A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NON-FICTION WRITER: weekly planning/writing a book proposal/Substack thoughts

[@christinahatten9844]

I love your videos and I also enjoyed watching your Emma Gannon book review!!!

[@KJM_Writes]

Helen, my love, you beat yourself up so much in this video. Your previous video is not a flop! It’s up to 350+ views now, which is comparable with video performance before your break. I can already see that you are piling pressure on yourself… not happy with your youtube income so making more videos, not happy with your substack and comparing yourself to others. So consider this your pep talk… you are not failing and you don’t need to do more. You make wonderful content and your audience will find you (and the income and success will come), you just need to enjoy the process and enjoy your craft. Sent with much love. 💕

[@HelenRedfern]

Hello, and yes I’m aware I give myself a hard time. I’m one of those people who expects to excel immediately! It’s definitely a learning process as I discover more about myself as I record. Thank you 🧡

[@DeborahCarrAuthor]

I'm always inspired by your videos and loved this one too. You fit so much into your day! I think that every book I write it utter rubbish and am always surprised when it turns out OK. Good luck with your non-fiction book, it sounds as if it's amazing.

[@HelenRedfern]

Thanks Debs. I thought I could’ve done more in the day - isn’t that ridiculous 😂. 🧡

[@DeborahCarrAuthor]

I think that most days, too.

[@darinapetrovsky8450]

Great video - I enjoyed getting a glimpse of your organization for the week!

[@HelenRedfern]

Thank you, Darina!

[@dianespianostudio6938]

Thanks for this video. I have gleaned lots of good tips from you over the time of watching your KZbin videos. One tip in particular is to use a notebook that makes me feel comfortable writing in it - the way it stays opens, the size, quality of paper etc. I ordered my second Lemome A5 College Ruled Hardcover Writing Notebook today. I look forward to journaling and planning with it. I still have a few empty pages to go in the first one. I’ve got to be disciplined and not break out the new one until I’ve filled every page of the first. 😊 Thanks again for sharing your writing process.

[@HelenRedfern]

Yes it definitely has to be comfortable or you just won’t pick it up. Enjoy 🧡

[@Shanti880]

I believe in you Helen. I find myself overplanning and overthinking which puts me in a paralyse state of mind which leads me into procrastination . You should not compare yourself to other writers as they do not have the courage to talk and write about the dark side of what or how writers struggle - to go through. to write a book. All about vulnerability . How I see it, this is a gap , a huge gap in the market in which I believe you do not realise that you have identified. Keep forging ahead and continue to be our beacon of light to lead yourself and us to be that successful published author 💐 4:08

[@HelenRedfern]

@@Shanti880 thank you for your encouraging comment! I've taken a screenshot to remind me if I need your wise words in the future ❤

[@cb1242]

Love all your videos and your gorgeous pups!🐶🐶 Hope the low views of your other vid doesn’t keep you down.❤ Have a great day!

[@HelenRedfern]

Thank you! I soon perked back up again whilst recording this one. 😊

[@TheArcherSoul]

Really enjoyed this, Helen! you are an inspiration ❤

[@HelenRedfern]

Thank you, Gina! 😘

[@CaraMoulds1]

OMG, I adore the Thursday Murder Club books as well. Those edges are amazing. Never seen anything like that. I preordered this for my kindle, so I guess it's waiting for me. I forgot about it. I can't start reading it, though, until I finish Covenant of Water for my book club. But honestly, I'd much rather be diving into Richard Osman. 😁

[@HelenRedfern]

I really enjoyed it, Cara! Have you started it yet?

[@CaraMoulds1]

@@HelenRedfern Flew through it! LOVED it. Am disappointed that he's not writing another one, but starting a new series next. Also, I went to my local bookstore but couldn't get a hardcover with the page edges that you have. Bummed about that.

[@HelenRedfern]

@@CaraMoulds1 I think it's a Waterstones only edition. And yes, I get he needs a break from them but I'll need my Thursday Murder Club fix!

[@catherinepatterson4720]

Thank you for another great vlog. I thought your video about Emma Gannon’s book, The Success Myth, was excellent. I’d never heard of her until your video. I know you expressed disappointment with the number of views. Maybe, with time, the number will grow. Fingers crossed, they do. Out of interest, have you read a book called, Atomic Habits by James Clear? I’m half way through it and it’s been excellent. I was wondering, in your daily life as a writer, do you have any ‘go-to’ affirmations or quotes you say, to keep you focused on your goal/s, especially when, like many of us, we wake up, and for whatever reason, the day doesn’t start or turn out how we planned. This has always puzzled me, why, one can go to bed, having had a great day, only to wake up the next morning for things, for whatever reason, to be completely opposite to the day before. Wouldn’t it be great is we could have some consistency and predictability in our life 😊

[@HelenRedfern]

Thanks Catherine. Atomic Habits has been on my list for a while. It’ll be one of my next purchases I’m sure. And yes, I know exactly what you mean. I go to bed all fired up for the next day - and when the day arrives I struggle. I don’t have any quotes etc but I will think of this some more.

[@catherinepatterson4720]

@@HelenRedfern 👍I can relate to this too. Also, I got my copy second hand online, which helped save some money. I believe you’ll like it : ) Having a good quote or an affirmation can help keep us looking forward with hope 🦋 Hopefully, you find the right one that speaks to you : ) And sometimes this doesn’t have to be shared. As sometimes there are some things that are for ourselves only. If this makes sense : )