How to Write a Novel | Nara Duffie | TEDxKids@ElCajon

Nara Duffie completed her first novel, The Monster Realm, 11 days before her 11th
birthday. She has exhibited at L.A. Times Festival of Books, Orange County Children’s Book Festival, and ComicCon where her novel was optioned by a film production company.
At these events, Nara met hundreds of kids who asked for advice on finishing novels of their own. So Nara created Medusa’s Guide to Novel Writing, a TED-style presentation that uses the novel writing process to help kids fulfill their creative goals in life.
Nara has presented Medusa’s Guide to Novel Writing for both the Los Angeles and Fullerton School Districts, and was the keynote speaker at Fullerton’s year-end writer celebration. Pam Chow, Project Liaison for the Fullerton’s Superintendent’s Office, wrote about the event, "The students were inspired that someone their age was able to accomplish so much. By communicating with the students as a peer, she
really motivated them, not only to keep writing, but to never give up on anything they want to accomplish.”
Nara has recently completed The Three Worlds, the exciting sequel to The Monster Realm, which will debut at the L.A. Times Book Festival in 2016.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@curtismmichaels]

I'm writing my first novel that I will finish. I'm 53. I took the pledge. Thank you Nara.

[@escapematrixenterprisejacq7810]

yeah!!!!! I have written so many never finished since i was in my 30s! time flies too fast Im 54 and determined to publish one

[@defminerva13]

13 years old and she already found the secrets to success. She has a bright future ahead of her.

[@chinemeremohaeri9100]

defminerva13 Our virtues and failings are inseparable, like force and matter. Without them, man is no more.

[@yingvang1407]

​@@chinemeremohaeri9100😅😢😢😊

[@escapematrixenterprisejacq7810]

its never too late, VC Andrews started in her 50s and Dickens didnt make a hit until his 50s

[@kellybelle722]

it's weird watching this because I've known this girl my entire life and only recently found out she'd written a novel

[@eliastta437]

Kelly McGarry dang

[@soylentcompany5235]

Kelly McGarry Seriously ?

[@tengkuadam1399]

Dude! 13 and already written a novel? You're awesome!

[@RooRooMEB]

tengku adam 2 novels. Sigh

[@PlaneCDR]

Great job...better than many of the TEDx adult presentations on novel writing.

[@katelewis3608]

What a smart chick! I'm studying English Literature in the hopes of writing a book one day, and I feel overwhelmed with the knowledge of What Critics Think. This video brought me right back to my original passion for writing, thank you doll

[@sethflix]

Listen to what Ray Bradbury says about writing!

[@wolfwithlashes5303]

Oh my God she made me cry.. this is beautiful!!! Makes me see how much time we waste on whats not important

[@Barbermarlie]

avmsfx deefxdeceo

[@VishalTalavanekar]

Seeing her talk.. then reading some of the young kids speaking about how they are onto their first novel and stuff.. is so endearing. Big Power to you people. Go get it!

[@GarretRaja]

love ur story - seek help - plan A (first draft) - plan B (second draft) - don't dilly dally ur time - rewrite - proof read

[@brianbeeler1715]

Just do it. Write, write, write and don't stop. I did mine (361 pages) in two months of writing and two months of editing, proofing and typesetting. With that said it was based on two years of living in one city in Asia and a lifetime of reading. Also I worked 12+ hours a day, seven days a week. While I commend the speaker in the video there is no exchange for decades of life.

[@eggburtdilusia9599]

Henry Ford once said: "It is my observation that most people get ahead during the time that other people waste."

[@suneetamithani]

First writing guidance- that made all the sense in the world for a beginner! And the connection to the story... brilliant!

[@matthewsanabria3916]

This TED Talk was extremely inspirational for me. I have always loved to write fictional novels in my free time(or at least try to). But i was never able to complete them because of the exact problems she covers here in this TEDTalk, and she gives the best and easiest ways around those issues. Now, all i have to do is work on implementing those methods whenever i write, so i can finally complete my first novel. This video was a big help!

[@sangedolang8000]

Hope you have finished you novel..?

[@tamarabecht1667]

I'm finally able to finish my book. One more chapter to go :). The title will be 'The Post Travel'. Thank you for your TED talk!

[@user-os9fn9dy9e]

She is excellent... I'm 17 and am currently writing an epic fantasy and I can hear her damn good voice from my heart..

[@helenburdett6570]

One of the best talks on writing I've listened to. Thank you x

[@lizxu322]

Remarkable! I'm a 20 year old wannabe novelist, and I have implemented no real strategies to get my first novel done, and I had no idea the actual steps. Goes to show that mentors like her don't have to be older than you; age is not am indicator of experience and skills. I am proud of her and hope one day to be proud of myself

[@user-vr4ih6jg3n]

She put my almost 30 years of life to shame, I just got free of the medusa curse a few days ago, and got back to an unfinished work i started 2 years ago, and i think you just given the last push i needed. Thank you little girl. wow this new generations are amazing.

[@celloviola110]

A little late but they are. We can learn from younger generation.

[@chadrussell611]

To have even half the I.Q. this young lady has = a clear path to success. To have her work ethic = 100% completion of the targeted goal.

[@juniperberry5873]

she's going places, that one

[@IswalkarOm]

Her pledge is lit and so genuine.

[@poetryshorts9607]

this was uploaded 4 years ago but I think among all the videos I have seen in my finding help on writing a novel this one has hugely convinced me to get going and never think otherwise.

[@reganw.9588]

This talk really hyped me up to work more for my WIP! I use writing as an escape back when I'm around your age, I finish something around 14-15 after tons of drafts. Now that I'm nearly 16, I love that my urge to create is stronger and I'm happier doing it. I'm thankful for the motivation I'm getting everyday

[@harper5846]

Shoutout Nara for finishing our English project’s group work, you’re the best

[@TomasBlackAuthor]

The best example of ‘how to write a novel’ I’ve seen on KZbin

[@Twilightsummerbreeze]

Thank you! I think I will go finish that novel I left off over a year ago.

[@seancampbell9689]

What a wee legend! Thanks for teaching me!

[@jonathanbyron4785]

Amazing optimistic young person and I hope she never changes.

[@craighurley3405]

Very impressive. Very optimistic. Good to see a bright spot in the author realm. Love the analogy with Clash of the Titans.

[@purposebehindthepen]

Best Ted Talk Ever

[@paulchambers8135]

Wisdom and maturity beyond her years. Well done, young lady.

[@dadoscargadosbandchile3359]

I was about to cry at the end!! What an inspiring girl!

[@shubhajaggi5487]

Thanks. Wise beyond your years and so inspiring.

[@whenry8124]

Beautiful. I will not laugh in the face of danger. She is Dangerous and All Things Lovely! I love her story and Her Share.

[@lottajarvi2907]

Thank you for this great video! I started crying for some reason because this spoke to my writing process so much. Lots of love❤️❤️

[@beyourself4996]

This are good public speaker better than adults. Good job !

[@brianokane8789]

This is one of the best novel writing Ted Talks I've ever seen

[@mohdshahnawaz3864]

Absolutely loved this video. Thank you so much for this valuable information Nara. Lots of love from an Australian 🇦🇺

[@LUBBIES1]

So well spoken at such a young age. Inspiring...

[@huskiesarethebest1142]

Amazing. Thank you for the advice and encouragement that you can do anything if you put your mind to it and have a good plan that might not be so easy but it's a starting piont . Thanks again Ted talk

[@pedroantoniodacruzferreira1487]

Wow! Inspiring, clear and with great vision!

[@manusharma7286]

One of the best....truly inspiring.

[@eliastta437]

I'm 10 and working on my first draft of my first book I'm thinking about having 200 pages+

[@mooncheese6638]

EliasTTA and there’s me who doesn’t even know what grammar even is-

[@eliastta437]

Unknown Darkness lol believe in urself

[@totallyanonymousbish9599]

I wish you the best of luck!♡

[@eliastta437]

Sorry I replied so late but thank you so much!

[@gracefrasch2406]

EliasTTA ohh! Can I read it? Ik I’m a stranger but still

[@theadsagency]

Nara - so proud of you for everything you're doing! Would love for you to weigh in with your insightful tips on our Facebook LIVE chat coming up Jan. 16 - all about writing your first book. We're chatting with award-winning ghostwriter Dennis Ross. Hope you can make it!

[@swinxfee]

This ted talk is great!

[@Solstice42]

Good advise - kids reminding us to re-discover our creativity...

[@maissamaissa853]

Thats greate congratulation 💜♥️💟düd 💜💋 u are genious .

[@ibelieveintheone6869]

Well done girl!

[@chasetwizard]

Truly inspiring, I really needed this video

[@habibmohana9142]

Chase Walker simply great

[@BrianSullivanopus125]

Brilliant!

[@ringmasterblaze]

Brilliant.

[@bronwenferrie6945]

Excellent speech!

[@vipulyadav6492]

This girl is amazing

[@thealexis6647]

Esta niña es grandiosa.

[@tonkaloui]

Remarkable 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟❤

[@sachaguillemard8469]

Thank you young girl

[@lkdwnn]

Awesome.

[@shubhadrachaulagain3236]

A. Rogo.

[@wfenlon]

well done Nara

[@Lililililili333]

JK Rowling said to write in whatever time you have, even if it’s 5 minutes

[@sanddollar252]

Wow!

[@TheReluctantCoder]

Oh wow this is inspiring!!

[@fos8789]

Amazing kid.

[@annski9]

I only clicked because she has the same name as me and then stayed because this video is actually really interesting.

[@amehak1922]

Very talented

[@haninbokris6380]

she is soooo creative i feel bad about myself i didn't even raise my hand

[@aishwarya5941]

Hanin Bokris me too.😂😂😂. But she is good

[@patienceosarenotor7015]

Wow....your parents would be proud of you

[@falangenglishdictionarybys3653]

great

[@rohidaskale4266]

content is really good, i see body posture is stuff, improvement opportunity

[@eunwonlee1527]

great kid

[@squidamigo9713]

You have some great advice. Who would you recommend for a professional proofreader? How much did you pay the person?

[@aftoncrain2042]

I wrote a book at age 11… now I’m 16 and finishing/editing it. It’s been rough because I know it will never really become anything but it would mean the world to me just to be able to call it a novel.

[@69mviewsnt]

1:13 says the people who luckily born creative. Talented people will never understand untalented people

[@lisatillman8530]

Out of the mouths of babes. What an angel

[@smrutibodhi3284]

you are not 13 sweet girl... you are like 40! Keep inspiring.

[@andrewrobinson2985]

Perceus... Jackson?

[@Wazza555]

Get Chat GPT to do it.

[@Hermit_mouse]

You just became my personal hero

[@EGMontesano]

She's amazing but also she made me feel very miserable that a 13 year old is more accomplished and articulate that I am :(

[@escapematrixenterprisejacq7810]

If Tolkien didnt have someone push him to publish all of his several mounds of thoughts on paper, they wouldnt have seen the light of day. How about lessons for non-sacrals in the human design whom are not designed to be consistent ? 1000 words a day will not work for us

[@spr3gaming684]

TL;DR.

[@superstar2360]

I wanna marry u

[@tahmidhossan9757]

Zeeshan Khattak e u crazy

[@superstar2360]

Tahmid playz haha yes I m and I proud to b crazy

[@tahmidhossan9757]

Zeeshan Khattak lol wtf

[@voodoogroove8209]

She's unnaturally articulate. She's a bit creepy.

[@dennisemordeno1654]

This was great, thanks, been searching for "can i write my book" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Ever heard of - Yonallie Bookworm Blitzer - (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some super things about it and my buddy got cool success with it.

[@sanna9702]

Nice little lady, but I would like to see her with a real life in which she has to work fulltime to feed the children, pay the bills, earn money and survive. I would like to see where she'll find the time to write 1000 words a day without a supporting family. She is sweet, but a bit unrealistic.

[@mohammednazar4621]

The description says that she was giving advice to children

[@nameinvalide]

I guess you'll just have to think how other authors find the time to do it, think about how JK Rowling did it.

[@eliastta437]

Sanna von Borwin not really! There are lots of people who are mom's dad's have a job and write 1000 words a day.Ever heard of a thing called KZbin? Check it out

[@vasalyssa]

She's like 13 - She can focus on whatever she wants and I hope it's not making a family right now.

[@LaytonKnightt]

It’s not that hard to work full time and write 1000 words a day. I work two full-time jobs and still have time to write 1500-2000 words a day. Am I exhausted and stressed out? You have no idea. But if you want something badly enough it won’t matter. Write 250 words a day and take four times as long to write the book. Going slow is better than stopping altogether.