How to Discovery Write a Book

[@MrMikedaclown]

I know where my characters are going to start, and where they're going to end. Where they wander in between is up to them.

[@megastar3740]

Yeah I’m the same :)

[@carnuroalnanda5241]

Just wonderful, been searching for "how do i go about writing my first book" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Yonallie Bookworm Blitzer - (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my mate got cool success with it.

[@futurestoryteller]

"Yes, but.../No, and..." is the simple discovery writing process laid out by Brandon Sanderson's BYU guest lecturer, I believe it was Mary Robinette. In this process, for every step towards problem solving that your character takes you ask yourself two questions "What is the most reasonable way _this character_ could try to solve this immediate problem?" and "Does this work?" The answer is either: "Yes, but..." and then you invent some kind of backfire effect. or "No, and... " where the problems worsen or multiply. In the final third, if you feel you've entered that phase it switches to "Yes, and..." and "No, but..." where the characters' luck picks up all around, so that even if things go wrong the characters still somehow come out on top. I haven't tried it. Sounds like a reasonable process.

[@maewalters6591]

Thanks for this! I am a new writer, but discovery writing so far has been way more productive for me than outlining. It was really helpful to hear more details about the process

[@amirulirfan761]

I started writing a novel two months ago when the quarantine started (in Malaysia we call it Movement Control Order or MCO for short), at first it was all discovery writing, i had the ideas for characters, main plots, events and ending, but along the process my characters become inconsistent, for example: at first the main character was cold and mean but then he became sarcastic and funny, so i only outline my characters' appearance and personality. Now everything seems to be on the right track again

[@AppleCore360]

I've recently started outlining while writing. It feels so exiting to me to outline now! It used to be such a headache before. Also getting over a problem feels like resolving a huge part of a puzzle, like you tried to find a peace to a puzzle. You fitted, you turned it around, suddenly you found it! (Also a bit of trust in your ability to find it is required, for me a good thing to train me in)

[@SB-rf2ye]

"outline as you go" is a life changer.

[@lenani9143]

I am...dicovery plotting? 😂 Idk, I started from an idea that certainly wasn't a plot but from there I had more and more scenes coming to me and I started putting them in a logical order until I came to a point where I really needed an outline but I also kept writing scenes while plotting and discovered important plot points through that. Hope this makes sense :D

[@michaelcain9324]

Discovery. I tried plotting (because my favorite writer endorses it) and only finish one of half a dozen books I outlined. It just felt like I’d already written it.

[@sandbagger1912]

Great video. Writing in the moment, so to speak, makes it easier to create the internal logic, which might shift in interesting ways as the story unfolds. I go back and do a light edit of the previous day's writing. After each chapter, I go back and make sure things hang together. Every so often, I go further back to make sure the story is flowing. I look for inconsistencies or plot points that need to be addressed later in the book. So once the first draff is done, it also has a first edit. No gaps. Ready for the second draft pass through.

[@anwarpsychiatrist4629]

This is my way of writing my novel now. I feel total freedom about the characters. So I just inject them with what I think.

[@thunderandwriting]

Great advice Shaelin. I love the idea of learning something new about each character in every scene. I completely agree with the tip to go back a couple of scenes when something isn't working. Also: not avoiding making changes just because it's a lot of work = advice for life

[@jerichothirteen1134]

This has become my favourite channel recently. I would add that using this method you get the best stories but only if you are willing to throw alot of work in the bin. Dont worry too much about the quality of the wordsmithing till you have finished. Makes it harder to edit out plot points if the scene contains beloved and carefully crafted sentences and phrases.

[@planwithnutmeg]

I like the idea of outlining as you go. I'm going to go back and do that. Thank you!

[@cynthiapeters7230]

Im definitely thankful for this video. I am definitely a discovery writer. After doing text based role play since MSN groups, I prefer being a discovery writer. Thank you again for showing me what type of writer I am.

[@ДарьяВалеева-я8т]

I've tried both, seems like discovery writing works better for longer stories with vivid emotion and poetic descriptions!

[@christiancura7819]

I outline if I feel stuck in my writing process or if there's a specific sequence of events that I absolutely cannot mess up. (Like the events leading up to the climax and the falling action.)

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

I’m confident and I’m healthy enough. Just get here. Shall improve as you speak to me.

[@BettinaWinkler]

I have been outlining as I go for a few years now and I'm shocked to learn that I've been discovering writing all this time. And here I was thinking I was a planner.

[@DiamondElite]

I'm currently working on my first book (I'm about 135 pages in) and I find that while I have a good overarching grand story to my plot, i dont focus on the minor details which is where all my character development is going to take place. So I've done what I call "loose outlining" where I've got this overall story and points that I need to reach, but I leave the details to when I'm writing so I can decide in the moment what the characters would do at this point in the story

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

Thank you for making this video! It was super helpful! Have a great day!

[@ThirdEyePsychology]

Hey dude!!! Thank you so much. I wish I would have found out about discovery writing sooner. You have amazing content!! Keep up the great work!

[@gamewriteeye769]

I feel like I can break my process down here. As a discovery writer, I first didn't how to begin the story. I had written an excerpt, but didn't quite know how to break it down. I created a rough outline based on that initial excerpt and layed out the initial theme, then characters, settings, and finally plot and lore. The plot outline fits into three stages: initial brainstorm for the continuation of the excerpt, then from there come up with the genres/comp titles. After that, create the main plotline. Then, edit and adjust the excerpt to fit the new outline and write. Still have the advantage of discovery writing, but now I can write scene summaries as I go. This would be my initial process until I wanted to rework the story over twice; first time because I wanted to "discover myself" and create a sort of intuition/personality log/mind map(I made an iceberg) of myself to determine, okay, these are the main things that I've learned about myself that I want to share in the story. So, I took that and connected the worthy ideas to the story's main plot line and "character arc" or journey I want the main characters to go on. From there, the mood and tone of the story becomes personalized and it became a lot easier for me to discovery write. Once I got 50% through my first draft in roughly 2-3 months, I decided to rewrite it because I thought a tense change would suit it better. This "secondary draft level change" allowed me to expand and redo the outline, while implementing the lore I initially drafted for my current WIP. Now I'm roughly 60-65% through, but I've had all the time to practice and prepare. This process of discovery write works for me, how would you change it or suit it for your own needs? What ends up happening is now I have a large outline to work with, I memorize the story by rereading the previous chapter or scene to get the rhythm of the story, and implement the next scene or however long my creative juices flow(it helps me with listening to music, go for a walk, have a break-cook, food, drink- or other activities to stimulate brain flow-there are instances where your intuition kicks into hyper-focus and good material comes out of it. I even made a playlist I feel fits the vibe of the overall story). Some days I only feel I can edit, so I look for line-level changes that can be made, some instances I rewrote a scene to reduce the word count. This "process" ends up with a far more refined first draft, and vastly reduces how much I'll have to change in the end(it'll be a matter of removal for pacing[since I'm writing in real-time moments with the characters, which has a lot of dialogue and action-I found this narrative style is actually publishable material, I even own a copy of a bestseller that uses this style although I didn't even know about the style until I discovered my narrative voice and style]. From above, pacing and reducing length becomes the focus in second and third draft and so on based on beta reader/critique partner feedback and based on my own assessment of the plot when I go through it again with a fine-tooth comb after my first draft, or as I like to call it, my "Writer's Cut" of the manuscript. Subsequent drafting is all about making "The Definitive Cut" of your novel, and I can say this process is a very fun one, because it's still flexible for me with the plot and story, and I'll adjust or write plot points based on scene summaries, maybe even combine them in scenes all to make the story pace pick up or slow down by my own intuition). By this point I know the characters, how they interact and act, etc. So I may draft out one or two directions for the next scene if I'm unsure, and pick the one that matches the overall tone of the piece. I'll continue to work on it until the piece's initial draft is done. Thank you so much Shaelen for your writing advice; it's helped me tremendously over this summer in "discovering" my place in this wondrous world of writing. ♥

[@sumayyahkhan8897]

For your next vid could you PLEEEEEAAAASE do it about how to write an adventure story

[@theteacupbunny632]

I love your videos and you are very easy to understand even without subtitles which is nice for someone with sensory processing disorder and autism. :)

[@designerfrogsoaps]

I've always told people that I write by the seat of my pants. And I have felt bad about not being organized and having an outline. It just doesn't work out for me. I love saying to myself, "I had no clue that was going to happen!"

[@winnmiller6012]

Yay DISCOVERY write...YAY!!! ☺👍👍👍👍👏👏👏😎

[@k9hannibal]

In the middle but this was helpful, thanks!

[@Gvillalba]

I’m a screenwriter so I always outline. But I have an idea for a novel that I really want to write. I’m going to try discovery this time.

[@ceeceetracey9839]

2:03 to 2:36 - THAT PART!!

[@lizmol-san]

Im currently discovery writing a novel and i like it better as i can insert situations and events as i write.

[@SockOrSomething]

So, I found that I get a lot more done with discovery writing because when I am outline I barely actually write the novel and just worry about what it is I am GOING to write . I just don't like the feeling of getting super far into my story then I suddenly think of a better Idea that drastically changes a part of the book so I have to end up scrapping nearly the entire thing that I wrote and feel like I wasted my time. Then again that is part of the job. Discovery writing also feels pretty good because it's like I am reading a story I don't know the ending to. That feels better for my ADHD brain. If I DO have a little outline it makes it easier for me to keep a steady flow of writing because I have an idea of where my story should go and what it needs. I think It's best if I have at least an IDEA of what I want to do with this story. I started writing a quick summary of my ideas for the chapter I'm writing now before I write it. Getting stuck still happens but not as much.

[@cwfcwfcwf]

I have always been a discovery writer. Years ago, I outlined a story that I wrote for NaNoWriMo. I do have to admit the outline was very handy. It's just that it seems like such a waste of time. So many people spend months outlining when they could be writing.

[@futurestoryteller]

If it takes anyone that long to come up with their core story beats I fail to see how they could have the wit to forge a path in front of them any faster than that.

[@florajamii287]

i did my first nano by discovery writing, but i had no clue who my characters were and managed to bullshit 50k (which looking back, i'm kind of impressed by (not in a good way, though)). Then i outlined my second novel, but that didn't turn out as i wanted either and i'm now trying to go back to discovery writing and see, if i like that better. :)

[@kaylajames9334]

Get the book Story Trumps Structure.

[@stingrayizzy1622]

Hey Shaelin! Thank you very much for the useful information ... I'm currently rewriting an old book, but I'm really struggling with outlining, as I never seem to be happy with the stakes and/or conflict. I've never tried discovery writing, but the thought scares me. How do I know if I'm a discovery writer or a plotter/ an architect? tysm in advance xx

[@mary-ju8qg]

hi! i would recommend to try discovery writing and plotting short stories first to see which experience was easier or more enjoyable for you

[@me_yessik]

So I have a question about discovery writing in terms of dialogue… I should preface that this probably only applies to the beginning stages of writing a new story... So, if you were to discovery-write an entire book, how would you personally go about writing your dialogue before any revision? That’s my main question, and it seems like a no brainer, right... The obvious answer being that you would write dialogue the same way you always write it… Except for one problem, dialogue, the things people say versus what they choose not to say, is so largely informed by who the character is. So if you don’t yet know who the character is, because you’re discovery writing, how do you write believable dialogue? Or does all of the believable stuff come with the later revision? Do your characters only become believable, fully fledged people after you’ve started to revise the story and flesh out the way they talk, and their personal voice, and their personal choices… How do you avoid making all of your characters sound like the same person in the beginning, before you actually know who the character is?

[@milestrombley1466]

I whether outline as I write my first draft.

[@donsilastv4923]

I'm definitely a discovery writer. I refuse to make outlines because I'm not a sheep to my own system.

[@transformationgeneration]

I agree. As a discovery writer, I would never tell someone that does outlines to stop, that's wrong, my way is better. Sadly, when some "guy or gal" from a school or regarded paper stakes a claim to a "way", folks will tend to assume, "well that's it, it's been said by the girl with the nice photo. Got to do it like that, now". I say it like the Isley Brothers say it, .....It's your thang, do what you gonna' do. I can't tell you who to sock it to". Here's an idea. Spread the word that Donald Trump has announced that using outline is the only acceptable way to write a book. Watch how fast the guy with the nice photo starts pushing "Discovery Writing is the Only Way"......Stephen King.

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

I packed all the things. I’m mentally ready to go. You guys get here. Tell your story. Don’t worry about her. I already told her to talk less and listen more, and will do so again. Each one of you gets to sit down next to me and tell me what happened. I will tell the person when she can stop and take a break and come back again. There will be no problems. We shall go to some place on a long drive.

[@pkgaming7080]

Why discovery write a 😅 you can write a book🤗 nice content

[@diphenhydramine6072]

Discovery writing is usually what bad writers do, me included. But oh my god is it so freaking fun. It's like you're actually in the book.

[@Reedsy]

I'd say plenty of fantastic writers also discovery write!

[@kylejantjies7280]

She cute

[@manfantasy1400]

my language does not help .ihope to communicate with you

[@rachelthompson9324]

As Larry Brooks said, seat of pants writing is a search for the story...the hard way. Stories need structure and if you haven't got one you have to rewrite until you do. Steven King does structure as he writes unconsciously but very few people can do what he does. He is a bad example. Ok you write a pile of words, now you have to figure out how to make it fit into a structure. If you know how it fits beforehand you save a ton of time and rewriting draft after draft. Pants all you want but if you understand how structure must work to be a story, things go much better. This isn't anti-mystical, it's necessary.

[@rachelthompson9324]

@@alpha1solace I do that too at times. The thing that makes a difference for me and keeps me on track is understanding how structure works and what needs to be where to make the story viable. You can do that logistical patchwork while editing after writing, but if you write with structure tucked into your left brain, the right brain will use it without you noticing. Less editing in the end. I also play guitar and paint, I know the rules and methods in theses arts but when I do art I don't think about it at all. When I solo on the guitar I don't think about scales and cords, I don't have too, it's already in there. Load the left brain and then let the right brain play.