How I Create Index & Scene Cards For My Novel ✨☕ROUGH DRAFT DIARIES DAY 7

[@HeartBreathings]

How was week 1 for you? What's your goal for week 2? Let me know in the comments, even if your goal is self-care and rest! My goal is at least 5,000 words in Vegas!

[@hannahheart1254]

I’m going this afternoon to my last and final cancer scan from 5 years ago and next Friday are my results. So wish me luck

[@berneserainbow1407]

​@@hannahheart1254 Good luck. I hope it turns out to be the bestest news. 🫂

[@DianaMayeDesigns]

I haven't written anything yet, but I have done some research and plotting tho... not enough to start writing, but at least it's something, I guess

[@ladystef5055]

@@hannahheart1254good luck Hannah, I’ll pray for you.

[@Zeengkd]

I'm hoping to plot a few chapters and figure out character voice, and my word count should hopefully be 15K, and sleep is a very good thing I'm hoping to achieve

[@mynameisemilygood]

Thanks so much for doing this challenge! I've got three young kids (5, 2, and 10 months) and I'm writing my first book! I have a little over 15,000 words now and am really enjoying the whole process ❤ You're such an inspiration and I appreciate all the knowledge you give us!

[@jennydrew3768]

Sharing your index cards and plotting was really helpful so thank you!

[@crystalrosenberger4221]

Thank you for sharing your scene cards and actually talking about your story plot. I found it to very helpful. I started a story last November and things have progressed slowly (life happens). I’m at 30,000 words, loving writing my story, and motivated to get the first draft done. Your rough draft challenge has me refocused. ❤

[@gintzudai2979]

Wow, thank you for sharing your index cards and plotting process. It was VERY helpful, and it gave me so many ideas. Plus, I loved seeing a master at work.🥰 Thanks for making this.

[@Jackie_Journeys_and_Journals]

Seeing your thought process on how you complete your index cards was helpful - thank you!

[@DianaMayeDesigns]

Thank you for showing your cards! I can't wait to hear how the story turns out and it gives me some ideas to make some progress... Now to find my cardstock and make my own index cards...lol

[@katrinamarieauthor]

I feel you on the kids being in all the things. My daughter is volleyball, theatre, and has now joined the powerlifting team. Then next year she's probably playing club volleyball. It's a lot, but totally worth being present for it all.

[@TanyaTFischer]

Week 1 was good! I'm not caught up to my goal but I'm not stressed about it. This time I've been writing longhand and I've seen such an improvement in my writing; it's like a zero draft and then I transcribe it into my scrivener, making changes along the way, and it's made for a more polished rough draft

[@luisaah5707]

Same. Writing longhand makes me feel like an old school writer and is way less distracting.

[@tamidawn8383]

This is so helpful! Thank you for sharing the process!

[@fralou_sind_kreativ]

I love how you are showing your process and how rough it can be in the beginning and then evolve and grow into the finished story. It took me a long time to realize that I don't have to stick with the exact idea I had in the very beginning for a scene or a moment in the story. I got really frustrated because with sticking to the first thoughts, not letting the story breathe and naturally evolve it all felt and also read really stiff and not organic. This video and your index cards reminded me of giving my stories room to breathe and to trust the process that in the end it will be the story it is supposed to be, even if the start is a little wobbly :) Thank you!! Sending you much love and creative vibes!

[@fantasyafield]

I left my first comment before I’d finished the video: your discussion of how you plot your serials was so helpful and gave me so many ideas!!! Thank you!

[@HeartBreathings]

So glad it was helpful!

[@emielou]

Catching up after a hectic few days. It's really helpful to see how you've set out the scenes. It's something I really struggle with for some reason but seeing them in action is great.

[@neatflair]

Thank you for sharing your process, especially index cards. This was very helpful. As always, great video!! ❤❤❤❤

[@isabellajuanitalyn]

Today's quote is beautiful!

[@linnyslodge]

I have written 4 chapters … it is so weird to finally see my ideas on paper. And sooooo rewarding too. This card methode helped me because I got stuck and this way, shuffling cards, I got unstuck . Yay for that!

[@Laura-ti2tm]

My Week 1 was middling, but I'll take the small wins. Happy weekend everyone ❤

[@littleraven1600]

Sarra…thanks for still making it real. So much ❤…

[@Mel-rb7sr]

Loved the Index cards. Will get mine out now, too! 😊👏👍

[@SusanGHaws]

This helps tremendously! This makes me want to hear and read the story! It helps me find a way forward with my story. Thank you so much.🍒🍒🍒🍒

[@suzisaintjames]

11:53 I'm happy to see your glass for water on your desk. (Even if it's empty.) I found that I was having trouble staying hydrated. So, now, I keep a reused glass juice bottle filled with water on every work station in my home. The bottles are very pretty with lots of facets that sparkle in the light, the tops keep the water fresh and dust free. They're easy to clean in the dishwasher and easy to see when getting low. Having the bottle right there within arms reach to fill my glass makes it easier to hydrate without breaking my work flow, even when I already have a cup of coffee on my desk. My subconscious grabs for the water more often than the coffee. The bottles collect at the top/bottom of the stairs (as the RO filter is in the kitchen... Why buy purified water when it's polluted with plastic?). But you could certainly use bottled water, but I've found that if my water source is not within arm's reach, I won't get a bottle of water from just over there because it breaks my process. 💕🌞🌵😷

[@msmwriter]

Very helpful! I've learned a lot from you.

[@fantasyafield]

Your Path Forward is amazing!!! So excited it’s coming up again soon! 😍

[@jackienicholson2990]

What is it?

[@fantasyafield]

@@jackienicholson2990 It’s Sarra’s long-term planning course, so how to sketch out the next 3-5 years in a flexible, actionable way that nestles perfectly alongside the 6-month planning in HB90 ☺️ I’ve been using it all year and it’s helped me prioritize projects and directions as well as to pivot quickly when needed.

[@jackienicholson2990]

@@fantasyafield Is there a link I can find it? Did she mention and link it in one of her videos? Thank you!

[@Cacjams]

This week has been big for me - I beat the word count of my former longest draft ever, then filled out the last page of the notebook I've been using to write longhand!

[@jenalang6065]

Thanks for showing your index cards! It’s very helpful. I love the name Bex!

[@KayeRobs]

Loving this series. Happy Friday, everyone!

[@HeartBreathings]

Happy Friday! And thank you!

[@Cat-jn2fz]

This was such a great video and help to me. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS.

[@fridgeghost4017]

At this point I’m still plotting. But that’s gonna be my goal is learn to use scene cards and plot with them.

[@HeartBreathings]

Hope this helps some!

[@fridgeghost4017]

@HeartBreathings it did! I'll be watching it again along with that amazing series you did on scenes and scene cards!

[@KylieStewart_Author]

This is most excellent! I’m so here for this story! ❤

[@katem7607]

The first week has been so wonderful! Today I found the scent I needed to burn as I write and one more orange candle and a few new blue and orange crystals. Plus I love the roughdraft booklet planner. Been crafting it up in a binder.

[@HeartBreathings]

Love that you're using it and enjoying it!!

[@MargueriteFaure]

I'm new to the book and novel world, and it's so cool to see your process. I'm inspired to make some time to plan for 2025 too 😃

[@shanshangalan8074]

My first week was pretty good. Week 2 will write Tuesday through Friday

[@thekizziejournals]

Week 1 is better than I thought it would be. When I update the site I'm pleasantly surprised and that's such a good and motivating feeling

[@suzisaintjames]

I don't think sharing the story details during your process at this point will spoil it for others as you will probably change so much of it around before you read it a loud. Also, now that I've heard your process, I'll be curious to see how much you do change it from these first concepts to final reading. So by telling your process in detail, at this point, it hooks me in to hearing the final reading. So, it's all good👍. 💕🌞🌵😷

[@mariajromaley]

Thx ! It was really helpfull. Kisses from France.

[@luisaah5707]

I had a bit of a low point due to my personal and political situation. Yet, yesterday I wrote 2 pages and today is my writing meet up. I have roughly 2500 words writing by hand. Total writing since October is 15.000 words so that makes me happy. Chapter 10 out of around 27.

[@mostlymasque]

I always try to do scene cards but always feel like I go into too much detail. Getting to see your cards close up with such great explanation was really helpful. As of today (day 8) I have reached over 13,000 words. So far it has been outlining, but like you I’m counting all the words. But the drafting starts tomorrow! Why is it not Double Down this Saturday! 😂 thanks for sharing.

[@barborasvandova7899]

Slow but steady beginning for me. I wanted to write more but I still exceeded my goals. So far, so good! I already have parts I think I should write better, but that's problem for future me that finished first draft. XD

[@HeartBreathings]

Great job!

[@StephanieWhitson]

Week 1 made great progress and so by end of week 2 should be ready to write the new ending to my newest romance book.

[@elliestephenson4146]

Sticky fingers 😂 Yay for starting your scene cards!

[@AntiNovelist]

Loving the serial plot process (so different from anything I do). But, 42,000 written on the 'Zettelkasten for Fiction Writers' book!! I need to knock out the next 30k to finish it (goal by the end of December) LET'S CRUSH THIS! Note card nerds unite!

[@KimtheElder]

The king says, "Oh you silly silly girl." duh duh duuuuuuhhhhhh :D BTW, having fun reading The Disappearance of Vanessa Shaw.

[@dancenica054]

I love that your main character is me! My name is Bex♥️

[@thejournalhouse]

When you write your book in Google Docs what do you use for Top Bottom Left and Right Margin space and what size overall do you make your book ?????????❤

[@suzisaintjames]

Scheduling writing time is key, but working admin until 3pm and then writing uses up too many decisions from your decision tank! You need to schedule writing earlier in the day when your decision tank is full! (At least that's what you've been telling us that is what works for you!) 💕🌞🌵😷

[@lovelather9012]

What is the mastermind thing you’re in with Amber? Is it some kind of membership/subscription? Is it mostly for writers?

[@KateBythell]

Hi so helpful to see these cards. Curious though: how many words roughly will make up one card? 1000? 5000? Thanks

[@authoralexandreafields]

If you don't mind, what is that book under Save the Cat, when you're explaining your index cards?

[@Elizabeth-wr7mn]

I’m way behind too suffering from major writer’s block 😬Got to push through

[@Author-CathyGerken]

Thanks

[@HeartBreathings]

Oh my goodness you are so sweet to send this!! Thank you!!

[@76kilosofshade81]

First week was great. Even though my characters don't yet have names 👀 I'm already over 20K!

[@Stephanie-Gil]

Can you let us know who Amber is? I’m curious to look her up as a coach. Thanks!

[@suzisaintjames]

After researching head injuries in soccor, I reconsidered allowing my kids participation. You might reconsider especially when younger children's skulls are not fully formed. 💕🌞🌵😷

[@chiarasybesma6942]

It would be so cool if when she gets pushed through the mirror, she ends up in some sort of forest with deadly creatures. So the first true task is surviving and making her way out of the forest before she can join the society.!

[@Susmita_Sikder]

where will the reading happen? On sarra cannon youtube or the broken chapter society?

[@HeartBreathings]

On Sarra Cannon KZbin channel! Members of BCS will just get extra things in addition to the story!

[@Susmita_Sikder]

@@HeartBreathings Great!!!! Can't wait to hear the story!!!!

[@nildam.bonilla5849]

Today I wrote a scene, have been having a lot of kid stuff and I told myself to take things slow. Haven't even joined in the challenge page😅 but my goal is 5k for the month, super slow to see where the story takes me as I'm mostly trying to figure out the story even if I have a few solid scene ideas I need to find the path to get there

[@a.s.fenichel3515]

I got about 7,000 words written. I'm at the end of the story with a goal of 22K before the 15th so I have time to edit before I have to send it to my Editor on December 2nd.

[@vanessarodriguez6440]

How do I join the spooktacular give aways?

[@HeartBreathings]

It's over now I'm sorry! It's an event we do at sarracannon.com every October!

[@vanessarodriguez6440]

@@HeartBreathings oh ok, next year then, thanks for responding

[@psychedianic]

Holy curse words.😂😂😂😂

[@HeartBreathings]

😂

[@QueenViolet]

Wk 1 was slow. my goal is 2500 mins this month I've got 220 mins

[@suzisaintjames]

This comment is probably too late, but get a second opinion on your house leak. I got the same story last year when I got a leak. I know they have high tech equipment to find leaks, so when I called I said they needed to bring theirs. But he didn't have it when he arrived. He said he could walk around and find it. After a while he said he couldn't and they would have to tear up my floor from the laundry room to the kitchen to find it and it would be $3000+. I told him, I'd find someone else who had the equipment. He walked around some more and found the leak under the kitchen sink $350.00. No where near where he was first pointing. The thing is... The leak may not even be in your house, it could be somewhere in your yard. Getting your house tore up for no reason is traumatic. See if there isn't leak detection services in your area, so you don't have to get your house tore up. 💕🌞🌵😷

[@gemstonejasper17]

Yesterday, I changed my goal to 60k words instead of 50k because I feel the need to spite God lately😂

[@katfaitour9009]

This was fun! I'm getting ready to plot my next book in series (thieves! so we're on theme here, LOL) and this was inspiring. All I could think was she left a sister in the other world and now Lavender reminds her of her lost sister in some way. That, of course, has nothing to do with my own book, but I love brainstorming! Time to get cracking. Thanks, Sarra!