How to Make Writing Fun

[@ncn141953]

Thank you for talking about the layering method of writing. I tend to agree that it does take the stress out of writing, especially helps in minimising the perfectionist syndrome, and allows writing to flow. Just that image or thought of words and sentences flowing out of your you pen is so much fun and thrilling.

[@DattaGroover]

You're so welcome! Happy to be of service.

[@DattaGroover]

@ncn141953

[@marywillis1]

Thank u for confirmation of the layering process! Started doing it instinctively and now I know the pros use it!

[@DattaGroover]

Glad you found it helpful, Mary. That's music to my ears.

[@annabella4656]

As a compulsive editor, I haven't finished the first draft of a book in... way too long 😳. So thanks for this fine piece of advice, I'm definitely gonna try it 😄

[@DattaGroover]

You are more than welcome. Have you tried it yet?

[@BloomingRose438]

This was pretty useful, I can’t find anyone talking about the issue of getting a new idea halfway and that’s usually the problem which leads to writers block Well I usually get a new idea for a different story but sometimes If I get a new idea for that story and I have to go back and edit it can be hard. This helped me come up with a solution for that so thank you

[@DattaGroover]

You are most welcome. Happy to be of service.

[@Elsbereth]

I will try what you said. To me discipline is the most difficult thing. It gets better as you age, but motivation requires a will of iron to keep it a habit. If only I could strike a hammer against the cage that keeps me unmotivated and break myself free.

[@DattaGroover]

I hear you! Sometimes it helps to think of the end result. What would it feel like for a stranger to come up to you on the street and say you changed their life? I've had that happen more than once, and it feels pretty wonderful.

[@kenward1310]

This is great. Thank you. I feel like I can tell the story with a lot less pressure to "get it right" the first time through. I don't create well while feeling pressured. Thanks again.

[@DattaGroover]

You are more than welcome. Glad you found it useful.

[@RobertDeloyd]

I'm writing a book right now. I have an outline in my head where I give every chapter a name. I mostly do the layering. I sometimes like writing by the "seat of my pants" to see what happens next to the character; I think that's fun to do, but I always have to come back and edit the piece. Recently, I didn't like how the story was going and tossed it and wrote how I wanted it to go. Thanks for letting me know I'm kinda doing it right.

[@DattaGroover]

Sure. For the record, what is one writer's write is another writer's wrong. I'm glad you found what works for you.

[@taiyosketches]

This was an incredible video-I see a lot of similarities in this process and in the process of painting! You're helping me love writing!

[@DattaGroover]

That is music to my ears. Glad it was helpful! I plan to start creating these videos again later this month.

[@DattaGroover]

AND, we're off: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZulc61rjNuIhtk

[@brittvandenelzen]

Thank you so much! This was exactly what I needed to get unstuck with my drafting process. The first draft, for me, really is the hardest part, so this will definitely make it more enjoyable. 🤩

[@DattaGroover]

Yay! Happy to help.

[@hackthesystem417]

You can make a trick if you do not want to take out part that you liked but which have to go. Just create a special edition for yourself with those parts intact, then when time passes you could compare this.

[@DattaGroover]

I agree!

[@hackthesystem417]

Yes, write your first draft behind tight closed doors - keep it close. Do not worry about quality. edit it with all doors open.

[@DattaGroover]

Each to his own. I also edit with my doors closed. Seriously, sending your book out to beta readers is very useful, but ultimately you make the final decisions about your baby . . . I mean your book.

[@hackthesystem417]

There is a method which artists use. When they draw a picture their eyes become bored of it and did not notice mistakes. Then they do one or all of three things: first, they just postpone the picture in order to rest from it and forget, then they could look at it later and see what is wrong with it. Second, they could just show their picture to another professional artist who could notice their mistakes and correct them. And third, my favorite, they just turn the picture upside down and see the picture from another perspective and they could see mistakes.@@DattaGroover

[@StizelSwik]

(before watching your video) I've written (but not published... yet) a book of messages. i'm hoping your video will help me correct any .... well, what needs to be corrected. we shall see, yes? (after watching your video) Sounds like something I might look at as I'm going over my book. thanks for sharing!

[@DattaGroover]

Thanks for watching, @Stizel-Swik. Glad you got something out of it.

[@robynlagnado1444]

I started writing a story off the top of my head but it's got no backbone!🥴 Barely any sort of plotline. The 6 questions helped me figure out what can make it more interesting but i can't bring myself to go back to the beginning and change the whole thing up. 🤦🏻‍♀️ It's my first book and i want it to be perfect. I'm pretty artsy and I'm used to doing everything i attempt to do, perfectly. So boring is not an option. Also, is it helpful if i go to college? Because I'm pretty good at learning off the internet and i think college might slow me down. But I'm wondering if having a degree in the subject would make a big difference to publishers. 🤔???

[@DattaGroover]

Hey there. Learning is great, but the discipline to sit down and write is better. Both are best, but the discipline to write comes first. I recommend having a set time you write every day, and stick to that. My time is early morning, but I know that doesn't work for everyone.

[@S.W.Best-Author]

Great video. Question, what are your word counts for a novel? You said you take four days to write your first draft. For example, my last book was 281k words. It takes me about four months with a full time job to create that body of work. Thoughts? 😀

[@DattaGroover]

That is a long novel, @S.W.Bestwriter; I think about the same length as one of the longer Harry Potter books! A first draft will normally not be as long. It will take me 3-4 days (doing nothing else) to create the first draft of a 92,000-word novel. HOWEVER, that first draft may only be 35-40K in length. The rest of that word count will flesh out in the revision.

[@osmanhabeeb9892]

Thank you.

[@DattaGroover]

You are more than welcome!

[@hackthesystem417]

It is good advice, thank you.

[@DattaGroover]

You are welcome!

[@aelfreyae]

Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Christian Bale? By the way, this video was really great since I've been working at a snail's pace on my book (mainly due to constant editing) so learning about the layering process was definitely helpful!

[@DattaGroover]

Thanks for that, @aelfreyae. It's advice I follow myself. . . . and yes, I've heard the Christian Bale thing. Thanks for the compliment.

[@hackthesystem417]

How much words are thrown away after first edit effort? Sorry my language English my second language. In percent please.

[@DattaGroover]

It depends on the book. I would say generally I keep at least 55-65% of the words I do on that first draft. During revision, I may add double that, and take most of it away. Other authors may do it differently. My focus is quality over speed.

[@hackthesystem417]

I listened to your advices, but I practice a little different approach. I just write some scene, after a while I first edit it, to place all words and sentences right. That would keep you always in shape editing and that would keep a backfeed to your writing. After all practice makes perfect isn't it. @@DattaGroover

[@DattaGroover]

I'm in favor of whatever works for you,@@hackthesystem417

[@elchiponr1]

Okay, so layers are essentially just different drafts... lol

[@DattaGroover]

There's more to it than that, @elchiponr1. On each pass through the book you go to a deeper layer. The mistake many writers make is trying to go too deep on an earlier pass. With this layering method, there will be more passes through the book. The end result is the book will have more coherence and "flow." I have found through experience that it makes the writing process more fun as well.

[@hackthesystem417]

I'm layer man, said Shrek.

[@DattaGroover]

Funny!

[@hackthesystem417]

Like an onion. :)). @@DattaGroover

[@hackthesystem417]

editing first draft on paper? That's wrong! Much easier to do it in word processor. Not the like The Word Processor of Stephen King. He is pantser too, though he said he write Dead zone plotting it.

[@DattaGroover]

I never edit on paper. Sorry if I gave that impression. But if that works for someone, I make no judgments about it. Whatever works . . .

[@harrison3207]

I've watched the video 3 times to figure out what method you're actually presenting and I'm still not sure what the actual method is. You talk about being flexible in editing and improving your story, and allowing yourself to be open to changes as a work develops. You talk about small incremental passes over your work, as if you are updating a program, and avoiding falling into perfectionism. But what's the actual method? How does this get you to your first draft? How does this improve the process of creation? Sounds like you're taking about purely revision. As a discovery writer ( a PANTSER) I can see how different a story can become then what you were expecting or planning and it can be better for that. I just can't find what you're actually trying to teach.

[@DattaGroover]

The layering IS the method. Instead of trying to complete a chapter before you go to the next, you make progress on each chapter as you work your way through the book multiple times. That is different than the first draft, which I recommend setting aside a week where you have no distractions and no other plans. Focus on that draft and nothing else. For me, it usually comes through in four days, sometimes five. It's important to not edit during this type of first draft process.

[@DattaGroover]

@harrison3207 , you spoke and I listened. Hopefully, you only have to watch this shorter video once. Please tell me how I did this time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZulc61rjNuIhtk

[@starlightdreamer1999]

I just love to write for myself . It truly makes me happy and I even laugh sometimes . It's a wonderful outlet for me . I consider myself a writer at heart .🙂

[@DattaGroover]

That's wonderful. Same here, though I also have a goal of writing for others in such a way that can change their lives for the better.

[@amy3515]

Thanks for the back to basics approach! 🪶

[@DattaGroover]

You bet! Happy to be of service.