🕯️i tried donna tartt’s writing routine & had a mid-book crisis // writing vlog

[@BrandieReadsBooks]

I read a quote once that went something like "The biggest obstacle to writing is knowing that the amazing story in your head is better, truer, and so much more fascinating than anything you'll manage to get down on paper" and that helps me when I feel like all I can write is crap.

[@heyrenahy]

You’re not writing “silly little stories” - you’re writing your version of a truth that you feel is important enough to express and share vulnerably with others and that has to be treated with some sort of reverence. 🥰 it’s easy for us as writers/artists to downplay what we do bc society doesn’t understand it or others don’t do it, but art is where every human being goes to be understood, to escape, to find joy, etc. So if you want to describe your work as silly, just make sure you know deep down that what you’re doing, what you’re creating, is far from silly - it’s necessary! Thanks for the video!! I write by hand often and then I’ll type it up and I always find that I get different types of ideas depending on how I’m writing, neither is worse or better than the other, just different. I like to think of it as teamwork lol different parts of my brain firing depending on how I’m writing and different parts of my brain getting to talk about what’s going on and then I can find a way to make it all work together. ♥️

[@lynndjung]

First off, thank you so much for this thoughtful, meaningful, and kind comment 🫶 it can be scary sharing the downs of my writing journey sometimes, but viewers like you make it so worth it! Secondly, you're so right. I wasn't in the best mindset during this video but I've been slowly learning to stop disparaging myself and give my writing credit. It's a tough shift to make, but so necessary. Thank you for watching!

[@lilyliebmann5642]

I relate so hard to thinking I won’t be smart enough to pull off a book. The imposter syndrome is impossible to outrun😭 I love your video though!

[@lynndjung]

It's SO ROUGH but I think it just means there's room to grow which is exciting!! Thank you so much

[@KrisMF]

oh man the long term career anxiety is SO REAL. if it was as simple as “if i write well, i can make it” then i feel like i wouldn’t go down those spirals too often but i totally feel you on how awful it is to see talented writers and passionate publishing professionals choosing to leave this industry that often doesn’t love us back. i know Moths has been a tough one but i believe in it (and you) for real!!! “focus on the words on the page” is really the most important part 🥹🫶✨

[@lynndjung]

It chills me to the bone sometimes like WHY is publishing so not a meritocracy at all 😭 if there is one trait that's (sometimes) rewarded it does seem to be persistance which I have in spades so I try to tell myself that'll be enough to get me through the door at least lol. Thank you kris!! I'm so ready to be done with this book ahh

[@notesbysaraawynn]

I relate to so many of the things you go through in this vlog 🤗 I, too, struggle with feeling like I'm not smart/ skilled enough to tell the story I want to tell. I really want it to be mindblowing (in that quiet, heart-tightening kind of way), but sometimes I feel like I won't be able to do it. I think this is not worth thinking too much about in the early stages of writing (I'm currently working on the zero draft), because the more time I spend on the story the better equipped I'll be to tell it. Reading good books definitely helps me get back into a good state of mind!

[@lynndjung]

It's tough!! I also want my work to be so many things - revolutionary, real, ineresting, layered - but at the end of the day I think my standards far overshoot my abilities. But that just means there's more room to grow! Keep writing!! You've got this :)

[@lydiabell7304]

The career anxiety/publishing is on fire and unsustainable is so relatable- appreciated that lil breather you gave us! And you're right, all we can control is getting words down on the page and editing them. It was also really heart-warming to see this journey of highs and lows, I think it's probably something every writer goes through in their projects but i'm so happy you finished feeling much happier about where you're at with MOTHS!! Also, Monty has grown so much!!

[@lynndjung]

It is truly so stressful sometimes, but I'm glad to have community in you guys!! Makes things a little less horrible. Thank you for watching (yes he is ENORMOUS now)

[@ananeu]

ahh! so excited for this video! i have also been wanting to try these routines! donna tartt so slay.

[@lynndjung]

Aww thank you Ana!! I would LOVE to see you try one of these routines, you'd absolutely crush it 🫶

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Okay you’re so real throughout this! I haven’t finished the vid yet but I ALSO feel like my writing isn’t as strong when I write by hand haha. I feel like that’s because writing by hand makes my work come out “thinner” - idk!! Also omggg thank you for talking about not feeling “smart” when writing-I’ve been meaning to make a video on that topic for sooo long but I struggle with this all the time too! It’s a relief to see I’m not alone 😭

[@lynndjung]

Late response but thank you for watching Rachel!! RIGHT, like my prose gets so sparse when I write by hand. I would love to see a video on that topic from you!! (Although I seriously doubt you aren't 'smart' enough for any of your projects, like you're so clever)

[@RawieWrites]

I've been putting off finishing the last 5 chapters of my book for 3 months now because I feel the same way you're expressing in his video, long-term career anxiety, post impostor syndrom and a million other things, it is quite recomforting to see other writers struggle with the same things. Hope we can all finish our silly little stories

[@kelleyiswriting]

Lynn!! Thanks for keeping it REAL wow I really felt your pain on day one 😭 I know what you mean by not feeling we’re good enough for the book, but maybe it’s these projects that make us improve our craft the most and maybe they’re also the most rewarding. I think as long as we believe in the story, we shouldn’t stop writing that project. Hoping to read moths one day ❤ but also let yourself take a break when you need to 🦋

[@lynndjung]

😭 Thank you Kelley!! I did not mean for day 1 to end in such an angst-fest lol, but yeah I'm very grateful to feel so challenged by this project. Not so much right now, but I can feel how much I've grown already!! Much love

[@laurenct]

LOL hair being reflective of the mental state is such a mood. I'm so glad you feel better about Moth's direction. I love this weird, literary-leaning book already! Definitely let yourself breathe, writing can be so mentally and emotionally draining. And have the BEST time on your upcoming vaca!! You offload that "problem draft" stress!

[@lynndjung]

Lol my hair is so expressive sometimes too 😂 thank you so much!! Your words of encouragement mean the world, i'm trying to force myself to enter vacation brain as we speak haha

[@Evybooks]

I agree that we sometimes get too caught up in our story world. I'm now in the beta reading stage of my manuscript Nightwalkers and realized that people actually enjoy the story. If my future readers love reading about the world as I love writing it and they feel at home within my story I'm happy.

[@lynndjung]

That's amazing, I'm so glad people are enjoying your work!! It's so hard to take a step back sometimes, especially after being so mired in the manuscript for so long. I'm trying to get there haha

[@sincerelyvee]

omg loved this so much lynn!!!💖i'm trying an author's routine this weekend and this just super motivated me!!

[@lynndjung]

thank you for watching vee!! Super excited to see you do one of these, I love this genre of video and ofc I love your channel so it'd be the perfect combo :')

[@Lara_Ameen]

What you said about long term career anxiety really resonates with me! It’s so true! And not feeling good enough to write a book. I feel that in my soul. I love your honesty about MOTHS. Best of luck writing and revising the rest! I will be revising my PhD dissertation novel again soon (4th draft) and I know there’s a lot of work to be done with it. It never ends! Love your writing vlogs so much! 😭🥺 Also, hi! I’m in SoCal as well (Orange County). So hot. Nice to meet another SoCal AuthorTuber/writer! 🥰

[@adrianaharris6072]

I completely relate to this. I’ve been struggling with the same issues with my current WIP and I keep hitting road blocks where I feel like everything has to change and then I don’t know what to write and I just get stuck.

[@lynndjung]

Ugh it's a tough road to be on :( Since I'm still struggling with this myself I can't really offer solid advice on how to get yourself unstuck, but trust the process and your gut instinct! Everything will fall into place

[@SylwiaBArt]

YAAAAAAY QUEEN UPLOADED

[@landryfrench3107]

I read your short story and it’s incredible!! I can’t wait to read more of your stuff!

[@lynndjung]

This is so kind, thank you so much!!

[@henrytanakastan]

IM SOO EXCITED!! i love this type of content and i luv ur vids so this is big for me ❤️❤️❤️

[@lynndjung]

ahhh it's a great concept and pretty fun, thank you!!

[@Stevenroy-Professional-Liar]

The thing I feel most about this video is that: Yes, LA is way too hot right now. I feel like I've been mildly sweaty for the last two weeks. It's what I'm currently blaming for a lack of writing productivity.

[@yuhhyuhhhyuhhhh]

I can absolutely relate to the feeling of inadequacy, I dropped out of high school twice (because of mental health reasons) and I recently- and I mean *recently*- just started taking my writing seriously. Saying I feel lost is an understatement. I feel so isolated, mostly because all my friends have gone on to college while I sit here at 20 years old with no high school diploma, no prospects, and no idea on what I could do because it feels like I let all my chances go to waste. I don't have any mentors, no guidance, and no friends to talk to who feels the way I feel. I don't mean to vent so much but yeah lol I wish you all the best on your writing journey, I know you can do this. And when your book hits the shelves, you can bet I'd be the first one in line to get it!

[@lynndjung]

Hi, thank you so much for sharing this. While I don't share your exact set of circumstances, I completely understand feeling 'behind' in life. I didn't start college until I was 21, and even now I feel 'behind' in my career relative to my friends and peers. I mean, I'm 25, unemployed, and living at home with my parents!! But the idea that life has to be so linear/step-by-step is false. There are /always/ opportunities, new paths to take, new things to try. Thank you so much for your support.

[@kelb6073]

I did everything the "right way" and the right way was a mistake for me. I'm 35. I wish I threw caution to the wind at your age and did what I wanted without worrying what anyone thought. You can always do school when you're ready!

[@yuhhyuhhhyuhhhh]

@@kelb6073 thank you for sharing your story, I would like to say that things are not at all too late- for you or for me. We can do this.

[@ThePsycoDolphin]

11:49 For what its worth, as an aspiring writer myself, and someone whose listened to a fair bit of sucessful writers i like, that constant negativity and self loathing is actually a good thing. You need to shit on your work constantly, you need to be perpetually thinking "god why is this so crap?" Cus at the end of the day, when youve completed youre project theyll be a million yucky yucks ready to tear your work down, but at that point youll probably be able to bounce off them and say 'bitch please, you think its bad now, it was 10x worse when it started'. Your work is like an axe against a grind mill, it must be constantly, constantly resharpened. For example, my novel, the only substantial bit of writing ive ever done, is an unweildly, 500+ pages over what i intially concieved it to be, bloated, generic, boring, longwinded, tedious mess, it has an awkward narrative structure that breaks in half in an artificial way, poor pacing, sloppy in characterisation, descending into hopeless neo noir cliches, and lumbering to an unstastifying ending which feels unsatisfying because its connected to about 4 other works none of which are developed or written. Its a nightmare. Yet, i think overall it will be quite good, and theres enough there that i want to stick at it. :)

[@ajcrwley]

man your talk about the long term career anxiety was exactly what i needed right now !

[@questis223]

I completely relate to you, the book I’m writing I’ve stopped and started for a few years because I don’t think I’m a good enough writer for it. I want it to be enjoyable and meaningful to read, but it’s literally my first ever book. I don’t know if I should do something easier first and pause this book, or if I should just finish it.

[@lynndjung]

It's a tough things to realize, but I'm of the belief that we'll all get to the point where we're able to tell the stories we want to someday. Maybe you can try writing some short fiction!

[@AdamFishkin]

Felt your exhaustion secondhand, to the point where I took a nap midway through your video and was in fact out like a light for several hours. Writing by hand takes having the headspace to let things sit on the page for a while before you fix them. I don't know if 'patience' is the right word, but there's an inner peace you need unless you instinctively crumple or shred each page that's coming up as error. Glad you had the Esther Park audio ... short story audios seem like a ton of fun from what I've encountered, especially when Shaelin Bishop has done them. Long term career anxiety has set in, but not because of a lack of talent. It's because some of my co-workers in theatre got extreme with a disagreement and took their retaliation way too far. I'm not someone who plays power games; I went into theatre for the sake of creating great things. But for my personal life to be attacked, it sucks out the creativity and I'm starting to have doubts if there's a sustainable future for me. Querying while traveling? Not sure if I agree with that, and in fact it sounds MORE stressful than taking your actual work on the go, because won't agents expect you to have a prompt response to their offer? (This is just a guess. I've never queried.)

[@iliketowrite]

Hi Lynn! I’m a new subscriber and I was just wondering if you could make a video of advice for new/teen writers? It would help me so much as a teen writer!

[@lynndjung]

Hi, thank you for supporting the channel! That's an absolutely wonderful idea for a video, I was a teen writer myself so I'll jot down some ideas and try to film it in the upcoming weeks :)

[@iliketowrite]

@@lynndjung awesome thank you so much!

[@popcelebritiy]

As a new beginner and trying to start my writing routine, i'm still struggling with this block and don't know where to start or what i was gonna write about. Pls tell me how do you come up with this block?

[@I.lov.katz3]

Me: tries to get back to planning my wattled story, also decides to get a music playlist from KZbin. Me 2 seconds later: watching this video while doing no work whatsoever. Ok now I'm gonna put this into my watch later and just put on a playlist from Apple Music! I have a problem... 😅

[@edskelet0n]

I love this video uwu

[@ElveyGooch]

You are on social media - step one - Stop. Donna Tartt works on her books, she doesn't blog and considers all social media a waste of time.

[@mxriajose22]

Pues yo prefiero que lo grabe porque así a otros les ayuda. A mí me motiva

[@kekayowrites]

*Completely* relate to the long term career anxiety. It’s so disheartening to see, looking from the outside in, all the super talented authors and publishing people leaving the industry *takes deep breath* hahah 🫠 Also, I understand the fear of not being skilled enough for the version of the book in your head sigh. I’ve been silently following along your journey of writing Moths, and I fully believe in it and you!! I try to remind myself it’s always one step at a time🫶🏽 Edit: Monty content keeps me going

[@lynndjung]

God I hate that it's a relatable feeling, this industry is such a mess and does nothing right!! Thank you so much 😭 I can only hope I live up to expectations lol