. :) Also I'm currently reading Ace of Shades and it's amazing! So cool to hear it was a shelved project.

[@lindacobo1744]

Thank you for this I came to the realization that my first book needed to be shelved for now. I'm currently working on a new project and moving forward. I haven't given up on my first totally. Someday I may rework it but for now I had to put it aside. I definitely needed to be reminded shelving is part of the creative process. Thanks again for your candor and transparency

[@SAoliveiraviana]

I'm learning so much with you. Thank you very much for your advice!

[@clownsims1600]

This is so true. Nothing will kill your passion for writing like slaving over a project you've outgrown years ago.

[@rameo89]

Great video, I think it is important for writers to learn this lesson. I worked on my 1st novel for 6 years. And it KILLED me to shelf it. I felt pitiful, weak, thrown aside And then I got inspiration for my 2nd, and after 2 years, it's amazing, and I'm getting ready to query by the end of the month. Thanks Alexa for the video, and all the hard work.

[@TheWordN3rd]

One of the best things one of my writer friends ever told me about my work was that I wasn't where I needed to be as a writer to tell the story I wanted to tell (she'd read it of course) and that I needed to shelve it and come back once I'd gotten a few books under my belt. I've always been so grateful for that advice, because without it, I wouldn't be working on the book I'm working on now and I'm so in love with these characters and this story.

[@yowahana]

Alexa, thank you. I recently shelved a story so to speak recently after a lot of heartache and a lot of tears but I think I finally feel free. Some things don't work out as we want them to and I think watching your videos the past few months has helped me. I hope to one day tell this story with this character I love so much, but now is not the time. Thank you. You really helped me a lot.

[@lorettaknoelk3475]

I agree! It's important to evolve and move on.

[@briancotton8692]

Thank you for this video. I’ve struggled with what is my 5th book that I’ve been working on for over 3 years, and I would have shelved it a while ago (I’ve always had another idea while working on a manuscript) , but I got a full request from an agent and that made me feel like I needed to continue and do more rewrites, but I loved your point about editing the soul out of a book, which is where I think I’m at! But it’s going to be painful as I’ve invested so much into this one and have ignored other ideas that I’ve had. Again, I appreciate this video.

[@patriciadanna7433]

Thank you..you've validated why I need to shelve my book for now and move on to another project.

[@seeyouspacecowboyx]

My first big idea that made me want to write it has been temporarily shelved. When I tried to write it, I knew it was bad writing. I wasn't ready to do justice to my story. My skill as a writer wasn't up to it yet. So I picked another idea I'd had, and decided to practise with that. And I got more excited about that idea by working it. It was a story with a much smaller scope, that I could easily sink my teeth into and use for practice without it ballooning into something completely unwieldy. I fully intend to go back to my first big idea when I've developed my craft. When I have a firmer grasp of plotting and structure, and when to narrate vs dramatise. Thank you Alexa for your videos, they're so helpful!

[@iona.wayland]

So true. Sometimes story ideas are too refined for someone's current writing level. Sometimes you need to shelve the book to do it justice after you've developed your craft.

[@KarenDietrichWriter]

I’ve been very fortunate to have writing mentors in my life give me this advice. I’m so glad you’re sharing this message with writers!

[@mikeyork9886]

Good video. My favorite thing about your book is watching you grow from that girl to a young lady in the book . Your growth as a writer. I liked your characters. Stella was cool , she took being demoted to the lower levels like a champ! She’s some kind of strong I could never see a female lead be cool with that. The name of my first book is going to be Giving Jesus Justice. Note: Taking your advice has helped me be a batter listener towards Women.

[@NadineCharleson604]

***THIS*** I have an idea, but I'm not ready yet. Which is why I'm practising with other ideas first. Learning how to outline, use dialogue tags, created scene tension, etc. So much to learn!!! Lots of which I've been learning from your videos!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@Kaygrl1]

I'm definitely starting to feel this way about my book. I worked and revised on it for 6 years, and I was so excited about it.... but then I just got sick of looking at it. I'm not having luck with queries on it, though I've only sent out a small handful, but I'm already feeling like I might not care so much if it's not "the one" I debut with. I'm working on a trilogy that I'm excited about and it's not taking me forever to write, and I'm loving the process. I've already started the "what if" of looking at agents for it, and I'm nearing the shelf with the first book. Even though I've worked so hard on it, I'm accepting that it might not be the right thing, and maybe I can self pub after I get all the rejections I can handle before I call it quits.

[@fiphillipsauthor]

This is me at the moment. I've revised and revised my novel (not my first novel), had professional advice on it - leading to more revision, and been told it's excellent but not 'marketable'. I therefore think that yes, it's time to shelve it and start on one of the many other ideas I have. Thanks, Alexa.

[@kbwfun8972]

Watching this I just realized how many of my earlier books/stories I have started and shelved.

[@johnnyv7898]

I think I really needed this advice. I’ve been working on the same book for almost 10 years now (albeit not with enough fervor). Perhaps I thought I would feel lost without it.

[@wilmariclaasen1986]

Very thought provoking! I've heard you mention a couple of times that choosing the right book to debut with is important, and I was wondering if you could make a video on that?

[@AlexaDonne]

Sure! That's a good topic.

[@farahalmonsury]

I’m so glad you spoke about this! Six months ago I shelved a project that I had been working on for about two years and, I don’t regret it at all. At the time, I’d put so much unnecessary pressure on myself to get it done that the excitement I once had for it, wasn’t there anymore. That being said, I don’t regret writing it. It taught me so much about my process and, I’m really thankful for that ❤️

[@booksanatomy4103]

Oh God, you're speaking to my soul right now... Thank you for sharing your experiences with us !

[@jessicagrzado8664]

Yes! I shelved my first book. Not because I didn't love it -- but because I wasn't passionate about it anymore and a new idea took priority. That new idea is the novel I will (hopefully) debut with.

[@mayghaendurso4720]

I needed this video today. You were definitely speaking to me and I think it's time to move on to the next project :)

[@liathedoll]

That last one hit home too bad. I have kind of forced myself not to give up on my first idea but after I got another idea I started feeling like I'm not ready to write it because it requires such complex worldbuilding that I need more skills and ideas to make it perfect. So I might shelf it and focus on the second one.

[@kikoma4551]

Thank you so much for your advice! I still love my current WIP and I want to finish it - But I feel like I am not ready for it now. It's like the story became too big for me at this point. Plus I have another strong Idea (which I was able to outline surprisingly quick) which just seems to be the better book to write at this point in my life. I have been struggling with this decision for a few weeks. Letting go is hard, but now I think, I will move on and write that other book.

[@macronencer]

I'm 53 now, and I wrote my first novel in 2013/14. It grew from a short story, and (of course) is full of awesome ideas and twists. But it's a mess, frankly. I took a good look at it, realised that, even if it could be revised into shape, I wasn't yet experienced enough to do that job... and I moved on. Given that the first draft is 160,000 words (!) I obviously got a lot of craft practice - but I think the best thing I took away from the experience was the elation of actually finishing a draft. Typing "T H E E N D", in full knowledge of the heartache, ecstasy, tears and angst that you have poured into what you've made... there's no way to describe how that feels, unless you've done it. And that experience motivates me to this day. I abandoned a second novel when I realised it ought to be the second book of a trilogy (hoping to pick that one up again later). I'm now working a third book, and it's going much better than the others. I'm excited about this one, too - it has an unusual structure. It might even be unpublishable, but I don't care, because it's what I want to write! Don't give up, folks! :)

[@DraeBox]

I really love that you're explaining the good reasons to shelve a novel and that it can be temporary. I have four projects on the shelves waiting their turn and two that will probably never be revisited. Thinking about the impression your novel will make as a debut is a really good point - I think it would be great if you delved into your thoughts about this in a future video. It's not something I've heard or read anyone advising their fellow writers/authors to do before.

[@LazyDogsRanch]

"Jane Eyre doesn't have much of a third act." Ha! Truth. I've also encountered another version of first book syndrome: the one idea syndrome. Some people are afraid to let go of that book because they think they'll never have another idea as good as they think this one is. I would love to get them to believe me when I say that ideas are absolutely everywhere. You just have to be willing to entertain them.

[@santanasg8445]

Could be consider as sad, but it's true. I've been struggling/ working so hard on a single project (mainly) for a cuple of years, and lately I've been thinking if maybe there's a reason there's so many chances, and it's time to let go... Right now, my plan is to finish it and going through all the publication process with it, if it gets stuck at some point (as you mentioned, maybe there's a reason why it gets rejected by publishing houses, or agentes), I'll be working on my process of letting it go/ shelfing it, and moving on with another project

[@laneygibbs1191]

I have shelved quite a few ideas, but now I have taken all those ideas and combined them into my current book and I'm really excited to write it because it's honestly my most developed idea.

[@mcfarris87]

Yes!!! I've been waiting for this video! Needed this advice.

[@TheStorybookSoul]

It hurts me to say but I really do think I’m at this point in my writing. I unfortunately have been spinning wheels on my first story for a few years now and it seems I’ve lost that special something along the way. I think the biggest thing that brings me the anxiety with this is that I’ve told so many people about it already and a lot of people are excited about it. At this point, though, I really think you’re right and that I should try one of my new story ideas

[@tomaria100]

Very good - thank you!

[@clementbeziat7198]

Truly important advice here ! I for example started to write a very very long fantasy story... But i had not planed anything, i was just writing what came to my mind. Obviously, it became more and more difficult to create something that was at the same time good AND consistent with the plot... And of course as time passed i also wanted to modify little details here and there... Which in the end prevented me from writing further. When i realised that, i began to outline and the result didn't felt remotly satisfying. There was too many old parts that i felt didn't belong anymore and most of my time would go to fixing the story rather than writing... So i gave up on the entire thing and started anew. I made a complete outline before writing anything and there was so little of the old story in the outline i realised shelving my books was the best thing i had done. Question is : Was it a waste of time ? Of course not, writing four complete books made me a far better writer for i learned along the way what was good writing for that particular story and what wasn't. Beside, I also found my voice after a time and that's something that you only notice after you've found it... I'm currently at 80.000 words in my new novel and I'm having a lot of fun writing it. I can guarantee you it wouldn't be anywhere that satisfing if i had not given up on those four previous books. So writers, if you feel that something is not good enough, don't be afraid to put it aside, the time invested in the project is never time lost !

[@AudrinaMystique]

I've recently shelved a passion project because of the last reason. The sad thing is, I didn't get past the opening scene and character development. I kept revising the idea, and then I realized that I don't know how to write the story I want to write. So I'm shelving it and writing something else first.

[@stingthescribe3681]

I gave up on two projects a few years back, but started a new one for Nano by combining the two of them, but with entirely new characters. Not all the things you give up have to lay stagnant forever!

[@timwelch482]

10 years on the book/project. and it would be my first. good to know its okay to put it up for a bit.

[@galaxylucia1898]

I'm almost at this point with my novel that i'm working on, BUT i haven't even finished the rough draft. I feel like i'm learning so much about writing (character development, world building, outlining, and every craft elements) so I just want to FINISH it. I have 14 other novel(la) ideas. Definitely not married to my project, but it's my first non-fanfic novel and it just needs to be done. In a year from now, I'll come back and see if I still care, but I have so many other projects that are definitely publishable and I'm WAAAAY more excited to write those.

[@AnoukvanHam]

Thank you for all your great advice! ♥ As a kid I already wrote little story's and that kind of stuff. Then as a teenager, I still loved writing and my ideas got bigger, but I didn't know how to start a book. So most of the times I started randomly trying to make it work, but it never really did. I couldnt figure out how to keep going and make my story interesting for the readers, so I gave up. Many many times. I think my ideas were good, but I needed to think them through before I started writing. And that is exactly what I did now that I found your video's (and after some RPG writing wich also helped me a lot). I am now at the age of 24 (still pretty young I think so) and I am trying to write my first real novel now. I figured out the storyline, the characters (most of them) and the chapters. And now, after I did a bit more digging, I wrote my first chapter with 3000+ words. I have never ever done something like this, so I am already kinda proud of myself haha. But I really want to keep pushing myself and write my first novel in 2019! That would be amazing! ♥ I don't care if it's going to be any good or not (ofcourse I'm trying to make it a good book, but I wouldn't be mad if my first ever book wouldn't be perfect), but I just want to write! And I want to thank you for helping me take this first step. ☺ Btw, don't worry if you think my grammar is bad, I'm writing my book in Dutch, wich is my first language haha :P

[@tappkalina]

Thank You for This. I am writing my book since 2012, but I just couldn't abandon it, because it means so much to me. My life goal is to write this story. But maybe now I will be able to start something new and come back to it when I will be a better writer.

[@ElizabethMagicalGarden]

Thank you this was so helpful🥹

[@fish-face3069]

I'm have dropped atleast 4 projects and sometimes I'm working in an idea and beguin the process of outline, then I realise I don't like it and just drop it. For me dropping the book for the plot is easy but dropping my childr- I mean my characters it's hard! Great video though, keep up the good job!

[@smexyangelmike3117]

😭 I started laughing at the children part

[@cinthiagoch]

I've used some good characters of stories that weren't working on new stories, or made some amalgamas with the ones that were similar to create new characters. I don't mind throwing stories away, but it's hard to get rid of people.

[@fish-face3069]

@@cinthiagoch wow, that's a good idea!

[@EdidtsaSantaCruz]

I just recently shelved a book i have been writing since middle school thanks to encouragement from some writing buddies I meet durring NaNo because I had a new ideas during the month which kept me from writing the shelved one now. Best thing I have done I feel like my mind is so much more open to new ideas now.

[@Mattit24]

I never like to stifle myself creatively. I’ve been working on a YA sci-fi novel off and on for the past two years, & I think I’m finally ready to query! But during these past few years, if I get an idea for something, I write write write until I have completely exhausted all of my ideas/initial creative energy. I call them creative spikes! Sometimes the spike lasts for a day, a few days, or even a few weeks! But I’m super excited for my current WIP & am really hoping that I query it well.

[@quixotiq]

I love you, Alexa. You manage to be the most inspiring yet (& because of) the least bullshit KZbinr in this field. Hope it's not taking too much time from your writing ;)

[@katiestewart7926]

I've shelved 2 (technically 3) novels. The first took me 7 years to write and revise, and while writing it, I had grand plans for publication, but when I finished I knew it's not what I wanted. I was a young writer at the time, those 7 years were the end of my childhood and most of my teen years. The second novel took 3 years and went through so many revisions, and while people seemed to like it, I stopped liking it. I wrote the sequel to that second book, and it was so tonally different that I knew I had to scrap it all and move on. I did query the second book, in my heart knowing I'd get rejections, and when I did get rejected, I wasn't too upset about it. That's how I knew moving on was a good idea. I've written and revised 2 more books since then, they're very different from each other, and both standalones. I think both have potential. I'm planning on querying the 5th one some time late February.

[@CODBlackOps6WALKTHROUGH]

getting rejections of any kind would kill me. its sad, cuz elsewhere in life its always me feeling like im not doing enough. i cant take somone say my writing isnt good enough either. good luck with your books. i want to self publish for the aforementioned reasons, but i may try to query later on in life.. when my heart is ready :)

[@nannasskrivehjrne9494]

I really needed this video today

[@hammrshark9881]

Thanks for this video! :D It was really awesome to hear what you had to say!

[@synflwr]

Exactly, I abandoned fanfics I had no inspiration for, deleted them, and recycled ideas from them into much better written (in my opinion) fanfictions.

[@RMBittner]

I read that when Joyce Carol Oates started writing novels, she wrote them out in longhand. When she finished one, she turned the pages over and wrote another novel on the back. When she finished that one, she set all those pages aside and started all over again with a fresh ream. She went through that process multiple times before she finished a novel she wanted to publish. Of course, JCO is fairly unique as an author...

[@byalexrei8476]

Hey! I really like this video and it comes at a good time, I've been thinking of giving up on my story but I'm not sure. This video definitely gave me something to think about 😊

[@kb470]

I finished* about 10% of my first book when i was a teenager. i didnt touch it for years after about 20, but finally went and updated some of it, and wrote a bit more at 25-26 or so. then left it alone again. Now im 31, writing it, being excited for it and going through my first revision with subplots that i cant even remember where they're going. I don't feel that this one is a dead project, even though its been years. I think if i totaled up my time, its probably been less than a year of actually working on it. I recently outlined the last 2 parts of my story, and I feel that waiting this long to do it, is way better than having completed it years ago.

[@samanthajungers8442]

I would love to read an iteration of your old books

[@AlexaDonne]

Stay tuned in 2019! We'll see what I end up doing haha.

[@SarahCahillWrites]

This video is super important for all writers to watch. When I was younger (and wanted to be a writer,) I would easily and without regret 'shelve,' books all the times. I fell out of love, or just got busy and never went back to them. Since I started writing with the goal of getting published, I have started five different books. Two of those, I have shelved, because after having difficulty writing them, I understood that i'm not ready to write them- my skills are not high enough to write such novels yet. One I wrote and just never went back to revise. One I have been having trouble revising after various major plot changes. I have not officially shelved it, but rather put it on the back burner to take a break while I focus on my new WIP. Will I officially shelve it? I'm not sure. I don't want to, because I don't want to give up on it. But I know that in order for me to be ready to write it with my vision, I may have to. And I know that's okay. Sometimes writers have to grow their skill and understanding before they can tackle a difficult story- especially one that is important to you.

[@ninanatascha]

I dropped a lot of stories mid writing. And I thought it was bad, but now I know it's not. I just didn't like the stories very much. I really want to get back to one, but I will just take the idea and rewrite what I had already written at some point. Thanks for this video😊

[@NicoleCreates]

This is actually exactly what I had to do with my first manuscript. I never finished it, but I made it all the way to the third act and realized that I just didn't have the chops to tackle the idea and end up with the book I wanted. I went on to publish my first book and just finished drafting the second. When I'm finished with this trilogy, I'll go back to the first manuscript because it is THE book I'm supposed to write, but you're absolutely right; if I hadn't shelved that book, if I had stubbornly hung on, I would have ended up with a finished product that didn't live up to it's potential, and never have written the series I'm working on now. It's important advice, especially for those writers who proudly say, "I've been working on this book for ten years, now." Maybe it's time to let it go.

[@werelemur1138]

I've got the opposite problem; I'm too quick to shelve a project and move on. It means I've got a whole lot of first drafts and not much else. (But I've got a critique group now, so that's keeping me focused on getting the revisions done for the meet-ups.

[@jacklawrence2212]

I think shelving's vital. I had something I shelved a few years ago. I've since gone back to it because the thing that worked best from it was the main character and I've taken him and some elements from the first book and I'm turning it all into something better and much more workable ( I hope!) The objective distance given by time away from something and working on something else is important to give you critical perspective, I find.

[@kittymii7128]

I might have needed to hear this, but I’m still unsure. I’ve had this idea since my junior year of high school. However, I never really worked on it except in passing. I only had a basic plot and a dozen characters that have their arcs thought out in detail. It was only this year I decided to finally really work on it. I just tossed out the old plot to come up with something more exciting. Thought it has been a few years. I’m so excited about the characters, and I don’t think I could fit them in any other book. So, I’m not sure if I should shelve it.

[@DFarbklecks]

I have had the opposite problem. I will get distracted by new ideas or start hating what I am working on after a few months every single time. I have dropped countless WIPs because I couldn't bring myself to work on them or there was an issue I couldn't resolve. It has been holding me back for a while but I don't know what to do about it. I used to be able to finish things. I finished 4 stories while I was a teen and though they were bad they got done. I haven't finished anything in years. Some stories I gave up because I knew it wasn't the right time yet or they needed to brew longer in my head but others I just lost steam with. I have revisited one or two and tried to fix them and got a little further than the first time but dropped them again.

[@DFarbklecks]

@M D I did try for a long time to Outline which sucked the joy out of it for me so I stopped but I am still stuck

[@lucario719]

I've never been published, i'm on the third book. I don't think i'll ever publish my first book, I could maybe do a re-write using the second book's premise. I don't regret doing that.

[@alainiskandar3472]

Nice one! Can you talk about what are the things that made you feel, “I know now why my second book didn’t get published!” Like not the story itself but what are the weak things that wear present in your second book that you didn’t notice before learning and practicing while writing the 3rd and 4th book?

[@kingwithoutakingdom]

I can't shelve my first book until I at least finish it. I drifted away from it for a while and when I returned and began to reread it and found so many things wrong with it that I've started to rewrite it to at least do my best and put the rawest effort into it so even if I have to shelve it, I'll at least know I did my best for that one.

[@BlockDriver]

I shelved a project several years ago that was still in the outlining phase, I think I might have written half a chapter. I dug it up about a month ago and... yeah it's a good thing I shelved it bc the A plot was garbage. BUT I might be able to salvage the B plot, expand on the side characters and make it my next project after my current one. So thank you for he reminder that shelving doesn't mean you shred your entire manuscript and you can still use it.

[@greenolly]

Can you do a video about revisions? I have an idea I've been churning on for awhile, but I'm so afraid to actually start it because I'm so in love with it and don't want to I guess...ruin how I'm thinking of it by writing it badly. Revising for me is hard because once I've decided something goes a certain way in my head and I go right, it's really difficult for me to go back and suddenly go left and potentially end up in a totally different story. I don't know if you've talked in a video about this but I'd love to hear your take on this part of the writing process because it continues to stump me. :/ P.S. I guess I should also mention that this would be my first book/series. I write a lot of short stories because it's low stakes and easy to jump from one idea to another often, so this would be my first major project which only adds to the pressure of not wanting to ruin it in my head.

[@celebiis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/onKup4itp812qJI A link to her revision video xx

[@kierasthoughts2480]

I shelve them often, as I write well ahead of time so I have a backlog of work to play around with for release dates etc. I always go back to them before I send them to my beta reader and editor in case I might like to add extra parts in.

[@SysterYster]

George RR Martin, he wrote a story he really liked, early on. It wasn't published. He shelved it, and only "recently" gave out a book with shorter stories in, that had this story as well. That book also talks about how many times it was rejected and stuff like that. It was interesting for me to read and gave me hope that, if I can't publish my current bok now, maybe I can do it in the future if I still want to then. :P

[@lucylume]

I feel so personaly attacked and vindicated at the same time 😂 I know it's common but it's so nice to hear. I've been writing my first book. I'm about half way and struggling to finish it because I just don't like the story anymore. The characters are OK but I just don't think the story is very good x I've put so much time into it though I feel I wanna at least get to the end, but that's loads more time I might waste... I think the writing is good but the story and the characters are average. Maybe this was the pep talk I needed to finally put it to bed and move on. You never know I might think of a way to fix it hearts from now or mine from it as you say x

[@delyseonduty]

Not what I wanted to hear. Absolutely something I NEEDED to hear ❤️

[@FeeBee3001]

I have a book I first started working on in 2005. I did shelve the story for a number of years because it just wasn’t working. I picked it up again last year and actually making progress this time. The original story ended up being world building and background information. I want to get it to the end this time just so I can get it out of my mind.

[@macronencer]

To state this in military terms: it's not DEFEAT, it's TACTICAL RETREAT!

[@bytheBrooke]

I really hope you do publish these books on your own, Alexa! Polish those babies up and send them out into the world! Haha

[@EDDIELANE]

I love this. You can feel just as strongly about your next project, or the one after that. Let go and find out :)

[@bethanylaurell8081]

Oof, this is a timely video for me. I've been working on my first book off and on for at least four years now, possibly a bit longer. I finally finished the first draft late last year, and have been promising myself I'll get it revised, polished, and ready to query in 2019. I've written and workshopped chunks of the book in various writing classes, and received good feedback from classmates and instructors. But if I'm honest with myself, the thought of sitting down to revise it fills me more with dread and boredom rather than enthusiasm. I'm not sure if I've burnt myself out on this particular book, or if I just don't have what it takes to write novel-length works of fiction. (Been writing short stories for years and years!) Part of me wants to shelve it and try a new idea, while the rest of me thinks that would feel like quitting since I'm potentially so close. It feels like there's no right answers, but this video gave me a lot to think about. Thanks; I always enjoy your content!

[@AlexaDonne]

Sometimes, we just need a long break, rather than permanent shelving. That may be the case here! Maybe write something new as a palette cleanser? I know that's what Katytastic is doing now! She plans on going back to the book she worked on for 6 years. Just needed a break!

[@theaquinnwrites]

I've let go of a work in progress. it was an erotic romance and something just wasn't gelling for me. the love interest felt a little too boring and the MC felt a little too safe. I tried changing multiple things about it, giving him a different backstory and conflict, making it with two women or two men instead of a man and a woman, but ultimately it wasn't working and I said about it cause I had so many ideas and awesome supporting characters, i might turn it into a fanfic if i can. I am afraid i might have to do the same with my UF novel, but for now i am just setting it aside and hoping inspiration will strike ( i did so much world building for it and there's such an atmosphere to it, i really like it, i hope I won't have to give up on it.)

[@trainhartnett709]

don't say it auntie😢😢😢DON'T SAY IT'S😭😭😭 edit:thanks for doing this vedio

[@jacket6213]

@@trainhartnett709 No.

[@CODBlackOps6WALKTHROUGH]

i wont lie to you. this video is emotionally painful to watch. i had to rewatch that segment on how your first two got rejected three times because my mind just refuses to hear it and keeps putting in my mind scenarios of people who never get published their entire lives. im glad i work on projects in different mediums. i have some poetry i am really proud of, even if i never publish them, im just glad they are finished. (and i will eventually self publish. im not into the querying process and all that. and i think i have alot of content i want to work on, so self publishing multiple mediums at once is alot easier than getting publishers to look at my artwork as well as writing.) i also have artwork as well, and still practice that. there are people who only write books, and in particular only write novels, im guessing because we get hit over the top of the head in lit class that the *canon* is like the holy grail of writing and nothing else, not nonfiction, childrens books, etc even exist. i think those people will have the most to lose if they dont watch this video. i dont really know how to put it into words, but i do feel like our technologically advancing society has made it harder to write novels rather than easier. easy short form content, from poetry, to youtube videos, and daily illustrations are far easier to produce and are appreciated by more people and faster than ever. like how long does it take to get one person to read a novel you wrote (total time: years of writing, years of convincing) how long does it take for people to watch a video on youtube, or artwork on instagram (minutes to seconds). and yes there are forms of video that take less than a minute to record, render, and upload. its all kind of crazy, and sad.

[@johnpauldagondong2720]

i shelved 2 books already but idk if it technically classifies 'books' coz they're not finished. my first one, i decided to shelve it after hitting 203k words and not arriving even near the midpoint, and my second one, i already hit 22k words but stopped writing coz i want to get back to it once i'm already a master.

[@Supvia]

So I am 26 and have shelved two books. Please tell me that my third book is ready for publishing 😬

[@endlessteatime4733]

You're always so inspiring and motivating, even when you're talking about giving up! Of course, it was hard to let go of the characters and stories you had to shelve, but I'm wondering, what does it feel like having to let go of the stories you've successfully sold? Do you still think of the characters and events in Brightly Burning occasionally? And what does it feel like to say goodbye to The Stars We Steal and venture into new projects? As (just) a fanfic writer, I'm having a hard time letting go of a story that I've completed half a year ago, I've since started writing a new story and it's turning out to be about as popular as the last one but I just can't seem to get invested as much in it. I miss the old story and its characters. EDIT: Maybe I just gave myself the answer. If this were a book, it would probably be better to shelve it because maybe I can't get invested because the idea behind it just isn't good enough.

[@abdullamaseeh5828]

Or self publish

[@mdtisthebest6249]

I’m giving up with my 3rd story. I know it doesn’t fit the market

[@dylantd9189]

My best friend and I are both inspiring writers. I shelve books once every 4-6 months and probably have 5 or 6 currently shelved books from over the last 3 years. In the last 3 years my friend has stuck on one book and one story and always is disappointed in me when I start a new story, and she tells me that starting new stories is a habit for a bad writer. I'm going to show her this video, but she's probably going to have her soul ripped out cause the book she is writing is her baby.

[@halfway2hell33383]

Been working on my 1st book for a few years, i have been changing it as i learn more and think iv got it, but then find somthing is wrong and it falls apart, every time iv gone to shelf the book, i cant get it out of my head and the new book turns into the shelfed book, any advice? Love ur vids and the way u dont hold back

[@MentallyKnitting]

Alexa, what if a person's parents and as well as themselves won't let them self a project?