HOW TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER ✨ Writing tips to take your book to the next level!

[@bgchaz]

Daisy stepped behind a post in front of the general store, her hand already resting on the cold steel strapped to her hip as her eyes scanned the street. The wind raised clouds of swirling dust as the people of the town ran to vacate the area. Her eyes locked onto the disturbance. With the sun directly overhead, two sworn enemies faced one another. Their hands already twitching with anticipation, it would be the final battle of Show versus Tell. Happy writing.

[@NataliaLeigh]

Hahaha this was fantastic! I'd watch from the safety of the saloon across the street while this battle of Show vs. Tell went down 🤣

[@bytheBrooke]

That new intro is so cool and adorable!! I'm loving these kinda "how to" type videos you've been putting out lately! Bring on the "show vs. tell"!

[@NataliaLeigh]

Thanks Brooke! It was so much fun to film and edit 💙 And I will definitely get that show vs. tell video up soon!

[@HeatherHS07]

I've been loving your videos lately, Natalia! Sometimes it's so nice just to hear someone say, 'Don't give up!" Thanks for the tips and positivity!

[@NataliaLeigh]

Hi Heather! I'm glad you've been enjoying them - I'm dabbling in tips videos again, which has been a lot of fun! I love spreading writing motivation and positivity when I can 💙

[@theresakidd]

Gonna be editing my book on my roadtrip to Texas this weekend! I should have it done by the time I get home!

[@NataliaLeigh]

That's so exciting Theresa! I'm in the middle of editing right now too and hope to have it finished in the next couple of weeks :)

[@librafrills2815]

I really really needed this video 😭 especially about not giving up. Thank you for making this. I hope you continue making craft videos !!

[@NataliaLeigh]

Hi Libra! Even though "don't give up" isn't a tip on craft, I think it's probably the most important of all the tips 💙 We could all benefit from a bit of motivation and belief in ourselves!

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Very nice information 🌎 Thanks. Greetings from Colombia. The Venezuelan immigrant writer 🇻🇪

[@MattBond00797]

Stepping into editing my first book. Sitting at 134k words certainly daunting, but I'm excited! I can see what I want it to be, just needs a lot of sanding. Thanks for the nice tips!

[@Tinyowl.95]

I love your owl earrings! And I also love finding owls in your videos xD

[@NataliaLeigh]

Haha there are owls hiding all over the place! 🦉

[@cwfcwfcwf]

Writing short books is an idea I have never heard before but makes sense. :)

[@NataliaLeigh]

I've learned so much thanks to how short Pistol Daisy and Whiskey City are. By being able to quickly write and edit something so short, I've been able to practice skills more efficiently :)

[@cwfcwfcwf]

@@NataliaLeigh It's videos like this that is the reason I starting coming to Author Tube. :)

[@AxleBoost]

Love that little intro sequence!

[@NataliaLeigh]

Thank you! I had so much fun filming it 🥰

[@JoleCannon]

My first book was a slaher in a store with the overnight crew. I wrote it as a short story years ago. I made it about five chapters when I realized it wasn't working. So, I switched to m/m romance, and I have the books mind. I finished the draft and 1st round of edits on the first book. I'm excited.

[@authorlacyhess]

I’m seriously loving these new “how to” videos! I agree that finishing a larger manuscript is time consuming. My first draft was almost 100k and it feels like it’s taking forever to edit. Once I complete the trilogy, I think I’m going to choose one of my other outlined projects that will be closer to 60k so I don’t end up with burnout next. Thanks for the great video!

[@NataliaLeigh]

Glad you enjoyed the video Lacy! I took a bit of a break from "how-to" videos for a while, but I'm glad to be back at it! And yes, editing a large project can feel so daunting, but it's also 100% doable!

[@tracy238]

I am catching up on videos I've missed. The don't give up one really speaks to me at the moment. Some times it's hard to keep going when it's all brand new to you and you have no idea what you are doing, the option to give up seems the easiest.

[@Pericula_Ludus]

Really nice new intro! Love your little "Happy Birthday SOTD" sign in the background as well. Writing short books is a really good strategy. I've been writing short stories to hone my craft and feel less overwhelmed with the sheer enormity of the task ahead. Just started sending them out to journals.

[@NataliaLeigh]

I'm happy to hear that you like the new intro! And that little sign was a gift from my mom and sister on SOTD's birthday 💙 So sweet of them! Short stories can be incredibly useful to honing a writing craft - my books right now are both under 50k and even that is WAY easier than editing something over 100k.

[@libraryofadventures7800]

Thank you for this, especially the last reminder. I was feeling really down about my writing skills today. My number one problem is I don’t have the discipline to try and write almost every day. I’ve yet to finish my first draft even after months of working on it. I’m stuck in the middle right now😩

[@NataliaLeigh]

I feel you - I get down on myself too, and it helps when I hear someone talking about their struggles or sharing how they get motivated to keep going. Writing every day can be hard - are there a few days a week that you can set aside even as hour or so to work on your project?

[@libraryofadventures7800]

Natalia Leigh I’m trying this method I just found out: I can take a break between days of writing, but it cannot be more than one day. So that I don’t lose the momentum

[@Bennythesupersnooper]

Thank you. You have just inspired me, to keep plodding along. It’s a huge goal to finish a novel.. so if I keep doing it every day (plus save for editing/cover etc) I will get there 😅

[@joannaholden943]

Great video! Love the new intro. (And the nails, girl!:)

[@NataliaLeigh]

Thanks Joanna! I'm still anxiously waiting for Snow Dust news and can't wait to see your cover reveal! 💙

[@joannaholden943]

Work on that is coming slowly but steadily!

[@ForFictionSake]

The write shorter books tip is going to be such a game changer for me. I think I've been trying too hard to hit traditional novel length word counts rather than telling the story in a length that feels right. I don't know why it never occured to me that I could just write shorter books.

[@mindymaddness]

Haha, yes, I wish somebody would have told me to start small. Got a little too excited as a beginner. Never wrote anything really besides papers for school, 130k. Still writing it. Will probably accidentally go over because I'm an over writer. Next story will definitely be half that. Love your tips you've been putting out recently.

[@NataliaLeigh]

Hey Mindy! I'm glad you've been enjoying the recent videos. Keep chipping away at that book and I know you'll be able to finish it!

[@stebbigunn7690]

I am writing my 2nd book now, what I learned from my first one. 1. Do a rough edit after every session. 2. Dont think about showing vs telling untill youre 2nd draft, it will slow you down. 3. Do a full edit every 2-5k words to make it easyer for you when you edit the entire book. I begainwriting short storyes a little more than a year ago, and now have developed enough to write full storyes. Dont push youre selfs to do something too big. I have one story I want to finish, but I feel like there is so much more it can become, currently sitting at 6k words and I now, after almost 8 month see a passabilaty to make it into a novel. "Grate things come to thoes whom wait"

[@crystalwaid518]

Seriously.. I think I’m now your # 1 fan and I have yet to pick up one of your novels. The way you convey what you want us all to understand is a breath of fresh air. Please add a “How to” book for new writers on your list of books to write in the future. Ur teachings just click with my way of learning and I love it. (Yes, it’s me. I found you yesterday and now I am stalking all of your videos.) 😂🥰

[@schuylergeery-zink1923]

I struggled with show don’t tell in my first draft but strangely the opposite issue. I almost only showed and didn’t tell enough which causes it’s own amount of confusion. It’s much more robust now - you need a good balance. :)

[@monicaparks723]

Looking forward to the character videos! Thanks for sharing, great video!!

[@jinnenoble]

Loving your videos. Also loving the earrings.

[@NataliaLeigh]

Jinne Noble Thanks Jinne! These owl earrings are one of my favorite pairs 🥰

[@TylerBunnylover]

Always love to hear from you. 💜 Thank you for the advice & information.

[@thomasswritingjourney]

Loved this video very much. I find your suggestions helpful, especially about writing shorter books in order to learn the craft. This is quickly becoming my go to channel for writing 😁👍🙏

[@NataliaLeigh]

Thomas Kropp Hey Thomas! I’m glad to hear you found my suggestions helpful. Let me know if there are any other topics you’d like a video on ✌🏻

[@victoriahall6501]

Hi there just jumped into this writing thing with both feet and I have questions.. I’ve got a story and I’m struggling with the show vs tell thing …. Also having a lot of trouble on describing things in detail at the right time …. I would be super appreciated for some recommendations… I’ve recently discovered your KZbin videos and I must say a big THANK YOU I watched a couple from another video and I felt defeated but … you’ve given back some confidence

[@aimeepartain1248]

I love you Natalia. I am so lost with stakes. Is...is Fire Tongue in there? Lol 😆 I am waiting patiently! I also bought Song of The Dryad and cant wait to read it!!

[@NataliaLeigh]

I've actually been thinking about Fire Tongue a lot lately! I want to turn it into a whole series if possible. Maybe that'll be the one I work on after Pistol Daisy 💙

[@aimeepartain1248]

@@NataliaLeigh Ahh! That makes me so happy! I read Fire Tongue on wattpad and ever since I have been anxious for more!

[@darryldurham1216]

So glad i found your channel! Great stuff!

[@DeeBlaregold]

I know the feeling of writing a draft or giving up on it. I particularly like the idea of writing a shorter book. I am writing a 6 book series. I thought the same, to make the books shorter, yet concise. But, I thought I was trying to talk myself out of writing 📝 the books period! Thanks for the tips!

[@puppetdudeproductions8080]

The idea of short books, if your forte' is to stick to a specific genre, it is so easy to compile them into n anthology. Writing, for example, three independent stories centered around a specific theme, edit them independently and then add a sub plot that connects them. Also, it can run the other way as well, if you have a War & Peace style story, you can break it down into smaller stories, remember Tolkien's Lord of the Rings Trilogy was originally one book. His editor is the one who convinced him to break it down into a trilogy.

[@haroldmiller1712]

Thanks for doing your video. It helped me renew my interest.

[@mischarowe]

You're an inspiration. Thank-you.

[@ak-xy6my]

Thanks for your videos. Very helpful. One of your tips is to show not to tell. When is a good time to tell?

[@zenebornman7917]

Thank you so much for the tips and the motivation! 💙💙💙

[@sarahmatthews5878]

I have smaller books I want to write but the Beast I'm working on now is huge! I'm clocking in at 82,157 words now and I still have a separate pov to tell this part story through, and the last 1/2 of the novel. I'm guessing it's going to be around 130k I don't say it's a beast lightly. But it's going to pay off. I know it will. I need to keep the faith.

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Uplifting...Ok. Lets go🌎

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Hello Natalia. Greetings from Colombia. The Venezuelan Immigrant writer 🌎

[@antoniodossantos5960]

I prefer shorts books, but bilingual books - English/Spanish. It comes easy to me to translate from English to Spanish. I like the readers to have 2 options ... English or Spanish. I wonder what you think about ...(Bilingual books).

[@ryanmedina5090]

I am so behind on watching videos, but this was a great video. Lots of good information.

[@ngtskynebula]

Natalia, this gotta be one of my favourites videos from you. You're an inspiring woman. Thanks a lot for that, I aprecciate it very much

[@jasontheworldisyours]

Great tips

[@NataliaLeigh]

Glad you enjoyed them!

[@susanbuckminster282]

Thank you!

[@NataliaLeigh]

You're welcome Susan! ☺️

[@lexysartworld]

Another amazing video, Natalia! I learned a lot! thank you for sharing.

[@crystalfontanez3740]

That’s exactly what I did three books series

[@NataliaLeigh]

Crystal Fontanez Yup! The more books you write, the better you’re going to get at it! 😊

[@crystalfontanez3740]

Natalia Leigh thank you for your guidance I just self published with kdp my last book in the series

[@crystalfontanez3740]

Natalia Leigh I’m taking some courses online about writing to learn and keep learning and use what I’ve learned to good use

[@latishaaustin3740]

I try to keep my books short but there is so much to my world and ultimately developing into my universe that keeping it around 50k would be cutting to much. I did do a lot better on my second book that I’m still editing through. It’s about 78k which is almost 10k words shorter than my first and boy does that 10k word drop help in editing. I know it wasn’t much but it was a gem to me. Thanks for the video. I always enjoy them. Do you have or know of any good programs or whatnot to help with editing longer books?

[@NataliaLeigh]

You make a great point - not every story works very well at 30k - 50k. And I plan to do an editing video / series this year that might be helpful in giving you tips to edit longer books :)

[@latishaaustin3740]

@@NataliaLeigh I'm looking forward to it. :)

[@f1content364]

Your videos are great 👌🏼

[@reneebarrette4514]

So great!!!

[@kirstinkeppler9043]

This was helpful, thank you!!

[@NataliaLeigh]

You're very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it Kirsty!

[@andrearoberts2663]

I LOVE your new intro!!!!!!

[@NataliaLeigh]

Thanks Andrea! It was a lot of fun to film, so I'm glad you like it 💙

[@NatashaLeecole]

Those earrings😮😍

[@NataliaLeigh]

I love owls so much! 🦉

[@kyfvrzn1130]

thanks Natalia

[@annpippin6388]

S9 discouraging I think I LL just have my novel printed when ready .

[@pamelamusoke2959]

Hi Natalia, thank you for this video and it has me thinking I need to find a tutor perhaps. Would you be able to share what I should look for in a writing tutor? Or do you recommend a better way of learning how to write? I feel I am somewhat failing at teaching myself how to do good storytelling. Thank you for all that you share!

[@NataliaLeigh]

Pamela Musoke Learning how to tell good stories is SO hard! I’ve really struggled with it as well. My recommendation would be to read a lot, write more books, and try to find a critique partner who is around your same level. In that way you could both practice writing as well as giving feedback to someone else, and I think that can really help you see strengths and weaknesses more clearly ❤️

[@pamelamusoke2959]

@@NataliaLeigh Hi. Thank you for your reply!!!

[@tgrebnesor]

Does anyone have any advice on what to write when you’re in between projects? I have two stories I’m starting to do research for and draft, but I still don’t know enough to do any actual writing. I can get about a paragraph out and then I get stuck because I have no clue where I want it to go. I went through a long period where I didn’t write at all so I’m pretty rusty, and hate the idea of waiting until one of these stories is drafted to start practicing again.

[@ryanmedina5090]

If you have an idea of who your characters are for your new project, try doing some writing with them. Try to find their character voice. So maybe your protagonist is a 15-year-old girl, and she's at summer camp. Maybe have her write letters to the best friend talking about her experiences there. Maybe she met a boy at camp that she has a crush on and have her talk about him. None of this has to remotely do with your story, but it also helps get your creativity going and helps you get to know the people in our story and it will give you ideas on things to include in your actual story.

[@tgrebnesor]

@@ryanmedina5090 Oh, that's a great idea! Thank you so much!

[@rootedreinvention]

My current WIP is 64k, and its so much easier to edit and for beta readers to feedback than my previous 120k one. I have got at least 20,000 words into 16 separate novels. 12 of which were over 50k. 10 of which are "finished" - some never to see light of day, some I plan to edit and publish

[@tonysabastine]

How are you, thanks for the tutorial

[@antoniodossantos5960]

What is at Stake? Interesting...

[@charlie.cummings]

How can you tell whether you have a short story, versus an underwritten story? I really need "white room syndrome" and "show don't tell" videos. My novel is a dumpster fire, and filled with the above. Cardboard cuts would probably have more life than my characters at the moment. Love your videos, I'm looking forward to the Pistol Daisy series. As always happy writing. 😃

[@NataliaLeigh]

Hey Charlie! Your comment made me smile - I think we all have dumpster fires at some point 😉 If you didn't set out with the intention to write a short story, then you probably have an underwritten story. (Which is all good! That just means you get to fill it up with detail and action on your next edit!) I'll definitely be making videos regarding white room syndrome and show vs. tell. Thanks for letting me know you'd like to see these. I might have Pistol Daisy publication news soon, so stay tuned!

[@alexyoung7597]

Can you help with my book

[@ذِئابرِوائيَّة]

I loved the motivational talk you gave at the end of the video!! Read this article, it's great and will always motivate you. www.verbling.com/articles/post/even-if-you-felt-that-its-boring-1

[@QuizmasterLaw]

2 years and only 6k views even though she's a good author, presents well, and is even pretty. I guess a lot of "writers" are really lazy and more interested in "low content books" that will make them a "six figure income*" *measured in indian Rupees or Japanese Yen. YMMV!

[@frankhainke7442]

Susi is sleeping.

[@harveythepooka]

Sorry Natalia, but I STRONGLY dislike the way you talk about show vs tell. This is very confusing for new writers and the way you explained it is why. It's PERFECTLY FINE to say Susie was nervous. There's nothing wrong with that. As a writer you have to learn when to show and when to tell because if you only show, that's as bad or worse than only telling. It has to be a balance. I get why people say show don't tell, since when you write you're literally telling a story, but when you're giving information to people, imo you have to be super clear. It's fine to say Susie was nervous and it's fine to say Susie's palms sweated as she filled out paperwork with HR. It's about having another tool in your tool box and learning how to use it, not telling people how to use it.

[@NataliaLeigh]

harveythepooka Of course you need a balance, but “Susie was nervous,” is a simple, easy example of telling instead of showing. More complex examples would have confused new writers further.