I tried Donna Tartt's writing routine 🖋️📖

[@nomanisanisland117]

she once described her process as "essentially painting a huge canvas with a brush the size of an eyelash." I think I love her stuff beccause I've found that's the pace that works for me, too.

[@jolonghthong]

She finds a lot of similes with writing and painting or drawing. I’ve heard three analogies about those two things from her. Wonder if she herself paints

[@nini-y9c]

@@jolonghthong she does! she mentioned once in an interview that at one point it was her dream to be a painter but she realized she wasnt good enough to pursue it professionally

[@jolonghthong]

@@nini-y9c that’s cool! Thanks for letting me know

[@witchykit]

If I had a library like this one where I live I don’t think I’d ever leave …

[@Alicia-jl6ob]

Same!! Love the libray!🤩

[@deryasefer]

Omg, yesss! 😍

[@krasserkekskrumel6318]

Yeah, same, I'd probably just move in :D

[@floffycow2649]

We barely even have a library where I live :/ not even places to sit (except a few chairs), only books to lend…

[@georgia7636]

It's nice, but the chairs are uncomfortable 😂

[@Steerpikey]

Of all the routines I read and saw, this one is my favorite. It has no self-punishment elements and feels very organic and warm. The "ploughing" metaphor reminds me of what Ali Smith once said in a reading I went to: a writer is a giant stone rolling down a hill, and the books you read are the moss it collects. At the end, the giant moss ball becomes your book (she explained it in a much nicer way, but that's the core of it).

[@brianwashines2645]

I see a Donna Tartt writing routine challenge I assume someone has a project that will take up ten years of his or her life. Then again I always assumed Tartt managed to get 400 to 800 words down in polished form per day despite actually writing thousands of words before getting there, mostly by longhand. It's like a painstaking sculpting process where the stone is in you and you have to fashion the pieces so they cohere in the end. It's why I admire her novels so much because so much has gone into them.

[@harrisonmccartney4878]

I think plotting might be Donna's weak suit. She's a highly competent writer, so her actual writing probably doesn't require all that time, but I think she gives her ideas an enormous amount of time to mature before she commits to a vision for the novel. I'd love to read her drafts, as I can imagine things changing wildly from conception to finished product.

[@eimeardonnelly8548]

I'm not a Donna Tartt fan - I'm a whole air conditioner! So I loved this video, thanks so much for making it!

[@camillagrandi4201]

This comment sent me FLYING. Ten minutes after, still laughing 😂

[@eimeardonnelly8548]

@@camillagrandi4201 Aww glad it made you chuckle!

[@kaisetic3150]

this exactly!!

[@peachy-wd6ci]

yeah the incredibly racist and xeneophobic white woman!

[@bodytrainer1crane730]

It took me 30 seconds to get this! 😂

[@nelzar]

She is perhaps my new favorite author/writer along with Neil Gaiman. Absolutely love every bit of her work :)

[@xfilion]

Try Neil Gaiman. One tip, use different coloured pens each day to visually see how much you have written. Great video.

[@ImAshley2023]

I'm a year late but she did the Neil Gaiman Video 😄

[@marissanufer7313]

I always told myself I wasn’t interested in reading the The Secret History, but after moving to the Mississippi Delta region from Michigan I went into a bookstore and saw her featured due to it being in her home town of Greenwood Mississippi. After reading it and learning about her more and hearing her speak I find her to be quite fascinating as everything she encompasses seems to come off as the opposite of someone you would meet in this region. She talks and seems to carry herself as someone from northeastern old money but comes from and outsiders perspective which is why I think she’s been able to integrate herself into the world of books while creating questionable characters.

[@madelinejameswrites]

I wish I had a library near me that beautiful... I'd never want to leave 😂 but I really liked this routine, the idea of having space to do something else if you're not inspired or needing to mull something over for a bit, OR keep going is really nice.

[@juliae.8237]

Ha! Writing/work boundaries. Yes, I get that. I am a mom and some days when the writing is going well it would be lovely to forget my responsibilities - but I am a mom who loves her kids so that helps too. Loved your video. Congratulations on reaching 80k!

[@koritsi2142]

The fact that Project Teacup is in any way related to Dorian Gray makes me sooo excited for it! 😍

[@michaelasvejdova594]

I've never thought of writing in a library, but thanks to you and Donna Tartt, I'm definitely going to try. By the way, you have a wonderful library in your city. I would never leave this again!

[@lucaelisa9286]

I gasped when I saw Dorian Gray??? I'm even more excited now

[@koritsi2142]

samee

[@ardennosaka750]

I love listening to you talk about the writing routine of different writers. I was listening to you while writing myself not on a novel but in a notebook, and I love hearing you talk! She seems that she has a normal routine in my books. Plus I know the feeling when you get into it to much that it is hard to get up from your seat especially when you are getting vary into it.

[@TheQuietRiotProductions]

Gothic novels are great when you write fantasy and you are looking for inspiration to ground your work in reality or to further build in your world. I love a good mix and a novel like Dorian Gray is perfect for that. Love these videos.

[@KristinHBergenstein]

I love your red sweater. It looks amazing on you.

[@loiscassels8966]

And the lipstick….

[@colinarmis]

your videos are always so comfy! they feel like a big warm hug or laying under dense soft blanket

[@SuperBlondenerd]

I love these videos! 1. because it shows different writing processes and discovering what elements work for you and inspires me to try them 2. selfishly, it also shows that you are continually progressing in Project Teacup which is very exciting! Question: when you are writing in your notebook, may I ask what you are writing: Are they actual scenes you are trying to play out? Are they just notes you want to make sure you want to incorporate into the book? Ideas for later on in the story?

[@hafsaali4207]

Well I know u asked Christy but I think she does problem-solving in the notebook. Like what should the particular situation be?

[@thefriesofLockeLamora]

For number one, may I suggest checking Kate Kavanaugh's channel. She's done nearly all authors

[@t0dd000]

I love working in libraries, but often they are not quiet. TIP: Your library may have a designated quiet work area. One of the ones near me does and it's a godsend.

[@wanderingwallawalla]

It's always so fascinating to see another writers routine. I would love to see more of these in the future, it's been such a fun series so far 😊

[@evelyn1456]

If The Picture of Dorian Gray relates to your book thematically, I have no words for just how much I will LOVE your book. The dark, mysterious atmosphere of the book is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced from the comfort of my bedroom. I hardly remember anything else from the point of my life that I read it, because it captivated me so deeply :)

[@fatimapilodia2253]

I RELATE TO THIS!

[@thevahandbook]

I remember reading that Hemingway always stopped when he was in mid-flow, and knew exactly what was going to happen next. This way, he could get straight back into it in the next writing session.

[@katievr9249]

Oh gosh Christy, your videos are just so writerly and cosy. I go away from them full of yearning to write and write, to go to the library and to just watch the rain pitter patter, to make tea and eat pastries. I love the little writerly world you’ve created for us. I must work on my writing asap.

[@koritsi2142]

17:55 HOW on earth is this gorgeous reading room in the university library so empty? Must be heaven! At my uni library the reading room is pretty much packed all day every day with several hundred students🥲

[@ChloeTheePayne]

ooooooh i love working in the library, this is such a good reminder to do that more often!

[@sabrycarb26]

I loved this, and I love this series!! I would also love a video on your specific writing systems and routines, and what you use, like what goes into your decomp book etc.

[@zelihashares]

I have an urge to make a video about Virginia woolf's journaling routine, i am thankful for your inspiration and being an amiable humanbeing. 😇😇🥰😍

[@tonydeluna8095]

I would bring my sketchbook and try sketching the library. A beautiful atmosphere

[@BrittanyBWrites]

The State Library is so beautiful…I’ll stay there and never leave

[@andreiserban3095]

Hello there! Just wanted to say that these kind of videos suits you. That's how i discovered you, by the videos with murakami and wolf and it made me to watch you since then.

[@lanietzky]

Re-reading thematically linked worked sounds like a great idea!

[@17caria]

what a lovely library--thanks for sharing!

[@deldevours]

I'm loving your videos. They're so peaceful and calming. Most writing videos stress me out, but yours always seem to leave me feeling tranquil and ready to write. I've been so productive since discovering your channel a few days ago. So... thanks 🙂.

[@seriouslywhatever1031]

Omg that library 😍

[@everausten]

I loved this writing routine for you because it seemed nice and not painful! I feel so bad for AuthorTubers wrecking their sleep schedules and making themselves miserable - but I suppose you won't know it's not helpful until you try it. As always the vibes were cosy and particularly dark academic 💛🌙🌟✨

[@hafsaali4207]

Wonderful video. I was desperately waiting for it. I love writing routines' challenges.

[@CynthiaCobos8]

Your local library is so beautiful and cozy. My local library isn’t so appealing and also has a lot of transients who hang out inside. But regardless, I enjoyed your video. Very inspirational. 😊

[@lindsay4938]

You're so pretty! This video also made me want to go to the library

[@asyabovt4241]

Oh my god I am so happy that someone take outside bunch of different pens cause never knows which one is gonna be used. I always have variations of writing style and use the pens depends on my mood and style I have today

[@melindabiddy7165]

I wish our library was as nice.

[@rebekahmenn2118]

I love these videos -- I don't know anything about authors' writing styles; I really enjoy this format you've created! I'd be curious to see what VE Schwab's writing style is like.

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

New to channel. New to the idea of possibly being a writer. Where should I start? How do I start?

[@HelloThere...]

Oh that’s simple-you start writing.

[@nayoungkim2170]

I am really liking these challenge series. I am also curious what kind of tools you use (seeing the what's in my bag portion)? Not just the notebook but the apps etc. Thank you for the lovely videos I always put them on

[@sbu_englishclub]

What a great idea for a video! It's so interesting to see how different people write--what works wonders for one person would absolutely KILL someone else

[@sofialanchodrozdowskyj8849]

I watch your videos while I work because I find them very soothing. Thank you for creating this kind of content!

[@Demitrival]

The way you smile when you write 🥹💖

[@BooksWithCarah]

absolutely adore your videos -- you inspire me so much!

[@dariawerner7056]

I'm really loving this series! And that library *envious screech* And this is a random question that you may have answered before but I was curious to know which writing software you use :)

[@thegrandbizzare]

Happy that I found such a cozy channel of an author in my own state! I always thought city living would be a great lifestyle. Coincidently, my aunt used to work in the Mortlock Library, although I never studied there as I went Flinders! 😂 And yes, it's also true that a 40r old male just used the word cozy! Have a good one!

[@adventureswithatlas]

I have been binge-watching your channel this weekend. I absolutely love it!

[@mgtogno]

The Picture of Dorian Grey is also my favorite book, I know many quotes by heart I read it so much hahaha I love Lord Henry kkkk

[@christy-anne-jones]

I love his sass. And his dialogue. He's so arrogant in a funny way? Hahaha

[@normamccafferty3053]

Such a fun series of challenges. :) I love many of your shots- I appreciate the effort you put into making the videos looking interesting and pretty. Lastly- that library! I’m smitten! ❤

[@СофияРубина-р3э]

I'm for the first time here, you are so sweet and cute, and your video is so cozy! I love Donna Tartt and it was a very interesting journey, thank you! Good luck with your book and with your experiments 🔥 I'm a beginner writer too, but right now I'm on the level of exploring different books and trying to understand how familiar books work at all technically. And I noticed that Donna Tartt doesn't have any single inappropriate word or detail, this is just awesome ❤️

[@zelihashares]

It is great to see you, ma favorite youtuber! 🥰🥰

[@General_Puffball]

Really impressive production values on this channel.

[@YourTrueShelf]

Wow, those libraries are absolutely gorgeous, esp the first room!! Beautiful. Nice for you to get out of the house from time to time and have a change of scene to work in.

[@olafgutte5381]

Very interesting, Christy! Here in Germany I learn so little about Donna Tartt. 👍☺🤗

[@brontekelleghan6353]

Christy, I love these writing routines

[@deerinthewoods]

it was very inspiring, thank you!

[@neonoires]

I'm not a big fan of Donna Tartt outside of The Secret History (which is my favorite book of all time) but I'm going to try this.

[@inkmatcha]

This was really inspiring! I'll try her writing routine for the weekend! Thank you for the wonderful video Christy! :)

[@lilyrose3]

I really like these writing vlogs! Also, you look so pretty without makeup too!

[@witabif]

christy: my fantasy novel is over 75,000 words and its not nearly done me, who hasn't even started writing my fantasy novel yet: 👀

[@Rec426]

I loved this! Even though I’ve never read a Donna Tartt book (I’ve got one on my shelf to read) I do like learning about other authors routines. This definitely made me interested in going out to work more on my novel and to also have a set place to work in. I normally work on my novel in bed (I know really bad 😅) since my legs do get a little achey/stiff if I sit for a long time but I think if I’m in a different place than my house maybe it might encourage me to get more work on my novel done? 🤔 it’s something to look into anyway :)

[@floratinuviel2762]

I loved this video! The Goldfinch was so wonderfully written, such a clever story. Also writing a fantasy novel (actually a series probably) would be so curious to know your thoughts specifically for the structure of fantasy! It's taken me quite a few years after I got the initial idea to really get into writing it down. I feel like fantasy can be so momentous that's it's quite the challenge.

[@faviomartinezfreitas5608]

I´m confident that following a routine would take a long time for someone to assimilate. However, I enjoy this kind of vids a lot!! Thanks a lot, Christy ;)

[@ooh29]

Such a beautiful library! Wow, Im impressed. You know I just happened to rewatch Donna Tartt's convo with Charlie Rose 1992, and here's you vlog. And it's not a coincidance. Yeah, thank you Christy for picking Her routine. I love that she's a Charles Dickens lover. Me too.

[@AdrianasWonderland]

i love those routine videos of yours. actually i love every single one of your videos, but those espiecially 🥰😍

[@LabRat-jv3qt]

Can you do George RR Martin's writing routine? He is my favorite writer. Love these vlogs!

[@RafaelToscano]

Wow, what a beautiful library!!!

[@arabicabqariyyah111]

Christy, I love this vlog so muchhh🥺

[@Adam-tk3cx]

Pretty sure Donna Tartt's writing routine is: 1. Be independently wealthy 2. Churn out a novel a decade because you can afford to

[@maya-di8nc]

fair point, but also - who cares? we shld be grateful that we have Tartt's novels. yeah, not everyone has time or money to write like she can, but at least she does so we can have her novels. ygm??

[@nomanisanisland117]

I'd actually challenge the idea that wealth and a slow pace are inextricably intertwined concepts. I have zero wealth, and rely on a boring desk day job to support myself, but as an aspiring novelist, I like to take my time writing precisely because my day job, not some inheritance, allows me to. If *that's* a luxury, it's probably the most common one amongst people who have publishing dreams. We pay the bills so we can, well, luxuriate in our passion in the hopes that one day it does pay the bills. Not to mention the fact that it's a inherent contradiction to characterize her independent wealth as being the 'secret' to her process, when it's the process that came before that independence. It's the process that earned her that independence in the first place. The Secret History took eight years to complete.

[@JayJay-wg5ex]

jealous?

[@dolphone6748]

Uh oh here come the poor people who still believe we live in a meritocracy.

[@wrigleyextra11]

if being independently wealthy is the the only step needed then where are all the bitcoin Donna Tarts?

[@WiteDahlia]

I love Donna Tartt! Great choice

[@jagger5392]

got 10 seconds in, saw the library and knew you were from adelaide too!!! amazingggg

[@EzeICE]

The Library in Adelaide is absolutely beautiful indeed.

[@joannbaumann4028]

Thnak you. What I nice series on writing routines. Subbed!

[@ingardensallmistywetwithrain]

What a beautiful library to write in. I find your keyboard at home a bit loud though. I just found your page and find it very interesting. I`ve just subscribed. Ok break time over, now back to my novella.

[@Lulu-kg8cf]

Really into this series 💜

[@colleenjune7534]

I've learned so much from you.

[@katieakin1091]

I’m writing a chapter book that’ll be a series, and I work best mid-morning until the afternoon when the sun is bright in the sky. Once the sun starts setting, it’s harder for me to write, and since I don’t get home from work until 5pm, I’m not motivated to write at that time (most of the time)

[@StetStudio]

There are so many lovely libraries in Pittsburgh I should really go out there to write.

[@YHLHL903]

This was so informative and inspiring!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@sofianever3261]

I love these challenges

[@sklsdjf]

I think the immersion tip still works for fantasy, and is maybe even more important for it! even just putting up some pictures of fantasy settings around your workspace or on your desktop or playing more fantasy music I think would help immerse you in the setting so that it doesn't have to be a literal place you visit that exists in real life but rather something u build in ur imagination and work off subconsciously as u write!

[@ReadingNymph]

Have you read the Uncensored version of Dorian Gray? I read it in October, it was fantastic

[@Mybookishbehaviour]

I would love to see you do Stephen king (for a fun time) or Brandon Sanderson (if you want to challenge yourself)

[@justyna2149]

I misunderstood and thought she meant rock music for a second...🤣 Donna Tartt is a rare gem among contemporary authors. Thank you for such an interesting video on her!

[@kannot1]

I wish I was rich enough to write in a hotel in New York for a week😭💔 love Donna Tartt, wish we knew more about her

[@____wicked.witch.of.the.words_]

Really loved this video ❤❤❤❤

[@____wicked.witch.of.the.words_]

Re-watch: One of my favorite routines ❤ 👌

[@evanjohnson9705]

Oh I love that library! I miss working upstairs in the Mortlock wing now that I use a wheelchair (99% sure there aren't any elevators there from memory

[@nikkisituations2247]

Wooo Adelaide represent!

[@garruscuriosity9791]

Id love to see the "Umberto Eco" style one day

[@Ebakyza]

20:25 baroque music! On the beginning of the video I heard "rock" music and I found it so strange that Donna Tartt likes to write with that in the background 😅 Rock music would confuse my brain!

[@samiraaziz6853]

Love your videos, Christy ❤ they make my idea. So glad you uploaded because I was getting worried and impatient. Btw, what keyboard do you use for your iPad? Is it the Apple magic one?

[@heriethalexander5145]

Hi Christy , Really enjoying your vlogs . What tablet are you using ?

[@sisterray1063]

Thank you for this marvelous video. May I ask where did you buy the cardigan you wore in library? It's so beautiful.

[@audreychin9261]

I wanna write in libraries too but the one and only library where I live is too bright inside, weak aircon and loud high school students always comin in & out :,)

[@rene.rodriguez]

Just discovered your channel. I love the tone and tenor. Great content. Liked and sub’d.

[@Rileyw239]

I’m very curious what writing program you use? And if you would recommend it? I tend to stick with Microsoft word which is fine in its simplicity but I’m curious what other writers prefer.

[@thursoberwick1948]

MS Word keeps changing and they also don't make it retrocompatible. Very annoying.

[@Rileyw239]

@@thursoberwick1948 very true. They definitely aren’t compatible with a lot of older tech which does make it super inaccessible which is unfortunate.

[@thursoberwick1948]

@@Rileyw239 I have old files from 15-20 years ago it won't open. From an archival point of view, that's useless. The irony is that I use it for more or less the same thing I did back then.

[@fashionlurveable]

such a good video thank you!