How To Choose Your Best Story Idea (And Stick To It) \\ PREPTOBER 2021

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[@HeartBreathings]

I have so many things I want to talk about around this subject! If you'd like to see a video on how to tell if your idea is good, if it's best for a series or standalone, and more tips of sticking with a story or series through to the end, let me know! Let me know if this was helpful!

[@tinapullen6421]

Very helpful thank you. Again, I dont feel ready, but will I ever be. I think I am going to just go for it !

[@maureenp2248]

I'd definitely be interested in hearing about how to tell if your idea is good!

[@kristyl6201]

I would love for you to do a video on all of your tips and tricks. Along with if my story would be a standalone or serious. Thank you for sharing Sarra ❤ 😊. Can't wait for more videos. ❤👍

[@angelabublitz5912]

Yes to all!

[@emilyvbr1878]

I would love to see videos on those idea! 💙

[@EMarieRobertson]

Honest to god, I picked the idea for my first NaNoWriMo because I THOUGHT it was the one I was the least excited about and I figured I wouldn't care if I fucked it up. 107,000 words later, I'm querying that novel as my debut, and am halfway through the sequel's Draft 0. There's so much to be said for letting intuition guide you without putting much of your head into it, I swear. Let yourself believe that all your ideas are good ideas and have potential, and that you'll get to them all eventually.

[@HeartBreathings]

Haha, yes good point here! Maybe sometimes it's not what excites you most but what you feel less pressure to write. Thanks for adding it and yay for querying!

[@LeeAnneRMT]

That is great advice for those of us perfectionist types who get frustrated that they aren't up to the writing level their favorite idea needs.

[@sunfloraanddayses7647]

As someone who has a million stories going on in my head at once, I needed this just as a writer. Not something for NaNoWriMo, but as a writer who has trouble sticking with stories.

[@freedomthroughspirit]

I love scene hopping, I go wherever has the most energy for me on any given time. Definitive an "intuitive planner" writer so if I'm not feeling it/seeing it, move on to another part of the story (or backstory) that I'm feeling/vibing with -- or yeah, take a break, go do something else to fill my creative well. Thank you, great tips.

[@blackcatstho8666]

Definitely needed this, you called me OUT! I always flip flop and then give up on an idea to move on to the next so I am determined to start finishing things. This really helped, thank you!

[@SusanGHaws]

I am a waffler and this has been my pattern in the past. I would definitely like other related videos on series etc.

[@tasharaines7119]

I have so many manuscripts that are unfinished because I always stopped when they got too tough and worked on something else. Taking time to write down my ideas has stopped me from starting projects without completing the ones I'm working on, though I also work on two or three projects at a time. Great video. The tips will help me this year in choosing my project. I still couldn't decide.

[@nightlady2001]

Yay! You have gotten a lot of practice writing and I am sure you have improved so much because of it. Plus, you have so many beginnings you can now finish if you choose. 🎉

[@alykgirl10]

Oh my heck, this was me two days ago !! I picked a story and I’m making myself do it. Absolutely amazing !

[@CasstheAquarian]

This video is everything thank you so much. You are so grounding, like a cup of tea to my chaotic mind. Really appreciate the work you do, you understand the struggles 🙏

[@val99star]

I needed to hear that part about the shiny new idea syndrome. I do that a lot. Skipping a scene or chatting it out with a friend are both great ideas. Thanks!

[@mckenziekvalsten]

This was such an encouraging video! I love the idea that whatever story you do, you can make it great. Good reminder to trust in your abilities! 💕

[@rociomiranda5684]

Thank you for your inspiring videos. My enthusiasm for my story grows when I listened to you.

[@Astria32]

Yes please on the fleshing out ideas video! Thank you Sarra for all your hard work on these videos, especially during a time in your life where it may not be convenient 💜💜

[@theannoyedflamingomedia]

Im so GUILTY about this!! This is the perfect topic for me!! Amazing content you provide!!

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you! I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@c.froekjaer.writer]

This was great! I already have my story idea - a gender-bend Cinderella - but I struggle with completing a draft. So this is now saved, so I can come back and remember how to stick with my story. Thank you.

[@HeartBreathings]

Sounds like an awesome idea! You can do this!

[@chandragray8186]

I do write notes for the shiny new idea, so that I can come back to it later. Your skip ahead tip has been so helpful for me.

[@nightlady2001]

I have file folders of shiny new ideas at the ready.😂

[@phatsimoleepo9384]

When it gets hard, i skip and get into the next shiny idea. 😅 I needed this.

[@kaylasembly6590]

Oh my gosh, I needed to hear this! Thank you so much for posting this video.

[@juliaduquette7927]

Yup, I have so many ideas! I’m going to be using a pendulum and tarot spread on my top 3 to make sure I’m in alignment and then prep the rest of this month!

[@HeartBreathings]

Such a great idea!!

[@nightlady2001]

I definitely spend too much time waffling! Thank you for the help !!!

[@juliejohnson4480]

These were such great tips and perfect for NaNo Preptober... right about now we have a lot of people second-guessing their projects. Sharing this far and wide!

[@kirawarner4571]

I jump about my WIPs all the time and I’m not very good at finishing them, I’m hoping some these tips help. A weird thing that’s helped me is working on 2 projects not 1, a main project and a relief project (usually a short story, fanfic or world building on another project). It’s not the most efficient way to write a story but it helped me when I felt trapped or over a main project, I could have something else to work on while I dealt with those feelings instead of doing nothing. I think the project I want to work on for nano is my God Child project, which is a fun fantasy adventure quest. Which follows a God, a human and three divine children on a quest to assemble a mythical sword which will drive out invading gods.

[@AuthorAnnaCatanzariti]

I THING I do when I have shiny new story syndrome, is take a few moments and write out a scene I already have in my head from my new story out on a new word document. I don’t spend a lot of time on it (maybe 15-20 mins) but just enough that it gets my new story out of my head and funny enough it gets rid of that need to write that new story because I’ve already gotten a bit of it out of my head. Hope this makes sense hahaha

[@imnickij]

I've been 'trying' to write for over 10 years now. As soon as I get over 20k I hit this kind of wall, where all my ideas go and all my writing sucks (imo) and my brain comes up with literally dozens of other ideas. One of those is inevitably too shiny penny andy magpie heart abandons what I'm doing and I abandon what I'm doing for something else. And repeat. Your tips are so helpful. I have ADHD which is a factor in what I'm experiencing, but I think I'm chasing the creative rush that inevitably wanes when the story gets hard. I'm not doing nanowrimo, November is a mother of a month at work, but wanted to wish everyone who is doing it good luck! I love seeing everyone's progress 😊

[@nightlady2001]

Love the spooky background ❤

[@hollycortelyou1575]

thank you for the huge pep talk...super inspirational!!

[@mlbullbooks]

I have a folder on my flash drive specifically for those shiny "new story ideas." :) It used to be a big problem of mine when I first started writing, but not so much anymore.

[@HeartBreathings]

Love to hear this!

[@crystalmorrison4463]

Excellent video. I love the videos with constant like this. Helps to center me and make me feel organized and refocused. Come on nano!

[@shadowmoontarot3781]

I really enjoyed this! Looking forward to the next video in this series! :) Thank you for sharing your knowledge and tips! xx

[@reyofsunshine7171]

This was actually really helpful !☺️ Thanks ! I can't wait to get to work tomorrow .☺️

[@medusa3592]

Ooh..love the background. Very nice & spooky!

[@susanring7634]

LOL! I do that. I write down all shiny objects and say, 'thank you. I have an "Ideas" file on my desktop and print one page per idea, sometimes I even give them a manila file! One of the ideas I've done that for keeps beckoning me in my sleep. It's creepy!

[@rutholeary9974]

Another really helpful video Sarra. thank you so much

[@emielou]

Great advice. I have a Notion dashboard set up where I put all the ideas I get and whatever it is I think about them. Makes things fun when I want something to write and I don't feel the need to write them.because I'll forget.

[@HeartBreathings]

Such a great idea!!!

[@honeyluv32690]

this is SUCH a good video!

[@SDHegyes]

Not officially doing NaNo, but this is such a great video. I'll need to re-watch it and take notes because this is gold. Thank you.

[@neopagan1976]

My NanoWriMo novel will be the fifth book in my TimeScape Series.

[@manymusings]

I'm completely guilty of shiny object syndrome. Hahaha

[@SerendipityInTheSky]

Lol poor George, I’m sure he has SOME good ideas

[@fralou_sind_kreativ]

I totally relate to the things you said. I'v been writing for over twenty years now and only three years ago I got over the point that I stopped and jumped to a new project as soon as it got hard to write. So happy I'm over that now and can stick to an idea until the end. What really helped me as well is that the very first rough draft is not set in stone and can be super different from the final draft that you want to publish. 0-Drafts are rarely perfect. That took a lot of pressure off me as well :) I love your tips on how to choose the right story. I have three that I'm equally excited about and decided to do one for NaNo, start the second in January and the third after. And outside of NaNo I'll give the stories as much time as they need. What I also found was what you said about skipping ahead when you hit a road block and that scenes just unlock much easier as when you sit there for hours trying to figuring out what could happen. Great video as always, Sarra! Your Preptober Planner is printed out and waiting for me to fill it out :) Have a great weekend and I'm looking forward to your next video! :D

[@RL11111]

I love your hair!!!

[@ANSageWrites]

Loved the Pinterest board suggestion! I'm a huge list maker but having some visuals would be great to try. Something new to spark new ideas. Thanks for the tips!

[@nimedhel09]

I need to keep this video for when I have finished my current WIP and need to decide what to work on next, hehehe. Thanks for the tips Sarra!

[@okonkwoadah9502]

I love you Sarra!!! ❤️

[@HeartBreathings]

❤️❤️❤️

[@aedynbrooks6900]

Love your decorated chair! Very useful tips for any writer...even outside of NaNoWriMo.

[@denisegarcia7262]

You just described me to a T! Ths is exactly where I am right now...stuck on one story and have been contemplating another for a couple of weeks because I think it's "better". I just need to get busy and write something, lol.

[@pjblohm-craig5758]

Sarra, you are such a huge blessing to me. No one speaks my language like you do. I can grab hold of everything you say, and it propels me forward. You just seem so authentic and truly interested in helping others become their best at writing. Thank you! I just finished my first novel. It is the most fun I've ever had by myself. It was soooo long (155K words) that I had to exclude a big chunk of it. . .That is where Book #2 comes in. So now I'm trying to prep Book 2 for NaNoWriMo, and I'm ending up with too darn much again. I pants my way through the 1st book, and it took on a life of its own. So this time I'm trying to outline it. Too, too many ideas. My journal is full and I'm on my second one. Help! 🌵

[@sylverbright]

Thank you!

[@annelyle5474]

I always watch these videos, even if the topic isn't immediately relevant, because the theme music has a Pavlovian effect on me and gets me in the writing mood 😀 In the world of computer programming we call the talking-out process "rubber ducking" - the idea being that if you describe your code (or for a writer, your idea) in terms that even a rubber duck would understand, you can spot the glaring flaws the moment the words come out of your mouth!

[@katendress6142]

When a witch breaks into a house to steal her familiar back from a group of teenage boys, she finds herself the target of both the ringleader's lawyer mother and a hungry monster.

[@CamSchellsLuna]

I love this video

[@kathywerebwrites]

Thank you so much for this! I’ve constantly struggled with this. Thankfully, though, this NaNo project was a result of a dream! From beginning to end I dreamt the whole thing. Even more amazing I remembered each detail as I wrote it down!

[@GeologyRx]

Mine too! From a dream, where I met my characters at the end of their journey and had to daydream on how they got to that point.

[@HeartBreathings]

Wow so cool!!!

[@GeologyRx]

I'm there right now...hitting a hard place. Trying my best to push through. Thanks for the encouragement, Sarra!

[@HeartBreathings]

I understand how this feels, but you're doing great!! Don't give up!

[@GeologyRx]

@@HeartBreathings I joined the live word sprint group tonight for the first time. Only made it for the last 2 sprints but got over 400 words both times! 😊

[@annestuart1150]

This was just what I needed. I’ve been waffling for months, unable to choose..

[@francineh.7825]

These tips are great for all creatives. I'm working toward becoming a watercolour artist and the shiny object syndrome always strikes when I get to the point where I'm really liking my painting and I'm scared to continue in fear of messing it up.

[@DogWalkerBill]

Pep Talk was what I needed! I am (long time) stuck on my idea because . . . IT'S A LOT OF WORK! UGH! I also have a background problem: I am trying to learn plotting and as an exercise decided to copy the plot of a famous movie, recast in a different time and place. I am concerned I may put in a lot of work for something I may never be able to publish. And then, of course, this will be my first novel. I have all those questions about "I am not good enough!" The original movie was a long movie: I can see the novel will be a long novel! (If I carry it off, it will be a ferocious novel! The original movie was a ferocious movie!) At least I will learn a lot of stuff. I hope that will be worthwhile! I hear everybody's first novel sucks: maybe this project will help me get that out of the way. But I still want it to be good!

[@intothefire9270]

Am I allowed to say 'More of everything please!' ?

[@sallyalter6003]

I am a person with very few ideas! There I have said it. I really want to write, but don't know what to write about. I am a non-fiction person who wants to break into fiction. Have you any ideas Sarra I absolutely love your videos because of your enthusiasm. It is very refreshing. And I am forever amazed at your productivity! Now I find you have a whole library! Best wishes, Sally

[@billyalarie929]

what if it's both? "ugh, that's gonna be really tough" while at the very same time, goosebumps for DAYS.

[@bluovalgal]

Helpful video, Sarra! Even after you (and the other Hearties in the FB group) suggested I just write and don’t try to mold my story into a specific genre weeks ago, I am STILL torn between the two genres (paranormal cozy mystery and paranormal urban fantasy). Regardless, I am pushing through with writing book 1 while thinking of book 2 (my NaNo project for Nov). Barbara

[@nightlady2001]

What did you decide to do? Hoping it worked out fabulously for you. I, too, am waffling between genres! Hoping to choose my fate today so I can still have some time for prepping it

[@bluovalgal]

@@nightlady2001 I ended up writing the story my characters wanted me to write. (I'm a pantser.) I ended up hating it, LOL, and was trying to rewrite it with a very rough outline. Good luck with Nano! I hope you get it figured out tonight! :)

[@RKEefe]

My NaNoWriMo is a bit different. I'm publishing my first novel, hopefully before the end of the year. I've got 48000 words now and I’m proud of that (so, now I said it out loud😂). Anyway; I have a point. I started my story as a contemporary reverse harem romance, but when I was in a bad mood and really really tired I killed my protagonist and now it's a paranormal romance (still reverse harem), my plot changed a bunch of times and it turned out that I can't tell everything in 1 book, so now it's not a standalone anymore, but it's going to be a series of at least three books. I love your videos which were very helpful, but I found out that the planning part is not my cup of tea. My character keeps taking over and keeps changing everything! Suddenly she has a brother and I have no idea how to fit him into everything that's going on 😅 so I'll use my NaNoWriMo for finishing and rewriting some parts so everything will come together

[@Gaia_Gaistar]

I've got 4 ideas i've been casually working on, filling out, playing around with simple outlines etc. It's hard to choose.

[@DogWalkerBill]

BTW: How is life as a Pandemic Refugee? FYI: My Father was a Dust Bowl Refugee. Even though he was from Pennsylvania, people out West called him an "Oakie!" (e.g. A derogative term Dust Bowl Refugees presumed to be from Oklahoma! Because the stereotype was they all were from Oklahoma!)

[@captainnolan5062]

What is the link to the "Theodora's book" you mentioned?

[@mattmallecoccio8378]

Sarra, I'm curious if you have a trope you have fallen in love with, can you wear out a trope's welcome? How do you keep your favorite trope fresh?

[@HeartBreathings]

Ooh that is a really good question! I personally feel like as long as you can keep the story feeling fresh and exciting to the readers, you can write a trope forever. It's all about the characters and the way you name the reader feel I think!

[@mattmallecoccio8378]

@@HeartBreathings Thank you, Sarra

[@mizzelle71]

I am revisiting a fantasy Nano idea I tried before. After 19 years, I have so many unfinished projects this seems a better use of my time. I did have a question about the Prebtober planner-- is there a place where you talk about the page "my nanowrimo novel" (even if it's one of your other YT series) -- I think I'm getting tripped up in the premise and conflict sections the most.

[@HeartBreathings]

Not yet but it's coming up next week so stay tuned!

[@pattyellis5359]

Thank you for this vlog. Every time I think about what happens next in my story, I start to listen to your old vlogs that I saved in my KZbin library. Since I have been working hard on my unique werewolf story, I am busy with chapter 4. Chapter 3 I managed to finish writing it in 4 day's. And Yip, I am still slowly building them up, since I am trying to figure out the rest of the names for the rest of the dimensions. And also try to sort out my folder of my werewolf story, but I feel once I get the names down, then also do some research on GOD'S and other supernatural beings. Just wondering, have you ever done a vlog on doing word count each day for 1 month? Since I don't remember, been watching other writing vlogs just to see what they have to say - except for last week when I had no wifi.

[@HeartBreathings]

No I don't believe I have other than last years nano diaries where I was vlogging every day!

[@nikkiguerlain]

💗💗💗

[@applebananacherry-uz1nt]

👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾

[@Joojovie]

I'm Looking for a printable document that allow me to keep order to my stories..

[@lanahealthjourney]

Is their a video on what nanowriting is?

[@HeartBreathings]

Check out my Preptober 2023 playlist!

[@marthalowery1608]

What about taking a fantasy idea and tweaking it so that it becomes a sci-fi idea. The girl trapped in a castle could all of a sudden be a girl trapped on a spaceship....?

[@megankirrmann6624]

Stick to the Best Story idea......authors toughest struggle of them all!!!

[@inspiredbycreation4121]

It is so refreshing to actually see your replies here. First, I love your stylish black shirt. Where can I buy one? :-) Second, I have several piles of contents, enough for 10 books. They are all about self-empowerment and overcoming life’s challenges, which have contributed a great deal to my personal achievements. I think what I already have can be produced as a series, since I have so much to share. But here is my problem: I am constantly learning new things and writing new pages of notes to the point of being overwhelmed with many ideas in addition to striving for the perfect Chaperts for the perfect First Book. Crazy, I know. I am undecided about how to divide the contents for a few books that are a mixture of a memoir supported by valuable and practical tools of transforming body of wisdom; and I know they will prove to be good credentials for my new online consulting and or Masterclass. My question is, how should I write these very interesting book(s) and yet save the “Beef” for my consulting or Masterclass? Your feedback and input will be very valuable indeed. :-)

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you! I got this shirt at Walmart, and they have them in a lot of colors. 💜 As far as your books, it might be helpful to really narrow your focus or main topic way down to give some boundaries to it. Keep up with your notes and learning but choose a single focus for that first book so it has a clear way to help and serve the readership. As for what to put in the book and we're you save back, I think it's a good rule of thumb to touch on subjects in the book but go even deeper in the personalized courses. So you aren't necessarily holding back the topic, but rather the deeper details that need more personal attention. I hope this is helpful!

[@CaKiZu]

I have a question, to anyone who can answer it. I have been writing a lot of different things. Is it possible to be published in different genres? Think of children books, poems and fiction.

[@HeartBreathings]

It's definitely possible! I have books in going adult fantasy and new adult contemporary. The trick is just that it's harder to build a loyal following when you are switching genres. It can be very helpful to get established in one genre first before you branch out in your publishing, but I know that isn't right for everyone.

[@chandragray8186]

I will be missing NaNoWriMo this year, sad, but I cannot wait to do it again next year. Life just doesn't allow me to do it this year.

[@juliaduquette7927]

Don’t forget there is camp nano in I think April and July. So definitely check out those in case those work with your schedule!

[@chandragray8186]

@@juliaduquette7927 Yes, that should work, have yet to do camp NaNo yet. I forgot all about that.